I couldn’t go back at my boss in a crowd, especially when this was the PR part of the day and I had to plaster on a big smile. I’d been happy to be here to celebrate the team we sponsored, but not for Kent to pimp me out to some of the players’ mothers.
“Congratulations, ladies!” Kent said, his wide, shit-eating grin churning the rage in my gut even more. “That was a good game.” He glanced back at me.
“Yes, it sure was. You’re all very talented. I’m glad I got to watch you all in action.”
I caught Taylor sneak a look at her sister. Rachel motioned for her to turn around and line up with the other girls.
Nate and Adrian stood on one side of the team, and I hung toward the back where Taylor stood.
“Thanks for coming to the game today,” Taylor said, giving me a small smile.
“No thanks needed. You have an awesome arm.”
I grinned when her eyes grew wide.
“Really? Wow, thank you.”
When her eyes lit up with excitement like that, she reminded me of her sister. Rachel had done a great job raising her when she was barely an adult herself, and to have the kind of mother Rachel had told me they had, it made them both even more special.
I smiled for three shots before the team dispersed.
“Are you headed back to the field, Silas? The guys said they have somewhere to be, so I can give them a ride back,” Kent said as he dangled his keys around his finger.
I’d met them here in the hopes of sneaking some time with Rachel after, but I needed to wait until they got the hell out of here. I wasn’t letting what Kent had insinuated go, but I wouldn’t let it ruin the five minutes I’d get with my girlfriend today.
“No, I’ll head home. I told the guys to enjoy their day off, and I intend to do the same.”
“All right, fair enough. See you in the morning.” He jabbed my arm and jogged to catch up with the guys. Adrian waved, and Nate stared back at me for a half beat too long before he turned.
And to think, I’d thought he wasn’t going to be a headache anymore.
A few parents still lingered by the girls’ bench, and I debated on taking my time leaving the field so I’d happen to run into Rachel and her sister on the way out, but then I might look like a creep waiting outside a girls’ softball game alone.
Not only did I hate having to sneak around, I was crap at it.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I was relieved for an excuse to stand by the exit and check.
Rachel:I know you’re off today. Want to meet us at home, and we’ll order some pizza?
Rachel:All these moms love to gab at the end of a game, and if one of them sees us leave together, the Bats being our sponsor…another level of complication.
Me:Fucking exhausting, isn’t it.
Rachel:Awful. So, see you at home, Coach.
Me:I look forward to it, Slugger.
I caught Rachel’s gaze over her phone screen as I left the field, a tiny smile playing on her lips when she shoved the phone back into her bag while she spoke to the other parents. She didn’t look much older than her sister in a T-shirt and shorts. And as much as I wanted to run my hands all over her beautiful body, her sister would be around tonight, so we’d both have to control ourselves.
Dinner at her house with her sister felt like a big step, but every time I had to keep all I felt about Rachel to myself, it seemed like two steps back.
But the only direction I wanted to go was forward, with Rachel. I’d tolerate what I needed to if I had her in the end.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
RACHEL
“Silas toldme I had a good arm,” Taylor said as we climbed our outside steps.
