Stella - Third Base

T wo guys argued a few feet away. I should have looked away, but I couldnt. Their voices carried, and after the day Id had, I needed some form of comedic reliefand these two provided that. Considering Id been sitting on this stool in their direct line of sight for the last hour, I was well aware just how drunk each of them were, and the more they disagreed, the louder they became .

Thats him. Im telling you, I know my baseball players, the one with dark hair saidor more like slurred loudly .

You wouldnt know their faces if you had their cards right in front of you. The blond rolled his eyes and tossed back the last of the amber liquid in his glass. Nowif youd recognized him as he walked away, Id believe you. You pay far more attention to their asses in those tight pants .

The guy with the dark hairI couldve sworn Id heard someone call him Eric, but it couldve been Derrick, it was hard to tell with the heavy slurringpunched his friend in the arm. Fuck you, bro .

Youre a great guy, but I dont like you like that .

Eric or Derrick turned his attention back to me and squinted. There was a good chance hed reached the double-vision stage of drinking. I actually envied him. I wanted to be thereor the blackout stage, whichever would ease the disappointment festering inside .

I didnt shy away, and instead, held his stare until he nudged Danwho he couldve been calling man this whole time, but I didnt care. How much you gonna pay me if Im right ?

Nothing! Why the hell would I give you money ?

Like a bet .

Dan seemed irritated over his friends insistence. Hed been desperately trying to catch the attention of the redhead next to him, but every time he almost succeeded, the drunken moron at his side carried on about whether or not I was who he thought I was .

Fine. Ill bet you a hundred bucks .

Eric checked his walletor, at least I think thats what he was doing. He took out the bi-fold and fumbled open the cash part, closing one eye and drawing it close to the other. I was across the bar and could see there was no money in there. But apparently, he needed to check. Then double- check .

And check one last time before saying, I dont have a hundred dollars. How about five ?

Youre making a big deal over five bucks ?

It was only a matter of time before he came over, and I didnt care to be perched on the stool when he did. Honestly, I didnt care to interact with anyone, but people frown upon those who drink alone. My options were limited .

Swallowing the last of my Crown, I flipped the tumbler upside down and slid off the stool. At the last second, I changed the course of my direction. Rather than head toward the door, I veered around the bar and approached the redhead sitting next to the guys. Id found her staring at me a few times, smiling when caught and quickly diverting her gaze, so I figured it was worth an attempt .

I dug my wallet out of my back pocket and slipped out a five-dollar bill. Slapping it on the bar top, I slid it over, closer to Dan, while lessening the space between the redhead and myself, my brown eyes meeting her green ones. Whats your name, sweetheart ?

Kelly.

Nice to meet you, Kelly. I flicked my gaze back to the guys, who now sat with their mouths hanging open, eyes popped wide in shock. I tossed my head back quickly in their direction by way of a casual greeting. Hey, names Coby Kyler, I said before glancing back down at the gorgeous woman so close to me. You wouldnt mind if I stole you away, would you ?

It took everything in me not to roll my eyesat myself. I wouldnt consider myself smooth with the ladies, but at least I was a hell of a lot better now than I had been a few years ago. But when she smiled and said, Sure, I figured I couldnt have been as bad as I thought .

The two guys continued to gawk while I helped her off her stool, then they both turned to the five-dollar bill on the bar when she pointed to it and said, Ive already paid for my drink. And left a tip. So you dont need to leave that .

For the first time all day, the smirk on my face was genuine. Sorry, man, but I didnt have a hundred on me. I just wanted to say thanks for noticing me without having to check out my ass first. It doesnt look half as good in jeans. I tossed him a wink for fun and then took the girls hand .

She giggled and tugged on my arm as soon as we made it outside, automatically leading me to her car. You didnt drive here, did you ?

Nah. Im traveling, so I dont have my car. I followed her, even though shed never offered to take me anywherenor had I asked. Where are we going ?

WellI was going to take you home, but since you dont live here, I guess I have no idea where to go .

I got the hint. Get the same innuendo enough times, and you learn exactly what it means. Im staying at a hotel a few blocks away. You can take me there .

We both climbed into her Mustang, and I buckled up while she cranked the engine. So, you said youre traveling Are you on vacation ?

Oh, sorry. No, I play baseballIm the pitcher for the Tuscaloosa Titans .

Major League? Even though she kept her eyes on the windshield, I could see the way her brows arched. She was impressed; Id seen that look often .

Yeahyou pay attention to the sport? I prayed she didnt. I already felt like enough of a loser today. I didnt care to feel like even more of one by being called out on my shortcomings .

She shook her head and giggled, and I grew lost in the sound. Not because it was sexy or melodic, but because it was slightly annoying and I had to block it out. No, I dont. Ive just heard of the team. My best friend is obsessed with one of the players. She only watches it for him .

Oh, yeah? Who ?

Gage something .

I dropped my head against the headrest and closed my eyes. Gage Nix. Every female between the ages of sixteen and ninety-seven had a thing for him. It wasnt that I wished for that kind of attentionI had more than I knew what to do with most of the time. Gage and I were friends, and truth be told, I was envious of his natural ability with the ladies. He was smooth and had great follow-throughan effortless ability to hit every connection out of the park, whereas I struggled to even make it to base .

The hotel is right up here. I pointed straight ahead, and then waited in silence while she pulled into the entrance. When she parked and turned off the car, I realized I couldnt get out of it. The initial feeling Id gotten when we left the bar began to diminish, and I started to second-guess my decision to bring her back to my hotel room. I only hoped Id consumed enough alcohol to get me through this without striking out .