Sabrina

“So this is where you hide out.”

His voice came from directly in front of me and I opened my eyes to look up at him. I had been so focused on my stomach crunches I didn’t hear him approach.

“I’m not hiding,” I panted out not stopping the exercise. “I’m exercising.”

“Hmmm. I can see that.”

His voice held a hint of a smile, but I refused to take the bait and ask him what he found so amusing. I also refused to think about the fact that I am only wearing gym shorts and a sports bra, my usual workout attire. I forced myself to do one last crunch and sat up on the bench.

Grabbing my towel off the floor next to me, I wiped my face and looked at Dan. “Did you need something?”

He seemed distracted as his eyes toured my body. Hell, I’d be distracted too if I had to look at me. My haphazard ponytail, sweat-slicked skin, not to mention seen-better-days workout gear can’t be pretty to look at.

“I’m taking Lexi to practice then we’re going out for ice cream. We thought you might like to come along.”

“Oh, I don’t…”

“Look Bri, it’s Lexi’s request. I know you’d rather avoid me as much as possible, but she wanted me to ask you.”

“I’m not avoiding you.” His eyebrow arched. “Dan, I see you every day, multiple times a day. How do you figure I’m avoiding you?”

“You only see me when you have to. It’s been nearly two weeks and, other than our workouts, I haven’t seen you at all. That’s a pretty mean feat considering we live under the same roof.”

“It is a big house,” I said, attempting to use humor to diffuse the situation. When he didn’t smile, I said, “I’m just busy.”

“Uh huh.”

I nearly lost it right then and there. Why does this man have the ability to get me so riled up? Fine, let him think I’m avoiding him. What do I care? I was about to tell him as much when Lexi came bounding into the gym, her green eyes shining.

“Can she come?” She directed the question to Dan.

He pulled her close for a quick hug then left his arm draped across her shoulders instead of letting her go. “I don’t know, honey. She didn’t answer me yet.”

Lexi shifted her gaze to me. How could I say no to that face?

“I’d love to.” I looked down at myself and winced. Do I have time to take a quick shower? I’m pretty rank.”

Dan looked at his watch. “Can you be ready in twenty minutes?” He looked skeptical.

“No problem.”

I called myself every kind of fool as I showered, brushed my teeth, got dressed, and pulled my hair into a French braid. I do not want to socialize with Dan. He’s too good-looking, too charming. Like a moth to a flame, I feel myself being pulled toward him even though I know I’ll inevitably get burned. It’s best if I just steer clear of him whenever possible.

I slipped on my sneakers, grabbed a jacket, and set out to find Dan and Lexi. This outing is about Lexi, not Dan. I’ll just have to focus all my attention on her.

Dan stepped into the foyer as I reached the bottom landing. His eyes lit on mine for a second before slowly making their way down, then back up my body. By the time his eyes met mine again, my body was covered with goosebumps, and the room is not the least bit chilly. If anything, the temperature has risen significantly in the past minute or so.

Dan looked at his watch, then back at me. I couldn’t help notice the hint of appreciation in his eyes. “You did that in twenty minutes.”

It was more a question than a statement, and obviously a compliment. I felt myself blush.

“Do you want me to drive?” I asked, hoping to distract myself from his perusal.

“No, I can manage.” He yelled for Lexi as we walked toward the front door. She ran past us and out the door seconds later. “Do you have your glove?” Dan yelled.

I watched Lexi skid to a halt, turn around, and trace her steps back into the house. She ran in the door, past Dan and me, and bounded up the stairs.

“Does she ever slow down?” I asked as we walked to the car.

“No.” Dan chuckled. “She even tosses and turns in her sleep.” He chuckled again. The loving look in his eyes nearly melted my heart. “She sneaks into bed with me every once in a while and beats me to a pulp.”

I was running his last sentence through my brain when Lexi burst out of the house, glove in hand, and jumped into the back seat of the Land Rover. Dan refused my help and struggled into his seat. He adjusted his leg and settled in before putting the key in the ignition and turning it. He shifted the car into gear and looked back at Lexi. “All buckled up?”

“Yep.”

He lifted his foot off the brake and steered us down the driveway. “I’m just thankful that, if this had to happen at all, it happened to my left leg and not the right. I’d go crazy if I had to depend on other people to chauffer me around.”

“How does it feel?”

“Sore, but not unbearable.”

“Good. That’s how it’s supposed to feel.”

I have to admit that I’ve been pretty impressed with Dan’s sessions this past week. He’s dedicated and hardworking, and I haven’t heard him complain once. In fact, I usually have to stop him from pushing too hard.

“I can’t wait ‘til I don’t have to wear this damn brace anymore.”

“Daddy!” Lexi admonished from the back seat.

“Sorry honey.” Dan’s eyes crinkled in amusement. “I meant to say ‘this darn brace.’”

“I’m sure you did,” Lexi answered, sounding like a little old lady.

I couldn’t help but laugh. Dan McMullen apologizing for saying damn.

“Lexi’s my language patrol,” he explained.

I looked back at her and smiled. “You must have your work cut out for you.”

“It’s not so bad anymore.”

“I try to behave,” Dan said.

“Sometimes he forgets after a long road trip if I’m not with him, but he’s usually pretty good.”

I had to remind myself that these words of wisdom are coming from an eight-year-old.

Dan glanced over at me. “I don’t say anything really bad anymore.”

“Lexi is obviously doing a fine job.”

I shouldn’t have come. This outing was a big mistake. Instead of focusing my attention on Lexi like I’m supposed to be doing, more often than not, I find myself watching Dan. His patience with the girls is amazing, and they obviously adore him. Then again, they are female.

“Hey Bri.”

Dan’s booming voice broke into my thoughts. I looked up and he waved his arm in a “come here” gesture. How can he look so sexy and virile with a brace on his leg, a crutch supporting his weight, and twelve eight-year-old girls surrounding him?

The short walk from my place on the bleachers to the field seemed to take forever. The women on the other set of bleachers whispered as I walked away. I wondered how many of them Dan has been with.

“You beckoned?”

He looked at me for a moment before answering. “Would you be willing to pitch some batting practice for the girls here?”

“Batting practice?”

He nodded and scratched his jaw with his thumb. “Our usual practice pitcher is out of town and George here isn’t so good at it.” Dan gestured toward the man in question then took the opportunity to introduce us. “I obviously can’t do it,” he added, his eyes gazing at me with an exaggerated plea. “So whaddya say? Think you can still do it?”

“Got an extra glove?”

Dan handed me his and smiled. “Okay girls, take your positions. Megan,” he pointed at an adorable red-head, “you’re up.” He leaned toward me and whispered, “Go easy on them, Bri, they’re just kids.”

His warm breath caressed my cheek. My knees went weak and for a minute I thought about leaning into him for support. Before I could do anything so crazy, the buzzing started up in the bleachers once again, restoring my sanity.

I took a step back and looked him in the eye. “Don’t worry. I’ll be gentle.” Dan looked confused, then angry. I walked away before he could comment. Sometimes my poker face is better at relaying my feelings than any words could be.

Dan

This woman is testing my sanity. I love her more than life, but it pushes all my buttons when she gives me that look.

When Lexi asked if Sabrina could come to get ice cream with us, I thought it would be a great way to spend more time with her. And the fact that she could pitch batting practice beforehand is just icing on the cake. Unfortunately, I forgot about the moms. I’m sure Sabrina thinks I’ve slept with them all. I mentally snorted. Not a chance.

Since starting my career, the women I’ve met who want me for me have been few and far between. Back then, I didn’t care so much. I was trying to get over Sabrina and fucking her out of my system with as many random women as possible seemed to be the best way to do that. Eventually I figured out that wasn’t working and slowed down. Then I met Marie and my life changed forever.

I watched Sabrina and swallowed. The woman literally takes my breath away. It’s not just her physical beauty, it’s her. And watching her pitch batting practice to Lexi’s team is making my heart ache. She’s glowing. I forgot how much she loved playing softball and how good she was. I wonder if she still plays.

She jogged from the pitcher’s mound to home plate to adjust Gianna DelVecchio’s stance.

“Now as my arm goes back,” I heard her stay, “you get ready to swing. Ok?”

The little girl nodded.

Sabrina ran back to the mound, giving me a very nice view of her backside.

“Ok, here we go,” Sabrina said just before she went into her windup.

Gianna swung and made contact…a rare occurrence. The ball sailed over second base and into center field. Sabrina and the girls cheered as Gianna’s smile engulfed her face.

Gianna managed to make contact with a few more pitches, seeming to gain confidence with each hit.

“Last pitch,” Sabrina said. “When you hit it this time, run the bases.”

Gianna hit it over third base and it rolled into left field. She took off toward first base and Sabrina followed behind her. The little girl giggled as she rounded the bag and spotted Sabrina. The other players ran from their positions and fell in line behind and they all crossed second base, rounded third, and jumped on home plate in quick succession.

The team circled Sabrina and she gave them all high fives and said what a great job they did. I watched as Lexi threw her arms around Sabrina’s waist and squeezed tight. She looked up and said something I couldn’t hear. Sabrina leaned down and whispered into Lexi’s ear. Whatever she said had my daughter grinning from ear to ear. Watching the two of them together made it difficult to swallow. I didn’t think it was possible to love Sabrina more than I had when she arrived, but she just proved me wrong.