Frankie + Jackson

Bonus Scene from Hiding in the Outfield by Lizzie C Koz

(best read after finishing the novel)

The Story of Frankie and Jackson at the Halloween Party

FRANKIE

I mosey my way through the guests in my townhouse. The last time it’ll be full of life like this. My gaze catches on Easton and Maddy—both dressed up as pieces of bread. A Meast sandwich. Be still my heart.

Bright laughter pulls my attention to Shelby. She has her head thrown back, laughing at something my brother said. And Pao Pao’s grin is taking up his whole face, he’s so damn proud to have made her laugh like that. My heart squeezes. Two years together and he still looks at her like he can’t believe she chose him. Pure adoration. I swallow hard. I’m really going to miss them.

I search the crowd until I find my giant of a boyfriend. But it’s a happy melancholy. If that makes sense. This chapter of my life is over, and a new one is beginning.

My stare sweeps over Jackson and I bite my lip. Fuck. I regret my costume choice. We’re both in nothing but small black-and-white-checkered painted cardboard pieces that cover our front and back. You know, the good stuff is censored. We’re Not-Safe-For-Work character art.

I thought I was so clever. Especially after introducing the crew to all the fun artwork authors have done for their romance novels. I didn’t realize I was just setting myself up for torture. I now have to stare at Jackson, nearly naked, beefy muscles popping. He brings his drink to his mouth, head tipped back. His throat bobs in a swallow, and–Ave Maria–I’m pretty certain my cardboard just jumped.

I step up to him and plant my hands on my hips. “It really should be criminal to be as sexy as you are.”

“Hard agree,” comes a voice to my right. “I, for one, am grateful for your choice of costumes. I knew there was typically candy on Halloween, but I didn’t realize it was of this variety.” Aiden Turner, who will no longer walk this earth shortly, rakes a gaze over my man.

I growl and he grins, a spark lighting up his eyes. He’s such a shit-stirrer. I think he’s been a rebel for so long at this point, he can’t help himself. He loves to instigate.

“Ogle your own man, Aiden,” I bite out, and wave to the shirtless man covered in blood next to him. “What even are you two?”

Aiden’s features instantly soften, and he smiles at Miles Trent. “I’m his killer and he’s my victim.”

Um… All right then. To each their own, I won’t yuck anyone’s yum.

Though… I cock my head at Miles and study him. “You do look oddly delicious covered in blood. Maybe I can see the appeal.”

He blushes, his cheeks now almost the same shade as the red pain covering him. He’s so darling. So innocent next to his inked-up rebel beau. Opposites attract has never been screamed louder. Though it is always the quiet ones you need to watch out for. Sleeping with the skipper’s nephew? Tsk tsk. I glance over his torso; it’s covered in dark red paint and possibly black paint for bruising. I squint. Or that might be real bruising from his injury.

Aiden slides his knife over Miles’s cheek. “Yeah, he does,” he murmurs.

I frown. “That knife better be fake, Aiden.”

“It is,” Jackson says, tucking me to his side. “I made sure of it. I might not be on the Clippers any longer, but no way am I letting Turner risk anything happening to the Jetties soon-to-be star third baseman.” He grins at Trent. “I’m looking forward to going head-to-head with the kid.”

Miles arches a brow. “Bet I hit more taters than you next season.”

“Fighting words,” Aiden says excitedly. “Let’s do it. What are the odds?”

Ohhh, interesting. “I think we need to bring the entire crew into this,” I say. Because I just had a marvelous idea… I whistle, and of course my boys come running. When I have East, Maddy, Shaney-babe, Jed, Pauls, and Shelbs surrounding me, I sweep my gaze over them. “We are having a competition.”

“Yasss, bro!” Shane fist pumps. “I’m so in.”

“Dude, you don’t even know what the competition is yet,” Maddy says.

“Like that matters. I’m going to win. No contest.”

“Kind of think the whole point of this is a contest,” Easton murmurs, and I fight a chuckle. Sometimes East throws out these little dry jabs and they kind of kill me.

“All right, settle down. Settle down.” Once everyone quiets and eyes are back on me, I continue. “Sweet Miles here dropped the gauntlet. He told Jackie-boy he’s going to hit more big-league home runs next year. Considering Stone is in the big leagues too, I think it’s only fair he’s included in this face off. Now, Paulie and Easton need to hurry up and get the call-up so they can participate in this as well. Then we’ll have one partner from each couple participating.”

Jackson cocks his head at me, those blue eyes searching. He knows I have a plan and he’s trying to figure out what it is.

“Why do we need one partner from each couple participating,” Paulie asks, also scrutinizing me.

“Because the winner gets to choose where we all vacation next off-season. And the losers split the cost of the trip.”

“Bromygod, yes! Frank, this is brilliant. I love this.” Shane turns to Stone. “JJ, I love this. You have to win. Or if I get the call-up, I’ll win.” He turns back to the group. “I want to go somewhere with snow. Sledding and snowmobiling and snowboarding with matching pajamas. Yes, we all have to get matching pajamas!”

“Sunshine,” Jed murmurs. Shane settles, but his grin practically wraps around his head it’s so wide. He’s still vibrating. I knew Shaney-babe would love this idea.

“I’m so fucking in,” Maddy says, green eyes locked on mine. “I think it’s a fan-fucking-tastic idea, Frank. Who knows where baseball is going to take all of us. But every off-season we’ll plan a trip. All of us back together.”

Easton leans into him, squishing their little sandwich selves together. “Sounds pretty perfect to me.”

Shelby reaches over and squeezes my hand. “I love it.” Her eyes well, and I shoot her a look. Don’t you do that.

“Sorry,” she mouths. She clears her throat, and leans into me to whisper, “I’m just going to miss you. Now I’m stuck with Paulie all the time? How could you do this to me?”

“I heard that,” Paulie says.

We all grin, but it’s short-lived. I’ve been going from happy to sad in a matter of seconds. We have a bit more packing up to do here and then that’s it. Arrivederci townhouse. Arrivederci Providence.

My chest cinches tight and that stupid burn builds behind my eyes again.

Paulie’s already moved down to Connecticut for the off-season so he can be with Shelby. Same with Easton and Shane. This is it.

This is goodbye.

Strong arms wrap around me from behind. “You doing all right, babe?”

I melt into him, into his strength, his presence. He reads me so well. “Highs and lows,” I whisper hoarsely.

“Maybe I should take you upstairs and cheer you up.” He drags his lips over my neck, and my eyebrows fly up.

And apparently his murmur wasn’t quiet enough. Maddy lets out a wolf-whistle and Shane’s all teeth.

“Go put that Not-Safe-For-Work character art costume to good use, bros. You know which piece you should reenact? There’s this one—”

His words are cut off by Jed’s palm. “Sunshine,” he admonishes, the word shaking with laughter.

Shane tugs his hand away, blond brows puckered. “I swear, it’s like no one wants my position suggestions.” He crosses his arms. “Your loss.” Then he catches my man’s eye and mouths, “I’ll text you, bro,” adding a wink onto the end.

I snort. Jackson and Shane have gotten really close. I can’t complain. I haven’t exactly been suffering because of their sex tip chats. But on that note. I lace my fingers with Jackson’s.

“Shaney-babe. Why don’t you send Jackie that text, yes?” I tug Jackson toward the stairs. I look back and find those heavy-lidded blues locked on me. “I was promised cheering up…a happy ending, perhaps?”

“Considering you gave me my happy ending, it’s only fair I give you one.” Those eyes glimmer with mischief.

And I love it. I love it so damn much. How comfortable he is in his skin now. How open he is. How safe he feels with me, with all of us.

We race up the stairs, which turns into us pushing and shoving, trying to get there first. Eventually, Jackson just throws me over his shoulder and, fuck me, it’s so caveman my dick is on full alert. Also, my ass is on full display. The cardboard has flipped up and is not covering me at all any longer. Fortunately, no one else is up here.

Just me, my loverboy, and our happy ending.