AUSTIN
“Terrence,did you pick her up yet?”
“Just relax. I’m a few miles away.”
Terrence was my personal driver. He was the only driver I trusted. I’d met him at an event. He wasn’t a fan of my team. He was a Yankees fan. I gave him crap for it and hired him, convinced that if he worked for me, I’d turn him to my side of the baseball fence. So far, it hadn’t worked.
“Okay, call me when you have her.”
I hung up, paced the room, and rubbed the back of my neck. I went to the mirror, checking my attire—crisp white V-neck, dark-washed jeans. Then, I ran one hand through my hair and blew out a breath.
Why did it feel like I had first-date jitters? My nerves never got the best of me, especially when it came to women. This wasn’t a date or anything like that. I just wanted to do something nice for Sydney. She had sacrificed so much of her time to take care of me.
I shifted, and my arm pinched. It was odd, not being in a sling anymore. The doctor had indicated that I’d healed nicely but to take it easy. I’d done the opposite as soon as I was with the physical therapist the day after. I knew my body, and it did well when I pushed it—like a machine.
There was no doubt I’d be back on the field, excelling. I was prepared to work until I was in tip-top shape, better than before.
My phone rang, and I picked up immediately. It wasn’t Terrence, and my sister’s face came in full view via the video call.
“Hey …”
We’d made up, but not fully. It would take time, but at least we were on speaking terms.
“I’m going to Crystal’s house, so I’m in the area, and I wanted to know if you needed anything—food, groceries … I don’t know.”
After she’d begged and pleaded, I’d let her take me to my appointment to get my sling off. She’d talked the whole way to and from the hospital. She was trying hard, and I was trying equally hard not to make a backhanded comment.
At times, it was hard to look at Brandy without picturing her kissing James. Every part of me wanted to show up at his house and finish what I’d started in that parking lot, but that would only deter my plan to play this season.
“I’m fine. I don’t need anything.”
“Okay.” I could hear the heavy disappointment in her voice. “But dinner? Dinner at the end of next month? I think Mom will be back.”
I couldn’t hide the groan that escaped my lips. “Yeah, sure. Just make the reservations, and I’ll be back.”
“I’ll pick you up, okay?” She sounded so hopeful.
“Okay.” I couldn’t be mad at her forever. Problem was, it would take me time to forget what she’d done. “And, Brandy?”
“Yeah?”
“Be careful tonight. Wherever you girls decide to go, be careful.”
I could almost sense the smile on her face. “Okay. Sure, big bro.”
After I hung up, I went to my room, looking over the clothes that my personal shopper had picked up for Sydney. Leather skirt. Tank top. Earrings. I approved of the tank top and most definitely the skirt and the boots. God, I loved the high-heeled boots. The earrings weren’t really Sydney though.
Thirty minutes later, I was sitting on the couch and looking good. It felt nice to be dressed up for once, when I’d lived in sweats for the last month. I tried to do my hair, but it still hurt to lift my arms, so it was simply styled.
When the doorbell buzzed, I almost ran to get it, then paused. I took one calming breath and swaggered the rest of the way. It’d been almost one full week since I’d seen her, and I missed her. She was all I could think about. Her and tonight’s event.
And without my sling, I felt somewhat back to normal. Not fully recovered, but I no longer felt helpless. I swore my palms were sweating like a teenage boy before I opened the door.
Her head was deep in her phone, and she was texting someone. I wondered who she was texting and also wondered how someone could be so clueless about their surroundings.
“Hey,” I said after she stepped into my place.
Her eyes flipped to mine before landing back on her phone, and then they met mine again with sudden, slow surprise. She placed her phone back into her purse, walking farther into my condo. “Are you celebrating because you got your sling off?” she asked, giving me a once-over.