Ford wraps his arm tighter around me. Possessive like I might run if he doesn’t hold me close enough.
“When the asshole’s place was cleared out, most of the dogs were put down. They were too aggressive to be around people, but Folgers was a pup, probably around nine months. Even with his left ear mostly chewed off, he was friendly as hell. This was all happening when Pax and I got the house. I guess we were feeling like domesticated bastards, so a dog made sense. The end.”
“I like your story,” I say, running my hand up his sweater. “Happy endings are sexy.”
Ford grins. “When you say shit like that, I can’t believe you don’t hear how fucking dirty you sound.”
“Huh?”
Shaking his head, Ford kisses my forehead. “Never mind. Let’s watch the movie. The shit is about to hit the fan.”
I relax against him and focus on the movie. Whenever I hide my face against Ford’s chest during a scary scene, his arm tightens around me. I feel safe here with two men who aren’t safe. Mostly, I feel at home.
33
Ford
Replacing Home Run
Baseball is the only truly fond memory I have from growing up. Pax and I played only one season while living with Marcy. Her neighbor Coach Mike taught me how to land a punch. Throwing it was easy, he said. Where your punch lands is what matters.
Pax and I make a habit of visiting the batting cage every week when the weather isn’t too shitty. It’s our thing, yet now I’m bringing Shay. I might as well smack Pax in the face with a flashing sign saying, “YOU’RE BEING REPLACED!”
Shay isn’t even a little bit talented. She really tries to hit the ball, but I finally make her stop when she nearly pops her shoulder out of the socket.
“I’m getting the hang of it,” she whines when I use my hip to bump her out of the cage. “People will call me Slugette.”
“Slug maybe,” Pax mutters, taking her place. “I hear your nickname Stripper is catching on.”
Shay glares at him then leans against me. “I think I hurt myself.”
“I’m sure you did.”
“I might need to soak in Darby’s big bathtub tonight.”
“That’ll be tricky with you sleeping at my place.”
Shay grins up at me. “Are you addicted? I only ask because you clearly are.”
“What about you? I can’t pry your ass off me for five seconds. Yeah, you got it bad.”
“Shut the fuck up!” Pax yells, swinging for the ball.
“Watch your language, young man!” Shay yells back.
Pax smiles then swings at the next ball. Shay nuzzles me, shivering in the cold evening.
“I like you,” she says, but I know this isn’t what she really wants to say.
“I like you too especially your tits.”
It’s not what I want to say either, but fantasies need lies to keep them alive.
Shay and I wrap our arms around each other to keep warm. For the next ten minutes, we watch Pax bash one ball after another. Occasionally, Shay cheers for one of his hits if the ball bounces in a cool way. Every time she claps, Pax winks at me like he’s stealing my woman away.
The batting cages are located in a large open area with basketball courts and a mini golf course. Except for a group of meth-fucked teenagers, the place is pretty empty. They yell when they’re happy. They yell when they’re pissed. By the time Lucky shows up with his kids, the teenagers are yelling because they’re cold.
“Shut the fuck up!” Lucky hollers at them.
The teenagers flip him off until they realize he’s with us. Despite their raised middle fingers, they don’t want to get beaten by bikers. Finally, they shut the fuck up.
“Hey, Lucky,” Shay says, still wrapped in my arms. “Hi, Paige and Joey.”
“What up?” Joey says like a little thug.
I roll my eyes at his tone, but Shay grins. He gives her a little nod and I realize he has a crush. Between Joey and the teenagers, I’m reminded about how much I hate kids.
“Glad to run into you,” Lucky says to me and I know a fucking lecture is coming. “Can we talk, Ford?”
I glance down at Shay with her chattering teeth and pink cheeks. She needs to go home. I’m ready to leave too. Yet Pax is still hitting balls and now Lucky wants to play papa bear.
Lucky and I sit down at the nearby empty tables. He’s tense in his low-key Lucky way.
“Get on with it,” I say, stretching my fingers out to relax them. “Is this the papa bear speech where I’m not good enough for your little girl and I need to back off? If so, you’re not her papa and I’m not backing off.”
“I got your number,” he mutters, giving me a grin. “No doubt you think you’re complicated as hell. I hate to tell you, Slugger, you ain’t complicated at all.”
I suck on my teeth and tap for him to get to the point.
“I want Shay to be safe and I hear you take good care of her. Hell, you gave her money for a pedicure.”
“Fuck,” I grumble. “Are there any secrets in this town?”