Bait: The Wake Series, Book One(33)

I was eager to travel and excited with not being nailed down to one city, at least for now.

When I got into my car, I called my dad. He was happy I could go to the game with him and he told me that he'd pick me up around two.

The ballpark was bustling. We found our seats while the bleachers filled with Mariners fans. My Dad sat next to me and we had beers and hot dogs.

“God, these are good,” I told him as I ate my ballpark frank.

“We haven't been to a game together in a long time, sis. I'm glad you could go,” he said and bumped his shoulder with mine.

“Me, too.”

I loved my dad. My mother and I were close, but not like my old man and me. We were a lot alike. We shared the same sense of humor. Ours was a relationship that was easy and strong.

“So, tell me about this new job. Are you nervous?” he asked as he washed down the last of his lunch with his beer.

I was chewing, but with him I wouldn't be scolded for talking with my mouthful. I covered my lips with my hand and said, “Yeah. I think it's going to be really fun, you know? I love traveling and getting to work in different places sounds ideal.”

Thinking about all of the different cities that Bridgett and Lance told me about yesterday made me think of Casey. They'd mentioned a place in Phoenix and of course their other office was located in San Francisco.

“Good. I'm going to go get another beer. You ready for another?” he offered. I didn't have to work tomorrow, so I thought, why not?

“Yeah, a big one. Hurry though, game’s about to start.”

He sat on the end of the aisle, so a quick dash out and back wasn't much of a hassle.

Still thinking about Casey, I decided I should text him. I'd said I would and that was two days ago.

I opened up our message thread and smiled.

Me: I got the job. Cheers!

Then before I thought too much about it, I snapped a quick selfie with my beer and sent it.

I watched my phone and waited, hoping that he'd reply quickly. Nothing happened and then my dad was handing me my second draught.

“Thanks,” I said.

“You're welcome.”

We watched the game, cheering on my dad's beloved Mariners. They had been in a bit of a slump that season, but seemed to be pulling it together that afternoon.

“Go! Go home!” he yelled as Beltre rounded the last base and continued down the home baseline. My dad had stopped drinking, but I continued.

I felt the vibration in my lap and looked down to see a reply from Casey.

Casey: That's great. Where are you? Beer looks cold.

Me: Ballgame with my Dad. It is cold.

My cell alerted me to an incoming picture message. I tapped it to download what he'd sent. It was Casey holding up a bottle of water, an awesome view of the Golden Gate Bridge behind him.

Casey: Cheers. No beer with me right now or I'd have one with you. I'm with my sisters.

Me: Where are you?

Casey: Bike ride.

Me: No helmet? Couldn't find one big enough to cover that hair?

Casey: ha ha You ride?

Me: No. I was terrible at riding bikes when we were kids. Haven't been on one since I was little.

Casey: You never forget how. Like blow jobs.

I shouted, “Ahhh!” after reading the message and laughed really hard.

My dad noticed and asked, “What's so funny? Let me see?” When he leaned over my shoulder to look, I flipped it face-down and placed my hand on it.

“No.”

“Well, well. Okay. I won't look.” He chuckled. “I'm old. I get it.” He played hurt.

“No, it's not that. It's just…you won't think it was funny, is all.”

“Is that Grant? I'll get it out of him later.” He popped his collar. “I'm still pretty cool, you know.”

I had a great buzz and my dad really was cool, but I was confident he didn't want to see a text to his little girl referencing oral sex.

I didn't want him to mention it to Grant though. He wouldn't know what my crazy dad was talking about. I actually hadn't heard anything out of Grant that day.

“It's not Grant. It's just a friend.”

His face looked curiously at me. “A friend?”

“Yeah, you should know about those. You're so cool, remember?” I said playfully and knocked into him.

“A guy friend?” he asked diverting his eyes back to the game and taking a drink from his lemonade.