The Game Changer: A Novel (22 page)

It wasn’t like Matteo wasn’t a good-looking guy. He was downright gorgeous. I started wondering if this was a good idea after all. Were we unintentionally giving everyone more ammunition against me?

I sighed before heading down in the elevator, the stress of the situation starting to gnaw at me. I hated the things I had to think about now before I even walked out the door. All the added drama affected my ability to be happy. I was too concerned with everything around me to simply sit back and enjoy Jack’s time on the field.

I hated this.

I spotted Matteo the moment I exited the elevator. He smiled, and I couldn’t help but smile back in response.

“I get to be your date tonight,” he said with a wink.

Date?

“Yeah, I guess so,” I said, silently berating myself for agreeing with that word choice.

I walked toward the car, and when Matteo pulled open the back door, I declined, opening up the passenger door instead. “I hate sitting back there while you drive me around. It’s dumb.”

“You sure?” he asked with surprise.

“Yeah.” I nodded before sliding in and closing the door behind me.

I fastened my seat belt as Matteo scooted into the driver’s seat, starting the sleek Town Car with a flick of his wrist. “This should be fun, huh?”

“I hope so. Honestly I think it might create more drama at first, but hopefully that will die down in time.”

“More drama how? Because I’m going with you?”

I wondered how exactly to phrase what I meant. Matteo was stupid hot, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. “Matteo, it’s not like you’re ugly. So I’m sure it’s going to cause some sort of chaos.”

He laughed, and I noticed a hint of color creeping into his cheeks. “You think I’m pretty?”

“No,” I choked back. “I said I think you’re not ugly.”

“Well, thanks.” He grinned. “I think you’re not ugly either.”

Unsure of how to respond, I flashed a quick, tight-lipped smile instead. The last thing I wanted was to make things uncomfortable between us, so I dropped the subject altogether and reached for my phone. I typed out a quick text message to Melissa before gazing out of the car window at the city whizzing by in a blur.

“So, tell me what I’m in for tonight,” he asked.

“Um, well, we have the chatty fans and the mean wives.”

“Oooh. Tell me about the wives.” He glanced at me before returning his focus to the highway.

“They’re just really nasty. They won’t talk to me.”

“At all?”

“At all.”

“What’d you do to them?” he asked with a chuckle.

“Shut up!” I pursed my lips together before swatting his shoulder with my hand. “I didn’t do anything to them except join their stupid team with my boyfriend.”

“How dare you!” he exclaimed, his voice animated and I laughed. “So do they just completely ignore you?”

I nodded. “Pretty much. It’s like I’m not even there.”

His lips formed a slight snarl. “You women are rather mean to one another. Why is that?”

“You’re asking the wrong girl. I’m not one of those women. Unless you’re mean to me first; then I’m a bitch. But really, you asked for it, so you can’t blame me,” I smiled innocently.

“Well, this oughta be fun.”

We pulled into the parking lot at the stadium, and I nervously looked around. People swarmed all around our car, but no one paid attention to who was in it. I glanced at Matteo before opening my door and sliding out.

He exited and stood next to the door, not moving.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

He glanced down at his work attire and then back at me. “I need to change my clothes.”

“Oh. I didn’t even think about that, but good idea.”

I turned my back to the car as he scooted into the backseat to change. I thanked him in my head for being smart enough to bring a change of clothes. He would have looked ridiculous wearing slacks and a tie at the ball field.

“Ready?” he asked from behind me, and I jumped. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine.” I turned to look at him and wanted to scream. Nothing this guy wore covered up his good looks. “You look so different,” I said, noting his jeans and long-sleeved white shirt that hugged the muscles in his shoulders and arms perfectly. The ink from his tattoo showed a little more now, although I still had no idea what it was.

“Thanks.” He arched an eyebrow. “I think?”

“I’ve never seen you in jeans. You look cute.”

Shit.

“I just mean, you look nice in jeans. It’s a different look from your dress slacks.” I fumbled, trying to make my statement mean nothing, but clearly making it worse.

I picked up our tickets at the window, and we headed in. My nerves should have calmed with Matteo by my side, but they were heightened. Heads turned in our direction when we passed by. His good looks called attention to us, and that was the last thing I wanted.

“You ready for this?” I asked before we headed out of the tunnel and down the aisle.

“Don’t worry, Cassie. I’ve got your back.”

I swallowed my apprehension and stepped into the light of the outdoors and the rush of the crowd. I walked down the steps, inching toward our row of seats as Matteo followed right behind. My heart raced as I braced for hateful words or taunting that never came. I released a breath before pointing to our seats.

I noticed all the mean wives staring at Matteo, their jaws agape at the sight of him. I sat down and faced them, suddenly filled with confidence. I pasted an obviously fake smile on my face and said, “Close your mouths, ladies. You look ridiculous,” before turning my back to them.

They gasped and whispered to each other, and I decided not to give a shit. At least not for tonight.

“That was awesome.” Matteo leaned toward me, whispering.

“I’m sure I just signed my death warrant with the baseball wives, but I don’t care.”

I looked around the stadium and down toward the dugout for any signs of Jack. I hated when he didn’t pitch. It wasn’t as much fun watching the game when he wasn’t playing. And the bullpen for the pitchers couldn’t have been any further away from where our seats were. The way the bullpen was situated, I rarely even caught sight of him.

Someone cleared her throat, forcing me to look up. “Trina. Where were you last night?”

“Sorry, girl, I had to work. Who is this?” She extended a tanned hand toward Matteo as she eyed me curiously.

“I’m Matteo. I’m Jack and Cassie’s friend. It’s nice to meet you.” He paused, clearly enamored with the beautiful woman. “Trina, is it?”

“Yes. It’s nice to meet you as well.” Everything she said sounded prettier with her accent. “May I sit next to you, Cassie?” she asked before tossing her purse in the seat to my left.

“Like you have to ask. Please sit your bony ass down next to me.”

“I thought you said all the wives were mean?” Matteo’s voice flirted as Trina leaned over me.

“They are. They’re horribly mean. Everyone except for me,” Trina said, her cleavage on full display beneath her sand-colored V-neck blouse.

My phone beeped and I reached for it, noting a text message from Melissa.

Who is that hot piece of ass sitting with you?

She’d attached a picture of Matteo leaning toward me. I typed back:

That’s Matteo. He’s our driver.

Holy hell. He can drive me anytime he wants!!!

Her response made me laugh out loud. Matteo peered over my shoulder at the text message. “Who said that?”

Embarrassed, I hid my screen and shoved my phone into my purse. “My best friend, Melissa. She’s crazy.”

“So,” Trina asked softly. “What I miss last night?”

“Oh, just some fans giving me shit. And the wives sitting here doing nothing while it all happened. I hated that you weren’t here.”

“I saw the paper.” She frowned, an expression that looked unnatural on her face.

“Has that ever happened to you?” I hated the way hope coursed through me, but I desperately needed someone to relate to how my mind raced and my pride hurt.

“Of course.” She placed her hand over her heart. “But I’m already in the public eye a lot for work, so it’s different.”

“Different how?”

“I’m used to it. I’ve dealt with this kind of shoddy stuff for years. I feel bad for you because I know how uncomfortable it feels.”

“That’s it! That’s the perfect word for it.” I looked between Matteo and Trina. “It’s so freaking uncomfortable.”

She placed her hand on top of mine. “I know. And I’m sorry you’re going through it, but you’ll be OK. Don’t let them get to you.”

“I’m trying. It’s a lot easier when you’re here,” I said meaningfully.

“Hey! What am I, chopped liver?” Matteo interjected.

I answered “yes” as Trina answered “no” at the same time.

Cheers filled the stadium as the sound of a bat cracking echoed into the night air. I snapped my head toward the field in time to see the small white ball fly over the wall in center field and into the
stands. The crowd screamed and hooted wildly, and the three of us clapped and high-fived each other like we’d just hit the ball.

“I miss a lot of the games for work. I’m sorry,” Trina shouted above the noise.

“Speaking of… apparently you know my boss, Nora? She loves you and said to tell you hello.”

Trina’s face lit up at the mention of Nora’s name. “No way! I love Nora. She’s your boss? You are one lucky girl. She’s brilliant.”

“I know. She’s really great.”

“So that’s the magazine you work for! That’s smashing, Cassie. Truly.”

“Thanks,” I said, reaching out to pat her shoulder.

Trina’s cell phone vibrated against the seat before she picked it up and looked at the screen. “Oh, excuse me. I need to take this.”

I watched as she climbed over the row and into the aisle behind us before walking out of view.

“She’s beautiful,” Matteo said.

“I know. And she’s so nice. Her accent kills me. I want her to call me every night and read me a bedtime story,” I said with a laugh.

“I want in on that deal. Except I don’t want it to be on the phone.”

I rolled my eyes.

“What?” he asked defensively.

“It’s just typical, Matteo. That’s all.”

I hated typical, which is why I attempted to steer clear of Jack in the first place back in college. I’d labeled him as the most predictable kind there was. I had been wrong.

“Ah, come on, she’s a beautiful girl. I’d have to be blind to not be attracted to her.”

“Well, I’ll let you know if it doesn’t work out with her and her boyfriend.” I winked.

“Would you?” He nudged my shoulder teasingly, and I looked back toward the field.

Trina never came back, and Matteo and I spent the rest of the game making idle chitchat and wondering where Trina disappeared to. I realized that having him there made me less concerned with my surroundings, and who violated my space.

When the game ended, I stretched and almost lost my balance. Matteo’s strong arm grabbed my back, holding me steadily in place. “Thanks,” I said, before moving away from his grip.

“Can’t let you get hurt or Jack will kill me.”

I shrugged, unable to disagree when, amid the chaos of people shuffling around, I heard someone shout, “Replace Jack already, Cassie?”

I shook my head in disgust. I wanted to yell back, “If I’d replaced him, then why the hell would I be at his game?” But I didn’t. I hated not defending myself. I convinced myself that I discouraged the heckling by staying silent.

Matteo tensed behind me, his body closing the space between us defensively. “Are you OK?” he whispered into my ear, and I jumped.

I swatted near my ear. “I’m fine. Don’t do that.”

“Sorry. Just making sure you’re OK.”

“If they’re gonna insult me, they could at least be creative about it.” I tried to smile, but disgust twisted my lips instead.

He followed close behind me until we reached the private entrance to the clubhouse. “I’m going to wait for Jack down here. We’ll meet you at the car.”

“OK. I’ll see you at the car.” He nodded before walking away.

I rounded the last corner when I spotted Trina sitting on a bench. “Hey,” I shouted toward her, hearing my voice echo off the walls.

She stood up and walked toward me. “Sorry about that. I got stuck on a bunch of phone calls, and now I have to leave for Brazil in the morning for some big photo shoot.”