Sliding Into Second (11 page)

“I told you we should have come here first,” Rosalie said. “Nic is the reason we’re here at all.”

“Okay, we’re here now.” Sage tried to silence her sister, but as usual, Rosalie wasn’t giving in. Nic tried to conceal a smile as Rosalie continued to speak.

“Sage was so miserable over the holiday that my mother insisted we get in the car and get to you immediately.” Rosalie laughed. “She talked about you the whole way here.”

“What did she say?” he teased, eliciting a beautiful glow of embarrassment in Sage’s cheeks. “Was it juicy?”

“Would you two stop?” Sage’s cheeks burned a brighter red. “I made a two hour drive in the snow to get here, then I spent another hour looking for a hotel...all for you.” She pointed at Nic. “Could you show a little appreciation?”

“I’m very appreciative, baby.” He pulled her to him. “I’ve missed you and I’m stoked you’re here. This is a great surprise.”

“So we can stay?” Rosalie asked.

“Of course you can.” Nic gave Rosalie a thumbs-up as he hugged Sage.
Thank you
, he mouthed.

“Our bags are in the car,” Sage said. “Can you help us get them?”

“Sure.” He opened the foyer closet and grabbed a hoodie as Sage made her way out to the car.

“You owe me big time,” Rosalie whispered. “Do you know the lengths I had to go through to sabotage those reservations? To get all those hotels to turn us away?”

“Why would you do that?”

“She’s sleeping in your bed tonight, isn’t she?” She kissed his cheek. “You’re welcome.”

“You little sneak.” Nic laughed. “She’s going to kill you when she finds out.”

“Then you better work quick and convince her you’re the real deal this time, so she won’t have a reason to be mad at me.”

“I’m trying.”

“Are you two going to help?” Sage called from the driveway. “It’s really snowing out here.”

“Coming.” Nic threw on the hoodie and made his way to the car. He took the bags from Sage and smiled at her. He couldn’t believe she was standing in his driveway, much less spending the night.

“What?” she asked.

“I’m just happy you’re here.”

“I hoped you would be.”

* * * *

An hour, another pizza, and a six-pack later, Nic and Sage were cuddled on the floor by the fire. The white twinkling lights of the Christmas tree sparkled and reflected around the room. Rosalie ate with them and then made an excuse and retired to the guest room. Sage had a feeling her sister wouldn’t be bothering them the rest of the evening. She was grateful for the alone time with Nic. She was kind of glad the reservations didn’t work out.

“Couldn’t stay away from me, huh?” Nic positioned her between his legs, her back to his chest as he rested against the sofa.

“Something like that.” She didn’t want to make a big deal about it, but thanks to her sister, she couldn’t play her impromptu visit off as cool as she would have liked. “Rosie has a big mouth.”

“Rosie is totally on my side.”

“She always has been.” She interlocked their fingers. “Even when she was a kid and you and I would argue, she always took your side.”

“That’s because she’s smart.” He kissed the side of her neck. “She knows I’m always right.”

“You’ve even managed to fall back into my mother’s good graces. Although, I don’t think you ever left them.”

“The roses on Christmas morning?”

“That’s all she talked about through dinner.”

Nic had sent three huge floral arrangements to her parents’ house, one for her, Rosalie, and their mother. They were over-the-top, but even Sage had to admit they were enchanting. “She thought it was very thoughtful of you to remember her.”

“I wanted you to know I was thinking of you.”

“It was very sweet.” She turned in his arms to face him. “I thought about you too.”

“I’m glad you decided to come early.” He took her hand in his. “I have to go to an engagement party for Pax tomorrow night. I want you to come with me.”

“I don’t want to intrude. Rosie and I can go to a movie while you see your friends. I sprung this visit on you, so don’t change any of your plans.”

“Pax invited you, but I told him you would still be in Boston.”

“You told him about us?” She hadn’t expected him to confide in his friends about their complicated relationship. She hadn’t wanted it to be complicated. She fought hard to resist the urge to go see him, but failed miserably. Now that she was there, with him, she was glad she gave in.

“Apparently, we made the news when I was in New York,” he said.

“I heard about that.”

Sage had to tell her producers she and Nic knew one another and they were good friends. One of their apprehensions when they offered her the job was how she would handle herself around a team full of baseball players. She assured them she was a professional and hanging with all of those available athletes wouldn’t interfere with her assignment. When she took the job, she honestly believed that. She thought seeing Nic again wouldn’t present a problem. She couldn’t have been more wrong. Ever since their two week tryst in New York, she’d been nothing but conflicted.

“It wasn’t a big deal. A few people snapped some shots of us on our sightseeing excursion, and once the stations got a hold of it, we were a blurb on a few sports talk shows. Now that we’re in the off-season, those guys will grasp at anything.”

“But you told Pax it was true?” She couldn’t help but feel a little excited that he told his friend about her. She was a hypocrite. Why couldn’t she just make up her mind?

“I did,” he said. “I hope that isn’t a problem. He’s a really good friend.”

“Of course not.” She traced his lips with her finger. “You can tell your friends about us.”

“What exactly should I tell them?” He flashed her that sexy grin of his. “Are we dating? A couple? Friends?”

“I hope we’re friends.” She leaned into his face. “I want to be friends.”

“Me too.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. “I want to be more than friends.”

“I think we are.”

“What else are we?” His voice was low, sincere. “Out of curiosity.”

“Do we have to label it?”
Stay strong, Sage.

“I just want to know how to introduce you tomorrow night.”

“Sage Millan should work.”

“Okay, Ms. Millan. I can see you’re still not ready for me to push.”

“I’m here, right now, Nicky.” She pressed her lips to his, kissing him slowly. “Isn’t that enough?”

“For now.”

“You’re exasperating.” She sighed against his lips. “You do know that?”

“You’re stubborn.” He wrapped her hair around his fingers as he moved his mouth along hers. “Somehow we manage.”

“Do you think we could manage to get to your bedroom? I really missed you.”

“That can be arranged.” He kissed her jaw, working his way down her neck. “But first we should take our time getting reacquainted under the tree.” He unbuttoned her shirt. “It is the holiday season, after all.”

“I like the way you think.”

“Good, because I have several dirty thoughts, and I’d like to try them all out on you.”

Chapter 11

Nic walked up the porch steps to Pax’s house with the two most gorgeous sisters he’d ever seen. A few years ago, this would have been the most envious way to enter a team party. But now, those years seemed frivolous. Wasted even. Reconnecting with Sage was a second chance he never expected to get, and he wasn’t going to blow it.

“Are you sure I’m not crashing?” Rosie asked. “I didn’t have to come with you guys.”

“Of course you did, and no, you’re not crashing,” Nic assured her as he rang the bell. “Pax doesn’t care how many people show up. He’s thrilled to be engaged.”

“I’ve covered his career for years,” Sage said. “I can’t believe he’s settled down. Sophia must be a special woman.”

“She is.” Nic smiled. “She’s Greek, so...”

“How come you didn’t go after her?” Sage challenged. “With her being Greek and all?”

“Is that a trick question?” As he was trying to form the correct response, Pax saved him by answering the door.

“Hey,” Pax said. “You made it.” He motioned for them to step inside. “And you brought dates.”

“Hi, Nic.” Sophia bumped her fiancé out of the way and hugged Nic. “I’ve missed you.”

“Let me get a good look at you.” He held her at arm’s length. “A baby?”

“We were a little surprised,” Sophia said. “But extremely happy.” She gazed into Pax’s eyes; the smile on her face mirrored her radiant cheerfulness.

“I think it’s wonderful.” Nic glanced at Pax. “My friend is very lucky.”

“He is, isn’t he?” Sophia giggled. “Introduce me to your friends.”

“This is Sage Millan and her sister, Rosalie. Sage and I go way back, and she recently accepted a job at KLX, so she’ll be hanging out with the team, especially during spring training.”

“It’s very nice to meet you both.” Sophia smiled at them. “I’m so glad you could join us tonight.”

“Thanks for having us.” Sage handed her the beautifully wrapped gift that she had picked up earlier in the day. Nic had been too occupied in the electronics department of the store to remember what the actual gift was. “Congratulations on your engagement and your pregnancy. That’s so exciting.”

“Thank you.” Sophia took the package from her. “You didn’t have to get us anything.”

“I hope you’re hungry,” Pax said. “Because Sophia’s mother insisted on doing all the cooking for this party. Wait until you see the spread.”

“Greek cooking.” Nic placed his hand on the small of Sage’s back. “I’m sold.”

“My dad is around here somewhere,” Sophia told him. “He can’t wait to see you again.”

“Well, I am his favorite player, after all.” He smirked at Pax.

“You may be Greek, but I’m giving him a grandchild, so guess who his new favorite player is?” Pax took Sophia’s hand. “It was good to see you, Sage, and a pleasure to meet you, Rosalie.”

“Make yourself at home,” Sophia said as she took their coats. “I hope we get to chat.” She smiled at Sage. “I have to go make sure my mother is managing.”

“I’m sure she is,” Pax said as they made their way down the foyer.

“Damn, he’s hot,” Rosalie whispered.

“Pax is cute, but he’s taken,” Sage said. “Couldn’t you tell?”

“Pax is delicious, but I’m talking about him.” Rosalie glanced across the family room and nodded toward the team’s newest player. “Who is that?”

“That’s Holt Clemson,” Nic said. “The Crushers just signed him. They’re going to announce it in a few days.”

“He’s filling in for Paxton,” Sage stated.

“How did you know that?” Nic asked his observant girlfriend.

“It’s my job to know that,” Sage said. “There have been rumblings about Pax having surgery after the season ended. There’s been speculation that he would be out for some time. I guess the rumors were true. Clemson’s a pitcher, and a pretty good one for his age. Some are calling him the next Paxton Hughes.”

“In more ways than one,” Nic mumbled. “He’s a player all right.”

He had heard stories about the young rookie. He liked to party hard, but he brought his A game to the field. Holt wasn’t doing anything the rest of the guys hadn’t done when they first came on the scene. Nic remembered those early days. Looking back, he wondered how he made it on the field after drinking and indulging as much as he had.

“I heard that too.” Sage laughed. “A serious party guy with a weakness for fast cars and beautiful women. He comes from old money, but he’s got natural talent on the field.”

“I guess we’ll see when we get to spring training.” Nic guided Sage toward the dining room. “Do you want to get something to eat?”

“I’m thirsty,” Rosalie said. “They have a bar set up in the family room. I think that’s where I’ll start.”

“Really?” Sage smiled. “I wonder why?”

“Why?” Nic felt like he was missing something.

“She wants to meet the pitcher,” Sage said.

“We just met Pax.” He shrugged. “Oh, you mean Holt?”

“That’s the one I want,” Rosalie said. “You know, my very own baseball hottie.”

“Oh no, not him.” Nic shook his head. He may have found Holt’s wild lifestyle impressive, but not when it came to his Rosie. He wasn’t about to set her up with a guy who had no intention of getting to know her.

“Why not?” Rosalie studied Holt from across the room. “He’ll do rather nicely.”

“What are you two talking about?” Sage asked. “I’m out of the loop.”

“Nic promised me a player,” Rosalie said. “For something I helped him with.”

“I knew you promised her something for trying to bombard me,” Sage said. “A teammate, really? What are you? A pimp?”

“I never agreed to that.” He’d been getting involved in several things he’d never agreed to when it came to the Millan sisters. They both seemed to have him wrapped around their dainty, manicured fingers.

“Whether you did or not, I’m going for it,” Rosalie informed him.

“You go, girl,” Sage said. “He’s a good choice. Muscular, tan, southern, rich, athletic. Not a bad choice at all.”

“Hey.” Nic turned her to face him. “I’m standing right here.”

“And?” She put her hands on her hips. “You got my sister to manipulate me in exchange for a baseball player. You can’t back out on the deal now.”

“That’s not what happened.” He sighed. “Exactly.” Maybe it was. He didn’t even know what the hell he was doing anymore. Sage had him twisted and confused. He’d sell his soul to the devil if she would give him another chance.

“While you two figure it out…” Rosalie sauntered toward the family room. “I’m going to introduce myself to Holt.”

“Wait a minute.” Nic took her hand. “You can go introduce yourself all you want, but you will be leaving here tonight in the same car you came in. Got it?”

“You do realize I’m twenty-one and I’ll be graduating from Yale in the spring, right?” she challenged him. “I’m not a kid.”

“You are to me.” He tapped her nose with the tip of his finger. “Go have fun.”

“Thanks, Nicky.” She hurried off into the other room.

“I’ll kill Holt if he screws with her.” Nic shook his head.

“You always were so protective of her,” Sage said. “She still adores you.”

They walked down the long hallway, following the scent of the most amazing aroma. Nic couldn’t wait to eat. He’d been a guest in Sophia’s parents’ home a couple of times for a Sunday dinner last season. Her mother’s cooking reminded him of his grandmother’s—authentic and made with lots of love.