Page 8 of Deal with Mr. Cruel

“That owner is a real piece of work,” Nico said, nodding toward the entrance to the dugout. Despite their initial meeting, Nico grew to love Mr. Matthews. The tough love eventually turned into mutual respect. And the spark she felt for Jonas eventually turned into a wildfire that was put out as quickly as it began.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jonas enter the owner’s box. She took in a breath and held it for a second. She should be used to this by now. They saw each other practically every day at the office and every game day right here in this room. He looked good in a pair of black jeans and a white t-shirt. He wore a faded team cap and his five o’clock shadow was grown out a few days. It looked good on him.

Mae looked back out toward the field and pretended to be very intent on the game. She listened as his voice got closer, greeting everyone in the room. Her body tensed as her boss, Braydon, stood up and shook Jonas’s hand. She could feel him, causing goosebumps to rise on her arms.

“Jonas. It’s good to see you. That was a hell of a party last night,” Braydon said.

“It sure was. I’m glad you enjoyed yourself,” Jonas said.

“Maybe a little too much.”

“Mae. Nice to see you.”

She looked up and gave him a smile and a nod. “Jonas.”

Jonas shoved his hands in his pocket and scooched down the row to an empty seat. A few minutes later, a perky blonde entered the box. She was introduced as the daughter of one of the bigwigs. Jonas offered her the seat next to him.Of course, he did, Mae thought. As much as she didn’t want to be, Mae was tuned into their conversation

“Have you been in the owner’s box before?” Jonas said.

“It’s my first time.”

“We have a virgin over here,” Jonas said, raising a glass of beer.

The girl giggled. Mae rolled her eyes and adjusted in her seat. It was torture enough sitting in the same room. Hearing him badly flirt made it even worse.

“I’m hardly a virgin,” the girl said coyly.

“You don’t say,” Jonas said, faking shock.

Mae let out a quiet sigh of disgust. Braydon turned and looked at her suspiciously.

“Did you see the call the ump made?” Mae lied, gesturing toward the field.

This seemed to satisfy her boss, who nodded and looked down toward the batter.

Mae listened to them talk a little more before she felt like her head was going to explode. She didn’t know if it was the bad flirting or the creeping jealousy.

“Excuse me for a second. I have to use the ladies’ room,” Mae said, standing from her seat. Her only way out of the front row was sliding past the lovebirds. She felt her heart quicken as she passed her boss and approached Jonas. She usually avoided this close of contact, but this was unavoidable. She held her breath. As she brushed past him, she felt the small hairs on her neck stand up. Mumbling, “Excuse me,” she quickly made it to the aisle and up the stairs to the box’s exit. Out in the stadium, her heart rate slowed and she could breathe easier.

Mae walked toward the private restrooms and was relieved to find them empty. She leaned against the counter and studied herself in the mirror, shaking her head at her reflection. She was embarrassed about the hold he had on her, and the jealousy she had for someone who was barely legal. Was he trying to make her jealous? This unspoken thing with Jonas was getting ridiculous. Was it even a thing or was it all in her head?

Just then, the door to the bathroom swung open and the blonde girl entered. She saw Mae and walked over.

“Hi. I’m Amanda. Amanda Clark. I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself earlier.”

“Mae Klein,” she said, mustering up a smile. “Nice to meet you.”

“Mr. Matthews—er—Jonas said your brother is on the team?”

“Yeah, Nico. Number 21.”

“How cool!”

Mae nodded.

“How lucky are you to do this every weekend. It’s my first game, but I’m already in love. Those pants!” Amanda said, raising her eyebrows.

Mae couldn’t help but laugh a little.