Playing Fastball, page 13
Timmy’s gut churned and his muscles clenched with hot fury. His father had embarrassed him in front of everyone by disallowing him to go skydiving and scolding him like a child about ruining his arm.
Maybe it was time he moved out on his own. He’d been in the big leagues long enough and spoke English well enough. He didn’t need his old man keeping an eye on him.
But at the same time, Baba didn’t want to be back in Taiwan where he was reminded of Mama. And it wouldn’t be right for Timmy to disrespect his father by abandoning him.
A son’s first loyalty was to his father, and it was his duty to do well with his life and be a success so that his parents’ investment in him paid off.
He’d just have to balance it out with his curiosity about Tina. There was something in her that made his heart tug and his body pulled toward her, like a magnet to iron. She was both strong and weak, vulnerable and shielded. She appeared not to need anyone, but at the same time, she showed kindness to Donut, and even though she was easily frightened, she was brave when she had to be. While he was pampered and loved, she’d been rejected and had to fend for herself. It made her tough. It made her a survivor.
And it made her sexy.
If he could get her to trust him, he’d feel like he’d cracked a safe or won an extremely difficult challenge. She didn’t look like she handed out her heart easily, and hence the reward would be hard to win.
He caught up to Tina as she hung the order sheet on the wheel for the kitchen.
“Hey, you have a moment?”
“I’m kind of busy.” Her eyes flickered interest, but she darted them toward the table where her boss sat, then made her way to the cash register.
Timmy followed, parking himself on a barstool on the other side of the counter. “When do you get off?”
Tina glanced at the clock and grimaced. “As soon as Lisa’s finished with dinner.”
Lisa and Josh had gone into The Pitcher’s Mound gazebo for a more private dinner date, and if Josh had his way, she wasn’t going back to work tonight.
“I’ll wait here, then. I meant what I said about taking Donut to the vet and going skydiving with you.”
“I know, but I don’t want to get between your dad and you,” Tina said. “He seemed miffed when I canceled the skydiving trip.”
“You two used to enjoy yourselves together. What changed?”
Tina rang up the receipts into the register and shrugged. “I got the feeling you didn’t like me hanging out with him.”
Zing. So, she wasn’t a dummy. He knew that.
He graced her with his sexiest grin. “I’m younger and more exciting, don’t you think?”
“Don’t tell me you’re jealous. We’ll talk later.” Rolling her eyes, she disappeared into the kitchen.
Tyson tapped Tina on the shoulder when she next turned toward the bar. “Your mother needs to stop drinking. I think she’s past her limit.”
“Okay, let me square off her bill and ask her to leave.” Tina’s insides cringed at the sight of her mother’s crinkly and damaged blond hair sprawled over the countertop as she rested her head on her folded arms.
“Dana.” Tina shook the woman she barely knew. Every time her mother looked her up after being released from prison, she was back to the big house a New York minute after committing another crime. “You have to go. No more drinks.”
“I don’t want to go,” Dana slurred, her eyes crossing.
“You can’t stay here,” Tina said. She circled around the bar and put her mother’s frail arm over her shoulder. “Come with me. You need to go somewhere to sleep this off.”
She was able to prop her mother up enough to stagger with her out the exit into the patio area when she ran into Timmy.
“What’s going on?” he asked. “Are you done with your shift? Who’s that?”
“Not yet,” Tina said. “But I have to take my mother home. She’s had too much to drink.”
Timmy’s brows edged closer together. “Is this your mother?”
Tina felt as tall as a garden gnome at the way Timmy’s voice sounded, all disbelieving or disapproving. But then again, she had given him the basic rundown of how she’d been abandoned to foster homes.
“Yes, and we’re on our way to my place so she can sleep this off. My place in the basement,” Tina clarified, widening her eyes to let Timmy know she wasn’t volunteering his property.
“I drove the Benz today, so I can give you guys a lift.”
“It’s okay, I’ll call a cab,” Tina said.
“What’s wrong with the Benz?” her mother asked. She wobbled on her feet and lifted her gaze to Timmy. “Are you one of Tina’s rich boyfriends?”
Every cell in Tina’s body froze as she gaped at Timmy. Of course, she wasn’t his girlfriend, but if he looked disgusted at being mistaken for her boyfriend, it would mean he thought of her as a plaything and not a friend.
“I’m not one of her boyfriends,” Timmy said slowly. He touched Tina’s upper arm, as if comforting her or letting her down gently. “Because if I ever get so lucky, I would be her only boyfriend.”
Seriously? Could the man with the Golden Arm settle on her? Or was he only being a friend, ready to the rescue?
“Tina, you did good.” Her mother nudged her, then turned her attention to Timmy. “I’m Dana Lee, by the way. Pleased to meet you.”
“I’m Timmy Li.” Timmy shook her hand.
“Well, I’ll be darned. Tina, if you marry him, you won’t even have to change your name.”
“Mom, let’s get you to bed,” Tina said, not daring to meet Timmy’s gaze.
Still, Timmy’s words soothed her, so when he pulled his father’s Mercedes to the curb in front of The Hot Corner, she was able to hold her head up high despite her drunk mother stumbling and falling into the back seat.
She only hoped dearest Mother wouldn’t throw up all over Yan’s plush leather interior.
TWENTY-TWO
Timmy stayed by Tina’s side as she helped her drunk mother settle down for the night. Thankfully, she’d opened the car door to throw up, but now that she was wrapped and bundled up on the mattress, she looked surprisingly like a wrinkly child. Her head was slightly too large, what with the big hair frizzed on the pillow, and her prominent veins painted blue lines up and down her pale arms. She huddled under the sheets like a frightened puppy and wanted a nightlight left on.
“You’re not staying here?” Dana whined when Tina stood and headed for the door.
“I have to work, but I’ll be back in the morning.”
“Oh, I get it.” Her mother’s gaze shifted to Timmy. “Hey, I’m not judging. We do what we have to do.”
Tina’s breath hissed, and she clenched her teeth. She looked like she was about to contradict her mother, but instead, she bent down, patting her mother on the shoulder. “I’ll be back for breakfast. Sleep tight.”
As they headed to the door, Timmy put his arm protectively over Tina’s shoulders, knowing how low-down her mother made her feel.
“Do you have to go back to work, or can we go somewhere quiet and catch a bite to eat?” he asked as he opened the car door for her.
“I should go back,” she said. “At least check in.”
“Why don’t you call and see if Lisa is on duty? You look like you need a break.”
“You really think Lisa is going to dump Josh and go back to work when she’s been looking forward to this date?” Tina slid into the passenger seat and put her head back, closing her eyes. “I am tired though.”
“Can’t hurt.”
Tina called Tyson, and after a short conversation, she said to Timmy, “They let me off. Jeanine is covering for me.”
“Jeanine? I’m shocked.”
Tina twisted her lips and nodded. “I can understand why she hasn’t warmed up to me, but she’s a decent sort of person.”
“I’m sure she’ll come around.” Timmy patted her arm to reassure her. “I’m hungry, and I’m sure you are too. Where would you like to eat?”
“Somewhere quiet without a bar,” Tina said. “I feel like my head’s going to explode.”
“I know just the place.” Timmy drove the car toward the Scottsdale Waterfront, where they could grab a late-night bite to eat and then stroll alongside the Arizona Canal and talk.
Tina was quiet on the drive over, and Timmy knew exactly how she felt. Guarded, confused, mortified, needing to talk, but not wanting to unburden her problems on anyone else.
He didn’t want to ask her prying questions because he wanted her to trust him and relax around him. Maybe a hot meal and offering friendship would do the trick.
He found a small bistro with a garden patio and tables under colorful twinkle lights in front of an outdoor fireplace.
“I feel awkward cadging a meal off of you in these circumstances,” Tina said when they walked through the garden. “Can we split the tab?”
“Am I a man or a mouse?” Timmy pulled a chair for her.
“A man, but look at me. I’m still wearing my bartender jeans and The Hot Corner baseball shirt.”
Timmy handed her the menu. “Relax. I won’t bite.”
She struggled with a smile and licked her lips. “Biting’s not what I’m worried about.”
“Then we’re all set. We’re on an official date. I’m paying and responsible for tonight’s entertainment. All you need to do is stay awake and let me know how I’m doing. So, first things first. Are you going skydiving with me on St. Patrick’s Day?”
“I, uh, is your father okay with you taking his tickets?”
“His tickets are irrelevant because I can book us our own tour.”
Tina’s eyes darted to the side and she let out a tired breath. “Do you know what’s going on at The Hot Corner on St. Patrick’s Day?”
“What?”
“No, I’m asking you if you heard anything.”
Timmy shrugged and shook his head. “Nothing more than what Jeanine said. They’re closing for a private party. Why? What do you think is happening?”
“Jeanine’s getting married. Madge told me she’s going to be a bridesmaid.”
“Wow, that’s good for her and Kirk,” Timmy said. “Once baseball season starts, there’s no break for a honeymoon.”
“You guys have no break,” Tina said. “One day off this upcoming Saturday, then a single day off between spring training and opening day.”
“True, but we do have several months in the off-season. That’s when most players get married. I wonder why Kirk and Jeanine put it off?”
“I’ll never know,” Tina said. “Except I get the day off because they obviously don’t want me anywhere near their wedding.”
Timmy reached over the table and pressed her hand. “I’m not invited to the wedding, either. Didn’t even know about it.”
“Probably because you hang out with Josh.”
“Josh might want Kirk’s job, but we’re all on the same team,” Timmy said. “I’m betting they want a small, quiet wedding.”
Tina nodded and swallowed. “That’s true. Let’s go skydiving then. I should offer to pay half, but I’ll have to owe it to you.”
“You owe me nothing but a good time.” Timmy caught himself. “Oops, that sounded worse than I meant it.”
“Actually, a good time sounds perfect to me.” She squeezed his hand, and a real smile lit her face. “You have a way of making me feel special. I still can’t figure out why you’re hanging with boring ol’ me, when all your buddies are back at The Hot Corner.”
“I get bored of The Hot Corner,” Timmy said. “I only go there to look at you.”
“Now, you’re flirting.”
He gave her an exaggerated wink. “I’ve been flirting since I asked you to make the Screaming Orgasm and the Pink Pussy cocktail.”
Her face took on a deep blush. “I’m not even going to comment on that. About what my mother said, all the stuff about boyfriends and some of the not-so-nice things, she doesn’t mean it. I hope you took it as a joke.”
“Hey, I know all about parents who say inappropriate things.”
Tina laughed and shook her head. “You’re right. Sorry your dad was so loud.”
“Problem is he’s hard of hearing, and his normal speaking voice is yelling.”
“What was all that stuff in Chinese?”
“Stuff you probably wish your mother said in another language.”
“I wish she knew when to shut up. Sorry you had to hear that. I don’t really know my mother well, but she acts like she knows me.”
“Probably been thinking about you all the time she was in prison,” Timmy said. “How long did you stay with her?”
Tina rubbed the sides of her face and took a deep breath. “I’m not one who airs my dirty laundry, and if I’m dumping my problems on you, just make me stop.”
“Hey, I want to know. It’s part of caring about you and being your friend.”
She rolled her eyes and huffed. “You talk a good game, Mr. Li. But I still can’t figure out why you would want to be my friend.”
“Maybe I should ask instead of presume.” Timmy held her shifting gaze as best he could. “Do you want to be friends with me?”
She stared down at the table for so long that Timmy thought he’d struck out. Sheesh, it shouldn’t be such a hard question, especially since they were already kissing friends.
The waiter put a basket of artisan breads on the table and took their drink orders. When he left, Tina said, “I’m going to try and freshen up.”
Timmy watched her until she disappeared into the building. She was watchful, always scanning her surroundings, and had that furtive look, as if expecting bad things to jump out after her.
He couldn’t blame her for being suspicious, but at least he’d put the question out there for her to consider. And he didn’t have a single ulterior motive to it. He truly liked her, even if she couldn’t believe he would care.
Tina stared at her sallow, pale face in the lighted mirror of the fancy restaurant and patted makeup to cover the yellowing bruises left over from when the drunk had hit her.
What a close call.
She’d almost spilled her childhood nightmares to a man who was basically a stranger. Oh, sure, he seemed kind and friendly, and he was trying his best to convince her that he could be her friend.
But why?
It couldn’t be for a one-night-stand, could it? And it wasn’t for a bet either because she’d already gone to the drive-in with him, if that was all there was.
She didn’t owe him or his father any money, and as far as she knew, her family never crossed paths with his family before.
As for being attracted to her—well, stranger things had happened, but Timmy had no trouble with the women of Phoenix.
Tina rubbed concealer over her tattoos and reapplied her mascara and lip gloss. Her hair was flyaway, especially in the dry atmosphere of the desert night, so she patted it down and smoothed it as best she could.
She blotted a ketchup stain on her sleeve, tucked in her Hot Corner pinstriped baseball shirt, and turned from side to side, checking herself out.
This was as good as it was ever going to get.
She had no pride, and she wasn’t trying to impress him. Being friends could work, especially since he and Yan had taken her and Donut in without asking for anything in return.
Well, at least Yan hadn’t asked for any favors.
Timmy, with his flirting, could be hinting at a payback. Therefore, if push came to shove, she’d spend the night with him because one glance at the prices on the menu told her she owed him—big time.
Her mother wasn’t far off the mark.
We do what we have to do.
A smile licked her face. Tina flipped her hair back and tilted her chin up. She was going to enjoy paying him for dinner and the skydiving trip. It was all a matter of turning negatives into positives, and he was way more desirable than Lennie the Leech.
A guy like Timmy had to be good in bed. Fast hands, fast cars, and very fast balls. The entire reason Yan was so overprotective of him was so he could go back to throwing over a hundred miles per hour.
These days, the scoreboards displayed the pitch speed and fans tracked it religiously, adding to the pressure.
She put her makeup back in her purse and winked at herself. Not too bad. If she had the money for a haircut and some highlighting, she could fit in better with the heir of a Taiwanese billionaire.
After dabbing her wrists and pulse points with perfume, a gift from Jeanine back before she’d screwed everything up, Tina emerged from the ladies’ room ready to give Timmy what he’d been angling for—a hot night with a hot date.
TWENTY-THREE
“Wow, you freshen up well,” Timmy said when Tina returned from the powder room.
Her face was brighter, and her eyes danced when she smiled. Best of all, her lips gleamed enticingly.
He stood to get her chair for her. A whiff of her perfume tickled his nose, and he leaned down to grace the side of her face with a kiss.
“You’re so much a gentleman,” Tina said. “I like it. So different from the American guys around here.”
“My parents were very strict,” he acknowledged. “But I like treating a woman like a lady. Makes me feel she’s worth all the attention.”
“You treat every woman like a lady?”
“Sure, why not?” He resumed his seat, pulling his chair around so they sat side by side in front of the round table.
A frown floated across her face before she replaced it with a smile.
“Was that the wrong answer?” he asked.
Even though he’d been out with a lot of women, he still didn’t understand why they got so jealous or upset when he told them he enjoyed the company of other women. It wasn’t like he was going to marry any of the exciting women he met in America.
“No, I just wondered, that’s all.”
“Every woman deserves to be respected,” Timmy said. “That’s what my mother taught me. My father believes it, too. He dates a lot of women and treats them to a good time, but he never acts like your Lennie, who thinks he owns you.”
