The Trade Read online

  “Ohhhh.” I shake my head. “From that little comment, I’m going to guess Bobbie for life?”

  She nods. “Always. Sorry, Potter.” She picks up another cupcake for each of us, and I love that she doesn’t care that we’re scarfing these down together. “It’s painful knowing my brother is going to be a Rebel, but there is one good thing about it.” She looks up at me, her clear blue eyes shining with excitement. “It means he’s back in town and closer to us again. When he was in Tampa, it was hard on Joseph, not being able to go to his home games. We made a few trips, but Joseph isn’t a huge fan of travel, so now that Jason is back, he negotiated a seat for Joseph in his deal, giving him the chance to go to every home game.”

  “Wow, that’s . . .” I look over at Jason. I wasn’t aware of just how good of a person he is. “I had no idea he was such a family man.”

  “He is. Loves Joseph so much. We all do.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet him. Wishing I did now.”

  “I’m sure you’ll meet him once the season starts up. Jason is very demanding when it comes to his brother being a part of the game. I know it’s already in the works to have Joseph throw out a first pitch during the season, preferably on a day where we can promote the foundation as well. Despite the Rebels being known as the dirtiest team in baseball, they’re pretty nice when it comes to the front office.”

  I nod, not really saying much because, honestly, I don’t have much to say. Natalie is talking about the Rebels as if they’re a great team, which in her eyes, I’m sure they’ve become, given everything they’re doing for Jason, but he has yet to go through a season with them.

  I’m sure the team will take its toll on him at some point, like it has on me.

  But Natalie isn’t obtuse. “I guess you don’t agree with me.”

  I rub the side of my jaw, my cupcake already downed. “I have had a different experience, but who’s to say that won’t change next year.”

  “Bitter about the midseason trade still?” Nailed it. “I would be too. But hey, you’re closer to your family again too, so that’s something to be happy about.”

  I tilt my head, studying her, the positive attitude that seems to exude from her so easily. I like it . . . a lot.

  “You’re right. I do get to be closer to my family. I already told Milly she’ll be working with me all off season so when the season starts back up again, the fans have no reason to boo me.”

  “Only Bobbies fans will.” She winks.

  Acting offended, I ask, “Would you boo me if I walked out on the field?”

  “Of course. It’s part of my duty as a Bobbies fan.”

  “Ouch, Natalie. That’s”—I pat my chest—“that’s hurtful. And here I thought we were bonding over cupcakes.”

  “You’re tough, you can handle it. More than my brother, that’s for sure.”

  “I have a feeling I’m going to have to coddle him a lot next season.”

  “He’d probably kill me if he knew I was telling you this, but he’s said a few times how he plans on nuzzling you in the dugout every chance he gets.”

  “That does not surprise me.” Wanting to get off the topic of Jason, I ask, “Is this what you planned on doing, running a foundation?”

  She chuckles and shakes her head. “Not even a little. I actually graduated with a degree in business marketing and planned on working for a big firm here in Chicago. I wanted to be that kick-ass girl in a business suit, taking the world of marketing by the balls. But I graduated at a bad time, when jobs sucked. So I worked at Bath & Body Works for a good amount of time until Jason told me what he wanted to do. That’s when I told him I would step up and help him. It’s been two years in the making, but we’re finally at a point where I can see the cash flow, where I can see us making a change.”

  “Bath & Body Works, huh?” She nods. “Still get a discount on those three-wick candles?”

  She laughs and shakes her head. “I wish. I only buy them when they’re on sale because over twenty dollars for a candle is outrageous.”

  “But they are the best.”

  “Never found a candle that works better.”

  “You know, some might say Yankee Candle—”

  She scoffs. “People can talk about Yankee Candle until they’re blue in the face, but they have nothing on a three-wick.”

  “Favorite scent?” I ask, nodding at her.

  “Mahogany teakwood, easily. I love the smell of a man.”

  Why does that make me gulp?

  “What about you?” she asks.

  Umm . . . my mind is blank, because all I can think about is Natalie sniffing men up and down, preferably me.

  Trying to look as unaffected as possible, I say, “Uh . . . that’s a tough one, there are so many favorites.”

  “Come on, you have to choose.” She presses her hand on my arm, her warm palm lighting up my veins, pumping my blood furiously through them.

  “Yeah, choose.” I laugh to myself, feeling like an idiot just from the mere touch from a woman. “Uh, eucalyptus spearmint. Fresh and subtle.”

  She sits back and looks me up and down, a look of awe on her face. “Cory Potter, I never would have guessed you were a euc-mint kind of guy, but what a wonderful surprise. That’s my second favorite.”

  “Are you just saying that so you can act like we have something in common?” I tease her.

  “No, I would never really want to have anything in common with a Rebel.”

  “And there we go again, taking shots straight at my heart. Will the black and red of my jersey always set you off?”

  She nods, not even giving it a second thought. “Yes, yes, it will.”

  “Brutal.” I shake my head in humor. “So with the foundation, are you using anything you learned from college?”

  “Eh, just a little. Not much though. Working in non-profit almost feels like an entirely different world. But I’m enjoying it, that’s for sure. Plus, since I get to work from home, I get to spend more time with Joseph. I see him at least twice a week now. One of those nights, I cook for him.”

  “Are you just as good of a cook as Jason is?” I ask, knowing how much pride he takes in his cooking abilities.

  “Not at first, but I’m getting there. I’ve been taking some cooking classes in my spare time.”

  “To upstage Jason?”

  She laughs, the humor reaching her eyes. “I hate to admit it, but yes. He’s so full of himself, he needs to be brought down a notch. I have some work to do, but I’ll get there.”

  “At least you have the potato salad over him.”

  “Totally.” She smiles and then looks out at the event. “Ugh, I should finish making the rounds and cleaning up.” She finishes her water before looking over at me. “Cory Fucking Potter, it was a pleasure. Thank you so much for coming to this event and supporting the foundation. It means a lot to us.” She winks and stands. “Have a good night . . . rebel.”

  “You too,” I say, my voice coming off hoarser than expected as I watch her walk away, a slight sway to her hip, a hitch in her step from her sore feet.

  Damn, I sigh.

  What I wouldn’t give to spend a few more hours talking to her, getting to know her more. I want to know about her relationship with Joseph, how it was growing up with Jason as a brother, how she balanced Jason and Joseph. I want to know what else brings joy to her life besides her family and her job. I want her to know I love my family just as much as she loves hers. I want her to know that I empathize with her on how hard it is to grow up as a sister to a pain-in-the-ass baseball player too. I want her to see the other side of me that’s not portrayed on the TV screen or by the media, even the good me from Baltimore. I want her to get to know Cory . . . not Cory Fucking Potter.

  Resigning to the fact that tonight is not the night for that, I stand and go to find Jason so I can tell him good night. When I get home, I need to think about an action plan, maybe talk to Milly, because I feel out of sorts, unsure of what to do, and I know
she’ll be able to help me.

  * * *

  “Hey you,” Milly says, stepping into the office of the Division One Athletics facility.

  My brothers, Rian and Sean, started D1 straight out of college. It was a small facility focusing on preparing athletes to face the rough training of D1. They’ve grown so much that they have two facilities with a possible third in the works. When Milly graduated from college, they hired her, and now she’s head of their baseball operations, giving private lessons and making sure the facilities and spaces are rented properly while helping develop the athletes that run through the system. The facility has revolutionized the sport in the area, making Chicago a very highly sought-after area for developing baseball players.

  “I didn’t know you were coming in today. How did you get in without being recognized?” she asks, taking a seat next to me on the couch in the office.

  Before Sean and Rian, the facilities were nice but the office space was barely a place to relax. Now that Milly’s on board, they have a kitchen, dining, and lounging area in the office along with desks and fully functioning office equipment. She’s brought in the level of professionalism and comfort they needed.

  I nod toward the discarded fisherman hat and the sunglasses Milly used to wear. “Snuck in quickly and came right here.”

  “Why do you have that hat? I thought I got rid of it.”

  “Carson mailed it to me.” I chuckle. “Thought I would want to keep it in case we ever need to remind you of how ridiculous you looked in it.”

  “I really don’t like that you two are friends.”

  I nudge her leg. “Don’t lie. You love that I’m good friends with your husband.”

  “Not at times like this.” She crosses her legs on the couch and says, “Why are you here, bothering me on my break?”

  From the side table, I pick up a bag of caramel M&Ms and chuck them her way. She easily catches them and grins. “Need some advice.”

  “Oh?” She lifts a brow and opens the package, offering me a few. It’s the off season, I tend to relax on my diet for the rest of the year, but January one, I get back on my strict diet and start training heavily for spring training.

  “Yeah, I . . . uh . . . I think I want to ask a girl out.”

  Her brows shoot to her hairline and she almost chokes on an M&M in shock. After a few seconds of coughing, she asks, “Are you serious? Please tell me this isn’t a joke. I don’t think I could take it.”

  “I’m dead serious.”

  “Oh my GOD!” Milly squeals and claps her hands. Mind you, Milly is not that girl, the one who gets all squealy and excited over a love match. She saves the excited claps for baseball news and top-ten plays on ESPN. But, she’s also been on my case about putting myself out there and dating, so her reaction fits. “How did this happen? When? I need all the details.”

  She sets the M&Ms to the side and scoots closer so she’s right next to me, eyes gleaming, ready for me to talk her ear off.

  “I met her at Jason’s fundraiser.”

  “Gah, really?” She looks to the side and I can see her trying to figure out who it was. “Do I know her?”

  “Maybe.” I try to be coy, not wanting to tell her who it is just yet. I never pass up an opportunity to torture my little sister, especially since she loves torturing me with her off-speed pitch whenever we’re in the cages. “I’d never met her before, but she definitely caught my attention.” Thinking back to the event, I say, “She has the most gorgeous smile I’ve ever seen. Genuinely happy, not fake, not trying to be overtly pretty with it, just a genuine, beautiful smile. It was the first thing I noticed about her.”

  “Oh God, that’s really sweet.” Milly clasps her hands together.

  “And then she introduced herself.” I shake my head, remembering the way her hand fit so perfectly in mine. “She’s beautiful, but there’s more to her than her beauty. She really loves her family, like I do, and she has this lightness about her that shines through her voice when she speaks. She also has no problem joking around, and she’s made it quite clear she’s a Bobbie for life.”

  “That’s my kind of girl,” Milly says unapologetically. “I like her already. So if you like her so much, why didn’t you ask her out at the event?”

  “Because, she’s the sister of one of my teammates and I didn’t think it was appropriate at the time.” I wasn’t about to ask her out while she was still working. Didn’t seem right, especially since she seemed like she still had a lot going on even toward the end of the night.

  “Oh, a sister of a player. Please don’t tell me it’s Maddox Paige’s sister, because pretty sure he would rip your head off before he even considered you going out with his sister.”

  “Does he even have a sister?”

  Milly shrugs. “No idea. I don’t Google-stalk Rebels players, as my hands are full with the Bobbies.”

  I roll my eyes and say, “Well, it’s not Maddox Paige.”

  “Then who is it?”

  I look away, contemplating if I should say. What does it really matter? I want to get to know her either way. The cat will be out of the bag the moment I ask Jason for her number.

  “Hey, you can tell me.”

  “I know.” I sigh. “I really like her and it’s scary, because I only spent probably an hour max with her but within that hour, I felt a connection that I’ve never felt before with another human. It was almost as if we clicked, like we were two meandering puzzle pieces and we finally found each other.” Sardonically chuckling to myself, I add, “Hell, I don’t even know if she feels the same way. I could have perceived her interest in talking with me as her just being a nice human. But I felt like something was there and even though I don’t want to try to start a relationship with my life feeling out of control, I know I’d regret it if I didn’t at least ask her out on a date to see where her head was at. You know?”

  “Then ask her out.”

  She makes it seem so simple. Pushing my hand through my hair, I say, “I just hope Jason is cool with it.”

  Milly pauses, her breath caught in her throat. “Jason Orson?”

  “I know you’re not a Rebels fan, but you’re not that inept when it comes to the roster. You know there is only one Jason on the team.”

  “So are you talking about Natalie?” Milly asks, a pinch to her brow.

  “Yessss,” I drawl. What’s she’s getting at?

  “Natalie Myers.”

  “Myers. Do they have different dads?” I ask, feeling completely confused.

  Milly’s face pales as she sinks back into the couch. “Cory . . . Jason’s sister, Natalie . . . she’s married.”

  “Wh-what?” I ask, feeling my pulse stutter abruptly.

  Married?

  No. There’s no way. I looked at her hand. There was no ring.

  “Cory, she’s married. I met her husband at the event.”

  The excitement, the happiness that was pulsing through me since the event quickly fades away, and I feel just as white as Milly looks.

  Married?

  But . . .

  “I . . . I didn’t.” I swallow hard. “I didn’t see a ring. I didn’t know.” Biting the side of my cheek, I ask, “Are you sure?”

  She slowly nods. “Yes, she introduced me to him. Carson was there too.”

  Holy shit.

  She’s married.

  The girl that’s been on my mind ever since the fundraiser, the girl with the gorgeous smile and beautiful personality who’s starred in my dreams, she’s married.

  Untouchable.

  Off the market.

  Completely out of my reach.

  “Oh Cory, I’m so sorry.”

  I sniff and straighten my shoulders. “It’s fine.” I try to shrug off my feelings. “Not a big deal. I thought we had a connection, maybe I was wrong. Well, I mean, clearly I was wrong. She was just being nice because I donated money to The Lineup. Totally misread her.”

  “Cory . . .”

  I stand and place the hat and
sunglasses back on. “You know . . . I should get going.”

  She stands as well, taking my hand in hers. “Please don’t go. I have one more lesson. Come to my place for dinner. We can order pizza or something.”

  I shake my head. “I love you, Milly, but I don’t need your pity invite. I’m fine.”

  “Cory,” she says with a stern voice. “You know it’s never a pity invite. Don’t say that.”

  “You know what I mean,” I say, gently pulling my hand away from her. “I’m fine.”

  “Cory, you’re not fine. You were gushing.”

  “Can we just drop it?” I ask, my voice growing angry, something that never happens with my sister. From the startled look on her face, she’s just as shocked as I am. “Listen.” I take a deep breath. “I just thought she was cool, okay? Makes sense that she’s married. She’s a catch. It’s no big deal though. I just need some space, okay?”

  Milly’s eyes search mine, concern lacing them. “Will you text me later, let me know you’re doing okay?” I nod. “And if you change your mind, the invitation is always open to come have dinner with us.”

  “I know.” Feeling bad that I snapped at her, I pull her into a hug and kiss the top of her head. “Thanks, Mills.”

  I release her, give her a parting wave, and quickly make way to my car parked at the back of the facility. Once in the confines of my car, I lean against the headrest and let out a frustrated breath.

  Fucking married.

  That’s just my luck. Goes along with the shit season I had and the inability to win over one Rebels fan. Just tack this on to the list of why this year can’t end quickly enough.

  A girl who actually stimulated more than my dick is off the market. And not only is she off the market, but given she’s Jason’s sister, I’ll be seeing her more than I care to.

  Fucking . . . great.

  Chapter Three

  NATALIE

  One Month Later

  Monica has been my friend since high school, the only girl who doesn’t use me as a tool to get after my brother. She’s never gotten along with him, actually. Whenever they’re in the same room, they bicker with each other nonstop. At first, I thought hate would turn into love between the two of them, but my tall, blonde friend with bigger hips than a Kardashian, never wanted anything to do with Jason. She found her man in college, freshman year to be exact, and they’ve been together ever since. The couple who’s not interested in having kids, but having fun, doing life together.