Maid For Beckett Catching The Baseball Legend’s Heart novel Chapter 26

hapter 26

-Andi-

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I woke up to the blare of my alarm clock. Eyes still closed, I reached for it on the nightstand with a groan, then shut off the annoying device.

With a heavy sigh, I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling, waiting for the sleep to wear off. I was back at the estate’s pool house–evidence that yesterday really happened, from my girl date with Siobhan, to Carter ruining my day, to Beckett saving me from the paparazzi. And the cafe… oh, the conversation we had in that cafe really transpired.

-flashback-

“I know about the photo. Jace told me,” Beckett said, sincerity coasting in his ash–colored eyes.

I blinked at him, surprised he admitted that. Sure, I had an idea he might have gotten a whiff of Carter and me because of that viral post, but he’d been reserved about being at the trailer park for me.

“It’s that bad, huh?” I said. This fiasco Carter started was quickly ruining what little progress I’d made with my life after he smashed my heart into pieces.

Beckett shrugged. “Jace always worries about everyone.”

Jace gave off a big–brother vibe, but was that really the reason Beckett showed up at the trailer park? I mean, what else would he be there for? My boss’s actions were starting to confuse me.

“Is that it?” I asked dryly, shoulders slacking.

He cleared his throat, his voice low and cool. “Me too. I was worried.”

I blinked again–twice this time–stunned he would admit that. My jerk boss was concerned about me? Am I still on planet Earth? I pinched myself, staring at him with wide eyes. “You were?”

“Yes!” he snapped, irritation flaring in his nose. There he was–my jerk boss. His true self was slowly crawling out of the pit.

“Uhm, why?” I pressed on the matter. Maybe I should just shut my mouth already. He looked like a volcano that’s one second away from erupting.

He simmered, molten annoyance rolling off him. “I was worried I would lose my maid if this went south.”

Time paused. I stared at him with wide eyes. Then I snorted–unintentionally–but I couldn’t help it. Here I thought I’d hallucinated a different version of him when he was just having a moment. He recoiled and sat up taller, his familiar glare searing straight into my soul.

‘Sorry,” I raised my hand, trying my best to hold the laughter threatening to roll out of my chest. “I… I actually thought you were a different man.” I chased my breath, wiping the sides of my eyes. “I almost believed you were worried about me. Like, where did my boss, who’s hellbent on making my life miserable, go?”

The knot on the back of his neck loosened–like he’d been relieved of a strain he’d been hiding for a while. “That’s better,” he said. “I was just making sure you wouldn’t run away with the money Siobhan paid you. I want what I paid for.”

I paused. His words were cold water poured over my head. A tiny part of me was disappointed because of what he said When he protected ine back there, warmth had slithered into my chest–like he’d placed a fleece blanket around my ice- cold heart, waking it back to life, only to leave it outside on a winter’s night. It’s a cruel thing to do, but I had to remind myself that Beckett didn’t give a shit about me. Like he said, he only wanted what he paid for.

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Chapter 26

So, I tipped my chin up and plastered on my best poker face.

“Don’t worry, Sir. As I said, I’m Super Andi. Something like this won’t make me abandon my job.”

“Good,” he said. “You’ll be going back with me to the estate tonight.”

“What? It’s still my day off-”

“If you want to be hounded by the paparazzi when you go back home, by all means, go ahead,” he cut me off.

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I lowered my gaze to the dark liquid inside my cup. I hadn’t even poured milk or sugar into it yet. I was too busy wallowing in my situation to enjoy this pricey coffee. And Beckett was right. If I went back, I might even risk Mom and Caleb having to deal with those paparazzi.

-End of flashback-

And that’s why I was back here in my bed at the pool house. My boss wanted me here to avoid the paparazzi–not because he was worried about me, but because he wanted his money’s worth. I didn’t know whether I should be grateful or resentful. I forced myself out of bed before I could decide. Overthinking would not get me anywhere.

Like every morning, I made my bed, washed my face, and drank a cup of coffee before starting my day. As I stared at the pool from the pool house window, I opened my phone with the cup of coffee in my other hand.

Notifications blared on my phone like an endless wave of alerts.

The ding just kept coming and coming.

134 messages.

If I were still unconvinced that yesterday happened, this was a wake–up call. I had never gotten this many notifications since I got this phone. Most were from unregistered numbers or social media platforms that had been dormant in my phone’s memory. I was grateful that Siobhan told me to change all my socials to private after that viral post.

Just a safety precaution, Siobhan had said.

There was one message from Caleb, asking if I was okay. After replying, I turned my phone off and finished my coffee.

There was a commotion at the door. It put a smile on my face because I have a pretty good idea of who was making that noise. I shook the tension off my body, placed my cup in the sink, then opened the door for Maple, Storm, and River.

“Hi, you guys,” I cooed, giving them a huge amount of petting. These three were the only ones who were thrilled to have me back here.

This was nice–something normal and familiar to start my day.

“What’s up, guys? You didn’t go for a run?” I asked. This only happened when Beckett didn’t go for a run. On instinct, I glanced up at the second floor of the mansion.

There were no tennis balls in the pool, so I went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for Beckett, the three dogs goofing behind me as they followed me into the mansion.

Beckett was just coming down the stairs when I walked inside. Unlike his kept look last night, he was back in his usual 1- woke–up–this–hot look. Hair disheveled, perfect upper body on display with his joggers hanging low on his hips.

It was hard not to gawk at the beautiful man before me. His body was carved by the goddesses themselves. I pinched my lips shut because if not, I fear he’d catch me drooling

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2:18 pm

Chapter 26

PW

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His walk down the staircase was in slow motion. I was mesmerized. Stars were probably dancing in my eyes. Then he reached the foot of the stairs, eyes landing on me.

“Oh, good, you’re awake,” he fired up, voice cold as ice–no good morning. No smile. My sigh stayed internal. At least he was back to his brooding self.

“Good morning, Sir,” I smiled. “Is there anything you want for breakfast?”

His lips pursed, his eyebrows furrowed. Then his gaze dragged down my body–slow, heated, contemplative. Yup. He was back–my jerk boss with a side of hot–and–bothered confusion.

“I need you to prepare breakfast for four people,” he said.

“Four?” I echoed.

“Are you deaf?” he seethed.

I blinked. He was extra sharp this morning–probably stressed… or in pain. I changed my tone. “Four. Okay. Do I need to prepare something in particular?” Maybe he was having guests: God, please not Sloane. I couldn’t deal with her bratty attitude today.

He looked thoughtful. “Do your thing in the kitchen. Just make sure to prepare good food to make them forget what they came here for.” Then he walked past me, leaving me confused.

Is that his way of complimenting the food I make?

When he passed by me, I went lightheaded as his fresh waterfall scent slapped me in the face. I forgot his instructions entirely and just watched him cross the brick path between the mansion and the poolside.

Maple’s tongue licking my hand woke me from my trance.

“Uhm…. can you please elaborate-” I asked, following him with my gaze, words dying when he hooked his thumbs into his joggers and tugged them down, revealing skin–tight swimming trunks underneath.

“Oh… wow…” I might have said it out loud because Maple barked. I ignored her. I couldn’t take my eyes off the master of the house.

His ass looked perfect to be served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Plump, round, sexy as hell. I had to step away from the door before he caught me staring with dreamy eyes.

My heart was thrashing in my chest the entire time I cooked breakfast.

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