I’m mid-shampoo when Preston calls from the doorway. “It’s Coach.”
My entire body locks up. He could be calling for any number of reasons, but we both know why he would be calling so incessantly right now. Quickly rinsing my hair, I skip the conditioner to get out of the shower faster.
“What did he say?” I ask as I lather up and rinse in the fastest washing ever.
“I didn’t answer it.”
“That’s going to piss him off,” I say, stepping out of the shower and wrapping a towel around my body.
“Probably.” Preston shrugs.
“Why didn’t you answer?” Moving to my phone, I turn off Do Not Disturb and notifications immediately fill my screen. I have missed calls from Taylor, Gabby, and my dad. There are also hundreds of text messages that keep ticking up as they come in. “He called me too.”
“Yeah, one of his texts said that he tried you but you didn’t answer him.” Preston scrubs a hand through his hair.
“We should probably call him together.”
“Maybe get dressed first.” He raises an eyebrow. “I don’t really want to also explain why you’re naked if this becomes a video call.” Though he tries to joke, it doesn’t stop the nerves from spreading through my body. I am humming with anxiety.
“This is not how I planned to tell him. I’m so stupid, posting that picture like it wasn’t a big deal. Like it wouldn’t make a mess of things. Of course he would know it was you.”
“Hey!” Preston’s angry call halts my movements where I reach for clothes in my suitcase. Whipping my wide eyes to his wild ones, I’m stunned. He has never raised his voice to me. I’ve never seen him mad even with all the inconveniences and derailed plans. This is a first and I am suddenly treading on thin ice.
“You are not stupid.” Preston comes closer. Taking the shirt out of my hands, he gently raises one arm and then the other threading them through. Then he lifts the shirt over my head and pulls it down to cover my body.
“Don’t talk about yourself like that. I already told you. You owe no one any explanation.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, out of habit more than anything.
“You also have nothing to be sorry for.” He guides me to thebed where he sits down with his back against the headboard then pulls me to sit in front of him. Once I am tucked between his legs, he pulls me back against him and winds his arms around me from behind. “Now, we are going to call your dad back. From your phone, because he really wants to talk to his daughter. Then I will talk to my coach.”
“You do realize they are the same person, right?” Twisting back, I look at him like he has two heads.
“When he calls me, he is my coach. When he calls you, he is just your dad. I’m drawing a line. The personal has no place in baseball. I’m trying to be respectful but also tread the line.”
“I hope he can see it that way.” I have no clue how my dad will react. He’s already so mad at Preston. This could make it so much worse.
“You and me both.” He kisses my temple. “But no matter what, it won’t change how I feel about you.” People have said this to me before. I know Preston means it when he says it, but between the media and my dad, I pray it stays true.
Taking a deep breath, I swipe to unlock my phone and pull up my call log. Pressing my dad’s contact, I switch it to speakerphone while the call connects. His deep baritone voice fills the line.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Preston
“Ivory? I’ve been calling.”
“I know, Dad, I’m sorry. I had my phone on Do Not Disturb.” Rubbing small circles on Ivory’s arm, I give my silent support.
Blowing out a breath, Coach softens. “It’s okay. I was worried, bug. Especially when I called Fields and he didn’t answer either.”
“He was in the shower. When I saw it was you calling, I realized I hadn’t turned my phone back on yet and you were probably trying to reach me,” Ivory lies.
I give her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Technically I was in the shower. He didn't need to know that Ivory was with me, and I was ten seconds from taking her up against the shower wall when he called.
“Is he there?” Coach asks.
“Yes, sir.” Instead of staying quiet and pretending I can’t hear everything, I answer for myself.
