Colby (Season Two: The Ninth Inning #6) Read Online Free PDF Page B

is married, and my parents have this perfect romance novel kind of relationship. I realized I was spending my nights and weekends at work with no life except the one I have with Buster. I love my dog, but I want something...more,” she finishes softly.
    “Sometimes it can be hard not to get absorbed in work, but it’s good you’re making the time now. You never answered my question though,” I point out.
    “Which one?” Ariella tries and fails to act innocent, causing me to grin.
    “About our second date.”
    She thinks it over for a second or two. “Okay, I think I’d enjoy a second date.”
    “You think?” I place a hand over my heart. “Oh, now I’m a little hurt, Ariella.”
    She laughs. “Okay, okay. I meant to say I would enjoy a second date. Um, however, I don’t know your schedule very well, so maybe it’ll be best if we exchange numbers and then we’ll set the time and such later. If you don’t mind me having yours? I know you’re like a celebrity, and I’m sure you don’t give it out often.” She seems nervous. Between that and her claim that I’m a celebrity, I laugh.
    “I’m not a celebrity. We can exchange numbers and work out our schedules soon.”
    “Not a celebrity?” she scoffs. “Ha, trust me, Mr. Third Baseman, you totally are.”
    “If you say so.”
    We exchange numbers and I pay our tab. I walk Ariella to her car and open her door for her. She turns to face me, a little hopeful maybe.
    “I feel like it’s worth asking just once.”
    “What is?” she asks.
    “You won’t hit, taze, or shoot me if I kiss you, will you?” I smile so she knows I’m joking. Ariella laughs and shakes her head. “Good.” I lean down and press my lips to hers. The urge to deepen the kiss is strong, but I stupidly pull away instead. “I’ll talk to you soon.” Once she’s safely in her car and starts backing out of her spot, I walk to my car and head home.
     

     
    The next day, I walk into the weight room and Hector spots me.
    “How’d your date go, Sugar Daddy?” he shouts across the room, gaining everyone’s attention.
    “You had a date?” Blake asks with too much damn shock.
    “Hey, shouldn’t I have heard how it went before now?” Jordan jumps in.
    “Sorry. Didn’t realize I needed to call you the second it was over.” I shake my head.
    “Well?” Spencer asks.
    “You know the girl I was talking to in the bar?” He nods. “It actually turned out to be her,” I fill him in since I didn’t yesterday.
    Roman whistles. “She was hot in an older woman kind of way.”
    Anyone older than thirty might as well be ancient to them. I can’t wait for every single one of their thirtieth birthdays. They are all still watching and waiting for an answer. “It went fine.”
    “Did you get a second date?” Jordan asks just as Tanner says, “Did you get laid?”
    Tanner’s close by, so I slap him upside the back of his head. He shrugs and looks like he asked a valid question.
    “Yeah, I got a second date.”
    The guys hoot and holler, apparently proud of “Sugar Daddy.” I shake my head at them and walk over to a free machine next to Jordan. My date quickly becomes old news as they move on to talk amongst themselves, thankfully.
    “So, spill,” Jordan demands. “I’m hurt you haven’t told me yet.” He grins, and I just shake my head because he’s so full of shit.
    “Her name is Ariella.”
    Tanner takes the machine on the other side of me. “That’s all you’re going to say? We’ve been waiting two seasons for you to hook up with someone.”
    “I didn’t hook up with her. She’s thirty-six and a detective with the Memphis PD.”
    “For you, I hope she’s a fan of using handcuffs away from the job. Seriously, you should ask her about it. Promise you won’t regret it,” Tanner says, not joking even a little.
    Jordan laughs. “You’re worse than I thought.”
    Tanner shrugs. “Hey, if certain opportunities arise, you don’t turn them down.”
    “Girls