Copyright © 2021 Loretta Kendall 

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. 

***

The sun was setting over the Ohio River on a late Friday evening in the quiet Indiana river town, giving little relief to the tension Eve Callaway had been feeling all day. A soft orange sunset glow shone through the window of the two story condo, overlooking the Louisville, Kentucky city scape in the distance. The first thunderstorm of the season had just rolled through, leaving a cool fresh rain scent in the air and she took a calming breath, hoping to get the nerve to push send on her laptop.

Living in Southern Indiana, just across the water of the river city, had its perks. It was close enough to city life without being taken over by heavy traffic and big city problems. During the Kentucky Derby season, the little river town was a hub to some great events in and around the river area. Lucky for Eve, her little apartment was a front-row seat to many of the riverside festivities.

Eve sat tucked away in the window seat of the condo, gathering her thoughts. Her earbuds blaring a nineties rock ballad that didn't seem to do much to calm her nerves. Snuggled under a throw blanket, she watched fish jumping from the river as the sunsets sparkled over the water, every little moment of procrastination giving way to more tension that she was feeling in the back of her neck. Living near the water was always relaxing, but not today.

The cool air blowing a clean fresh breeze from the open window made her shiver as she tapped her nails across her teeth in frustration, thinking of her next plan of action. Eve stewed over an email, debating if she should hit send on her laptop or not.

"Argh! My dream job could be just a finger tap away and I can't even pull the trigger. If I do this, it means a big move away from my friends and family. If I don't, I'm stuck in this humdrum life, wondering what if for the rest of my life. Ahhh! What am I going to do?" she asked herself, flopping her head back against the wall.

Eve had just gotten her degree in communications and public relations. She went back to school in her mid-twenties, that led to a career behind the scenes in sports. Now twenty-eight, she was finally ready to move forward with her life. She needed something more than working in the Louisville baseball stadium, catering to the players as their hostess. It was more of a job for an intern than someone with her talents and expertise.

Here in the solitude of her bedroom, Eve was staring her dreams in the face. The first step to her future was just a click away. Once she pressed send, she might be the next employee of Ashford Sports.

While trying to decide if she should send the email, a text came on her phone.

Ping!

She grabbed her phone, fining her best friend was messaging her.

Greg: Open the damn door, Evil. I've been knocking on the door for ten minutes. I know you're home.

Eva: Climb up the balcony, dork of doom. I didn't hear the door. I had my earbuds in, listening to music.

Greg Stapleton was her longtime best friend and one of the best pitchers the Louisville team ever had. He was one of those all-around sports guys that could do it all. He could have been anything, playing just about any sport because athletic ability just came naturally to him. He loved football as much as Eve did. It just so happened they called him up for baseball first.

Eve always wished he would transition back to football. He was an amazing quarterback and the star player on his college team. He was pretty handsome too, but they had never had any romantic interest. Eve and Greg were like family. Greg was a player on and off the field and Eva called him on it often. His woman-of-the-month-club was exhausting, to say the least, to a woman like Eve. She was not one to 'play the field', so to speak. Pun intended.

Greg backed up, seeing her sitting in the window seat above him, pulling the earbud headset from her ears. A wooden deck and sliding doors lead into her bedroom, and an easy climb for an athletic guy like him.

"Hey Eve! The last time I did this, your nosy neighbors almost had me arrested for trying to break in!" He cupped his mouth like a megaphone to yell up to her.

She leaned out the window, smiling. "It was hilarious, though. You're like freaking Spider-Man. All your weird parkour stuff is fun to watch, so just climb up."

Greg threw his hands on his hips, assessing the climb. "Fine. I think you use me as your own special form of circus entertainment."

Eve just giggled with a shrug. "You're not wrong."

Greg jumped up to grab the closest board above him, shuffling up to the deck. He flipped over the railing and walked in her room as if it was the easiest feat in the world. For most people, it would have been a struggle, but the fit athlete didn't even break a sweat.

Pulling his black v-neck t-shirt back down over his abs, his sweat pants clinging dangerously low on his hips. Greg had a great body and was ridiculously handsome. Clean shaven with chiseled jawline that looked to be crafted by the finest sculptured arts. A high cut fade haircut, and longer on the top gave off a sexy masculine vibe.

He ran his fingers through his dark hair, pushing back a strand, slicking it back in place as the muscles of his biceps jerked. His mere presence has left most women in a puddle of drool. Eve didn't even notice the glorious beauty of the man who just hopped into her room like a superhero. He was her best friend and like a brother to her. Why should she even take a second glance?

"You need to get me a new key. I'm not here for your entertainment, Evil."

"You shouldn't have let your last hoochie throw your keys in the river. You probably shouldn't have told the crazy girl I was your baby mama. You would still have your keys, and could use the door like a normal person," Eve said with a laugh.

"She was freaking crazy. You're my exit plan, Evil."

"Stop calling me that! And I wouldn't have a baby with you if you paid me," she noted, tapping nervously on the edge of her laptop.

"Well, that's fine. We can just go back to the old trusty nickname, Big Tits McGee. Or my favorite, Stilettos." He raised his eyebrows, taunting her.

"How about, Eve? My actual name. I tell you the one sexy story I have about wearing high heels during sex and you never let me live it down."

"Because your sex life is way too vanilla. That's the only good story you have," Greg teased.

"Well, unlike you, I'm not a slut. I've only been with one guy. One who I thought I would marry and spend the rest of my life with." Eve scoffed, looking back at the laptop.

"He was the one guy who wasn't good enough for you to begin with. He was banging half the cheerleaders on the college squad. Basketball boy was a grade-A prick, and you know it. Hell, he was my friend back then, and even I knew he was going to hurt you. That's why I kicked his ass. No one hurts my Evey. You dropped out of school to marry that dick, only for him to treat you like garbage. He used your sports connections to get noticed by the pros, and when he didn't make it, he moved on. He used both of us. He was jealous that you were going to be a sports agent or something big one day. Meanwhile, he was still living out his college glory days. He probably ended up behind some desk doing tax returns or something."

"Walter's not doing that good. He's still working at his dad's crappy used car lot. Besides, I went back to finish my degree." She fiddled with the laptop.

"Well, you should have never dated a guy named Walter to begin with. With a name like that, his destiny was to be a douchebag by birthright." He flipped her hair in her face and Eve looked up, annoyed. "What's with the long face? Why do you keep looking at the laptop like it's going to bite you?" He looked over her shoulder, asking, "Is that your resume to Ashford Sports?"

"Yes. I'm not going to send it. It's too much of a long shot. I'll never get the job, anyway." She started to shut the computer.

Greg grabbed the laptop from her hands, hitting send, and then tossed it back to her. "There. It's done. Now let's go eat."

"Greg! Oh my God! What the hell? Do you know what you just did?" Eve tried to see if she could take back the email. Frantically hitting the back button, she knew it was too late. It was already sent. No turning back now.

"Now all you have to do is wait for an interview." He crossed his arms with a satisfied look on his face.

"Are you trying to get rid of me? Is that why you're pushing so hard for me to get this job?" She frowned at him. Eve leaned over, putting the laptop on her dresser, and scooted over to allow Greg to sit next to her in the window seat.

"No. I am trying to keep you close. I have to tell you something. Don't freak out, okay?" Greg sat beside her, pulling Eve's knees so she faced him. "It's huge, Evey! They are trading me to Florida to the pros! The Marlins. I'm going pro! I did it. I don't want to leave my best friend behind. That's why I asked you to dinner tonight. We have to celebrate."

She jumped up, crying happy tears. "Are you serious? Greg, that's amazing! Oh, my gosh! I'm so happy for you. But... Miami and Daytona are three hours apart. Even if I got the job, we will be apart anyway." Eve threw her arms around him, hugging him tight.

"I know. I'm going to live close to Daytona. I'll be gone most of the season for away games, anyway. I thought maybe we could be roommates. I don't mind the commute. I need someone to watch over Cat for me, and the new house I'm buying on the beach. Even if you don't get the job, you can still try to get a job where I work."

Greg pulled her over to the bed so he could be more comfortable than the little window seat. He was like a giant trying to fit into a baby seat. She flopped down on the bed next to him as she sprawled out across the bed like a starfish.

"Who calls their little miniature poodle puppy, Cat? Poor little doggie."

"That fufu mop my mom stuck me with is hardly a dog. It's more of a throw pillow," he laughed.

"You love that cute little doggy. How long before you leave?"

"Six to eight weeks. There is time to think about it."

Greg sat up beside her with desperation in his eyes. They always watched out for each other. If they had to be apart, it would be hard. He wasn't sure he was ready to deal with that option.

"Eve, this is a real chance for us to start over. We always talked about this. Getting out of Indiana for good. Going big time and pursuing our dreams."

"Why do you always look out for me?" She moved closer and laid back to rest her head on his shoulder.

"Since your parents are gone now, I have to look out for you. I promised your mom before she died I would always be there for you. You're my best friend. I'll always be there no matter what." He patted her leg. "Besides, if it wasn't for me pushing you to date that asshole ex of yours, you wouldn't be so jaded against men. We are not all jerks, ya know. Someday you will find someone great who will treat you how you should be treated. Like a princess."

"Says the guy who banged half of the socialite bimbos in the greater metro area." She gave him the side eye of frustration.

"Hey, I'm doing better. You really have been a good influence on me since you moved closer to the city. Not to mention you're the best friend I've ever had, and disappointing you is the last thing I want to do. You always have my back, even when you don't like my choices. If it wasn't for the fact we practically grew up together, we would hook up, and you know it. That and I'm basically your surrogate brother figure, so it's creepy. But you are hot and I'd totally be banging you. Only if you would see a doctor about that stick up your butt." He rubbed her head playfully.

"Gross. Hooking up with you. No thanks. I know too many of the nasty women you've slept with. I rather be abducted by aliens who have an anal probe fetish." She pretended to gag.

Greg laughed, saying, "I knew you had a kink! You dirty little freak! Alien anal probe? Eve. That's too freaky, even for my taste."

She shoved him playfully. "Shut up. Okay, let's go eat. Sushi's on you. Now that you're going big time, you can afford it."

"All ready spending my money and I haven't even got paid yet."