She eyes me suspiciously through the mirror. I wink and blow her a kiss as I get started on her locks.
Once I have her hair done, I do mine quickly and then help her get into her dress.
“Do you think Travis will think I’m pretty?” she asks as I button the back of her red velvet dress.
“Of course he will. Now step,” I say, placing her snow boot on her foot.
This is the downfall of having to take the train everywhere—dressing for the outside elements. When we get to the mall, she’ll change into black patent shoes.
I send her back to the living room so I can get dressed and finish putting on my makeup. I opt for jeans and a sweater and start laughing to myself as I remember how long it took me to undress for Travis last night. Trying to be sexy during the winter is hard, although you can definitely make up for it when you’re sitting by the fire.
A knock at the door has me scrambling to put my boots on, and Lucy yells that she’ll get it, even though she knows she’s not allowed to. I follow closely behind her and am there when she opens the door. Travis stands there, looking dapper in his peacoat, jeans, and from what I can tell, another sweater. However, what catches my attention are the flowers that he’s holding.
“These are for my two favorite girls.” He extends both hands, each of which holds red roses—one set for me, the other for Lucy.
“See, I told you he loves me,” Lucy says as she takes her flowers. Travis winks, and that simple gesture turns my insides into a quivering mess.
I take the other bouquet and hold them to my nose and inhale. “They smell so good.”
“Like you,” he says, leaning in and taking his own deep breath. “Fuck, Saylor, I can’t wait for tonight.”
“And what makes you think anything will happen?”
He steps back and appraises me before smirking. “Nothing has to. I only want to be in the same room with you, and I’ll be happy.”
While Travis Kidd’s future continues to hang in the balance, he’s not slowing down. Many have e-mailed to let us know that Kidd has been spending time with a mysterious woman and her daughter. Sources close to the Kidd tell us that the woman in question is his publicist and that she’s helping him with his image. However, there is speculation that he is the father of the young child and the woman in question is a former ex. We are unable to confirm the true identity at this time.
Over the course of covering Kidd’s career and off-the-field antics, never once have we come across a paternity claim.
In team-related news, the waiver wire is active, and general manager Ryan Stone has been offering deals to some of the best pitchers in the league. Let’s hope that Stone can sign some star talent that will put us into the playoffs.
It is also being speculated that Steve Bainbridge will hang up his cleats for a tie, taking a job in the front office. If this is the case, we wish Bainbridge a happy retirement and thank him for staying with the organization.
Happy holidays from the BoRe Blogger
Twenty-Three
Travis
I’m the type of guy who brushes everything under the rug. If you don’t like me, okay. If you think my game sucked or I didn’t do a good enough job for you, fine. If you want to think that I had to rape a woman in order to get her attention, well, that is where I draw the line. And as much as I want to ignore the recent articles about my life, I can’t, because they involve Saylor and Lucy. Saylor’s biggest fear is coming to life, and I can’t bury this or make it go away.
The flowers I brought are a peace offering. It was my intention to tell her everything that I read this morning, until they both opened the door. To see Lucy dressed up and Saylor smile when we made eye contact had me second-guessing opening my mouth. If I did, I’d ruin their day. And mine, but I don’t matter right now. My issues are things that I have to deal with, and I knew better than to bring Saylor into the mix. She already has her reservations about us, and now everyone knows about her because I’m selfish and couldn’t stay away.
Handing them their roses and seeing their reactions pained me. This could very well be the last time we’re together like this. It’s not going to matter that I’ll promise to protect her and Lucy or make sure that Jeffrey doesn’t fire her. I opened her up and left her vulnerable. I encouraged the hand holding, and I kissed her out in public. Because of me, she’s on every sports blog and newspaper, being called every name you can think of. And it’s being speculated that I’m Lucy’s dad, which honestly doesn’t bother me.
“Okay, our flowers are in water. I think we’re ready to go.”
I push off the doorframe and reach for Lucy’s hand, and Saylor takes her other one once she has the door locked. Looking down at our conjoined hands, I can’t help but smile and think that someday this could be permanent for the three of us. That’s if she’ll be able to forgive me.
There was a time in my life when I never thought about marriage or a long-term commitment. In fact, I teased the shit out of my teammates for even seeing a piece of ass more than once. My feelings changed when I met Saylor, even though I kept them bottled up. I never told the guys about her, and I continued to lie to myself each and every time I was with another woman. Sure, I’ve had girlfriends in the past, but nothing that lasted more than a week at best. One night with Saylor made me feel different.
As we walk to the train station, I realize I probably could’ve driven, but I have opted not to since my life was flipped upside down. Walking allows me to evade the press when they start to follow. It’s nothing for me to slip through an alley, disappear into a store, or go in through the back door, much like I did this morning when I returned to Saylor’s. By all accounts, I should’ve canceled, but I needed one last day with them before she shuts me out for good.
The train is packed, causing me to pull my stocking cap down lower than I usually like to wear it. I hang on to the upper rail and hover over Saylor and Lucy while they share a seat with an older lady.
Lucy is prattling on about all the things she wants for Christmas. The list is long and probably what every kid is asking for this year. A quick glance at Saylor shows me that the joyfulness in her earlier demeanor is already gone. You don’t have to be a genius to figure out why. Everything that Lucy is listing, Saylor can’t afford, which leads me back to a question I asked a while ago—where is Lucy’s father?
My name is mumbled among the crowd, but I focus on Lucy and Saylor. I promised Lucy that all my attention would be on her when we’re together. I’m not the only player like this either. Steve Bainbridge refuses to sign autographs when he’s with his kids. After the other night, I get it. Children don’t like to share what’s important to them. And honestly, neither do I.