Felix (The Ninth Inning #1) (8 page)

I’VE RUN FOUR of my five miles, making a pit stop on the way back and technically walking some instead of running. There’s a Starbucks a block from us, so I stopped by for her white mocha espresso. When I get to Abigail’s apartment, I knock.

No answer.

I knock louder and harder six times in a row. I’m about to rap my knuckles against the door again when I hear the turning of the lock and then see a still half asleep Abigail.

“Felix?”

“We’re supposed to run today. Why aren’t you ready?”

She groans. “I changed my mind. It’s too early.”

I hold up the cup. “I brought your favorite. Take it and go get ready.”

Abigail eyes the espresso for a second before taking it. I step inside to wait as she changes. A few minutes later, she returns looking awake finally and giving me my answer for how she would dress for a run. My mind never conjured something this good. She’s wearing boy shorts and a lacy tank top.

“Felix?” Her voice makes me quickly lift my gaze from her legs to her eyes. “I’m ready to get this over with.”

I wish it could last all day. “Let’s go then.” We go outside and stop once we reach the sidewalk. “We need to stretch.” I bring my foot behind me, holding it for a few seconds as Abigail mimics me.

She eyes me for a moment and then says, “Did you already run?”

“Yeah, except for a mile. Switch legs.”

After that, I cross my legs at the ankles and bend over to touch my toes, not even bothering to be discreet as I look over at Abigail. She’s going to be more of a distraction than anything. We lunge to the left and right before beginning to walk.

“We’ll walk for two minutes and run for one,” I tell her.

We keep a steady, brisk pace while walking and then a slow, but even pace while running. Abigail does well the first minute and the second as well. By the third, her chest is heaving and she glares at me for a moment. She doesn’t say anything, though. About the halfway mark, she speaks up.

“Let’s just walk the rest of the way back.”

“If you walk, I’m going to start running circles around you. It’s that or you keep running every two minutes.” I run around her once to make my point. “C’mon, Abigail. You can do this. We’re halfway done and we’re going to walk the last leg, anyway.”

When it’s time to run again, she does.

“My legs are going to be so sore,” she says once we’ve reached the three quarters of the way point after running for another minute.

“There’s no gain without a little pain. We’ll walk the rest of the way.”

“At some point in your life, I’m going to make sure that phrase comes back and bites you in the ass.”

I laugh. “Think you’ll join me again tomorrow?”

She seems to think about it. “How about three times a week?”

“That works,” is what I say, but really, I’m thinking
Three times a week? I need to see you dressed like this 24/7!

When we reach the complex, Abigail pats my shoulder and says, “See you later, Felix.”

“Later,” I reply, watching her walk all the way up the stairs before going to my own apartment. Running with her and seeing those boy shorts may just be my favorite new activity.

THE WEEK PASSES normally until Friday. Abigail ran with me this morning, and I swear there was an extra pep in her step, though I’m unsure why. I’ve been enjoying taking her to school, running in the morning, and the conversations that happen during those times. We haven’t talked much outside of that, though.

Therefore, when practice ends and I put in my time at the gym, I decide to be done for today. Once I’m back at the complex, I walk up to Abigail’s apartment and knock. She opens the door with a smile seconds later. Although, when she sees me, I think it falls a little.

“Hey, Felix,” she says.

“Hey, I stopped by to see if you’d like to go out with me tonight?”

She hesitates for a moment before answering me. “I can’t; I have plans with someone else.”

“Plans as in a date or plans with a sister?”

“As in a date. A guy I have class with asked me out. So, I said yes since I’m not seeing anyone, right?” She looks a little nervous and unsure.

“Oh, of course, yeah.” We aren’t dating. We haven’t been on a date and two kisses doesn’t equate to a relationship, so she’s right. She isn’t seeing anyone. The fact she has a date, though, really bums me out. I should have asked sooner. No, I shouldn’t have fucked up the first time. “Well, have fun, I guess. I’ll see you later then.”

“Okay and make sure you don’t knock on my door in the morning. I’m not sure I’ll be in the mood for running since I don’t know how late I’ll be out, or what we’ll be doing.”

“No running, got it.” Which is really a good thing because I don’t want to knock and someone else answer the door, though I don’t think Abigail would sleep with someone that quickly. But who knows?

She tilts her head and asks, “Felix, are you okay? You’re acting strange.”

“I’m fine. It’s been a long day, that’s all. Enjoy your date, Abigail.”

Her face falls a bit with my well wishes. “Have a good evening, too, Felix.”

As I make the lonely walk back to my apartment, I’m wishing I hadn’t messed up our first date. I might not get the opportunity for a second one.

NOT ONCE BUT twice has Felix Hernandez kissed me. I thought I had figured out what his deal was, but I have no clue. He keeps throwing a curveball at me over and over again. When I said I wasn’t seeing anyone, I slightly hoped he would have been a little jealous and said something, but he didn’t.

Now, I’m sitting in Warren’s Ford Focus heading off to dinner. I thought it would be somewhere fancy and I’m wrong. When he pulls into a small café diner, I start to wonder where Felix would take me for our first date.

Abigail, stop it!
I yell at myself. You’re on a date and not with Felix.

Warren holds open the door for me and we walk into the diner. You can tell it’s been here for a number of years and it’s in desperate need of an upgrade. I feel bad for whoever the owner is because they can’t see that lime green isn’t in this season and hasn’t been since 1970.

“So, what do you think?”

“Oh, this is great,” I lie and smile.

“Right? I’ve heard about this place from some of my frat buddies.”

“Well, this is a good choice,” I fib again and look at the torn plastic menus. Of course, it’s typical diner food, which entails mainly sandwiches.

When the waitress comes by, I order a BLT and fries and Warren gets a cheeseburger with tater tots.

“How do you like being in a frat?” I try to make some small talk. I’m really surprised he’s still in a frat and being a grad student.

“It’s amazing. I think it’s the best decision I ever made.”

“Because of the networking?”

“No, because I made a tons of friends and I know where all the parties are.” He smiles.

And there it is...the mature college student who isn’t any of those things. “I’m sure that’s important, too.”

“Abigail, I’m just messing with you.” Warren laughs. “I may have joined for those reasons in the beginning, but I’ve truly made a lot of great connections through the frat. I’m too busy to be partying.”

I feel my body relax. “I knew that.”

Warren shakes his head. “You’re lying. Did you really think I was just a grad student who went to keggers to pick up nineteen-year-olds?”

I shake my head. “No, I didn’t. I’m sorry I jumped to that conclusion.” Great, now I feel like the ass.

“It’s fine. Like I said, I’m too busy to party. Actually, this is the first time I’ve been out for a while.”

“Do you work?”

He sips his sweet tea. “Yes, I do. My parents...well...they fell onto some hard times, and I work to help them with their bills.”

“That’s very sweet of you.” His cheeks are a little red from saying that, but I think it’s very admirable he’s helping his parents. I would do everything to have my parents here so I can help them out in any way I could.

“What about your family? Are you all close?”

“My parents have passed, but I’m very close to my two older sisters. Do you have siblings?” I change the subject because I don’t want him to ask anymore about my parents. I usually don’t rush to tell people I’m the reason my parents are dead. I’m still not sure why I told Felix so quickly. Then again, I seem to be very open around him all the time.

“I have a younger sister in high school. We’re okay, not real close though.” I can tell it’s a touchy subject for him and I move to something else as the food arrives.

As we eat, we talk about books we’ve recently read, movies, how one of our professors has the worst breath in the world, and how we can’t wait to be done with school. The conversation seems to flow smoothly and I like that there’s no awkward silences. I always hate that on dates.

After Warren pays, we walk out to his car and he pauses for a moment. I think something is wrong because now he seems nervous.

“Everything okay?”

“What? Oh, yeah. I didn’t realize the time.” He points to his dashboard.

“Do you have somewhere to be?” It’s eleven at night; it’s not like it’s four in the morning.

“Actually, I have to work early in the morning. Do you mind if we cut this night short, but pick it up another time?”

I shake my head. “No, I don’t mind at all.”

Warren smiles and we head back to my apartment. He walks me up to my place. I don’t know if he will kiss me or not. Apparently, I suck at this part.

“Sorry again.” Warren’s voice is sad and it’s sweet he really cares.

“It’s fine. I’m not upset.”

Warren nods, leans in, and gently kisses my lips. “I had a great time.”

Well, you don’t kiss anything like Felix
, I think.

“I did, too.” I unlock my door. “Have a good day at work.”

WHY THE HELL am I up so early? It’s because I’m on Felix’s run time. Oh, the jerk is brainwashing me into his running schedule. I’m up now; I might as go running. I wonder if he’s out now. I check out the window and his car is here. I send him a quick text.

Me: Are you running yet?

Felix: Was about to head out.

Me: Want a very slow running partner?

Felix: Sure. I’ll wait for ya.

I change into a pair of black running shorts and a tank. It’s already muggy out and the less clothing I have on, the cooler I’ll be. I walk over to his apartment.

“Your stupid schedule has me all thrown off. I never wake up this early. Ever!” I yell at him as he shuts the door.

He turns to me with that sexy grin. “Maybe you just really wanted to see me.”

“Ha! Wow, you still suck at flirting,” I try to deflect what might be true. “Are you still a virgin? I read somewhere about this cool, hot-looking guy who flirted a lot but was nothing more than a tease to the ladies. Was that about you?” I laugh as we head out to the trail. I didn’t mean to ask if he’s a virgin. I’m sure he’s not.

“No, it was not! You’re the only person it doesn’t work on.” He shakes his head and there’s still a small smile on his lips. “You see right through all my lines, which aren’t completely terrible either.” He picks up the pace a little

“Really? Trust me, they’re not that good. Now, how was your quiet night?”

“I ended up going out with some of the guys on the team after talking with my brothers. How was yours?”

“It was okay.” I breathe heavier as his long legs stride forward. “I mean, Warren is nice and the place he took me to was...all right. He brought me home early because he had to work. Overall, I enjoyed myself.”

“Good. Better than him forgetting you, right?” he teases.

“Yes, it was better than that but…” I stop before I accidently say the one thing I shouldn’t say. “Never mind.”

“But...what?” He slows down, almost to a walk. “You can’t start and then not finish. What were you going to say?”

I grab my side and groan, not from a running pain, but from the pain that I can’t shut up sometimes. I blame LA for that. “I was going to say the kiss wasn’t as good as yours,” I mumble, hoping he didn’t understand me and let’s it go. He stops and looks at me. I can’t figure out his expression. “Can we run now or maybe walk briskly?” I need to get away from his gorgeous eyes.