Body (25 page)

“Shut up, Bree! You know she loves me more,” Ria yells.

Kat is laughing but not commenting. She’s obviously busy with Carson. He has his hand high on her thigh and his other arm around her shoulders.

“You two look cozy.” I tell them. Kat turns bright red and he grins like the cat who ate the canary.

“
Cara Bonita!
You look hot!” Maria announces as I shimmy into my seat.

Both Phillip and Chase say, “Yeah, she does.”

Chase whips his head to glare at Phillip. I push Chase toward his seat. I can feel the tension in him after hearing Phillip’s comment. I decide I have to assuage his fury and deflect the attention away from me.

“Hey Phil, doesn’t Bree look hot!” I ask. Bree flicks her hair and looks irritated at me but then smiles and leans back against her chair next to Phil.

“She always does!” he says immediately then blatantly checks her out. “You really do,” Phil adds quietly to Bree. Her gaze jerks to his and she smiles. Chase relaxes. Now for the next step.

“Hey, Gigi,” Phil calls, but before I respond, I pull Chase’s face towards mine and plant a kiss on his lips. He deepens the kiss, putting his hand in my hair at the nape of my neck and pressing into me. When I pull away he’s smiling that deadly sexy smile. “Oh come on,” Phillip scolds.

Without moving my face from Chase’s I answer Phillip. “Yeah, what’s up?” I snuggle my forehead against Chase making a scene with my public display of affection. The girls are smart enough to know what I’m doing. When I pull away Maria is shaking her head in disapproval, but a hint of a smile tips at the corners of her mouth. Bree is smiling like a kid on Christmas morning, her hands clasped and close to her heart. Kat must have not got the memo because she wasn’t paying attention at all preferring to nibble on Carson’s neck. Phillip is positively fuming.

“Hey, Phil, let’s get some beers for everyone,” I suggest. I need to set my best friend straight and now.

Chase stands. “I’m coming with you,” he says firmly.

I put my hand on his chest, “No, you’re not. Trust me.” I search his eyes, telling him that I need this time. “But I could use some money?” I hold out my hand.

“Of course, yes.” He pulls out his wallet lightning fast. I wink at Bree as she watches the display. He places a handful of twenties in my hand well beyond what I need for beers, but I’m not going to complain. I know asking him for money in front of my friends was the exact thing to do. It gives him back that sense of ownership, that he can provide for my needs. “Get anything you want and buy a beer for everyone.” He kisses me quickly and then sits back down. The smile on his face is priceless.

I look at Maria and she rolls her eyes. Kat makes the “perfect” symbol with her fingers as Phillip pushes his way through the group. “Ready then?” he asks in a huff.

We make our way over to the concession stand and I twirl and put my finger to his chest. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I am done allowing his macho bull-shit to go any further.

He backs up a step. “Me! What about you, sucking face in public with a man you’ve only known for what, half a second?”

“I’ve known him for almost two weeks now, and we’re seeing each other, okay? I’m really happy with Chase. What’s your deal?” I point at his chest harder than I need to.

“Stop that! It hurts.” He pulls my hand away from his chest. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m just tired of you getting with men that aren’t worthy of you, that’s all.” He looks down at his shoes.

“And do you think
you’re
worthy of me?”

His eyes shoot up to mine. A stricken look mars his handsome face. “No, Gigi, it’s not that. I love you but…”

I groan and take a deep breath. “Phil, I know. I love you too, but it’s more like a brother.”

He nods and releases a breath he must have been holding. He brings his hand to the back of his neck and rubs it, clearly uncomfortable with this conversation. “Yes, exactly.”

“So stop this weirdness with Chase. If it’s not jealousy, what is it? I really like him, and I don’t want you messing this up for me.” I grip his hand and squeeze it.

He searches my eyes and squeezes my hand tightly. “You’re falling for him, aren’t you?” I look into the distance. I can’t lie to him and I haven’t really given my feelings enough thought. “I haven’t seen you like this since Justin,” he continues.

Just hearing his name gives me the chills. Phil pulls me into a tight hug. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to bring him up, it’s just I can see it in your eyes when you look at him, Gigi. I just want you to be careful with that beautiful heart of yours.” I nod into his chest and hug him tighter. “I can’t forget what that asshole did to you and after losing Angie, it’s just, I can’t see someone I love get hurt again.”

I knew it wasn’t jealousy! Chase had my mind twisted with his possessive brooding behavior. I hug Phil tight and rest my chin on his sternum to look up at him. His eyes have lost the irritation and I’m certain mine have too. All is right with the world again.

“Let’s get that beer. Wouldn’t want Mr. Macho to wonder where you are.”

“Oh, shut up.” I punch him in the arm. “Seriously though, you’re going to make an effort with him, right?” I give him my best pout, complete with lip puffed out and sad puppy dog eyes.

He takes a breath and pulls me to his side while walking to the line. “If you’re into him, I’ll make an effort. Okay?”

“Promise?” I smile wide and shift from foot to foot practically bouncing in place.

“Yes! Such a pain in my ass,” he finishes with a nudge to my shoulder.

We wait to place our order, and I have a moment to broach the subject of Bree. Since Angela died two years ago, I haven’t seen Phil so much as ask a girl out on a date. He had that one night stand last year when we were out and completely drunk on our asses. A little miss hot pants at the bar had her eyes on him all night and took advantage. I let it happen knowing he needed a night of freedom. I even picked up Anabelle from the babysitter and took her home with me. The guilt he felt the next day broke my heart. He felt like he betrayed his dead wife and spent the following months in therapy. That was the last time I tried to fix him up. Until now. I want him to get over his guilt and appreciate life again. I know Angela would want that, too.

“So, what do you think of Bree?” I ask nonchalantly.

“She’s pretty and fun. I like her. She’s a great gal.” 

“Great, so would you consider dating her?” I ask.

“She wouldn’t go for a guy like me,” he says solemnly.

I was afraid he’d say that. I hum and shrug my shoulders. “She thinks you’re hot.”

He physically turns me toward him and stares into my eyes. “Really? She said that?”

I nod and smile. “You should ask her out sometime. Alone. Not with the group.” I leave it at that and walk away, carrying the four bottles of beer, two in each hand.

He laughs and follows behind me, his wheels probably turning already. We’ve all been out before over the years, but the two of them were never in a position to consider the other in that way. Bree usually was dating some fruit loop and Phil was usually avoiding anything remotely related to intimacy and women. Now I can see he’s thinking about it. I can only hope he’ll man up but knowing Phillip, he won’t. I may have to force it a little. When I maneuver down the stairs back to our section, Chase stands and grabs two of the beers. He passes them to Maria and Tom.

“Hey, thanks, man,” Tom says and takes a pull from the bottle.

“Thanks for the tickets!” Chase tips the beer bottle in a man type “Thank you/You’re welcome” move only men understand.

Now that everyone has a beer, we settle in to watch the game. Every so often Maria, Tom, Carson and Chase yell at a call they don’t agree with. Chase is really getting into this. When the Giants score, everyone celebrates with a round of high-fives.

Chase puts his hand on my thigh. I put my arm around his broad shoulders and lean against him as I watch my friends. Tom is holding Maria’s hand. They are chatting about the game. I can tell that he appreciates her. He tilts his head to listen to her and they laugh at the same things. It’s hysterical when they both act as if they are dying when a play doesn’t go the way they want. It’s amazing how quickly she went from knowing nothing about baseball to being intent on every play.

Kat and Carson are completely in their own world. She’s crossed her legs towards his and has half turned toward him. They whisper back and forth. Every so often he looks out at the game but Kat is holding most of his attention. He sneaks little pecks of her lips and shoulder. They’ve been holding hands since we arrived and really haven’t paid much attention to anyone other than one another. It’s lovely to finally see her so happy.

I peek at Bree and Phillip. Since our conversation he’s making a concerted effort to talk to her. Go Phil! I can see her playing with her hair, making a point to touch him every chance she gets throughout their conversation. A smack of the arm here, a grip of his thigh there. Bree’s in full flirt mode. She’s got her eyes set on Phillip, and she’s pulling out all the stops. They could make a great couple, and I know Bree would be an amazing stepmother to Anabelle. He really needs a woman in his life other than me. It seems as though Phillip is enjoying the conversation, too. He’s pulling the shy guy move with her. When she says something funny he looks down, shakes his head and then looks up at her through his lashes. Nice!

I giggle, and Chase tips his head to mine. “Enjoying the game, Baby?” he asks and cocks his head to the side. Damn he’s good looking. His hair is windblown a bit and he’s smiling in a way that would bring any woman to her knees.

“Very much.” I smile and he turns back to the game. I nuzzle his neck, taking in his scent. That woodsy scent mixed with citrus is my undoing. Warmth spreads through my body making every subtle touch of his seem like more. “Will you take me back to my place after the game?” I massage his shoulders with one hand.

“You’re welcome to stay at my place,” he offers.

“I have work tomorrow and you have a flight to LA,” I remind him.

A scowl appears on his face. “I’ll take you home.”

I lean towards his ear. “All I can think about is getting you home and into my bed.” Chase is making me bold sexually, not as afraid to ask for what I want. It’s a foreign feeling but exhilarating and freeing at the same time.

Chase’s hand slides further up my thigh. His pinky strokes my center. I can barely feel it through my jeans but it’s there and I push toward it. “I’m ready when you are,” he says seriously.

I kiss his neck. “Later.” I grab his hand and squeeze.

“That’s a promise.” He finishes his beer in one shot.

We spend the rest of the day laughing and cheering. All eight of us mostly paying attention to the game. At the last inning, the bases are loaded. The pitcher throws and the batter hits a grand slam. The crowd goes completely ballistic! I had no idea what was happening when all four men on the field made their victory lap around the bases, each one hitting home base.

Everyone around us, including my group jumps up out of our seats screaming and cheering for the Giants. The game announcer announces the Giants won the game! The crowd is at a constant roar, going completely wild! One by one every man grabs their lady. Tom pulls Maria into a frenzied kiss. He lifts her off her feet and spins her in a tight circle. Carson grips Kat’s hand and pulls her into his lap and lays one on her. I even see Bree hop up and down, cheering before she turns, grabs Phillip and exclaims, “What the hell!” then lays her lips over his. He yanks her trim body against him and they are gone, lost in a moment.

“Come here, Baby.” Chase pulls my face to his with both hands cupping my cheeks. I sigh into his kiss as he plunges his tongue into my mouth. I give as good as he’s giving, swirling my tongue around his and nipping at his bottom lip. He tugs at my top one before tilting my head to the side while sliding a hand down my body to cup my ass, plastering me against the hard ridges of his sculpted body and growing need.

We’re lost in the kiss, forgetting where we are, who’s with us, the fact that we’re in the middle of a stadium with my best friends in the world around us. “Get a room!” Maria yells from behind us.

I pull away from Chase breathless. God I want him, right now. “Shut up, Ria!” I holler over my shoulder. Chase smiles and pulls me against him, hugging me.

“You ready, Baby?” Chase asks.

“Are we getting some dinner?” Bree asks. She bounces from foot to foot obviously excited. Probably from her impromptu mega-kiss with Phil.

“Chase has to fly to LA tonight. He’s going to take me home first.” I wiggle my eyebrows so she gets the hint. She looks disappointed but moves to her next victim.

“What about you,” she asks Kat.

“Busy.” Kat grins up at Carson. He nods. “We’re
very
busy.” She doesn’t take her gaze away from the blonde hunk holding her. Bree pouts prettily.

“What about you, Ria?”

I’m starting to feel bad for the girl. “Don’t even ask,
Hermosa
! I’ll be taking advantage of this man,” she says honestly pointing her thumb at Tom. His ears twinge bright red but he laughs and brings his huge arms around her in an embrace. She snuggles against him, happy as a clam.

“Can’t take advantage of the willing,” he says. We all laugh.

Bree’s bottom lip sticks out even further. She’s clearly disappointed.

“I’ll have dinner with you,” Phillip says.

Her eyes widen with excitement. “Really? That would be fantastic!” I look at Kat and Maria knowingly. Phillip actually made the first move. I’m impressed and will make a point to tell him so privately.

“I know this really great little Sushi place downtown.”

“I love Sushi!” she exclaims.

“Sick! Can’t you take her somewhere nice, Phil? You want to feed my friend bottom dwellers?” I shake my head. Chase laughs and pulls me against him.

“You’re a freak, Gigi!” Bree laughs. “Seafood is amazing and so good for you.”

I crinkle my nose. “If you want to eat the cockroaches of the sea, far be it from me to stand in your way.” I slide my arms up and down Chase’s tan forearms. I love being encased in his arms. Makes me feel so at ease. Safe.