Colby (Season Two: The Ninth Inning #6) (11 page)

I want to cuss, but I refrain. “I’ll head to the hospital first to check on her. Meet me there.”

“Okay. Meet you there.”

I turn to Colby. “I’m so sorry, but I have to get back. I feel horrible, but I need to go.” I smile at our tablemates. “It was great to meet you all.” I stand, as does Colby and he follows me out.

“Is everything okay?” he asks when we reach the car.

“My witness is the hospital. I have to go figure out who put her there and then get his ass.”

“Hey.” He hugs me close. “It’s fine. Go and call me when you can.” He gives me a quick kiss. “Be careful.”

“I always am.” I give him another swift kiss and then head to the hospital.

“WHAT’S NEW, COLBY?” my sister, Karen, asks.

“You first.”

She raises her eyebrow at me. “You’ll find out in the next newsletter. Why are you evading the question?” Her eyes widen. “Oh, my God! You’ve met someone, haven’t you? Tell me!”

“Mommy,” I hear one of my nieces whine. “She stole my doll!”

Karen rolls her eyes. “Give the doll back to your sister,” she shouts sternly, looking away for a moment to make sure it happens. Once it does, she looks back to me on the screen since we’re video chatting. “Spill.”

“The guys got me to sign up for online dating.”

“Dear lord, please tell me she isn’t crazy.”

I laugh. “She’s a detective with the police department, so no.”

“Oh. Really? What’s that like?”

I think about how it’s been so far. “She’s busy. She’s had to leave early a few times because of the case she’s working on, but I understand that. Plus, it’s not like I’m not busy, too.”

“What’s her name? What’s she like?”

So, I launch into telling her about Ariella and her family. Karen is surprised that I’ve already met them, but she’s too busy laughing over Fletcher’s antics to say much about it.

“I’m glad to hear you’re seeing someone, Colby. I hope it works out,” she tells me seriously. “You deserve to be happy.”

“Thanks.” I smile. “Let me talk to my nieces.”

“Girls,” she shouts. “Come talk to Uncle Colby!”

A chorus of girls squeal, “Uncle Colby!” They crowd around their mother until I can see all their faces on the screen, all of them grinning.

“Okay, tell me what’s on your wish list for your birthdays.” My sister had a set of twins and then another baby nearly a year later. Their birthdays are within a week of each other.

The twins go first, cracking me up when they say the same things together. I discreetly write down some of the things I want to get them to double check that Karen isn’t buying it for them. It’s hard to be a good uncle this far away, but I try to make up for it with these video chats and the occasional package of gifts.

After I have my list, I listen as they give me the update their mother wouldn’t. When we end the conversation, I decide to text Ariella. My day is free and now is as good a time as any to spend time with Ariella and go shopping for their presents. Karen restricts me to two gifts per girl.

Me: Please tell me you’re not working today.

It’s the weekend, but considering she can be called in, it’s plausible.

Ariella: Not at the moment. :)

Me: Spend the day with me. I can pick you up in an hour.

Ariella: I’ll be ready.

“So, what are we doing today?” Ariella asks once we’re in my vehicle and on the road.

“First, a little shopping. My nieces birthdays are coming up and I need to buy their presents.”

“Wait,
all
of their birthdays?”

I laugh. “Yeah, my sister had twins, and one year and one week later, she had another baby.”

“Oh, wow. I can’t imagine having that many kids all close together in age.”

“Me either, but my sister seems to enjoy the challenge. After that, we can do whatever you want.”

“That sounds great to me.”

As we shop, our conversation is mostly about my nieces as I tell her more about them. Afterward, we grab a bite to eat and then head back to her place, only to pick up Buster and head to a local dog park. Ariella doesn’t get to take him often, so when she mentioned it, I decided we could definitely take the guy out for a walk.

I hold her hand, thankful for decent weather today. “So, your fairy tale happily ever after, what does that look like?” It’s not hard to figure out Ariella is a hopeless romantic. She reads romance novels. She wants a fairy tale happily ever after and she bought a house too big for her in hopes of filling it up with that happily ever after. However, I want to know exactly what a fairy tale happily ever after means for her.

Ariella seems to be thinking about her answer, but something tells me she already knows. I’m not sure why she’s buying time though. Eventually, she does answer me while keeping her eyes everywhere but on me.

“I want a husband who’s as good to me as my dad is to my mom and as Duke is to my sister. I want to have a good, long career here in Memphis. I want at least two kids. I want more than what I have in my life right now. What about you?”

“Pretty much the same thing.”

“Pretty much?” There’s a touch of concern like my answer means there’s a major difference.

I grin. “Yeah. Only difference is that I want a wife and not a husband.”

Ariella laughs and pushes her shoulder against mine playfully. “You’re not funny.”

“Then why were you laughing?”

“Because Buster looked back at us like we were crazy,” she lies.

“You’re a terrible liar.”

She smiles, which brings out one of my own. “Good thing I’m all about the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”

“Wouldn’t that technically be your sister and your mom since they’re lawyers?”

“No, it would be us both. Oh! I can’t believe I forgot to tell you. My mom retired.”

“Really? That’s great. I bet your dad is happy.”

Ariella nods. “He’s been over the moon.” Her phone rings and she groans. “Oh, never mind. It’s not work, just my dad.” She answers and talks to him for a little bit, making plans, it sounds like. Then she does get a call from work about her case and we have to head back to her house. “I swear, one of these days, we’ll finish a date like we’re supposed to.”

I chuckle. “How are we supposed to finish them?”

A Cheshire cat kind of smile lifts her lips. “Guess you’ll have to wait and find out when it happens.”

“Are you ever going to tell us what you and Sofia are having?” Hector asks Blake at practice.

“You’ve asked me that every single day for months,” he grumbles.

“Because you haven’t told us!”

Blake laughs. “It’s been fun not telling you.”

“Just tell us,” Felix says. “You’ve got our women on our backs because they want to know, but Sofia won’t tell them because she’s playing along with your games to annoy Hector.”

“Hey,” Tanner speaks up. “Do we get to play uncle to your and Jordan’s kids? I’ve always wanted to be an uncle.”

Blake seems skeptical, causing me to chuckle, but Jordan, who is standing near Tanner, pats him on the back. “Sure thing, Kid. Just keep your freak to yourself when you’re around them.”

“Blake?” The hope is clear in Tanner’s voice.

He sighs heavily, but I think he’s just putting on a show. “Yeah, you can be an uncle to my boy.”

“Fuck yeah!” Spencer says too loudly, holding out an expectant hand to Roman. Roman picks up his wallet and forks out some cash. “Sorry,” Spence tells Blake. “We had a bet going. Congrats on the boy though.”

“Finally!” Hector exclaims. He slaps Blake’s shoulder. “I’m glad it’s a boy. It would be weird to call a baby girl Grumpy Jr.”

The famous scowl slides into place. “You aren’t calling my kid Grumpy Jr. Even Sofia will beat your ass over that.”

Hector shrugs. “Sof loves me.”

“She won’t if you start calling our baby Grumpy Jr. Trust me; she’s already a momma bear.”

I tune out of their conversation and focus on my stretches before we hit the field for practice. If I didn’t realize it before, it’s clear we’ve become a family. It feels good, but it’s not the same as having my own family. One day, I’ll get there. I’m sure of it.

I’M ON THE floor playing with Lil D, while Mom and Alizeh are in the kitchen finishing cleaning from dinner. Dad, Duke, and even Buster are outside enjoying the rare non-humid night. Playing with my nephew is the highlight of my week. Ce-Ce, my one and only witness, ended up dying from her injuries. She wasn’t just beaten up; she was beaten to a pulp. My case is back at square one, and I hate being in that particular square because I don’t have enough to even question the man she told us about. Lil D coos and laughs as I shake the toy and make noise.

“Having fun?” Alizeh sits down on the couch.

“Actually, I really am.”

“Duke told me about this week. Are you okay?”

I shrug as I hand Lil D the rattling toy.

“Ariella, you’re smart; I know you’ll find a connection.” She pats my shoulder.

“I know. I’ll just need to go back to the beginning and start over again.” I give her a hopeful smile.

My family walks into the living room, and Lil D reaches for his dad. It’s cute to watch, and it makes me wonder about Colby being a father.

Stop it! It’s too soon.

I know in my head I’m being unrealistic, but my heart is screaming, “How far is Vegas to elope?” But I’m trying to be a realist, and we’re way too early in the relationship.

“It’s a shame Colby couldn’t make it tonight,” Dad speaks up.

“He had a game out of town,” I remind him. I’ve already told him twice.

“I know, but it would’ve been nice for him to make time,” Dad grunts.

“Fletcher, he’s in New York. It’s not like he’s a few blocks over.” Mom helps me out.

Duke turns the attention to Lil D, and we are all completely entertained by my sweet nephew’s playing skills.

As the night winds down, I realize I’m much more tired than I thought and I hug and kiss everyone good-bye. I gather up Buster and we head back to my house. A hot shower and my latest romance book is what I want to do for the rest of the night. I do wish Colby wasn’t in New York and here instead, but it’s his job.