Lucky 13 (Deadlines & Diamonds) (6 page)

Another ball hit the backstop and yet another curse crossed Matt’s lips. Her heart ached for her son. She
got up off the bench, ready
to put a stop to all the
fun
,
when Ricky cleared his throat.

“It’s all about timing.”
He
picked up a bat and motioned for Matt to back out of the box. “Show me your stance. Good. Now swing. Okay.” He lifted the bat to his own shoulder, crouching down into the batting stance.

Man, the guy could fill out a pair of jeans. Shayne swallowed to keep drool from runni
n
g down her chin.

Matt copied the stance
,
his face all concentration. “Like this?”

“Keep your back shoulder level. You’re dropping it as you come around.” After Matt followed through with his swing, Ricky nodded. “Okay, try it again, slugger. Watch the ball all the way to your bat. Don’t blink.”

Matt hit the bat against his tennis shoes and stepped into the box. Ricky shot Shayne an amused grin then his full attention went back to her son.

The ball came out of the pitching machine and Shayne held her breath. She watched it, just like Ricky had said, all the way to…

The solid
thwack!
of bat against ball sent Matt into the air on a victorious celebratory jump. Shayne squealed and clapped her hands. She
ran forward,
threw herself into Ricky’s arms,
and hugged
him hard. It wasn’t until he returned her embrace that she realized what she’d done. She stiffened. He held on tight.

Matt, completely oblivious to anything but the baseball currently hurdling toward him, hiked the bat back to his shoulder and another
thwack!
resonated.

With her heart hammering out a cadence in her chest, she put her hands on Ricky’s chest and eased away.

“That time it wasn’t my fault.” He raised a black brow.
Damn
, he had the sexiest grin she’d ever seen. His dark eyes twinkled.
His earrings sparkled.

“I’m sorry.”

He traced a finger up her a
rm, goose
bumps rising in its wake. “I’m not.”

She shook her head. “You make me crazy.”

Another
intoxicating
grin and jog of his brows. “The good kind of crazy, right?”

“I am not going to answer that.”

His
chuckle
, low and deep, mocked and amused her all at the same time. She laughed too.

When a
ka-chink
sounded, it wasn’t followed by an adolescent curse. Matt simply shook his head and concentrated harder on the next ball.

Shayne couldn’t help her smile, nor could she stop the tears of pride gathering in the corners of her eyes. She watched Matt, her heart full of gratitude for the man in front of her.

“Why the tears,
mujer bonita
?”

She wiped at her eyes with shaky fingers. “He’s never had a male role model before. It’s my fault. I’m careful who I allow around him.”

Wow. Where had all that come from? Fear ate at her when she worked up the courage to meet Ricky’s eyes. Instead of victory or smug recognition, he smiled. “He’s really a great kid.”

“Thank you for helping him.”

“My pleasure.” He crossed his arms over his chest and watched Matt take a few more swings. “Watch your shoulder. You’re dropping it again.” He walked away from Shayne
, motioning for Matt to get out of the box. He put his big hand on Matt’s shoulder, bending to look him in the eye. “It’s okay to regroup. When things don’t feel right, pull back, examine what’s wrong then retackle it when you’re back in control.”

Matt nodded, craned his head on his neck, lifted his shoulders, put the bat behind his back and stretched. “Okay. I think I’m ready.”

“Go for it, my man.” Ricky pointed toward the top of the tent that kept the balls from liberation. “Take it on a ride.”

Matt grinned and straightened his batting helmet. He grimaced when the ball hit the backstop.

Ricky came back over to where Shayne stood. “As soon as he’s finished, it’s your turn.”

“I’m fine.”

He purposely dropped his gaze from her face, letting it roam uninhibited down to her toes and back up. He clucked his tongue. “You are definitely fine, and it’s your turn.”

Heat bloomed in her cheeks as well as
her stomach. “Is it hot in here?
” she asked even as she shivered under his scrutiny.

Again, his eyes w
en
t roaming. And again, his smile turned her belly into lava. “Yes, it’s definitely hot in here.”

Did that absurd giggle
just come from her? Oh hell
, she did not just slap
at his chest
.
When had she turned into a sixteen-year-old
girl
?

He strutted over to the side and grabbed a bat, bringing it back. He held it out. “Try this one out.”

She had no idea what she was supposed to do with a baseball bat. Of course she’d seen other people use them. They
had
been at the batting cages for over an hour. But as she tried to get into position, she knew she looked like an idiot. His
snicker
confirmed it.

“Here, lemme help you.”

She felt the heat from his body wash over her as he got up close and personal
behind her
. He wrapped his hands around hers on the bat and hefted it up on her shoulder. “Don’t rest it on your shoulder. It needs to swing free. Wiggle the tip.”

She giggled—and cringed. 

“What?”

“I thought it was my job to tell
you
that.”

He groaned. “Are you serious right now? ‘Cause your l
ittle innuendoes are killin’ me
.”

She bit
her lip to keep from grinning
. “Sorry.”

“No, you’re not.” He bumped her hips with his groin. “Now, let’s be serious. We’ve got an audience.”

He released hold of her hands on the bat and gripped
her hips.
S
he purred.
She couldn’t help it. His hands were huge and warm and wicked thoughts of having them all over her naked skin raced through her mind.
She shivered, refusing to think of the one and only time she’d…

“It’s a good thing Matt’s clear over there.” Ricky’s lips brushed her ear. “And it’s a damn good thing he’s here at all, because you makin’ little noises, teasin’ me like you are, he’s the only thing keepin’ me from pushin’ up against the backstop and kissin’ the holy hell out of you.”

Instead of a warning, his words sent a shot of disappointment through her.
She dropped her arm, the bat coming to rest next to her leg.

“You know, you make me want to do very bad things.” She shook her head. “I’m not
sure how I feel about that
.”

His lips pursed, his brows creased. “Yeah, well, I guess we’d better stick to your pathetic batting stance then.”

She sobered, feeling like a fool. “Yeah, I ah, we shouldn’t… My batting stance, right.”

Instead of helping her,
h
e stalked away
. His hands flexed, tightened into fists, then slammed into his thighs. His enormous back stretched and contracted with a breath. He turned on his Nikes and took his time getting back to her side.
The look on his face
was
all about the pissed off.

Panic flooded her bloodstream and her fingers clutched tight to the only weapon she had.

6

Ricky didn’t know if he was comin’ or goin’. He now knew what it felt like to be a freakin’ yo-yo. Sh
ayn
e flipped from flirty to distant so
fast, he didn’t know whether he should have brought along his swim trunks or his ski parka.

Damn, the woman was the
epitome
of frustration!

As he made his way back toward her, the look of utter fear on her face stopped him cold. She stood stiff, her hand flexing around the bat. She chanced a quick look at Ma
tt out of the corner of her eye
then her s
hrewd, protective eyes watched
Ricky
approach.

He’d seen a woman like that once before. When he’d been about ten. His terrified neighbor as she stood in the middle of her lawn, standing off against her abuser.

He
held up his hands
, spoke softly
. “Shayne
, you okay?”

She dropped the bat, shook her head. “Yeah. Fine.”

He took a hesitant step forward. “You sure about that?”

“Yeah.” She looked at Matt again. The kid had gotten
the
hang of things and was banging the crap out of everything coming down the pipe. Her smile was short-lived, only long enough to find him. She frowned. “I just need a minute. Where’s the restroom?”

“Go out the gate, around the corner and down the hallway. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’ll be right back,” she hollered at Matt, who nodded.

Ricky wondered what just
happened between them. Yeah, he’d been pissed, but come on, he wasn’t spittin’ mad and
besides
he’d
never
take it out on her.

But did she know that?

What
the hell
had happened to her?

He considered for less than a heartbeat to ask her brother, only to scratch that piss poor idea off the list of possibilities. Xavier hated him and would never approve of Ricky dating his sister.

“Everything okay?”

Ricky turned to see Matt approaching. “Yeah, I think so.”

“I know she can be frustrating.”

Ricky chuckled. “You do, huh?”

“I’m thirsty.” Matt rubbed at his forehead with the back of his forearm. “Is there a drinking fountain around here anywhere?”

“I don’t know about a drinking fountain, but I know where a Coke machine is.”

The two
of them
walked in silence to the lobby. Ricky slipped a dollar bill into the machine and hit the Coke button, got his change and added another dollar. “Diet Coke for your mom?”

“Coke Zero for her and I’d probably better stick with Sprite. Mom doesn’t like me to have the caffeine this late. She says it makes it so I can’t sleep.” He shrugged. “I sleep just fine. It just takes me a while to get there.”

Ricky bit back his
humor
and didn’t inform the kid that he’d just confirmed his mother’s reasoning. They sat at a table off to the side and waited for Shayne to come back.

Matt took a swig. “Why do you wear number thirteen?”

“It’s my lucky number.”

“Mine too.” Matt screwed the lid back on his soda. “Why is it yours?”

“My birthday is September thirteenth.”

“Shut up! Mine is May thirteenth.” Matt grinned. “I guess we have something in common.”

“Yep. I’ll bet there’s more, too.” Ricky checked his watch and realized she’d been gone about ten minutes. A slight worry
wriggled around
in his gut. “Do you think she’s—”

“She’s okay.” Matt took another sip of his soda. “She’s just freakin’ out because she doesn’t know what to do about you.”

“What to do about me?” Ricky tried to play the casual with a sip of his own soda.

“Yeah.” Matt sipped and smothered a soft burp. “’Scuse me. Mom doesn’t date much.” He frowned. “Well, not really. Ever. I think she likes you. And I’m pretty sure that scares
the crap out of her
.”

Ricky couldn’t help but wonder what else scared the crap out of her. Or who? “Was your dad…did he…
hit her?”

“I don’t know my dad. Never have. She never talks about him. I know her dad hit her when she was a little girl. Uncle X stopped him and got his ass, I mean butt kicked for it.”

Ricky really didn’t want to talk about the man who’d obviously been a big part of her life. He’d rather talk abou
t
Shayne.
“
Your mom’s beautiful.”

Matt grinned and snorted. “You noticed, huh?”

“I got eyes, kid.”

Matt threw his head back and laughed. Ricky couldn’t help it, he laughed too.

“What’s so funny?” Shayne’s smile emanated her gentle spirit and kind heart. Every bit of discomfort had disappeared in the time she’d been in the bathroom.

“You had to be there, Mom.” Matt shook his head and when his eyes met Ricky’s he snorted and burst out in another crack of
hilarity
. He pointed at Ricky. “He’s a really funny guy.”

Her smile widened when she looked at Ricky and his heart stuttered. She offered her hand. “Should we get something to eat?”

“Heck, yeah!” Matt jumped out of his seat.

Her hand hung in the air between them. Rock steady. She smiled a bit, glanced do
wn at
her outstretched fingers and nodded. Ricky hesitantly took her hand and stood slowly, questioning her with his eyes. 

“Keys?” Matt held up his hand. Ricky reached into his pocket and tossed them in the kid’s direction. The keys hit his palm with a jangle and he raced out into the parking lot.

Ricky tugged Shayne’s arm just a bit, giving her the option for a quick hug or the chance for retreat. She stepped into his arms, laying her head on his chest. He rubbed her back. “I’m sorry for whatever happened back there.”

She sighed. “It’s okay. They’re my ghosts, not yours.”

“I’ll never hurt you, Shayne.” He kissed her brow. “I might yell and scream and even put my fist into the wall, but I promise I will never—” He tipped her chin with his finger and looked into her eyes to finish his vow. “—I will
never
lay a
n angry
hand on you.”

Her timid smile broke his damn heart.

“I just wanted you to know.” He jerked his head toward the
giant
window leading to the parking lot where Matt was climbing into the backseat of his SUV. “Him either. I don’t believe hitting is the solution for anything. I really, really like you, Shayne. Matt, too.
And I want this to work out.
”

Tears swam in her eyes. “I like you
,
too, Enrique.”

He beamed at her. “I love when you say my whole name. The way you roll your r’s is really damn sexy.”

“
Enrique
.”

He groaned and swatted her butt. “Come on, let’s get out there before he takes off with my car.”

***

Shayne hadn’t laughed so hard in a very long time. Matt and Ricky took turns telling
your mama
jokes all through dinner. Matt had started it, most likely thinking Ricky wouldn’t take a stab at
his
mama. Instead Ricky had looked at her and grinned, mischief sparking in his eyes.

“No
offense, beautiful, but—” P
ointing a finger at Matt, Ricky announced, “Your mama is so fat the scale says one at a time please.”

And it went from there, each trying to do one better than the other.
When Ricky slurped the bottom of his drink, Matt jumped
to his feet. “I’ll grab refills
if I can hit the arcade.”

“Deal.”

Matt gathered the
glasses. When he came back a few minutes later, Ricky handed over a twenty.

Her son’s
eyes bugged out of his head. “Really?”

Ricky jogged his head in the affirmative. “Have fun.”

Matt let out a whoop and took off at a dead run.

Ricky
chuckl
ed and scooped up her hands. “That should keep him busy for a while, huh?”

“You didn’t need to do that.”

“I know. I wanted to.” His thumb ran over her knuckles. “So, why’d you leave Kingman?”

She wished she could take her hands back and wrap her arms around her middle to keep from falling apart. He had a way of making her vulnerabilities stand out.

“Long story.”

Another swipe of his thumb. “I
think we already decided we have
a while.”

She didn’t want to look in his eyes, but found herself seeking the comfort she knew would be staring back.
Love and compassion glittered in his dark eyes and it annoyed her. “The bottom line is, I’m living in my brother’s house, forced to let a man take care of me because I can’t do it myself.”

Well, hell, didn’t she sound like a bitter, thankless, bitch?

“He’s your brother. I’m sure he’s happy to help you get back on your feet.”

“I know he doesn’t mind. And I know it’s not like it’
s a huge financial hardship.” How could she make him understand? “I moved from LA to Kingman when I was seventeen.”

If he did the math in his head, he didn’t show it.

“My mom stayed there, I moved in with my grandparents. They were old even then.” She
smil
ed, thinking of their old-fashioned, hard-working ways.

“Is your mom still around?”

Her amusement vanished. “No. Cancer.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s been a long time.” She shrugged. “I helped out in my grandparents’
diner. It wasn’t too long before they weren’t able to do much anymore. I did it. In their will, they left the diner to me.” Unable to witness his reaction to her next statement, she watched his tanned thumb stroking her knuckles. “And I lost it.” 

“What do you mean, you lost it?”

Tears pricked her eyes. “I couldn’t maint
ain the taxes on the diner and…
I lost it.”

He nodded slowly, took her hand.
“Not your fault, sweet
heart
.”

She bristled at that. “And whose fault was it exactly?”

He squeezed her hand. “The economy. The government. The president; past, present or future. Hell, I don’t know, pick one. You did the best you could. You’re not alone,
Shayne
. A lot of people lost it.” He lifted her knuckles to his lips. “And a lot of people don’t have a brother to swoop in and save the day. Count your blessings.”

Wow. He’d told her, hadn’t he? And she just might have been pissed if he hadn’t been right. Damn him!

She pulled her hand
away and
leaned back in the booth. “I’d never thought of it that way.”

“I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.” He leaned back and crossed his arms, his forearms bulging
, the tattoo undulating
. “It’s just that sometimes we get stuck focusing on the negative shit in our lives that we forget all the things we should be grateful for.”

“And what are you grateful for, Enrique Santiago?”

“Well
played, Shayne Xavier.” He tipped his chin. He paused for a second, his mind seeming to wander. “I’m thankful for my family. My brother, you met him, he pisses me off sometimes, but I love him. My mom’s awesome. I hope you’ll meet her soon. I can’t complain about my career.”

“Especially since my brother got hurt.”

His expression turned to stone. “I didn’t get off on his injury.”

She nearly jumped across the table to put her hands on his arms. “I know. I’m sorry
…
I didn’t mean to insinuate—”

“A lot of people, X included, think I did some kind of happy dance the day he had to be helped off the diamond. I’m not a monster.” He eased forward to make the contact easier. “I’m not gonna lie, I’m happy to be playing left field for the
Rockets.
There isn’t another team I wanna play for and left field is my position. I worked my ass off and I deserve to
be
standing left of center.”

“Your ass looks mighty fine standing left of center.” She smiled, hoping for flirty.

He stared at her for a second and a half, then laughed.

“What else are you thankful for?”
she asked.

“Right here, right now, I’m thankful I went to X’s wedding reception.”

“You weren’t gonna go?”

He shook his head. “Nope. He doesn’t like me. Which is cool. I’m not his greatest fan either. Sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“At the last second I decided to go.” He leaned over the table and kissed her. A simple, gentle, momentary meeting of lips. “Yeah, I am real thankful I went to that reception.”