Spotlight: Chapter 16

Greer stays home from school on Thursday and Friday, which means so do I. I manage to find people to cover me at the Lilac Lounge, and Ruby helps Gigi at the bookstore. By Saturday, my house has never been cleaner. It’s fueled from boredom and sexual tension. Once Greer started feeling better, my brain switched from obsessing over taking care of her to thinking about Flynn.

We’ve been sending voice messages back and forth for two days. I don’t want to admit how many times I’ve played each one. His voice, deep, playful, teasing has been the soundtrack to my manic deep-cleaning. And I can’t stop smiling.

“Morning.” His voice is raspy with sleep. “How are my girls this morning?”

He sent that fifteen minutes ago and I’m on replay number four. Okay, fine, fourteen.

“Morning,” I chirp in reply. “Good. We’re finally leaving the apartment today. Good luck at the game. Sorry we won’t make it.”

The Mustangs play this afternoon. Flynn is pitching, and Sabrina and all his brothers are attending. I hoped to take Greer, but I don’t think she’s quite up for that yet.

Greer comes out of her room as I’m sliding my phone back into my pocket. She looks a thousand times better. The cough is still there, but she’s been fever-free since yesterday morning. By Monday I think we’ll be back to our normal routine.

“Ready?” I ask her.

She nods happily, holding her new horse in one hand.

We go to the bookstore first. Oh, how I’ve missed it. Gigi hugs Greer before my daughter runs off to the kids’ section to see what new books she might have missed.

“She looks better,” Gigi notes.

“She is,” I say. “How is it going here?”

“It’s been quiet.”

My stomach drops. “Really?”

She picks up on my disappointment and gives me a reassuring smile. “The weather is nice. People are out enjoying it. They’ll be back.”

I hope she’s right. Keeping the store afloat is a constant challenge. Some months things look great and then it seems as soon as I get comfortable, we have a month or two where it feels like we’ll never get back into the black. It’s one of the many reasons I’m so determined to win the best bookstore in the city award. It comes with extra media coverage, newspaper articles, social media posts, and a very fancy-looking trophy to display in the store.

“Thanks for looking out for everything. Did the new shelving arrive?”

“It’s in the back.”

“Great,” I say, heading in that direction. We have a new stack of advanced book copies from publishers, and it looks like a new shipment of restocks came in too. I pick through each box, then examine the long, heavy boxes that must be shelving. I might need Grandpa to come in and help me get those together. We are expanding the teen section with a private nook outside of the kid area. I’ve noticed more and more young readers popping in, and I want our store to be inclusive.

After I’ve looked through everything, I go to the note wall. I can easily pick out the newest notes from Grandpa. A white sticky note with the Mustangs logo up top says, . And a torn piece of newspaper with in red Sharpie.

I pull out my phone and snap a picture of it, then send it to Flynn.

His reply is almost immediate. Instead of typing out the words, “you too,” he’s written it on the palm of his hand and taken a picture.

After we leave the bookstore, I take Greer to get sandwiches at our favorite little café before heading back to the apartment. Ruby is waiting at my door.

“Aunt Ruby!” Greer runs and launches herself at my sister.

“Oh, I missed your germy face,” Ruby says as she picks up Greer and hugs her.

“I’m not germy anymore.” She coughs immediately after and the three of us laugh.

I unlock my apartment, and we all go inside.

“Can I steal my niece for a bit?” Ruby asks.

“Are you sure? She doesn’t have strep, but she still might get you sick.”

“I’m willing to risk it.”

“Avoiding writing?”

She gasps dramatically. “How dare you. I want to spend time with my favorite girl. But also, yes. I’m pretty sure I’ve forgotten how to write a book.”

As I’m laughing at my sister, Greer bounces up and down.

“Can I, Mom? Please?” Greer whines but in the most adorable way.

“Yes, but take it easy. Your body needs rest.” I kiss the top of her head. I give my sister my best no-nonsense glare. “No junk food.”

They start for the door.

“Does ice cream count?” Ruby asks with a wink.

I can’t remember the last time I watched a baseball game on TV, but that’s exactly what I do while Greer is with my sister.

Flynn looks just as good, no, better, with the camera zooming in on him before each pitch. The time in the sun has turned his skin a golden tan that makes his hair look redder, especially in the sunlight.

The Mustangs are up by one run in the top of the eighth inning. Flynn’s shoulders lift and fall as he lets out a long breath. He’s tired. The announcers have been tracking his pitches and noting that he’s thrown a lot today. They’ve also noted that he’s been very inconsistent since coming up to the Major, and I feel instantly defensive of him.

He just threw a no-hitter two weeks ago. How quickly people turn from praise to criticism.

I cheer for him alone in my living room. He strikes out the next two batters and the top of the inning ends. I feel such pride I’m giddy with it.

Lake City gets two more runs in the bottom of the eighth, and then Flynn strikes out the first three batters in the ninth inning, ending the game.

“They won,” I say to myself, wishing so badly I was there. The announcers are back to singing Flynn’s praises. Jerks.

I send Flynn a voice message. “Congrats, Hotshot.”

Greer returns around dinnertime, cranky and sassy. She fights me over every bite, pushing her green beans around the plate and looking sullen.

“Finish up. It’s bedtime.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Okay,” I say and take her plate. “Time to take a bath.”

“Can we watch a movie after I’m done?”

“Not tonight. You need sleep.”

She stomps her foot, and I have to fight a smile. She’s in that irrational mode where she doesn’t realize that her bad mood is because she’s tired.

Her footsteps echo down the hall to the bathroom, but by the time she gets in, I can already hear her singing happily.

I clean the kitchen, checking my phone every few minutes for a new text from Flynn. I’ve gotten so used to hearing from him that I’m disappointed when two hours have passed since the end of the game with still no word from him.

I’m about to go check on Greer and give her a five-minute warning that it’s time to get out of the bath when there’s a knock on the front door.

My brows pull together as I cross the apartment. Maybe Ruby wants to talk out her story.

I pull open the door, faltering when it’s the man I’ve been thinking about for three days straight on the other side.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, then step forward and hug him.

I think my action takes us both by surprise because he chuckles as he wraps his arms around my waist.

“I needed to see you.”

Those words make my pulse race.

I step back and stare at him in amazement.

“Is it okay I’m here?”

“Yes.” I blink a few times and wave for him to come in. “Greer is taking a bath.”

I forgot how good he looks in my apartment.

“Something smells good.” He lifts his chin and sniffs.

“We had spaghetti. Want some?”

“Absolutely.”

“Really?” I offered, but I did not expect him to say yes.

He nods. “I came straight here from the stadium.”

I check in on Greer and let her know we have company, then pull out the leftovers and reheat them while Flynn wanders around the apartment like he’s seeing it for the first time.

“Is this your favorite flower?” he asks, pointing to a framed print of a night-blooming epiphytic cactus.

“I don’t have a favorite,” I say before realizing that might sound weird. Everyone has a favorite. Well, except me. It would be like picking a favorite book. Impossible.

I set his plate on the counter, and he moves my way.

“It’s a queen of the night,” I tell him. “They only bloom once a year.”

“That’s a real thing?” he asks.

“Yeah.” I laugh lightly.

“That’s awesome. Have you ever seen one bloom?”

“Not in person.” I shake my head as I take a seat next to him. I can’t believe he’s really here.

Flynn rubs his hands together then picks up a fork and shovels in a big bite. He groans as he chews. “It’s official: We’re getting married.”

My face heats. “Because of my spaghetti?”

“Food is the third most important thing in my life, and I can’t cook for shit.”

I’m about to ask him what the first two things are when Greer comes running out. Her pajamas stick to her like she didn’t bother toweling off before she got dressed.

“Hotshot,” she says as she comes to a stop next to him. Her wild curls are dripping with water.

He drops his fork and turns to face her. “How are you feeling?”

“Aunt Ruby says I’m a germ fest.”

Flynn lets out a hearty laugh.

“Do you want to watch with me?” she asks him.

“No movie tonight,” I remind her.

Her face twists into a pout.

“Another time,” Flynn says.

Her smile returns. “Do you want to see Sweetie?”

“Uhh…” He looks to me for help.

“Come on.” She takes his hand, and he lets her lead him to her room. I follow behind, giving them some space.

She goes to her bookshelf and picks up Sweetie, the stuffed horse he gave her. I place a hand over my mouth to keep from laughing. The horse has been upgraded with a tiara, pink beaded bracelets as necklaces, and a tutu.

Flynn’s expression is filled with amusement as she hands it to him.

“Isn’t he cute?”

“The cutest,” he confirms. “It looks like you’ve given him a great home.”

His gaze roams around the rest of the room, finally landing back on the bookshelf.

“You like books like your mom, huh?”

Greer nods. “Want to see my favorite?”

She doesn’t wait for his answer before pulling out a stack of books and sitting on the floor with her legs crossed.

To my surprise, Flynn sits down with her. He looks adorably tall and big in the small space between her bed and the bookcase. She opens the book and holds it out to him. My chest squeezes as I watch them interact so easily. He’s a good sport and she’s completely enamored with him. I stay in the doorway, letting them have a moment. Flynn looks up and meets my gaze, then winks at me.

After Greer has flipped through three books, making him read each one to her, I finally intervene.

“Okay, let’s give Flynn a break. You need to get to bed,” I say.

Greer opens her mouth and looks like she’s going to object, but Flynn holds up Sweetie and says, “I think he needs his beauty sleep.”

Greer giggles. “Will you come back tomorrow?”

“Sure,” he says, then glances at me. “If it’s okay with your mom.”

She gives me those big, pleading eyes. I nod and she lunges forward to hug Flynn. I think it takes him by surprise, much like my hug at the door had, but a second later, he wraps one arm around her back.

When she pulls away, Flynn gets to his feet and helps her put away her books.

“Brush your teeth,” I tell her.

She rushes out of the room, leaving me with Flynn.

“She only has one speed, huh?” he asks.

“It’s running or asleep,” I confirm.

His smile stretches wider. “She’s a trip. I can see why Archer is wrapped around her finger.”

“She’s pretty great.”

He crosses over to me, stopping a foot away. With one hand, he reaches out and takes my hand, interlacing our fingers. “So is her mom.”

My heart races faster when his gaze drops to my mouth. We’ve spent two nights together now and still haven’t kissed. I feel like if it doesn’t happen soon, I might die.

“How long does it take her to brush her teeth?”

An odd question, but I answer it without thought. “A couple of minutes. Why?”

He tugs me to him with our linked hands and his other hand moves to the side of my neck as his mouth crashes down on mine. His fingers glide around to the back of my neck. My lips part in surprise and invitation, and Flynn doesn’t waste any time sweeping his tongue in to play with mine.

My heart leaps in my chest. It isn’t a typical first kiss. It’s filled with months of anticipation and longing. He isn’t soft or gentle, and he doesn’t hold back. Neither do I.

I step closer, pressing my body against his. My pulse races as he groans softly. He nips at my bottom lip and his fingers at the nape of my neck tangle in my hair. He pulls gently, tugging my head back to give him better access. Our height difference means he’s leaning down, so I lift onto my toes and bring my free arm up to rest against his shoulder to help him out. He’s hard and warm and smells faintly of some sort of crisp citrusy soap.

He drops my hand and then uses both of his to pick me up. I giggle as he backs me up against the wall and then continues to kiss me, this time without needing to bend down to reach me.

I cup his face in my palms and revel in being face-to-face with him. His cheeks are scratchy with light stubble, but his lips are soft.

Blood pounds in my ears as we keep kissing. I loop my arms around his neck, and he squeezes me to him until there’s no space between us. He’s every bit as good of a kisser as I imagined. I never want to stop, but too soon he’s setting me down and standing tall. I’m dizzy with sensation when Greer comes running back into her room.

“Can we read another story?” she asks as she climbs into bed.

I manage to compose myself, or at least I attempt to, as I walk over to her bed. “Not tonight.”

“Can you at least sing me a song?”

Nodding, I pull up the covers over her feet. She wiggles down until only her head is visible. Quietly I sing the first verse and chorus of “Dream a Little Dream”. I’m not a great singer, but I don’t have time to be self-conscious because Greer joins in, and her voice overpowers mine.

As soon as we’re done, she yawns.

“Get some sleep.” I give her a hug and a kiss.

When I get up, she signs what I assume is good night to Flynn.

He grins. “Night, germ.”

She giggles.

I turn off the light as Flynn and I step out of the room and close the door behind us.

I stop with my back against the door and laugh quietly.

“We almost got caught.”

“I don’t want to throw the kid under the bus, but I don’t think she brushed her teeth for two minutes.” His mouth quirks up on one side.

His head dips, and he brushes his lips over mine again.

“Mom, can you leave the door open?” Greer yells from inside her room.

Flynn steps back with a quiet chuckle and I push her door open.

“Night,” I say to her again.

Flynn and I go to the living room. He sits down on the couch, and I take a seat next to him. He drops one open palm to my thigh.

I am buzzing with adrenaline, giddy and light. God, how long has it been since I had a kiss that made me feel this way? Maybe never.

Flynn groans and then makes a tsk noise. “I know what you’re thinking and I’m not a piece of meat.”

A surprised laugh bubbles up in my chest and slips out. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was only thinking about laundry.”

It’s the first thing that came to mind and a complete lie. And judging by the cocky look on his face, he knows it too.

“I watched the game,” I say, changing the topic before I admit that I want to climb into his lap and tear off all his clothes.

“Yeah?” he asks as the corners of his mouth lift.

I nod. “You pitched a good game.”

He runs a hand through his hair. “I did okay. Still struggling to dial it in, but we got the job done today.”

“I don’t know what dialing it in means, but I’m confident you’ll figure it out.”

“I hope so. Otherwise, I might be a Mustang forever.”

“That’s a bad thing?” I feel defensive of my hometown team, if for no other reason than I know it means so much to my grandfather.

“I didn’t mean it like that. I am grateful that they took a chance on me and I’m really enjoying the team and coaches and the community that has stayed so loyal, but I want to play with the best of the best. It sucks but money matters in professional baseball teams. Everything from equipment to salaries.”

“I guess I never thought of that.”

“But if I can prove myself this season, then I’ll have more options.”

My stomach feels like someone dropped a cinder block in it. Obviously, I know that baseball players come and go from teams all the time, but Flynn just got here.

“You’re only going to be here for one season,” I say it more as a statement to myself than a question, but Flynn answers anyway.

“If things go well, maybe. There are a lot of talented pitchers out there.” His brows knit together. “Is something wrong?”

“Sorry. I guess I just assumed you’d be here for a few years at least.” I’m withdrawing into myself, which maybe isn’t fair to him, but I can’t help it.

“The season is long, and it just started,” he says, smiling in a way that I can’t seem to reciprocate.

“Still. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to get involved if you’re planning to leave.”

“Hey. Don’t do that.” He wraps his arms around me. “Nothing has been decided for sure.”

I rest my head against his chest and do my best to calm the anxiety coursing through me. But the truth is, I don’t know if I can pretend like I don’t know this has an expiration date.

He pulls back and aims one of his playful, charming smiles at me. “What do you say to a redo date? No roller skates or bad food.”

“I liked skating with you,” I tell him honestly.

“Same. How’s Wednesday night? I know Greer has dance class with Sabrina and she could watch her after like last time.”

“Can I think about it?” I ask.

His brown eyes flicker with some unnamed emotion. Disappointment maybe.

I decide to be honest. There’s no reason to hide my feelings from him. It’s obvious I like him, but I can’t pretend I don’t know he’s planning on leaving. “I like you, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea for me. It’s not just me. I have to think about Greer. She already worships you. If we keep dating, she’s going to get more attached.”

He nods and a muscle in his cheek flexes. “I understand.”

We fall quiet, staring at each other but neither knowing what to say.

“I guess I should go.” He stands slowly and I follow him to the front door.

The mood has shifted. The thought that this could be over before it really started is gut-wrenching, but I need time to process.

“Text me later?” he asks, holding my hand and swinging it lightly.

“Sure.”

“This sucks. I want to kiss you again, but…”

I step to him and lift onto my toes. If this is the last time we’re going to hang out like this, then I want to have kissed him with every emotion buzzing in my body.

Flynn is quick to wrap his arms around me and pick me up. My hands go to his hair, and I pour every ounce of myself into the kiss. He’s given me a gift, to feel this way again. Before him, I was happy not dating, or at least I thought I was.

He hums quietly as he explores my mouth and crushes me against him. I don’t know how long it goes on, but when we finally break apart, my lips are swollen, and his hair is a mess.

He continues to hold me up. I scrape my nails over his scalp.

“Fuck, Olivia.” His eyes flutter closed. “I don’t want to be a gentleman right now.”

I don’t want him to be either.

He buries his head in the crook of my neck and places a soft kiss to my collarbone before whispering, “To be continued, I hope.”

Once he sets me down, he opens the door and steps out. He looks back once, aiming that playful smirk at me. And then he’s gone.