She hadn’t called once while I was gone. I expected her to. I wanted her to. Why didn’t she call?
“Am I doing something wrong?” I hadn’t even realized Belinda had pulled her mouth from my cock.
I looked down at my limp penis, shameful. Her skilled lips were more than capable of keeping me aroused and bringing me to climax, so what was the problem?
“I’m sorry, darlin’. I guess I just have a lot on my mind.”
Her eyes glared up at me, but instead of being insulted, she seemed to take my excuse as a challenge. Her mouth latched back onto me, determined to get what she came for.
“Oh shit, I’m sorry.” Luke stopped short at my bedroom doorway.
I gripped Belinda’s hair, pulled her away from me, and quickly fastened my pants. She stood, turned, and smiled at Luke as she wiped her mouth. “We’ll try again later, babe,” she whispered, winked, and walked out of the room.
“What’s up?” I asked, trying to play it cool.
I was nowhere in the vicinity of cool.
The cocaine was flowing through my veins, the stress of losing my erection eating me up, and thoughts of Holly ripping me to shreds.
“I was just gonna let you know I was taking off,” he said.
“Alright. Well, have a good night.”
“Yeah, you too. Good luck with your girl later.” He shot me a cocky grin. “It happens to the best of us.”
It doesn’t happen to Ace motherfuckin’ Newman. Who did this kid think he was?
“She caught me off guard. Who the fuck invited her anyway?” I probed, realizing he was the only one who could have. Marty, fuck no, he wasn’t even here, and Frank, that fucker knew better.
“I didn’t invite her. She just wanted a ride,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.
Nice job, dickweed!
“Future advice. Don’t ever bring anyone not pre-approved to my parties ever again.” My tone was strong but fair.
“Sorry, man. Won’t happen again.”
“I have a rule. If I don’t invite a woman to my home, it’s because I don’t want her to know where I live.”
“Got it. It won’t happen again. Anyway, I gotta go pack. Leaving early tomorrow.”
Wait… what?
“Leaving for where?” I asked him.
He looked at me like I’d grown two heads. “Florida. Spring training.” His eyes widened. “Oh yeah, maybe you didn’t know they’re sending the pitchers down early.”
No, I didn’t know. And I didn’t like not knowing shit.
“That’s right,” I lied. “Forgot about that. What time are you all meeting up?”
“Clubhouse at nine.”
I smiled at him. “Alright, kid. Have fun and be sure to leave a few of the women for me.”
He gave me a little salute, and without another word, he turned, and I watched him walk down the stairs, pat Frank on the back, and then leave with the blonde who’d been in my bed just hours earlier.
Belinda wasn’t anywhere to be seen, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t hiding behind the curtains or in the dryer. Yes, I’ve had that shit happen before.
I sat down on the large white couch in the center of my living room, watched the people in my house laughing, drinking, dancing, and fooling around. They were all having a blast, or at least they appeared to be.
Glad someone was. Even my hit upstairs wasn’t bringing me to life like it should have. I might need a second.
Frank brought me a fresh drink. “Thanks, man.”
He sat down next to me, concern written on his face. “So, what’s wrong?” Damn, was Marty rubbing off on him?
“Not a thing, brother,” I said lightly. “Just dealing with unexpected company.” I chuckled, slapped Frank’s leg, and downed the drink in one long gulp.
My lips puckered, and my throat worked to reject the liquid pouring into my stomach. “What the fuck was that?” I demanded.
“A red-headed slut.” Frank laughed so hard he snorted.
“You’re a real dick, you know that?” I laughed, admiring the irony.
“I know.” Good Lord, another snort. “Yeah, we all told him that was a stupid idea.”
I glared at Frank. Did he seriously just admit to knowing Belinda was on her way without warning me ahead of time.
“Okay, so now you’re not allowed to bring any guests without pre-approval either,” I snapped, quickly realizing that was a foolish rule. Frank had never invited anyone. He relied on my rolodex of women to find one to play with. He was still searching, and I was running out of entries.
“I didn’t think he would. I mean, not after we all told him you’d be pissed.”
Yeah, Luke is officially a dick.
“I’m gonna get out of here.” He slapped my leg and then stood.
“Well, glad you made it out.” I walked him to the door and then out into the cool night air. It felt good outside, the March wind slapping at my clothes.
“Did you know the pitchers were heading down early?” I asked him, trying to sound casual.
“Yeah. Some kind of new shoulder strengthening program they’re testing.”
“Interesting. Hope it works.”
He gave me a little wave. “See ya next week.”
“Yeah. Later.”
I waved him off and pulled my phone from my pocket, scrolling through my recent emails. Nothing new about travel plan changes or anything related to me. No new emails. No new texts. No new calls.
I thumbed back to my call log and stared at the recent calls. Nothing new, just the ones from my sister and Holly last night. I hadn’t even listened to the voice mail yet. My sister was probably complaining that I hadn’t been home, especially since I’d been off for the last several months. I didn’t want to go home, not just because of her, but because of my dad.
I sent money for his care, but I didn’t want to see him. Ever.
I stared at Holly’s number, debating on calling her. I knew she wanted me. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t have called. So why hadn’t I heard from her today?
I tried to remember last night. I’d just fucked Belinda’s mouth, then she’d accidently answered the call. Holly told me she was coming to New York, but we hadn’t set anything up officially… had we?
Shit. I couldn’t remember.
Was I supposed to pick her up from the airport? Had I left her standing out in the cold?
Nah, Calvin would’ve said something. He was good about giving me a head’s up when I needed it, especially when it concerned Holly. He was like her big brother, always looking out for her.
My thumb grazed over her number, almost daring itself to tap the call button.
CHAPTER FIVE
Holly
I gripped my phone and thought about calling Ace. I knew spring training was about to start, and he would be whisked away to Daytona Beach where half-naked women would surround him, worshipping him, and he would probably forget all about me again, just like he had in Hawaii.
I hated that he hadn’t even called to tell me he was leaving. I hated it more that he hadn’t called me back to set up a time to meet up. And I hated myself the most for caring.
I’m not supposed to care.