Justin looks more proud than disappointed. “Props to the little lady named Shaylene. I’ll have your money by tomorrow.”
Looking down at the field, I make a decision. Shay’s here, happy, having the time of her life, and that’s more than enough for me.
“Keep it,” I say. “I’ve already won today.”
“Your agent is a keeper, Cadey.” Rosie swings an arm around Shay’s dusty shoulders. “Don’t do anything stupid and lose her, okay?”
We step onto the practice field, and I shake my head. “I’m trying my hardest, Ro.”
“I don’t think you need to worry about that. Cade is never letting her go.” Marcus rushes in front of us and turns to walk backward across the lush grass. “You should’ve seen him. He was like a one-man army up there defending her honor.”
With a low chuckle, Dawson readjusts Luke’s sleeping body against his chest. “A one-man army that won two grand.”
There’s a bounce in Shay’s step as she leans against her new friend, but all I can see is my number on her jersey.
It looks like it belongs there.
“Can’t believe you were going to make so much money off me,” she chuckles. “I was out there doing all the work while you sat up there looking pretty.”
A thrill runs through me as I fall into step beside her. “You think I’m pretty, Agent Shay?”
Those usually downturned lips tilt. “Oh, shut up.”
I’m about to ask if she wants to watch the fireworks with me, but she’s whisked away by Rosie to grab snacks. I probably won’t see her for the rest of the evening, but I’m going to pretend she’s here as more than my agent. Even though I shouldn’t.
“You’re so fucked, man,” Dawson whispers. “Majorlyfucked.”
Claiming a spot on the grass, I drop my bag. “What do you mean?”
He stares like I announced chocolate milk comes from brown cows. “Don’t act dense. Betting on her. The constant eyes. The flirting. You like her again, don’t you?”
“Again?” My laugh holds no humor. “I never stopped.”
Marcus presses a hand to my chest and shoves me, but he’s grinning at me like he’s known the whole time. “You can’t keep information from me! I need to know these things! Is that why you were being all protective and weird when I wanted to ask her out?”
“Nope. I just knew that she wasn’t the one for you.”
“Fair.” Marcus looks at me carefully. “What are you going to do?”
Looking up at the night sky, I sigh. “Not a thing.”
“What do you mean? You can’t do nothing!”
“I don’t have a choice, Marc. She’s my agent, and I respect her and her job more than I care about what I need. I’m not going to hurt her by ruining everything she has worked so hard for.”
Dawson pats my shoulder like he’s conducting a symphony of sympathy. “You’re a good guy, but I do hope it works out for you. You’re kind of perfect for each other.”
Tired of the pity party, I send them on their way to find their people and spread the red-checkered blanket Gina handed me as we walked outside. Shay mentioned needing to head home, but Luke and Marcus are masters of the puppy dog eyes and convinced her to stay for the fireworks show.
At least five times today, I caught her searching for something in my face. Maybe anger or disappointment, but she won’t find any.
“Hi,” a tired voice says. “Ready for the show?”
She came back.
Looking up at my dream woman, I gesture to my blanket. “Want to watch with me?”
“No, I grabbed all your favorites to eat by myself.” The colorful tower of snacks cradled in Shay’s arms falls onto the blanket, a multitude of potato chips, pretzels, and sour gummy bears.
