Page 75 of The Battery
He pursed his lips.
“Cheater,” I said. I was getting closer. “Show me your hand.” He brought it up to his upper chest. “You gonna be ready for me when I get back?”
“Yessir,” he said in a breathy reply.
Then he proceeded to explain to me just how he was going to be ready. In lurid detail. It was enough.
I erupted onto my abs with a feral growl. My eyes were squeezed shut, thoughts of Cody and his ass and his body heating every thought. My hips bucked into my hand as I squeezed out every drop of come, breathing laboriously but already slowing down.
I released every taut muscle and relaxed into the bed. My lids sagged. Spent. I didn’t want to clean myself off.
I remembered Cody and looked at the phone. “Still there?”
“Not. Fair.”
That won him a snicker that I couldn’t stop escaping my mouth. Damn but I missed him. “Good things come to those who wait.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Leo
The stairs didn’tmake a sound as I crept up them at midnight. I navigated down the hallway by what scant moonlight shone through distant windows. One hand traced the chair rail of the wainscoting to keep me from bumping into things. The door tohisroom was open and I heard a soft sound emanating from my own room.
There he was. Fast asleep. Four pillows propping him up on the right side of the bed. His sound machine pumped out a gentlewhooshnoise, like wind through a tunnel. The waning quarter moon gave me just enough light to see him bathed in muted silver. Hair tussled from sleep. Mouth slightly parted as his night shirt-covered chest rose and fell in a delicate rhythm. Peaceful. Beautiful.
Mine.
Five days had passed since he crept into my bed when I called him. Ever since that initial call, he returned to his own bed. I assumed for comfort. Which meant, because he knew I was coming home tonight from Minnesota, he waited for me in my bed.
The gesture was a sweet one. One I didn’t deserve.
I stopped in the bathroom to brush my teeth and hit the head. Did all of it with no lights. I was terrified the electric toothbrush would make too much noise, but remembered Cody had a machine to drown that out. After finishing up, I stripped down to my birthday suit and slipped under the covers on my side. The movement disturbed him and his sleepy eyes blinkedopen. I rotated on my side to face him and ran my fingers along his arm to soothe him.
“Go back to sleep,” I whispered.
There was only partial clarity in his eyes. I knew sometimes he took a pill to help sleep if he regressed at all in the pain department. It appeared he had this time. He mumbled something I didn’t understand. He left me with only one pillow, so I got as close as I could and draped an arm over his waist. He was asleep within seconds.
And I was, too.
I could get used to this, swirled in my head. Round and around. Circling the drain. Repeating itself on an endless loop.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Cody
Hell yes, I thought as I walked into the clubhouse.Hell fucking yes.The smell of leather, fresh linens, pine tar, and sweat. Navy blue and bronze splashed on every available surface. An endless line of teammates congratulating me on my return. Perfect early September weather waiting for me when I went outside with everyone else. It filled my chest with lightning. Pushed out the remaining bouts of pain that threatened to steal my breath every so often.
It felt like people couldn’t get enough of my presence. Even management came over to say hello and ask how I was doing. Our PR person wanted me to speak to a few folks who would be out on the field during practice. I wasn’t quite ready to throw yet but it was suggested I try and mime it.
Freddie got a chance to pull me to the side and ask for an update. I, of course, texted him when I could while staying with Leo. He assured me my room wouldn’t be given to anyone else, that he didn’t need money for rent, and that I could come back any time. He winked and nudged me with his elbow after saying that. In return, I assured him I’d be back as soon as the recovery was over. That I was only staying with Leo until I could start throwing in earnest.
He didn’t believe me.
Ididn’t believe me.
I hadn’t ridden in with Leo. He wanted to get to the stadium earlier than my sleeping aides would allow. We had only spent that one night in the same bed. I awoke overly sore and Leo insisted I stay in my room since he didn’t want me to rely toomuch on the pain meds while sleeping. I never offered to have him come into my room since, in classic Leo fashion, I sensed a wall go up. Another intentional separation that we both wanted to kick down, but Leo held on to.
I chalked it up to his fear of losing our chance at the pennant. And really, who was I to ruin that? I wanted to get back in shape faster, as well. I wanted to win this pennant with him, for Uncle Andy.
