"He could stand to lose a few pounds." Tommy grumbled as he carried Jake towards the elevator of his building. Ginny laughed, following him towards the door. She leaned against the wall, watching as Tommy struggled. "A little help, Baker?" He growled, obviously irked at her lack of assistance. She scrunched her nose and tilted her head. "Baker." He gritted his teeth.
"Fine." She pressed the button, calling the elevator. "Only because I like him." She pointed to Jake. "Jury's still out on you."
"Ha ha." Tommy grunted, leaning against the wall next to her. "Seriously, though. What has Evelyn been feeding him?"
"Liquefied grease and chocolate injected directly into his bloodstream." Ginny retorted, keeping her voice at a whisper. Tommy coughed and was about to retort as Jake let out a sigh and shifted. The two of them froze and looked at him, waiting with bated breath. The elevator dinged, causing them both to jump. Jake slept on.
Ginny didn't know why she followed them onto the elevator, but she found she didn't want to leave just yet. Tommy didn't say anything to the contrary, in fact, he made another grunting noise and jerked his head in the direction of the buttons, indicating that she should press the one for his floor. Taking in the way his arms were shaking slightly, she decided against teasing him further, pushing it and the door close button.
"Sorry you got stuck with us." Tommy said softly as he walked off the elevator.
"It's okay." Ginny shrugged. "The guys are less fun after they lose."
"Glad to have helped out on that front." Tommy smirked as Ginny rolled her eyes.
"The only thing keeping me from punching you is that I might wake up Jake." She whispered. Tommy turned and pretended to use him to shield himself from her. she rolled her eyes. They stopped in front of his door. Waiting. Tommy's face flushed and his eyes darted towards her.
"What?" She asked.
"It's just..." He looked down. "My keys are in my pocket." He mumbled. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Front or back?" She asked, biting back a laugh as he gaped at her. "What, I'll remind you that I have an older brother."
He shook himself and turned. "Um back left."
Ginny nodded. "I promise not to cop a feel while I'm looking." She said, slipping her hand in. Tommy laughed.
"Sure, like you can resist this."
"What is there to resist?" She retorted, laughing as the tips of his ears turned red. Unlocking the door she stepped aside, waving him in.
"Well we can't all have spectacular asses, Baker."
"Ah, yes. That's going to be my mark on this sport." Ginny followed him into the apartment, shutting the door behind her. "Ginny Baker: Best Ass in baseball."
"Second best." Tommy shot back. "Have you seen Jeter's?"
"What is it with my teammates and calling me second best." Ginny laughed, thinking of Mike's declaration of love for Dicaprio. As if he knew she'd thought about him, her phone buzzed.
Did Miller kill you?
She rolled her eyes and ignored it, about to put her phone back into her pocket when he texted again.
Or did you kill him, because as your team captain it's my duty to lecture you as I help dispose of the body.
She shot him a reassuring text that she was fine.
Go back to your porch chair old man, I'm good.
Tommy carried Jake to his room. Ginny hesitated before following him. She watched from the doorway as he put him gently on the bed. It was strange to see Tommy so...domestic, for lack of a better word. She'd only really seen him in the context of the sport and even their late night conversations hadn't really shown her this side of him. She liked it, she realized as she watched him pull off his sneakers and slip him under the comforter. Turning on his night light, he turned and tiptoed out of the room, shutting the door gently.
"What?" He asked, defensively as they walked towards the living room.
"Nothing." Ginny said. "I just never knew you were so..." She tried to find a word that wouldn't wound his male ego, but finally gave up and went with, "sweet."
He snorted and threw himself heavily down on his couch. "Sweet?" He asked. "What am I, cotton candy?"
"Well that hair does look like it's been through one of those spinny machines." She sat on the other side of the couch. Grinning as he shook his head.
"Spinny machines." He echoed. "This from the woman whose hair is..." He trailed off as he caught her eye. "Gorgeous. And it smells really good, like coconut and lavender." he gulped. "Please don't kill me."
She put her elbow on the arm of the couch and put her chin on her hand. "You've been smelling my hair, Miller?"
He bit his lip and she attributed the warm feeling in her chest to amusement at having bested him. That was what it was...right?
"Well, you're forgetting that I used the showers in the locker room too." He snapped. "The smell lingers."
"Riiight." Ginny said slowly. "Because Axe and Old Spice just dissipate." She ducked as Tommy threw a pillow at her. "I'll have you know that you're the only one who's complained about my body wash and shampoo. In fact, they went on a field trip to bath and body works to try out different scents." Tommy gaped at her.
"You've ruined the sanctity of the clubhouse." He said.
A few months ago the remark would have stung, but now she knew he meant it as a joke. "Right, because making it smell better is a complete disruption."
"It's a holy stench." Tommy said, trying to dodge the pillow she threw back. He laughed, picking it up and hitting her with it. She grabbed it and they struggled over it, falling onto the ground, Ginny on her back and Tommy on top of her.
"Ow." Ginny groaned. Tommy pulled back.
"Are you okay?" He asked, looking her over. She gulped, his face was really close and even though his eyes were wide with concern, they sparkled. "Baker." he said, snapping her back to reality. She blurted out the first thing that came to mind...unfortunately that thing was:
"I think I broke my butt."
Tommy dropped his head and chuckled, pushing back so he was sitting on his haunches. "What a tragedy that would be."
"Hey, with Jeter retired, it is the reigning ass of the Major Leagues." Ginny said, sitting up and scooting backwards. "It needs to be protected."
"I'll find you some bubblewrap." Tommy said. They fell silent, looking at each other. Ginny was seized by the urge to yawn, covering her mouth she turned.
"I should...get back to the hotel." She drew her knees up and leaned her head on them. "Amelia's going to be pissed I didn't take my security team."
Tommy glanced out. "Hey you can stay here." His ears turned red as Ginny raised an eyebrow at him. "I can take the couch. I don't use my bed anyways, so..." He motioned towards his room.
"Tommy, I don't-"
"Look if you walk outside and something happens to you..." He hesitated. "Chicago's not San Diego and I'd never forgive myself...and neither would your cult followers." She snorted. "Seriously." He said. "I'd be drawn and quartered. Cause of death: Ginsanity."
Ginny playfully pushed him and he fell back, sitting on the ground with a huff. She leaned against the coffee table, feeling her eyes get heavy. It was a long way back to her hotel. "Let me just text Amelia so she doesn't release the hounds." She murmured.
"Not the hounds." Tommy gasped.
"Shut up, Miller." She mumbled, shooting Amelia a text before she got off the floor. Tommy followed suit. There was an awkward moment as they both tried to move forward, blocking each other's paths.
"I'll just-" Ginny said, pointing.
"I should-" Tommy cleared his throat.
"Okay then-"
"Well, I-"
They paused. Tommy moved to the side, motioning towards the door. "The door is that way."
"Okay, thanks." Ginny murmured, walking by him. "Goodnight, Tommy."
"Night, Ginny."
