The one thing neither of us had done was say three little words. I love you. I’d shown her in all the ways I knew to show her how I felt. She had done the same for me.

  But the words had stayed locked inside us both as we explored the territory of our relationship. Making certain that we were truly right for each other. What I wanted with her was a lifetime, so strolling down that path with her hand in mine made more sense than rushing toward some finish line dictated by society.

  “Rhett Spencer Hamilton, are you going to dance with me tonight?”

  I narrowed my eyes at Nana Steele. “Dare I? Did you make a special song request I should be aware of?”

  She laughed but didn’t answer the question. “Emery, dear. May I steal this handsome young man from you?”

  Emery fingered her lips in consideration. “Do you promise to bring him back?”

  Nana tapped my arm. “This scoundrel? Absolutely.”

  Giving my girl another kiss, I stuck out my elbow and Nana grabbed hold. To my surprise, she didn’t bark an order at the DJ I’d hired for the evening. Instead, she simply turned in my arms and began to sway.

  “You look happy,” she observed, smiling up at me.

  “I am happy, thanks to you.”

  She batted her eyelashes. “I love being a fairy godmother.”

  I laughed. “You play the role well.”

  “So…” she began, and I nearly groaned, having a feeling I knew what was going to come next. “When are you planning to make an honest woman out of that sweet girl? Have you chosen a wedding date yet? I hope it’s soon so I’ll have something else to look forward to.”

  Yep… that was exactly what I thought was going to come next.

  I shrugged, keeping my face serious. “I’m thinking my fortieth birthday would be perfect. Neither Emery nor I are in a hurry.”

  Nana’s eyes narrowed, and she slapped my arm. “I’ll be bones by then, Rhett. Long buried and forgotten.” She sighed. “It would brighten my last days so much to know that the two of you are settled.”

  I laughed. I knew it. This little woman was a con artist.

  “You really don’t have a brain tumor, do you?” I watched her carefully, wishing I had a lie detector test to which I could hook her up.

  She gave me an impish grin. “Why, Rhett Spencer Hamilton, I don’t know why you’d think such a thing. Besides, you should know that you’d have to sign a confidentiality agreement before we’d have that sort of discussion.” Then she surprised the shit out of me by slipping her hand down to my ass and giving me a little pinch.

  My mouth fell open. “I can’t believe you did that…” I paused, “only once.”

  She giggled like the schoolgirl she once was and pinched me again. “Better?”

  The music changed, and I gave her a little twirl. “Much.”

  She smiled over at Kane and Eliana who were dancing at a much faster pace. “I’m hoping to convince them to make me a great-grandmother soon,” she said in a whisper.

  I barked out a laugh, and she shushed me.

  “And don’t you think Dillon and Juliette make a nice couple? Marty and Daphne too?”

  Amy danced up to us, in the arms of a smiling Phil Harris. “Hey, bro.”

  I brushed my sister’s cheek with my lips. “Hey, brat.” I narrowed my eyes at the talk show host. “Phil. You better be good to her.”

  In answer, he laughed and swirled her away.

  God, I was so glad I never kissed Amy or… I shuddered to think about all the things we could have done with each other before learning we were, in fact, related by blood. I’d been drawn to her from the beginning, but not sexually, thank the fuck.

  Now, Amy and I were on a mission to discover how many more siblings we might have. I’d always wanted to be part of a big family. I might get my wish yet.

  “Don’t they look handsome together?” Nana asked, nodding at my sister and Phil.

  “You really should create your own matchmaking company instead of guilting people into doing your bidding.”

  She hmphed. “I’ll have you know my success rate is one hundred percent.”

  I hugged her to me. “So, you really aren’t dying?”

  She sidestepped the question, her blue eyes sparkling. “Everyone dies, or so I’m told.”

  We danced in silence for a few moments, then Dillon appeared at the door. Our eyes connected, and he smiled and nodded. I nodded back.

  “Do you know what I think, Nana Steele?”

  “What’s that, dear?”

  “I think it’s time someone else got to play matchmaker.”

  She looked confused. “Whatever do you mean?”

  I took her into a slow circle, then turned until she was facing a distinguished older gentleman who looked fit and dashing in an antique army uniform.

  Nana’s hand flew to her mouth. “James?”

  Corporal James Booker Johnson smiled. “Hello, Evelyn. You look as beautiful as ever.”

  “But…” her eyes flew to me.

  I placed a hand on her shoulder to steady her. “When you told me the story of your first love and how he never returned, I remembered reading about how nearly six thousand American soldiers were still missing in action following the Korean War. I flew to Washington, D.C. and did some research, then hired a private detective to do the rest.”

  Corporal Johnson took a step closer. His back was straight, his legs strong. “I was held captive for three years before I was able to escape. When I got home, I went to find you but learned you had married and had a child on the way. I didn’t want to interrupt the life you’d build, so I had to let you go.”

  Tears streamed from Nana’s eyes, just as they did from mine and all the people lucky enough to witness this reunion of two beautiful lives.

  Nana walked to him, and when their hands connected for the first time in so long, the charge of electricity could almost be felt. As if they’d been doing it for an eternity, they began to dance, their eyes only on each other.

  Emery’s warm body pressed against me, her fingers twining in mine, her head resting on my chest. I knew right then, that I couldn’t wait another moment.

  “I love you, Emery.” Her head jerked up, her eyes wide, tears rising and falling anew. “I do. So much the feeling aches inside me. I know we’ve talked about taking things slow, exploring our relationship, and all that. But I don’t want to be slow or cautious or methodical. I want you to be forged as tightly as the strongest steel into my life. I want you firmly by my side, and I never want to let you go.”

  Emery’s hands moved up to cup my face in her warm palms. “That’s what I want too. I love you, and I promise that you will never have a moment of doubt about how profound and intense that feeling is.” One hand slid down to cover my heart. “You don’t have to ache anymore, Rhett. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

  Nana Steele and Corporal Johnson waltzed by, and Nana hissed, “Put a ring on it.”

  We laughed and the moment was perfect.

  As I took her in my arms and kissed her with all the people I loved surrounding us, I knew I was a lucky man.

  Hell, all the Beasts men were.

  Whether we were winning or in a slump, and whether the season was beginning or ending…

  We all had each other.

  And nothing else mattered.

  THE END

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  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

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  Alice Ward

  Rookie Mistake

  THE BEASTS OF BASEBALL

  BOOK 1

  BOOK DESCRIPTION

  This is the first sexy STANDALONE novel in Bestselling Author Alice Ward's brand new sports romance series, The Beasts of Baseball.

  I thought I'd achieved everything I ever wanted. Then I lost her...

  Standing on the pitcher’s mound for a professional baseball team has been my dream since I was a small boy. Now I’m here, pitching for the newest team in the league — the New York Beasts — with the woman I’ve loved since high school by my side.

  Calvin and Whitney forever! Wow, we made it.

  But there’s a downside to instant fame and fortune, a trap that unleashes self-control and morals. A gilded cage that separates us from the real world. This is the big city, the major leagues — the big time. And temptation is around every corner. People change. We changed. Neither for the better. I don't even recognize us anymore.

  Calvin and Whitney forever? I used to think so, but the beasts that had been hibernating in both of us have taken control, and now I’m not so sure. The dream has become a nightmare. Can we wake and find our way back to each other?

  NOTE: The Beasts of Baseball series follows the sexy exploits of the players on the baseball team The Beasts, and the women they love. Each book can be read as a standalone. Prepare for a raw, emotionally charged HEA with No Cliffhanger.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Calvin

  I’d dreamed of this day, for how long I couldn’t even remember. I knew I was a boy, maybe seven, watching the New York Yankees play against… who was it? I couldn’t recall, but I remembered the excitement that soared through my grandfather’s living room that afternoon.

  My pops, grandfather, and I were all rooting them on. The way my pops screamed at the TV, you would have thought he was right there in the action, hoping to get their attention as he yelled for them to run! When they won, he grabbed me by the waist and lifted me high in the air.

  “You’re a man now, my boy!” he shouted, then gave me a sip of his beer. It was bitter and almost made me sick to swallow, but I did, because I was a man. After that day, I knew I would one day be a man like the ones wearing the blue striped uniforms. I was going to be a major league baseball player. I was certain of it.

  Right now, I felt more like a pussy because my damn hands trembled as I took my first steps towards the pitching mound of the gleaming new stadium, sweat streaming down my face in rivers.

  That was okay. Rookie nerves. That was me — a rookie. For the newest and most badass team in the majors.

  I made it!

  “Welcome to the New York Beasts,” a man with a sun-crinkled face and large potbelly greeted me. “I’m Coach Griffin.” I extended my hand, hoping that it wasn’t covered in sweat from my anxiety and greeted my new coach. “I’ve heard great things about you.”

  “Thank you, sir, it’s a pleasure to be here,” I said, trying to keep the awe from my voice.

  Last year, I’d been thrilled to find myself in the minors straight out of college and had worked my ass off to deserve a spot on a team. Then, out of nowhere, I got the call that I’d be a replacement pitcher for the Beasts. One of their starters was in an accident that ended his career, and they wanted me to replace him.

  Me.

  And now I was standing on the mound where I would pitch for New York’s newest team. It wasn’t the Yankees, but I knew my pops would be proud nonetheless.

  “Let’s introduce you to your team,” Coach Griffin suggested with a pat on my back and a nod towards the dugout and the locker room beyond.

  “Listen up, fellas!” Coach Griffin yelled into the chaotic locker room that was larger than most people’s entire home. The main portion was a gigantic oval featuring six-feet wide lockers surrounding the perimeter. Each locker boasted a massaging leather chair and recessed television and sound system with personal headphones to keep the noise to a minimum. There were doors leading to bathrooms, a state-of-the-art weight room, as well as areas for physical therapy and recovery. The clubhouse also featured a high-tech theater with enough seating for the entire team to review post-game analysis. I’d never seen anything like it.

  The men didn’t seem to notice or pay attention, so Coach pulled out his whistle and gave it a long, hard blow. “I want you to meet one of our new starting pitchers.”

  The men calmed, and the room became eerily quiet as their eyes fell upon me. They all began walking toward the central meeting area. I looked around, somewhat intimidated to meet the group directly in the eye, but with so many in various stages of undress, looking down put me in a very uncomfortable position as well.

  “This is Calvin Malone,” Coach announced, again patting me on the back.

  There was a round of handshakes and head nods, then the men went back to their lockers, getting ready for practice. Coach led me to the locker with Calvin Malone engraved at the top, pointing out the stacks of practice gear and cleats. My days of washing my own uniform were over.

  “You’re gonna do fine, Calvin. Just keep your chin up, your nose clean, and your eye on the ball, kid,” Coach Griffin said with encouragement. “Practice starts in twenty minutes!” I watched as he exited the locker room.

  “So, you’re the new star pitcher?” a voice sounded from behind me. I turned, instantly recognizing Ace Newman, star shortstop and power hitter. His leathered skin didn’t take away from his rugged good looks, and the small goatee that dangled from his chin as he chomped on his gum only seemed to add to his powerful presence.

  “Yep, I’m Calvin Malone,” I introduced myself, extending my hand to shake his.

  “I got that, kid,” he said as he glanced down at my hand that now was left awkwardly extended between us. “Where’d ya come from?”

  “Indiana,” I replied, yanking my hand back and shoving my fists into my pockets.

  “No shit, that’s written all over your corn-fed face,” he said, half-laughing as he spoke. “I meant what team?”

  “Well, I graduated from the Red Hawks last year and was all set to play triple A for the Beasts, but got the call to come here before I even played my first game.”

  “Whooweeee, so you’re practically a college drafted starting pitcher, you must have one helluva arm on ya.” Sarcasm oozed from Ace’s lips as easily as his drawl. He leaned over, spit his gum into the trash can by my feet and then grinned. “Stick with me, kid. I’ll show ya the ropes around here.”

  I was psyched that Ace Newman was a fellow Beast. A notorious player, he had a short fuse and loud temper. He spent plenty of time screaming in the umpires’ face, throwing bats against the fence, and even threatening other players. He was a wild card, but one of the best players in the league. I knew very little about the owner, Rhett Hamilton, and had yet to meet him, but if he had the money to score Ace Newman, and the balls to try and control him, then he must be a pretty powerful player himself.

  The whistle sounded from outside the locker room door, and Coach poked his head inside just long enough to yell, “Let’s go!”

  “Good to have you on the team,” Marty Peters said as he walked by. He was a first baseman from Atlanta. Not the most impressive player, but there were rumors of a bad breakup that led to his falling stats last season.

  “Thank you, glad to be here,” I replied and then followed the rest of the team — my team — onto the field.

  It was surreal walking back to the mound, this time with players I’d watched for years. Ace picked up a bat and headed to home plate. “Show me what you got, kid,” he shouted.

  My palms were sweating as I picked up the ball next to my feet, then stretched out my arm and shoulder, loosening up the tight muscles. I continued to stretch as I waited for the catcher to suit up. Ace pounded his bat into the dirt, kicked a clearing for his feet and pushed dust over the plate as he waited for me to wind up my pitch.

  “You ready, hot stuff?” he yelled.

  I nodded. “Ready.”

  Shit.

  Was I ready?

  This was Ace Newman, one of my favorite players. A fucking idol in my books. My skin began to crawl and my forehead beaded with sweat. I watched as he crowded the plate, a move that I knew was meant to taunt me. I glared past the sun to the catcher who was offering up a variety of pitches. I shook my head at each one until he suggested the four-seam fastball. I found my opening over the plate and wound up before sending the ball out of my hand.

  “What the fuck?” Ace screamed and tossed his bat on the ground. The ball had barely missed him, his hips tucking back just in time.

  “You’re crowding the plate, Ace,” Marty yelled from first base. “Not a smart move with a south paw.”

  “He better learn how to handle it,” Ace countered and switched to the left side of the plate. One of the best switch hitters in the league trying to mess with my head. “That is, if he wants to play with the big boys.”

  Ace picked up the bat he’d thrown on the ground and repositioned himself back over the plate. It was obvious he wasn’t going to take it easy on me, and even more evident that he didn’t believe I belonged on the same field with him. I clenched the ball in my hand, sweat dripping onto the cowhide as I stared into Ace Newman’s eyes.

  The catcher went through his signals for pitches once again, and with each one, I shook my head until he motioned a knuckleball. I nodded and positioned my fingers around the ball. I wound up and let loose. I watched as it flew straight towards my target. The ball found the opening over the plate, and he took his swing. And missed.