Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 44850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Yeah, it’s what we call baseball jocks who are way too cocky and like to stick their bats anywhere they can get it wet—not bothering to worry about wood rot.”
Parker and Dad laugh. Slater doesn’t. He studies me. His stare makes me feel uneasy, but rather than continue letting him set me on edge, I give him a smile and walk away.
I’ve always hated these parties. I’d like to say that’s why I sneak out of the back of the restaurant. I can’t. If I did, I’d be lying. I’m leaving because Slater scares the hell out of me.
CHAPTER 5
Marigold
Two Months Later
There should be an award that you can win for how often you can avoid one person in the span of eight weeks. I’m certain that I would win it. No, seriously, I’m completely positive. I have mastered that particular skill into an art form. I haven’t missed a game. I’ve gone to parties thrown at the clubhouse and even several practice scrimmages. Through all of that, I’ve yet to be alone with Slater. Trust me when I tell you that he’s worked hard to get me that way. I didn’t know how resourceful I could get. Thankfully, Kage, Faye, and even my brother, Green, have been available to help me.
I almost feel guilty for that last one. Green has been inventing reasons to keep Slater busy. I think he’s even enjoying it a little more than he should. I just told him that Slater hit on me, and I really don’t want to be alone with him. Yet, I have a sneaking suspicion that Parker or one of the other guys told Green exactly what Slater said to me. I say this because last week after yelling at me across the field—asking me to go out with him—Green showed up out of nowhere to make Slater run laps around the damn field. Slater didn’t talk back or even call Green on his shit—which I guess is wise considering Green is in charge of Slater’s career. Still, I felt guilty. I made sure that Parker jogged alongside of him and gave him plenty of Gatorade.
The problem with that is every single time he took a drink, Slater’s eyes would find mine and I’m pretty sure that Parker ratted me out. That means, Slater probably thinks I like him and damn it all to hell… he’d be right.
I do like him. I am attracted to him, and I want to be alone with him. That means I’m in deep doo-doo.
I let out a sigh. I thought my time would run out today. To be honest, I was kind of relieved. We’re having a huge cookout to celebrate the new facility for Green’s team being completely finished and him signing a brand-new contract to head the team. We were going to have it there, but Mom wanted to do a huge cookout at the house and Green said he’d rather do it there, too. I knew Slater would be here. I knew that we would finally have to talk. I prepared for it and really was glad the waiting was over.
Yet, it hasn’t turned out like I thought it would. Slater hasn’t tried to approach me once. Honestly, he seems like a different man today. It’s almost as if my family intimidates him. I could have sworn that he was the type that no one could do that to.
My gaze roves across the yard. It doesn’t surprise me when I zero in on Slater almost instantly. I’m drawn to him like a moth to a flame. The tension between us is getting hotter and hotter. I know I’m going to get burned. The thing is, I’m almost to the point that I just don’t care. I’m starting to think a taste of Slater might be worth the pain.
I frown as he walks away from everyone and heads toward the old barn. That definitely annoys me.
Has the jerk found someone else to toy with? Does he think I’m that easily forgotten? I start walking toward him. If Slater thinks he can ignore me, he needs to think again.
CHAPTER 6
Slater
Christ, this family is nuts.
It’s all kind of alien to me. I didn’t have a family. I’ve been shuffled in and out of foster homes for as long as I can remember. The one thing that saved me was baseball. It gave me a way out of the system and into a good life. I’m not the greatest player ever was, but I hold my own. It puts a roof over my head. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. That was until I got traded to Green Lucas’s team. That’s when I first saw Marigold Lucas. I’ve seen a lot of women in my life—had more than my share. I’ve never seen anything like Marigold. She can be sweet as honey and sour as a lemon.