Maid For Beckett Catching The Baseball Legend’s Heart novel Chapter 90

-Andi-

At the mere mention of those two words, the ground I’m standing on wobbled, and everything around me spun. The small hairs on my skin rose as chills enveloped me, and I heard a soundtrack for a horror movie in my ears. The dread gets louder, as if someone hunting us was drawing closer.

No wonder Mom’s cheeks turned as white as bond paper, and her lips were trembling as she fiddled with her hands.

“That’s not possible,” I say, my voice cracking, giving away what I truly feel. “He can’t be here, Mom,” I gushed and gripped the push cart, jogging towards the entrance where the carts were parked. I jog back to Mom, and I feel the knife wound on my side pulsing.

“Mom,” I gripped Mom’s shoulder. Her eyes were focused on rows of cars, even though I was already standing before her. She doesn’t see me. All she could see was the horror of the past. “Mom. You must be mistaken,” I say, shaking her shoulders gently. “He can’t be here. Mom, look at me,” I cupped her face and forced her to really look at me. “He’s not here. That’s not possible.”

She was looking at me, but her blue eyes were wild. The life in them while she was choosing that ribeye was long gone, replaced by eyes that only saw pain and agony.

I spun her around and guided her toward the passenger side. I was ready to lift her to her seat, but then she magically moved on her own. Strapping her onto the seat, I jogged to the driver’s side and drove away from the supermarket as if a mob was starting a riot there.

“You’re not sure it’s him, Mom,” I pressed, my control slipping away. My grip on the steering wheel was too tight; the ridges of the leather steering wheel cover left marks on my palms.

“Yeah..” Mom’s voice was low and small. “He can’t be here, right?” She combed her hair with her fingers and licked her lips.

The more we said those words, the more they sounded bland in my ears. It has been six years, and he could have found a way to find us. Six years is a long time.

‘First thing tomorrow, I will go to the county jail to make sure he’s still there, okay?” I was saying those words to convince Mom, but from the look on her face, there was no convincing her of anything. Her past has caught up to her. Those haunted eyes, fearful and tormented, I thought we had buried that a long time ago.

I drive through the blurry thoughts in my head. The past was also trying to catch up with me, but a promise I made to my sixteen–year–old self deferred me from letting it consume me.

I won’t give him power over my life, I repeat these words in my head, a mantra I had to utter for over two months before I finally had the courage to act on it.

We reached our new home in a blur. It felt like I was watching someone else’s life from the first–person point of view, and t was merely an audience as she guided her mom to her room and brought all the grocery bags into the kitchen.

I know Mom. She won’t come out of her room until she moves past the trauma that resurfaced from the past. She’s strong. and no one can help her do that but herself.

D

Caleb came home a little while later. He was the icebreaker I needed to forget about Mom’s ghost episode in the supermarket. I had to cook dinner for us, and Caleb couldn’t stop gushing about all the stuff he found in his room when they moved in.

This house came fully furnished. I have to give Beckett more credit for thinking things through on such short notice. He did everything with care, thinking of making our lives here more comfortable.

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10:54 am

Chapter 90

I was washing the dishes when the doorbell chimed. I have to get used to hearing doorbells from now on, so I don’t jump like a freak on my feet every time someone rings it. Taking deep breaths in and out. I went to the front door and made sure the bat was still resting on the hinges behind the door.

Yes. Mom’s scare had affected me, but not in the same way. It made me aware that the danger was real, that anyone could hurt us at any moment.

I took a deep breath when the doorbell rang again, then peeked into the peephole, only to find Beckett standing there. devilishly handsome in white slacks and a khaki dress skirt. He was holding a bouquet. He’s definitely not someone who would need the batting, right?

I slid my hands down my shirt and jeans and combed my hair before I opened the door.

“Hi

Hi

We both said together. My smile was unsteady while Beckett blinked at me.

“Is something wrong?” Beckett’s smile faded.

“W. what?” I stuttered. Does he really have the ability to read my mind? “Why would you say that?”

“Because you’re not yet ready,” his eyes darted up and down, then met mine.

“Oh!” I placed a hand on my forehead. He made plans, and I had totally forgotten about them after the supermarket. “I… I totally forgot about it, I admitted, and it’s probably the first time Beckett had heard those words from a girl.

I mean, look at me. This is Beckett Hale, who just made plans for us. I bet other women would strangle me to death if they found out this happened and call me stupid in ten different languages.

“Did something happen?” Beckett pressed; he doesn’t even look mad that I had forgotten about our plan for tonight.

He looked over my shoulder. The house was already eerily quiet. Mom didn’t have dinner with us, and Caleb was probably playing computer games in his room. I haven’t set rules for his computer gaming yet, and I took a mental note to have that conversation with him tomorrow.

“Nothing” I chimed in too quickly. “Nothing happened… I just… I lost track of time reading the brochure for my online course. I. I used the laptop you gave me.”

I didn’t have to say that last sentence, but I hoped it would make up for forgetting we had plans.

“Really?” he sounded skeptical. “What’s the brand of the laptop?” he asked, reading through my lies. I could answer, and Beckett just chuckled as he offered me the flowers he brought. “These are for you, and if you make me coffee, I might forgive you for bailing on our date.”

“Date? I didn’t bail!” I gushed, my cheeks heating up as I accepted the flowers. These flowers looked and smelled expensive He didn’t have to do this, and I can’t stop my heart from growing warm and fuzzy for Beckett.

“You did,” he insisted. “At least invite me in?”

“Right… right, sorry.” I stuttered again and stepped aside, giving way for him. “We can have dinner here.” Loffered. The food

is still warm.”

Beckett hummed as he followed me inside the kitchen. The house looked a lot smaller because of the six–foot guy sitting by the dining table. I rummaged through the cabinets, found the vase, and took care of the flowers, placing them on the counter. The kitchen looked a lot better with these flowers, somehow. I hope this lights up Mom’s mood tomorrow

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0:54 am

Chapter 90

046

35 YOUR HATS

‘Where’s Julie and Caleb?” Beckett asked as I placed the tray of lasagna back on the table. Caleb ate half of it, and I know Beckett can finish the other half.

‘Mom is not feeling well, and Caleb is in his room playing computer games,” I said, and I served Beckett a plate.

Yeah?” Beckett hummed, his tone making me look at him. He sounded too damn delighted to hear that.

What?” I chuckled and sank back into my seat.

Come here, then, Andi,” he beckoned me with his forefinger, his eyes suddenly blazing and dilated.

Why?”

Come here and kiss me, baby girl.”

What?” I glanced up the stairs, worried that Mom or Caleb might see us. This feels like I was a teenager sneaking in her >oyfriend, and we might get caught. “No…” I nibbled my lips, already feeling tingly just thinking about what Beckett was isking me to do.

Don’t make me come to you,” he smirked, his eyes smoldering. My mouth hung open at the threat he had just uttered. I can’t form a word or any sound. I just swallowed hard and stared at him. “If I come to you, there’s no stopping me from carrying you towards that counter, and having your legs wrapped around my waist while I kiss you until you moan loudly hat Julie hears us.”

I doubt Mom would hear us,’ I thought, but the only reply I could muster was a tiny gasp.

We’ve kissed a handful of times now, but the added thrill of getting caught set my entire body on fire. I clutched my legs ogether, the pounding in my heart was suddenly trimming on my center. Molten desire just spiralled through my veins. naking me weak at the knees.

Beckett’s hand on top of the table was clenched so tightly that it was turning white. “That look on your face…” he groaned. Fuck, Andi… don’t look at me like that,” he murmured in a strained voice.

swallowed the lump blocking my throat. “Like what?”

Like you’re ready… like you want it…”

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