Rookie Mistake: A Sports Romance Novel (The Beasts of Baseball Book 1) (64 page)

“Hard time? Try no time. They don’t exactly let you take a date back to your cell where I was for the last twelve months.” I laughed and stood up to stretch. “Am I allowed to use my cell phone?”

“Yes. Your cell phone is yours. I don’t agree with limiting that unless I’m forced to. This isn’t about taking things from you, but constricting you to the house. You cannot conduct business, but can assist someone else who’s working. As long as you’re not turning a profit, then you’re good.”

“Awesome. I’m going to touch base with my old partner then and make sure his life is still going well. No business transactions, just need to check in.” I waited for him to nod, feeling a bit foolish, but wanting to set the ground floor for my relationship with Ronald from the on-start. I wasn’t interested in challenging the rules or beating the system at all.

“Have fun.”

I walked into the kitchen and grabbed my cell phone from a small pile of items that sat on the counter. It was charged somehow, and I couldn’t help but check to see if there was anything from Alisa, but of course there wasn’t. Wishful thinking on my part.

“Jeffery?” I spoke as soon as he picked up the phone.

“Zek? Is that you, man?” He laughed, and my heart constricted in my chest. He was far too good to me, and that he would even want to hear my voice was a miracle.

“Hey, man. I’m home, finally.” I let out a long sigh and leaned against the counter top. “How are you guys? Tell me everything I’ve missed.”

“Oh my God. It’s so damn good to hear from you. I knew it would be any day now, but I wasn’t sure when. I really should have visited you more, Zek. Forgive me.”

Was this guy asking for my forgiveness when I’d taken our careers and ruined them in tandem with my greed? Did mercy know no end?

“No need for apologies. It would be me offering them up if there were.” I took a quick breath. “What’s going on with the firm? Is it completely shut down now?”

“No. The SEC went through everything over the last eight months and deemed your situation to be a contained case. Most of our clients stayed with me, and the firm is doing well. We’re in the process of renaming it, but I’m sure you understand that.” He grew silent, and I felt like shit for the position I’d put him in.

“Of course. I’m just glad to hear that you resurrected my baby. She’s in good hands then.” I smiled and moved to stand in front of the sink, wanting to look out the small window that opened up to my backyard. “Your family doing okay?”

“Everyone’s fine, but let’s catch up on all that shit later. Tell me about the house arrest. Can I come see you, or no?”

“Yeah, but only during the day. I’ll have you come over when I get a little more acclimated back into my life. I just wanted to tell you that I’m home, and that you owe me nothing. I want to apologize again—”

“Zek.”

“I’m serious. You stood by me through all that shit. I should have told you the truth. But, dammit, to have you see me in a different light than the one I worked to have shine on me most of my life would have broken me. I’m sorry. I was wrong, and I want to make it up to you. One day, when I’m able, I will.”

“No. You’re a good man, and shit happens. I cheated on my wife about five years ago, and she gave me another chance, Zek. I know what it’s like to be in your shoes. It was one night. Hell, it was twenty minutes because I was so damn terrified the whole time that I couldn’t keep my shit hard.” He let out a shaky laugh. “What I’m trying to say is that we’re good. I’m ready for you to come back any time you want to. We’ve cleared the air with the investors, or at least most of them.”

“I can’t. I’ll never be able to trade again, or give investment advice. The SEC won’t allow my licenses to be renewed, but it’s okay. I’ll figure out something else I can do.” I shrugged, though I was the only one in the kitchen.

“Can you help advise me on a few things while you’re stuck in the house? Is that something we can do, or no?”

“Only if you don’t pay me. I can’t make a profit or hold an actual job while I’m under house arrest, but I can do some admin for you.” I turned as Ronald walked into the kitchen.

“I’d love that. I’ll come visit you soon with a whole handful of shit you’ll love. I swear, you and I complement each other in the things we thrive on and the things that suck our souls out.”

“That’s why we were great partners, Jeffery.”

“Not were… are. I’m not giving up on the idea that you’ll be back with me. Maybe you can’t do what you did before, but you and I both know that there are lots of other avenues for the firm to explore.” He cleared his throat. “I renamed it ZJ Investments.”

I laughed and pressed my hand to my mouth. “Our first initials?”

“Yeah. I thought it was crafty enough to throw a proverbial fuck you to fate for this shit.”

“I don’t think it’s fate that deserves the gesture, but it’s water under the bridge now.” I walked into the living room and dropped down on the couch. “Hey, man. I appreciate you sticking by me. Seriously.”

“You would have done the same for me. I know you would have.”

“True, but still.” I brushed my hand over my chest and let my thoughts fade to Alisa. I couldn’t help but wonder if the additional muscle I’d packed on would turn her on, or leave her cold. “I’ll talk to you soon, my friend.”

“Hang in there, and if you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call.”

“I won’t, Jeff.” I dropped the call and tossed the phone onto the coffee table as Ronald walked into the room.

“Seems like a good relationship you have with your business partner.” There was a bit of sympathy in his eyes, and where I once would’ve ignored it, I wasn’t the same man.

“Yeah. It was a great relationship. He’s a good man, and I’m more of an ass for putting him through hell above anyone else. No one suffered like Jeff did.” I ran my fingers over my head. “He’s forgiven me from what I can tell. He just wants to move forward, but I’m not capable of doing that just yet. Shit, I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to move back into the life I left.”

“You won’t, but that’s just opportunity for growth. Creating something beautiful from the ashes is almost always better than trying to dust off the dilapidated pile of nothingness that created the soot. You’ll find your way. Hell, you’ve got plenty of time to figure it out, right?” Ronald smiled as he picked up the remote. “You good with me watching the news? I hate getting behind.”

“Yeah. I’m good with it.” I grabbed up my phone and flipped through the old texts from Alisa before pulling up her profile at Dellup and Brown. Just the sight of her made my body hard, my heart race, my skin tight. I might not be willing to reach out to her, but I had to say a prayer that she wasn’t going to be as pig-headed as me.

I got up and forced a yawn. It was only eight, but I wanted to spend some time taking care of myself in the comfort of my bed. I could let the image of my beautiful girl push me to the limit of orgasm over and over and still be needy for her. It was a hopeless situation, but those were the ones that had pushed me into greatness the first time my life turned into a success story. It seemed highly probable that it could happen again.

Funny how much my definition of
success
had changed.

CHAPTER 4

e

Alisa

I
wasn’t sure about visitation hours with Zek, but I’d ask him later that night. As his attorney, I could show up just about any time I wanted, but I wasn’t going as legal counsel. I was going as a woman who wanted to feel the warmth of her man. The need to wait until night left me with a handful of hours with nothing to do.

I decided to drop by Clark’s house to see what everyone was up to instead of pacing the floor in my apartment. I’d have been a nervous wreck by the time I got to Zek otherwise.

The boys opened the door and wrapped themselves around my legs as I tried to walk into the foyer.

“What did you bring us?” One of them yelled excitedly as he pressed his nose to my side and breathed in deep. “You smell good. Like candy. Did you bring candy?”

The other pushed at him. “You don’t need candy. Remember what Momma said about your cavities? I’ll eat yours for you. You’re welcome.”

“No candy!” Cathy yelled from the kitchen.

I laughed and worked to get my hand in my purse while being squeezed half to death. After pulling out two small chocolate bars, I bent down and touched my fingers to both of my cheeks. “Pay back, please?”

The boys gave me a quick kiss and ran off as I stood up. Cathy poked her head out of the kitchen and gave me a look. “You gave them something anyways, didn’t you?” Her expression softened as I shrugged.

“I plead the fifth.” I laughed and walked toward her as she opened her arms to me.

“How are you? Everything okay?”

We moved back into the kitchen and I kicked off my shoes before pouring myself a glass of red wine from the open bottle sitting next to the stove.

“Yeah. I’m thinking about going to see Zek tonight. He was released this morning, and I just can’t imagine not getting over there as soon as it makes sense to go.” I took a long drink of the tart liquid before turning as my brother walked into the room.

“I thought I heard your voice.” He wrapped me in a hug and smiled down at me. “Zek’s out today. Why are you over here instead of over there?”

I rolled my eyes and pulled away. “You heard what I said to Cathy, you sneaky dog.”

“Did not.” He wagged his eyebrows and moved toward Cat, pulling her into a hug and kissing her nose as she worked to wiggle out of his grasp.

“Stop it, Clark. Your sister doesn’t want to see you groping me.” She pushed at him playfully, and I made a few gagging sounds as I moved toward the half-made salad to help finish it up.

“She’s used to it. I used to grope the ladies all the time when we were younger.” He grabbed Cat again as she squealed.

“This is true, Cat. You married a regular man-whore.” I stifled a smirk as Cathy let out a yelp and popped my brother in the chest.

“A what? Clark Beeler. You better not have been anything but the sweet church-going boy you promised me you were.” She turned toward me and winked to where only I could see her. “Tell me it’s not true, Alisa. My whole marriage is a lie if that’s the case.”

“Now hold up a minute. That was a long…” He turned to me as a smile lifted my lips. “You two are corrupt. I hate you both.”

Cathy popped his butt as he walked out of the kitchen, playing the hurt teenage boy role beautifully. “We hate you too, sexy boy.”

“Don’t call him that in front of me. Makes my stomach hurt.” I chuckled and finished up my task of getting the salad together. “Can I go ahead and have a bowl of this? I know I’m an unexpected guest, but I’m starving.”

“You can have anything you want. You know that.” She turned back to the stove as I made my salad and then walked through the house looking for my brother. I found him in his office, reading something in his hand.

“Hey. What’s up?” I stopped at the open door and leaned against the frame.

“Same old shit.” He glanced over his shoulder. “We’re just trying to make ends meet, and it’s not working so well. Nothing new.”

“Let me help you guys.” I walked in and took a seat in the old broken leather couch that he refused to get rid of.

“No, and I’m not having this conversation again. We’ll make it. We always do. I just need to pick up some extra work where I can, and we’ll be fine.” He dropped the mail on his desk and turned to face me. “So you’re going over there, right?”

“Yeah. I’ve missed him like crazy, but I told you I’m not sure where we stand. He shoved me away pretty hard the last time I went to the prison.”

“We idiots are known to do that. It’s a defense mechanism.”

I nodded, already understanding what Zek was up to, but it hurt all the same.

Clark moved to sit next to me. “You know the best defense against us?”

“What’s that?” I shoved another large bite of salad into my mouth and glanced over at my brother.

“A good offense. Don’t wait until he makes the move. Go make your own.” He chuckled. “And if that doesn’t work, get naked. That will do it every time.”

“You’re gross.” I got up and walked toward the door. “I’m telling Cat on you.”

“No! Anything but that.”

*

The dinner with my brother and his family soothed my nerves significantly, and after leaving them, I stopped by my place and changed into a cotton dress with sandals. It was a little under dressed for the fall weather, but I wanted Zek to see me looking pretty — feminine.

I parked my car at the bar just down the street from his house, and moved into the back part of his property. The need to act like a teenager again and sneak into his window rolled over me, but I realized how ridiculous I was being. I’d be lucky if I didn’t get hauled off by the cops, but it was a risk I was willing to take. There was no way I’d be able to see him if I went straight to the door and knocked. Havin been a lawyer for long enough, I knew there were time limits for visitation. I pulled my phone from my pocket and texted him quickly before I lost my nerve.

Me: Hey. Where are you? I need to see you.

Zek: I’m at the house. I wondered why you didn’t come this morning, but then I remembered. Because I’m a dick.

Me: Can I come in?

Zek: Where are you? Here at the house?

Me: Yeah. I’m outside your bedroom window being creepy.

Zek: That’s not creepy. It’s hot. I’ll let you in. Ronald is in the living room. There’s no way you’re coming through the door.

Me: Delete the messages between us.

I waited for a reply, but heard the creak of the window instead.

“And why the hell did I wear a dress?” I groaned softly. Zek would have to help pull me up, which wouldn’t be too much trouble for him, but embarrassing to me.

“Hey” Zek’s voice was low and filled with sleep. “Feels like we’re kids again.”.

“Hey, yourself.” I moved closer, not really able to see much more than his outline in the darkness of his bedroom. “I didn’t know what your visiting hours were, and seeing that you didn’t call… I just came out here. I can go if you want.”