Blake (Season One: The Ninth Inning #2) Read Online Free PDF

older or younger?”
    “Older by exactly ten months.” I sip the wine in front of me. “Why don’t you want what I’m having? Are you watching your figure?” I snort at my own lame joke.
    “Something like that. I usually go for more veggies on the night before a game, that’s all.”
    “Oh, come on,” I roll my eyes.
    The waiter comes over and I order my food. Blake orders fish and steamed veggies. When the waiter leaves, I continue teasing him. “Please tell me that you’re not one of those superstitious players. Like, you can only eat green items on Thursday, and only water on Saturday, and don’t pee before the third inning,” I mock in a deep male voice.
    Blake covers his mouth and looks away from me. He’s trying not to laugh. When he composes himself, he turns back to me. “I believe in things like that, but don’t really apply them to myself. It has to do more with health than keeping to a routine for good luck.”
    “I agree with that.” I nod. “I’m sort of the same way. My dad is very superstitious and I think my mom can be at times, but Dad is much worse. Before big meetings, he has to have steak and a baked potato. I think that’s one reason why he invested in the Chophouse. I don’t know if you eat there, but when Dad bought it, we ate there all the time. Mom finally threatened his life if we went back.” I can feel my cheeks redden as I tell him intimate secrets of my parents without meaning to. “Sorry, I’m rambling. I’m used to talking to my sister and we’re very talkative together. I’m sure I’m boring you. What about you? Do you have siblings?” I turn the attention on him.
    “No siblings. You’re not boring me either. I’d rather hear you ramble than listen to Hector go on and on about something while calling me Grumpy.”
    I gasp at the name. “That is the perfect name for you.” I try not to smile because he’s glaring at me, and I begin to talk more about me. “Harmony and I are like twins. Well, everyone assumes we’re twins. She works with my dad, and we live together. It’s kind of hard being away from them. I mean, our whole family generally vacations together and they don’t travel without at least one of us being there. Did you travel a lot with your dad when he played?”
    “What’s it like living with her? What is she like?” He completely ignores my question, and I realize he doesn’t want to talk about him.
    “She’s terribly messy and likes having sex with guys in every part of the house, but I’m used to that. However, she’s extremely honest and hardworking. Harmony is my best friend, and I can’t imagine what my life would be like without her.” Good grief, I’m telling him everything about my family.
    “After hearing that, I’m even more grateful I live alone. It’s good to have a best friend though.”
    Our food comes, and the waiter refills our glasses. I thank him and receive a strange look from Blake. Hasn’t he ever thanked someone before? We begin to eat in silence for a couple minutes and I’m going to take a chance on getting him to open up.
    “I know I’m talking your ear off right now, but I could be your friend. I’m a really good listener and everyone needs someone to vent to.” I pause as I wait for his reaction. He keeps picking at his food. “Look, I’m going to say it. You seem very angry, and that’s not good for you, your health, or the people around you. I’ll listen, and I give you my word that I won’t share that with anyone. I swear.” He lifts his head. His lips are shut tightly, forming a thin, angry line. He really hates when the attention is on him. Maybe I should try a different approach. “So, where did you go to college?”
    “Memphis, where I was born and raised, and I—” He stops, as if he was going to say something important, but changes his mind. “Wasn’t quite ready to leave yet,” he finishes.
    “I’m surprised we haven’t crossed paths then. I mean, I was born and raised