Trouble With the Curve (Learning Curve #2) Read online

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  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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  Trouble With The Curve

  Copyright 2017, Felicia Lynn

  To: Big Papi - David Ortiz

  You’re everything. Thank you for the years of smiles.

  I miss you already.

  I’m forever a Red Sox Nation girl.

  #BostonStrong

  I'm not thinking home run, I just want to put a good swing on the ball. When you go looking for home runs, you get off of your swing. So you don't think of homers when you go up to the plate. –David Ortiz

  ***

  To: Christy

  You are more amazing than you’ll probably ever realize.

  I adore you. Thank you times a million for everything you do to support me. You’re priceless.

  Down by Jason Walker

  Woke The F*ck Up by Jon Bellion

  Worth Fighting For by Taylor Henderson

  I Want You Anyway by Jon McLaughlin

  Pocket Full Of Dreams by Hedley

  Use Me by Blaire Hanks

  Coming Home by Jessie James Decker

  Yours by Ella Henderson

  Make You Mine by Us The Duo

  Day to Feel Alive by Jake Reese

  Made For You by Alexander Cardinale

  I Was Made for Loving You by Tori Kelly and Ed Sheeran

  Chin Up by Amy StroupSlow Dancing in a Burning Room - acoustic by John Mayer

  Thick Skin by Leona Lewis

  Lovely by Sara Haze

  Remind You by Andy Grammer

  This Is What It Takes by Shawn Mendes

  Paper Thin by Asrid S

  Love is Blind by Nick Fradiani

  She Is Love by Parachute

  Just You and I by Tom Walker

  Safe & Sound by Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars

  ‘Til I Die by Bradley Bridges

  Falling For You by Lady Antebellum

  Lights On by Shawn Mendes

  Up and Up by Lennon & Maisy

  Need The Sun To Break by James Bay

  Anchored At Sea by Act As If

  Looking At Stars by Kelsea Ballirini

  Stone by Alessia Cara

  Sweetest Devotion by Adele

  Miles Away by Finnegan Bell

  Why We Try by Matthew Mayfield

  Riot by Sara Haze

  Fall Apart Today by Schuyler Fisk

  No Regrets by MAGIC!

  Starving by Hailee Steinfeld, Grey

  Have a Little Faith in Me by Nashville cast, Will Chase and Maisy Stella

  Everything To Me by Mark Wilkinson

  I’ll Be Your Home by Phillip Larue

  The Sun Is Rising by Britt Nicole

  Prologue 1

  Prologue 2

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Epilogue 1

  Epilogue 2

  Thank Yous

  (4 months ago)

  THE LAST TO LEAVE the field again today, I didn’t want to head to the sports bar with the rest of the team. I’m not suitable company for anyone except for my buttercup. Hell, I don’t want to go home either. And the one place I want to be isn’t an option right now. Charlie is hurting, and it kills me that I had a part in it, but it’s not what she thinks.

  Numerous conversations with the blank airspace of her voicemail this past week have finally filled it to capacity, and I lost my remaining connection to her. I hope she’ll listen and understand, but since she hasn’t responded to my numerous texts to her, begging for a chance to explain, I’m losing hope. I was trying not to take it personal, thinking she’d come around soon. I would move mountains to fix this if she gave me a shot. I’m not positive she’s ignoring me specifically. But it’s starting to feel personal and like she gives no fucks about responding.

  When I make the turn into the cul-de-sac, I see it and immediately question my sanity. Either my mind is playing tricks on me, or she’s finally here. There’s no way her Mercedes stunt double would park directly in front of my place, but it’s empty as I drive past it. I pray silently she’s here inside and found the key I left under the mat this morning. Every day this past week, I’ve left the door unlocked, hoping that maybe she’d find her way here one day when I got home. It never happened, but when I turned the lock in the door today, I couldn’t bear the thought of her ever being locked out. So I left the key under the mat, hoping.

  I park and jump out of the truck, racing to the front door. I see her sitting on the stoop at the front door, hunched over with her arms wrapped around her legs. Her face is resting on her knees as she sleeps. Tracks from her tears line her cheeks. Mist from the raindrops settles in her hair. She looks lost and broken, but she’s here. Finally. Nothing can ever take away her beauty because, with Charlotte Baker, it’s not just skin-deep. She’s never looked more beautiful.

  I drop to my knees beside her, running my hand down the contour of her spine as I lean in, pressing my lips to her cheek. She startles in surprise, and her eyes pop open before she realizes I’m beside her.

  “Ty? You’re here. I was waiting for you,” she says, with her voice barely above a whisper. I don’t answer because I would just be stating the obvious. Instead, I pull her into my arms and rise to stand, holding her body as tight to mine as possible. Thankfully, she does not try to pull away, and her legs wrap around my waist as her hands cup my cheeks. She blinks then her gaze focuses on my eyes.

  "You came back, buttercup," I say, holding her possessively in my arms. “You came back.” I’m not sure what brought her here, but no matter the reason, I’ll take it.

  “I came to apologize. We were set up to fail before we ever had a chance. I didn’t know. I came to tell you it wasn’t your fault. It was so easy to believe it was you, but it wasn’t . . . it was always me. I didn’t realize all the bad guys yielding betrayal were just over my shoulder watching and interfering,” she says, regretfully.

  “Baby, I’ve been set up to fail my whole life, but I never learned how to do it. So I can promise I’m not going to start learning now, buttercup.” I mean every word. Failure in any capacity is not appealing in my book, but pertaining to Charlotte, it’s not a fucking option. My lips press firmly to hers. The need to feel a deeper connection between us grows, and I must restrain myself from devouring her softness when she slowly pulls away to speak.

  “I'
m so sorry, Ty . . . I'm just so sorry. I should’ve never doubted you. I was wrong . . . one million percent. It was and will remain the biggest mistake of my life," she says remorsefully, and my heart breaks for her a little more as I watch the tears fall from her face.

  “Charlotte, we’re going to make mistakes. It goes with the territory. This relationship stuff is new to us. All I know is mastering love’s learning curve has more rewards than I ever imagined, and I’m willing to work for the benefits. I just need my partner; I need you beside me, willing to figure it out with me. Together. Because failure isn’t an option, now or ever.”

  I’m not sure how long I stand on the porch with her in my arms, kissing her, taking everything she’s willing to give, and unwilling to let go. What I do know is every second was worth it.

  (2 months ago)

  “TIME TO GET UP, hotshot,” I whisper, placing soft kisses on his face as I climb onto him, straddling him and rubbing his shoulders as he wakes.

  He groans, wrapping his fingers firmly around my hips and pressing my bottom into his groin where one muscle on his body is very much awake. “I feel sorry for people who need to drink coffee in the morning to wake up and don’t get this service,” he says briskly, flipping me and reversing our positions to pin me to the mattress under him.

  “Good morning, handsome,” I say, grinning ear to ear with a smile I’ve never had to fake. Tyler would see right through me if I ever tried.

  “Yes, buttercup. It is a very good morning indeed.” He has that feisty, mischievous look in his eye, and I know it’ll be a challenge to get out of the house on time this morning. Since falling in love with Ty, I’ve learned and excelled at taking on a good challenge.

  “I see that look in your eye, mister, and it’s not happening. We spent the better part of last night in this playground. Today is important, and I want to see my guy walk across that stage. So put your toy away and get in the shower.”

  “You meant to say your fiancé, right? That’s what you meant instead of ‘your guy.’ I know it.” He pushes his girth between my legs, rubbing against my clit. As much as I try to restrain the moan of pleasure it brings, there’s no chance. He knows my button. “Seems like you like my man toy, love.”

  The fact that we’re both already naked is my only timesaving grace at this moment because I know I’m not leaving this bed until he’s had his way with me. Truthfully, I don’t want to leave the bed before then anyway.

  Tyler has been on a hell-bent mission to convince me to marry him since the moment he found me waiting on his front porch. Pleasuring me often is one method he uses to demonstrate how amazing marriage would be, but he hasn’t really proposed yet. Until it does actually feel like a real proposal, I won’t give in. I’m happy to sacrifice a few more orgasms until that point even if I already know in my heart nothing will keep me from marrying this guy.

  He leans in and licks, trailing kisses down my neck and chest. His hand caresses my body as it heads south. I reach between us to stroke him. I can’t resist his body any more than he can mine.

  “You’ll agree, buttercup. Wait and see.” He reaches between us, flicking his fingers across the bud then slides his digits into me. “Wet already, dammit. That’s unfortunate. I was hoping you wouldn’t save me time this morning, and I’d get to spend some extra time warming you up.”

  “Ty, I’m leaving the playground if you don’t put the swing in motion. Today is a big day, and we’re not missing it,” I demand, knowing I’m powerless to his touch, and my threats are empty.

  He makes quick work of removing his hand, and I position him right at my center. He slowly slides into my folds, and I feel myself stretching as he glides in. He feels amazing. He’s smart to talk about the possibility of marriage in our future while he’s making my body sing. There’s not much I won’t agree to when I’m in this position. He watches me engulfed in pleasure before linking our mouths.

  With Ty, everything has changed. I’ve learned so much over the past few months. It’s hard to believe it’s been such a short time that we’ve known each other, but we’ve proved love has no timeline. The learning curve is steep, but it’s worth it.

  “I love you, Tyler Stone.” I’m rewarded with a sparkle in his eye, and his trademark worthy side-smile that he knows is my weakness, but I crave nonetheless.

  “More than life itself, Charlie. Always. Please say yes and stop putting off the inevitable. We both know I won’t fail.” His pace increases, and I feel shivers of pleasure running straight through me. Rising higher and higher.

  “Buttercup, I always thought my biggest dream was to be drafted into the MLB, but I was wrong. The best dream is making you mine—all mine. Everything else is just a bonus, and I’d throw it all away with no regrets for this one thing. Be mine. Take my name. Love me forever.”

  He’s so close, and I’m definitely teetering, about to fall right over the edge with him. The burn of tears builds in my eyes, but they’re the best kind. Tears full of happiness, overwhelming joy, and an unbelievable amount of love for this man.

  “Yes, Tyler. Make me yours. You’ve owned me from the day we met. You’re everything to me with or without a contract. I want nothing more in life than you just as you are. You’ve brought life to my empty world, and I can’t live without you.”

  Together, at that moment, we agree to launch into a new adventure in life, and nothing is sweeter. I can’t wait to reap the rewards of this next learning curve.

  (Present)

  GLARING AT THE PHONE screen, I read the email in a daze of confusion that quickly turns to outrage. I never saw this coming, which is disappointing since I pride myself in not underestimating my opponents. Few things can shock me to the core with the capacity these words have. I wish this was a joke, but it’s not.

  I wonder how he thinks this message will go down after everything those people have put my girl through? I’ve seen the texts from his wife to my Charlie with my own eyes. I’m not sure what his motive is, but it needs to be shut down. Charlotte won’t be manipulated or enticed to be a pawn in their game by dangling me as the prize. No way in hell. She was subjected to their vindictive bullshit for too fucking long, and we’ve yet to heal all the scars from their claws.

  To: Tyler Stone

  From: The office of South Carolina Governor

  Good afternoon, Tyler. I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to congratulate you on your recent graduation from the University of South Carolina. The press article with your baseball career accolades and the photos published with my beautiful daughter on your arm made for a proud father moment for me.

  You two seem very happy together, and as her father, I’d like the opportunity to get to know you better. Would you consider joining Charlotte at some point this summer as our guest? I’m sure she’d feel proud showing you her childhood home and enjoy properly introducing her family to the person she’s spending her cherished time with.

  Please respond with your schedule availability. I’ll work with my staff to coordinate some personal time off the campaign trail to spend getting better acquainted with you, while also enjoying some much-needed downtime with my beloved family.

  I look forward to hearing from you with confirmation, as I know you’ll agree that bringing a smile to my Charlotte’s face will be worth all the effort. Send my love to my daughter as well.

  Regards,

  Governor Ronald Baker

  Governor of South Carolina

  2016 US Presidential candidate

  The phone flips out of my hand and onto the desk a little more aggressively than I intended while I try to rein in the anger coursing through my veins. Now isn’t the time to fly off the handle, but I have to admit the timing of this message is interesting. I can’t help but question if this is a terrible coincidence, or if it’s possible these people have inside information on my plans?

  Only a handful of people know what’s happening, and they’d never do anything to wreck it, but that doesn’t mean someone in her
father’s position couldn’t get the information he wasn’t privy to. I certainly wouldn’t put it past them to make another play to put a black mark on something special for their daughter. Not today, though. I’ll pull off whatever extreme measures are necessary to keep them at a distance.

  I may have to dig deep to hold myself together, but if my plans for tonight work out, it’ll be worth it. I’ve been planning this for weeks, and nothing will interfere, including my mood.

  I’ll make sure Charlotte stays blissfully unaware of those beasts prowling. I plan to be the only beast getting close to her, and that’s only to protect and worship her, as she deserves. And by the end of the night, I’ll be eating her fucking alive. And my girl will love every second of it.

  I have forty-five minutes to shower and get my head right. Charlie’s observant and will sure as hell notice if something’s not right. If I want to avoid concerning her with this until it’s necessary—if it becomes necessary—I need to calm down and focus. Everything between the two of us is right. It’s perfect.

  Tonight, I’m finalizing the most important deal of my life—the one I never considered would ever be in the cards for me. The day her beautiful sapphire eyes met mine, coloring every gray sky in my world, any previous bets were off. Even if I attempted to deny what was happening and didn’t realize everything changed at that moment, there was no turning back for me. She owned me from that moment on, no question.

  My eyes fall on the black velvet box resting on top of my dresser that I picked up this morning after Charlotte left the house. For the millionth time today since I’ve had it in my possession, the sight of it calms me. Now, I just need to give it to the person it was made for—the person made for me.

  Charlotte agreed to marry me weeks ago, but for my own sanity, I need to see her wearing that ring to know it’s true. Yet knowing the outcome has only minimally reduced my anxiety. An engagement ring is the physical representation of our future together, but it’s not to me.