ROMANCE: SECRET BABY ROMANCE: Major League Baby (Best Friend's Older Brother's Secret Baby Romance) (Bad Boy Professional Athlete Alpha Male Millionaire Romance) by K. Valentine

Chapter One
     
    “Hey Anne, another round!” – Jeff yelled at her as he was watching the game and cheering with his friends. The whole sheriff’s department was here, as usual, cheering their hero. Everyone in town knew who Max Weber is. How could you not? This town was his home town and his name was legendary around here. Every single person in town was so proud of Max Weber. All of them behaved as if they were somehow personally responsible for his success. They even did the billboard thing at the entrance of the town that said: “Max Weber’s home!”
    “Nothing like a couple of beers after a boring day of work.” –Jeff thought to himself, still strangely content that nothing much happened in this town. After all, it was a blessing to be the sheriff when you don’t have major problems.
    “Coming right up, Jeff!” – Mandy yelled back, going to the bar and pouring another pitcher of beer. She was tired, she smelled of beer and grilled meat and was ready to go home. “God, I need a shower.” – She thought, exhaling loudly and taking the tray to their table.
    The diner Anne worked in was tiny, it was your typical small town eatery. Everyone in town spoke badly of the place, the hygiene, the food but at the end, everyone came here. Simply because, there was really nowhere else to go. The place was on the main road and close to everything, so almost all of the townspeople dropped by at least once per day. And working here, meant hearing everything about everyone else, as people loved gossip. Mandy was working there for the last three years and she knew all the regulars and their favorites. Half the time, the job was a breeze. Being paid minimal wage was beyond horrible, however having a small child at home was even scarier. After her high school years, Mandy had spent a lot of time being afraid. Mostly, of the future.
    “Here you go boys. Enjoy.” – Anne learned how to sound confidant so the customers don’t think they can get away with anything. No one of them knew how much she hated the job or the fact that she was stuck in there this late, while her baby girl was at home. She had to do it, for Grace.
    “Hey Mandy, you remember Max Weber right? I mean, you guys used to hang out in high school, right? Tell us about him.” – One of Jeff’s buddies asked.
    She smiled, completely used to these same questions, always giving the same practiced answer. It was like a game to her, something she didn’t even have to think about, a reflex of sorts: “You know, Andy, we’ve talked about this a million times. I was friends with Max’s sister in high school. Didn’t know him that much.”
    “How does it feel to know someone that has reached for the stars?” – Jeff asked.
    Anne looked at him and kept quiet for a while. She was happy for Max, she really was. She just wasn’t too happy about herself. All her dreams of becoming a singer fell apart as if they were made of soap bubbles. Back in the day, Max was going to be a big MLB star and she was going to be a famous singer. Look how that ended.
    She looked at Jeff and smiled politely: “It feels good Jeff. It really does. Now if you boys can excuse me, I have to go home.”
    “Say hi to Grace for us!”
    “Thanks Jeff.”
    She left the diner and walked down the alley. It was almost midnight and it was chilly out there. Mandy picked up her pace, waiting to get into the tiny apartment and see her Grace. She only had about five hours to rest before she had to get up and go to work. Being a single mom in a small town was hard enough as it was, without the two jobs she was keeping. She had to, for Grace. As she was walking, she thought about the past, about the last time she was actually carefree, and she smiled.
    “I guess everyone deserves the high school days. Simply because those are the days that will make you smile in the long run.” – She though.
    She was going to be a singer. She was admitted to one of the best music schools in the country.