That actually explains so much to me. She’s not impressed by my career or my position on the team. Why would she be? Her pseudo uncle is the general manager, and her dad, one of the best first basemen to ever step on the field. I should let this newfound information deter me. I should back away while I can. The waters are too muddy already. However, as I watch her turn to walk out of the room, I know I’m not giving up. When her eyes find mine, her step falters. She squares her shoulders and rushes out of the room.
This chase has turned into something more. Something that I can’t define, but I’m going to. I’m not going to stop until I know what this is and why I’m so drawn to her. It’s more than chemistry. Of that, I’m certain.
“What do you think, Bailey? Think you can execute the play?” Tucker asks.
“I’m not only going to execute it but I’m also going to fucking excel at it. Watch and learn, boys. Watch and learn.”
Sitting back in my chair, I zone out the rest of the meeting. My mind is racing as to what my next steps should be. Parker Monroe thinks she can run, but I’ve got other plans. I might be new to this chasing a woman plan, but I never fail. I fight for what I want, and I want Parker Monroe.
CHAPTER 9
Parker
I pull into the parking lot of Cup of Joe and heave a sigh of relief. I’ve been avoiding my favorite spot like the plague, but today, I couldn’t stay away. My booth in the back corner of Cup of Joe has been my go-to study destination the last four years, and with finals looming, I need my coffee fix and the quiet to get some studying done.
It’s not just the quiet atmosphere, but I need all the madness in my head to quiet down as well. I’ve been helping Uncle Drew. Well, he’s not really my uncle, but my dad’s best friend. Anyway, I help out in the front office of the Blaze sometimes. When the regular staff are on vacation or just overwhelmed, I give them a hand. It’s extra spending money for me, and it looks good on job applications.
When Uncle Drew called and asked me to fill in to make some copies and assemble some packets for the team, I readily agreed. It is the holiday season, after all, and I still have some Christmas shopping to do. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d see Holden Bailey sitting in that room full of Blaze players.
I rushed out of the meeting room and straight to the copy room, pulling out my phone and searching his name. Sure enough, a ton of articles popped up about his trade to the Blaze. I’d been going out of my way to avoid him and missed that sliver of information. I sent Uncle Drew a text that I had a test I forgot to study for and hightailed it out of there. Of course, I knew there were new players and a trade. I admit I love the sport, but I don’t follow the team as much as I used to when my dad played. Hence the shock of seeing Holden.
Back to the present, I missed my regular study location and their coffee, and I have a ton of studying to do, so today, I’m taking my chances and risk that he might stop and see me. My plan is to hide here in the corner, keep my head down and my nose buried in my books and ignore the world around me. Sure, it’s naïve, and I know there is a pretty good chance he’s going to catch me here, but I can’t focus at our apartment, and the library is always too crowded. I needed my familiar space, so here I am. Risking it for the greater good of my education. I’m one semester away from graduation. I’m not going to let my GPA slip now.
Pulling open the door to Cup of Joe, I’m assaulted with the familiar scent and instantly feel my shoulders relax. Quickly I get in line, and when it’s my turn, I order the largest pumpkin spice latte they offer. My usual booth in the back is open, and I rush to settle in. I unpack my laptop, books, notebooks, pens, and highlighters and get to work. I lose myself in my studies, feeling more relaxed and controlled in regards to classes and upcoming finals than I have in a couple of weeks.
I’ve refilled my drink once and opted for a bottle of water instead of a third latte. Four hours later, and I feel like I have a handle on my course load, and although I still have studying to do, I’m not as stressed as I was before I walked in here today. Slowly, I pack everything back into my bag and stand from the booth, tossing my trash in the can next to the door. As I walk to my car, I can’t help but feel relieved that Holden didn’t show up.
Maybe this means that he’s given up. Hopefully, he’s realized I’m not worth the effort of the chase. I’m not falling into bed with him like a jersey chaser. I have higher standards not only for myself but for the man I’m falling into bed with. Tossing my bag into the passenger seat, I buckle up and point my car toward home.
It’s Friday, and next week is finals. I’ve been to Cup of Joe every single day and studied my ass off. I feel good about next week. I’m prepared. What’s even better is that not once have I run into Holden. A part of me is disappointed that I was right. He was after the chase, and once he realized I wasn’t giving in, he gave up. The other part of me is mad at myself. Holden Bailey is hands down the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on, and he wanted me. I wish that I could be that person, the one who can just live carelessly and take the one night he was offering. That’s just not who I am or who I will ever be.
Resting back against the booth, I exhale. I’m ready. Bring on finals and my last semester of college. The last four years have flown by. Closing my laptop, I begin to pack up my things. I turn to grab my bag, and when I spin back around, a surprised squeak flies out of my mouth when I see Holden standing beside my booth.
“Hey,” he says quietly.
“Holden.” I breathe his name.
“Can I sit?” he asks.
This is unusual for him. He’s never asked for permission before, and it catches me off guard. “Sure,” I finally say. He slides into the booth and pushes a small bag and a bottle of water my way. “What’s this?”
“You’ve been at this for hours. You need to eat.”
“H-How do you know?”
“I’ve been here every day this week. I’ve sat over there.” He points at a booth at the other end of the café. I have to lean out of my booth to see it, which explains why I never saw him. I was so lost in my studying and worrying about him being here that I actually missed him.
“You’ve been following me?”
“No. Well, yes.” He pulls his hat off his head and runs his fingers through his hair. “I came Monday to see you. I’ve been coming here every day to see you, and when I saw how focused you were, I decided not to bother you.”
“So, what? You decided to sit and watch me instead?” My palms are sweaty.
He shrugs. “You looked like you were deep in it.” He taps his fingers against my closed laptop.
“Have you really been here every day while I’ve been here?” My heart flutters as I wait for his reply. It might sound creepy, but the thought of Holden Bailey just hanging out so he can see me, even though he didn’t talk to me, is kind of thrilling.
“Yeah.”
“Why?” I can’t figure him out. If it was just the chase, why would he sit and watch me study and not come and talk to me? Is he trying to get into my head? Make me think it’s more than that? He has to be.