Changeup (Double Play Series Book 4) Read online

  Changeup

  ***

  Double Play Series

  Nicole Rodrigues

  Table of Contents

  Changeup

  Acknowledgements

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Epilogue

  Changeup

  They call me Mr. Smooth Talker but I just treat women the way my mama always taught me to treat them; with love and respect. If that makes me a smooth talker than I guess I'll own it. I'm looking for Mrs. Right but just keep finding Mrs. Right Now, long legged bombshells that just want my money. I see right through their game thanks to my father's lessons, the infamous Gabriel Gavinwood. I want a love like what he has with my mama have and I'm close to giving up until I meet her. Sassy Miss Normani Jameson, the new girl at Double Play Physical Therapy. When she rips me a new one right in the middle of the office, I’m shocked into infatuation. She wrecks every notion I have about seducing a woman and I’m going to make her mine. Normani Jameson, time for Mr. Smooth Talker to change it up, and you're up to bat.

  When Normani’s past comes barreling back into her life, everything I’ve ever known is threatened and my positive, cheerful self falls to the darkness. My cursed Gavinwood genes take over and I may cause damage I can never undo. Is Normani the only one that can pull me out of this darkness, or is she using me to pull her out of hers as much as I am using her to pull me out of mine?

  ----

  I'm broken, damaged beyond belief and I’ve had to fight for my life more than once. My upbringing isn't my fault, but it’s the reason I’m hiding out until someone finds me, Savannah Turner. My need to prove to myself that I am stronger than my demons and can live a normal life is what drives me to work for DP Physical Therapy. That is until pretty boy Devin Gavinwood walks into the office thinking he owns the place and has a right to ogle me. Sorry Gavinwood, not this girl. Except when he turns the tables on me and is immune to my defenses, it stirs a need inside me. A need to smack that smirk off his face, or maybe kiss it. My desire to connect with someone, feel a man's touch the way I should feel it, is suffocating me.

  Right when I’m starting to accept opening up to someone, my past derails us and I have no choice but to make things right with the man I nearly destroyed. Can we help each other heal, or are we just going to get sucked into the darkness together?

  Acknowledgements

  First, I would like to thank my family. My husband for continuing to support this crazy dream, helping with the kids when I need to scramble to finish something and my kids for thinking I’m a rockstar!

  Next, my Double Play promo team! You all are absolutely incredible and I am so happy to have you all in my corner! Without all your posts, reviews, shares and everything and anything in between, I would not be doing this! I appreciate everything you have all done for me from the bottom of my heart! Bella, for being my on call Beta, talking out ideas with me and being my sounding board all hours of the night! Thank you Danielle, Michelle and Kali for editing for me! My bookwives for all their support when I feel nuts and am stressing, Emina and Britt!

  Lastly, but certainly not least, my readers! It is because of you that I can even do what I love! If you all didn’t read these books who knows if I would still be doing this! Thank you for loving the Gavinwood/Turner gang so far and I hope you keep enjoying each of these stories!

  Welcome to the next generation of these swoony, sassy and sexy ballers!

  Happy reading!

  Prologue

  Normani

  I walk out into the backyard of Charlotte and Gabriel Gavinwood’s house. We're here celebrating Charlotte's 40th birthday and my feet stop moving.

  “Who is that?” I whisper to Bella, Charlotte and Gabriel's daughter, my boss who is quickly becoming one of my best friends.

  “My brother, Devin,” she says.

  Devin is running around with a little girl on his back who I assume is Bella's little sister, Avery. They are chasing two little boys most likely Lacey's brothers. I remember Lacey saying one of them was from Second Chances, the orphanage I was at for two years until I turned eighteen and then was on my own.

  I hear the little girl giggle and Devin laughs with her. His laugh calms me and the reaction my body has to him is confusing.

  “Boo boo hold on! We gotta get these boys!” he yells.

  “Don't let me fall Ducky!”

  I laugh at their playfulness and I feel my heart tug a little. That's a new feeling too.

  “Those two are peas in a pod. Come on I'll introduce ya to the crew.”

  I follow behind her and Devin grabs the little boy's belly, tickling him to the ground. The little girl joins in and the other boy comes to his rescue.

  “No way big guy! You're mine too!” Devin laughs, tossing the bigger boy down next to the little boy, tickling both of them, then turning to the little girl and grabbing her quickly, scrambling away.

  I'm so distracted by the sweet interaction that I don't register Devin jumping to his feet with the little girl on his back, turning right into me.

  I'm slowly falling, bracing myself for the impact, squeezing my eyes shut when I feel a strong grip on my wrist and then I'm against a hard body, a hard body that smells so fucking good, I bury my face in it.

  “Shit,” Devin says running his hand down my back. The touch sends a jolt down my body and I flinch. “Are you okay? I didn't see ya there darlin’.”

  His deep southern drawl makes it hard to open my mouth and form a sentence. God, he's so sexy.

  “I...I'm fine,” I manage to squeak out.

  Our eyes stay locked on each other, everything else fading away. The little girl taps on Devin’s head, breaking the moment and snapping me back to reality.

  “I’m Avery,” she says in a cute little voice.

  “H...hi. I’m Normani,” I say smiling reaching up to cup Avery's small hand.

  Avery smiles at me shaking my hand.

  “You’re pretty,” Avery says.

  “I knew it,” I hear Devin whisper.

  Bella snorts and I look between the two of them confused.

  “I’m Devin, hey, hi...I...this is Avery.”

  “She knows that dork, Avery just introduced herself,” Bella says reaching over to grab Avery. “This is Harrison and Tucker. Tuck was actually from Second Chances too, right bud?”

  I bend down, eye level with Tucker and study him. Not all kids get a happy ending like this and I'm so happy he did. I put my hand out for him to shake.

  “Nice to meet you buddy,” I say softly.

  Something flicks across Tucker’s eyes and he comes in for a hug instead. He wraps his arms around me, and I feel the love he has, and he seems to be giving some to me. God, do I look that broken that this little boy thinks I need his strength?

  “Nice to meet you too,” he whispers to me.

  “I’m gonna head back inside finish helpin’ out my aunt. Wanna come or hang out here?” Bella asks me.

  “I’ll come help,” I say getting to my feet.

  I smile at the rest of the kids and we walk back towards the house. I notice Devi
n snuck off at some point and shake all thoughts of him out of my head.

  “He’ll be okay,” I say as we approach the patio.

  “Who?” Bella asks.

  “Tucker. That look you get, when they bring you to that place. It’s gone now. He’s happy here.”

  I give Bella a quick smile and start to walk inside.

  “Normani…”

  “I’m okay Bella,” I say cutting her off. Pity. I hate the pity. “I was a lot older than he was. It’s harder for me to forget what brought me there, but I’m fine, promise.”

  I put my hand on her shoulder to reassure her and then walk up the patio stairs and into the house. A house filled with people that have become my family. A family that hasn't been tainted by my past, a family I hope can remain unaffected as they open their arms to me. A woman that hides a darkness they couldn't even begin to understand.

  Prologue

  Devin

  My hands move around the ball searching for the stitching and I move my thumb underneath. This guy has fouled off way too many fastballs, it's time to throw him off. Changeup it is. I nod to my catcher and bring the ball back to my glove checking the guy at second behind me.

  I look back at home plate, lift my knee and sling my arm forward, watching the ball soar like a fastball, the batter swinging way too early and the ball thumping in the glove of my catcher.

  I smile as the batter slams his helmet on the floor and angrily unvelcros his gloves.

  I jog to the dugout slapping hands with my team for my 12th strikeout this game. We're cruising to the playoffs and it feels so damn good to be at the top of my game.

  I sit down on the bench next to Damon Johnson, my sister's fiance and our new left fielder.

  “We get it, you're better than your dad. Slow down so you have some gas left for the world series,” Damon smirks punching me in my stomach.

  “Fuck off,” I laugh. “Nice catch out there before, coulda cost me some runs.”

  “That's what brothers are for,” he says slapping me on the back.

  His expression changes and I grab his shoulder.

  “Couple more days man,” I encourage.

  “It’s crazy, I never thought I'd be one of those ball players sulking in the dugout missing my woman,” he laughs.

  “Good for you man. This life ain't nothin’ without someone to share it with.”

  He looks over at me, studying my expression.

  “You got one out there man. Just keep lookin’.”

  The funny thing was I think I already found her. Once this season is over I'm making her mine. Those hypnotizing green eyes don't stand a chance.

  Chapter 1

  Normani

  3 months later…

  “Can someone please tell me why we are doin’ a combined bachelor/bachelorette party? Is Damon that caveman that he can't even trust us to do our own thing?” Lacey complains coming into Bella’s office with our lunch.

  Bella and I both look at each other and roll our eyes, laughing.

  “It was actually my idea and no it ain't because I don't trust him, it's just because Vegas would be fun for everyone. We can do our own thing, we don't have to stay together,” Bella says.

  “Good.”

  “What's up your ass? Or is your extra sass because something isn't?” Bella snaps.

  I choke on my water and laugh as Lacey grills Bella.

  “Oh, now that you got a ring on your finger you think you're all sexual sarcasm, huh?” Lacey retorts.

  “I just hang around you too much, it's startin’ to rub off,” Bella smirks. “So, what's the matter?”

  “Hulk and I just...we're still on and off. I miss him, okay?”

  I smile discreetly into my hand and Bella snorts.

  “Oh my God, you've become the needy girlfriend!” Bella exclaims.

  “Shut up!” Lacey hisses. “We’re not even...uhhh I don't know what we are!”

  “Forgive the poor guy. He made a stupid bet before you even met Lace,” Bella says shaking her head.

  “It still is fucked up,” she says grilling Bella.

  “I agree with you Lace, but is destroyin’ what y'all built really worth it? Love like that don't come around too often, cherish it. Let go of your pride a little,” I say.

  They both look at me with a mixture of shock and confusion and then Lacey shakes her head.

  “Just drop this, okay?” Lacey says defeated.

  Bella and I both look at each other and we know that tone. Conversation over.

  “Mani, you excited for a Gavinwood Thanksgivin’?” Bella asks me, changing the subject.

  “I am. Thank y’all for invitin’ me.”

  The truth is I would have had nowhere else to go if they haven't. I'm almost completely alone in this world. Only one person that I can trust with all my heart, but of course won't be here for Thanksgiving. It may make me sound pathetic, but believe me, it's better this way.

  “Of course, you're family,” Bella says hugging me.

  I've gotten so close to her and Lacey these past few months sometimes I can't even grasp the concept that people do nice things for you just because they want to, not because they want something from you.

  “What's on the rest of the agenda today?” I ask taking a bite of my sandwich.

  “Two more patients than I'm closin’ up shop a little early. Damon and I are goin’ to a bed and breakfast for the weekend to celebrate the big win.”

  “Aw that's so sweet. I can always close up if ya have to head out, not a big deal,” I say.

  “Alright, I might take you up on that.”

  We make small talk while we eat, and Bella and I say goodbye to Lacey as we get back to work.

  This job has been my saving grace. When I happened to run into Savannah Gavinwood, or rather she run into me, she offered me a job with Double Play Physical Therapy, and I jumped at the opportunity. I really didn't have much choice actually.

  I make sure I put in 100% of myself to this job every day, keeping the promise I made to my mama and the promise to myself. I would help anyone and everyone, no matter their struggles, no matter how dire their condition.

  We don't get too many patients like my mama was, more athletes recovering from surgery or injuries, but it doesn't matter. They need help and I'm going to help them. It's my obligation, my penance. I'm worthy of redemption, one day at a time.

  -----

  A couple hours later Bella is getting ready to leave when we hear the chime above the door.

  I turn around and almost drop the lotion bottle I have in my hand.

  Devin Gavinwood.

  I zone in on his face first, that broad smile with that cute little dimple on the left side of his face. His dark blonde hair covered with a baseball hat, his big body squeezed into a Houston Lonestar’s t shirt.

  “What the hell are you doin’ here big shot? You win the world series and you decide to come home?” Bella laughs.

  “Hitched a ride back with your guy. He wanted to surprise you,” Devin smirks giving Bella a hug.

  “Oh my gosh, I thought I was meetin’ him there! Wait, is the surprise you or him?”

  “Of course me!”

  Bella laughs slapping Devin's chest.

  “I'll catch up with y’all when you get back. Got a lot of excitin’ news. Enjoy this weekend and make sure you treat my guy right. We wouldn't have gotten where we did without him.”

  “Don't you worry about that, I plan on treatin’ him very right.”

  “Yeah I walked myself into that one,” Devin grumbles.

  “You want me to leave my car for you?”

  “Sure.”

  Bella turns around waving to me and walks out of the door leaving Devin and I alone.

  He smiles, that big broad smile again and walks further into the room.

  “Nice runnin’ into you again darlin’,” he drawls.

  “It's...it's Normani.”

  “Oh, I know it is. A man doesn't forget a woman like you, darlin’.
”

  Dammit, this man. I haven't stopped thinking about him since the party a couple months ago despite every effort I made to try. I've kept myself busy by working and training, but at least twice a day, I remember how his big body felt against mine. Oh, who the hell am I kidding, it's been a hell of a lot more than twice.

  I clench my fists next to me and turn to start packing up the room. I register Devin’s movements like I’ve been taught to; the sound of the lotion bottles making their way to the shelf, a towel getting tossed into the hamper, a weight being lifted off the floor and placed back on the rack. He's helping me.