Read Online Fastball by V. K. Sykes - Free Book Online Page A

time—Jake nodded, and they started
walking down the hill without saying another word. When they
reached the pier, both remained quiet and stared, side-by-side, out
toward the sea and the tiny lights of one ship, miles off in the
distance. Her face remained hidden in the shadows, denying his
attempts to read her expression.
    Nice going, asshole . Following his
instincts had definitely not paid off in this case. He sensed that
he had scared her pretty thoroughly.
    Finally Maddie turned, and the lights from a
nearby apartment building illuminated her face. She shrugged her
shoulders, looking awkward as hell. “I’m sorry, Jake. Please don’t
be angry. And don’t get me wrong, because I’m very flattered.
Actually, the truth is that I’m blown away by the fact that you
seem interested in me.”
    He frowned. “I don’t know why you would be,
Maddie. You’re an amazing woman.”
    She ducked her head, looking shy. “And you’re
an unbelievably attractive man. And if we weren’t who we are….” Her
voice trailed off and she turned back toward the sea as if to
collect her thoughts. He decided to give her some space.
    “You know,” she finally said, sounding brisk,
“getting involved with me wouldn’t do your career any good, but at
least a brief hook-up with me wouldn’t actually hurt you.”
    He opened his mouth to object to her
mischaracterization of his intentions, but she held up a hand to
stop him. “My career, on the other hand, would be toast, and we
both know it. There’s no way I could be the Patriots writer, or any
kind of sports reporter for that matter, if I were involved with an
active player. It’s just impossible. You know that.”
    Actually, he didn’t know that for certain,
but it was more likely true than not. He’d put her in a
compromising position, ignoring the logistical difficulties in his
selfish desire to get to know her better. Unfortunately, he had a
sense that his desire for her would only grow over time.
    Still, she needed to make the call, not him.
“You’re right, Maddie. I owe you an apology. I shouldn’t have put
you in a tough position. We were having a great time tonight, and I
blew it.” He exhaled a heavy breath. “I think you’re fantastic, and
I hope we can be friends. Can we just forget this happened?”
    He held his breath. Friendship between them
might not be possible, but he wasn’t ready to let her go, not just
yet.
    She began to fidget with her purse straps,
her gaze darting away from him. “I…yes, of course. There’s really
nothing to forgive, but I don’t think we should let ourselves
forget it happened. The fact that you wanted to kiss me, and I
really wanted to kiss you back, is something we should remember. So
we make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
    Her words jolted him. So, she had wanted to kiss him back. Good to know his radar still worked, and
that something between them might still be possible. If he could
figure out the logistics, that is. “Your call. Why don’t we walk
back up to Prospect and see if we can find a couple of cabs?” That
seemed like the best course of action. He was too ramped up to keep
his hands off her, so a cool-down period was in order.
    But there was nothing to say he couldn’t get
to know her better.
    “Maddie, I’ve just spent more than two hours
telling you about my life,” he said as they headed to the cab
stand. “But it was totally a one-way street. How about giving me a
chance to ask a question or two about you ? After all, we’re
going to be friends, right?”
    When she cast him a doubtful glance, he gave
her a bland smile.
    Her eyes narrowed. “You can ask. Doesn’t mean
I’ll answer, though. Remember—me writer, you subject.”
    He laughed. “Fair enough. You don’t owe me
any answers. But let me try this. I couldn’t help noticing how you
reacted when I talked about my involvement with the Alzheimer’s
Society. I suspect you know someone who has it. Probably someone
close to you.”
    Even