Chapter Three
Keller
Keller stood on his back porch, phone in hand, staring at the field lights in the distance. Today was game day, his favorite day of the week. Back where he grew up, in a small Texas town, football was royalty. But here at St. Leasing, baseball was king. He took a deep breath of the fresh early morning air, trying to calm his nerves. He had skipped yoga that morning for no other reason than he was a coward. He didn’t know how he would react to seeing Molly again, and he hadn’t been quite ready to find out.
Dom suggested that Keller invite her to the game tonight, especially since they had the home field advantage. Coop went to all the home games, so Molly would have company in the stands while Keller did his coaching thing. Plus, everyone would go to Dom and Coop’s house after the game, so Keller would get to hang out with Molly without the pressure of an actual date. Seemed he had it all figured out; the only thing he needed to do now was grow a pair and call her.
Last night Dom had made everything seem so easy, but all Keller’s fears of commitment and not being good enough had surfaced again as soon as he’d woken up. He hadn’t slept well— he’d tossed and turned nonstop.
He sighed and dropped his head. Resigned, he slid open his phone. Maybe a text would be better, seem more casual.
Keller: Mornin’ Miss Molly. Sorry I missed yoga. I had a rough night. I was wondering if maybe you wanted to come out to the ball game this evening? Then head over to Dom and Coop’s with me?
He spent the next ten minutes staring at his phone, pacing back and forth like a damn fool waiting for her reply. When he’d had enough of his own juvenile behavior, he shoved his phone in his pocket and headed to work. He continued to check his mobile every five minutes for the next two hours. He was supposed to be coaching batting practice with the freshmen, but he was distracted as all get out and nearly took a line drive to his head. Finally, five hours after he’d sent it, when he was sitting in his office staring at his computer but seeing nothing, his phone dinged with her reply.
Molly: I would love to. See you tonight.
He let out the breath he had been holding all damn day. He was pathetic. Baze was right. Merely dating Molly was going to be agony. The need to know what she was doing paled in comparison to the need to know that she was his. He had let all kinds of crazy things run through his mind waiting for her text. Maybe the guy from the coffee house had gone to yoga class and they had hit it off. And maybe they went for breakfast. Maybe one thing had led to another and she had let the FBI jackass bend her over the bathroom counter.
See? Crazy.
He resisted the urge to text her back and ask how her morning had gone, ask her to go into detail about every step she’d taken that day. Instead he left his phone safely on his desk and went in search of a distraction. And he got one. Keller heard arguing coming from Dom’s office as soon as he stepped foot into the hallway.
“You are not my boss, Dominic Hardy.”
“You’re right, sweetheart, I’m not. I’m your m—I’m your fiancé and the father of that baby. And I’m not going to budge on this.”
Keller jumped out of the way as Coop came barreling out of Dom’s office, nearly knocking Keller over with her huff. “Hey, Coop, slow down. What’s going on?”
She shook her head, throwing her hands in the air. “Ugh. Just your possessive domineering douche of a best friend being his usual self. Acting like the ruler of the free world.”
Keller grabbed her flailing hands and pulled her back into Dom’s office before closing the door. “What the hell are you two doing arguing on campus with the damn door wide open, where any kid or investigator could hear you? Use your heads.”
Corey glared at Keller and then thankfully turned her icy gaze to Dom. “Well, if he wouldn’t boss me around all the damn time, I wouldn’t have to argue with him in public.” Her eyes narrowed further. “But he just can’t seem to help himself.”
Dom rubbed his temples, taking deep breaths. “Keller, will you please tell your precious Coop that she absolutely cannot try to get a confession out of Franklin.”
Keller chuckled. Dom couldn’t be serious. When Coop shrugged, Keller stopped laughing. “What are you talking about?”
“Corey thinks that it would be a good idea to wear a wire and then goad Franklin into confessing that he had Henderson murdered.” Dom nodded his head, his eyes wide as saucers.
“Coop. You’re joking, right? Did you actually think any of us would be okay with our pregnant pac—sister doing something so dangerous? Not to mention stupid?”
Corey closed her eyes and collapsed into a nearby chair, the fight seeming to drain out of her all at once. “Look, I know it’s not the best idea and I know it’s dangerous. But that guy loves to brag and he absolutely hates me. It seemed like a good combination. I’m just terrified that the boys will get caught in the crossfire if they lead the Feds to Franklin.” She turned pleading eyes on Keller. “I can’t let them get hurt again.”
Keller crossed the room and stood behind Corey rubbing her tense shoulders, ignoring Dom’s possessive growl of disapproval. “You need to remember that those boys aren’t just your average teenagers, they are tougher than they look. We know you love them and we are going to do everything in our power to make sure they stay safe. All you need to worry about is cooking that baby girl. No more crazy talk about trying to get a murderous mobster to confess by wearing a wire in your cleavage. Okay?”
“Okay, okay. I know you’re right.” She held her hands up in surrender. “I’m sorry, it was an insane idea. Blame these hormones. They make me act like an invincible badass.”
Keller grinned. “No, they make you act like a protective mama. Which means you are gearing up to be one amazing parent.”
Corey stood and hugged Keller, ignoring Dom when he growled in protest again. “Thanks, Kel.”
Dom got to his feet, his expression irritated. “Excuse me? I said the exact same thing to you not five minutes ago and you blew up and threatened to shoot me in the balls with your pink gun.”
Corey put her hands on her hips, whirling on her fiancé. “You told me no, that you forbid it. You know damn well that sets me off. You brought this on yourself, babe. Maybe you should learn to be more diplomatic, like Keller.”
“Yeah, Dom, you should really try to be better.” Keller pushed a huge shit-eating grin across his face. “Like me.”
“Oh yeah? Okay. Maybe you’re right. Let’s go with a little of that Keller honesty, huh?” He turned to his mate, a smile on his face. “Corey, did you know that Keller thinks Molly is his forever? But he wasn’t sure if he wanted to ‘settle down’ so he’s been lying to all of us and avoiding her.” Dom crossed his arms over his chest and rocked back on his heels, raising an amused eyebrow at Keller.
Corey whipped around to face Keller. “What? Commitment issues? Really, Keller? Grow up. Molly is an amazing person and you should consider yourself incredibly lucky that the universe thought you were good enough for her.” She threw her hands in the air just like she had earlier outside Dom’s office. “Ugh. What is wrong with all you damn men? I swear, now I want to shoot you too.”
Keller put his palms up and slowly backed away. “I know, I know. Coop you are so right. I was being an idiot. But I’m done running and I invited her to the game tonight and then to y’all’s house afterwards. I feel like now’s not the time to tell her about uh, you know, what we are—what with the investigation and all—but I am going to tell her. Soon. You are so good at putting up with all our childish male behavior and I just want you to know that we appreciate you.”
Dom rolled his eyes and mumbled, “Brownnosing cocksucker.”
Corey reached out and rubbed Keller’s arm. “I’m glad you found someone, Keller. Molly is really wonderful. Now y’all try and behave yourselves and I’ll see you tonight.” She blew Dom a kiss and walked out of the office.
“Could you be any more pathetic?” Dom shook his head. “Pregnancy is making her irrational. She just let you blow smoke up her ass and didn’t even call you on it.”
Keller let out a quiet laugh. “Dom, my friend, pregnant women are a whole different ball game. Always react calmly, dish out the compliments, and definitely don’t boss them around. I was living at home when my sister had her first baby. You live it you learn it.”
“Oh yeah? Your sister, huh? Wonder how many times that brother-in-law of yours had to nail her before he knocked her—”
“Stop.” Keller held one hand out and one hand over his mouth to hold in his gag. “Don’t mention my sister and sex in the same sentence. Asshole.”
He left the office with the sound of Dom’s laughter trailing after him.