“That’s touching, Brooks.” She let out a little laugh. “Truly. I know it’s not the same as your story, but that nurse I mentioned? I asked her how I could be a nurse, and she squatted down and looked me in the eyes and said, study hard, work harder and be kind. I carry that motto with me in everything I do.”
“I love it.” I reached out to pat her knee but stopped myself and clenched my fist. The less physical contact, the better. “You’re going to make one hell of a nurse. Your smile will cheer even the crankiest patient, and they won’t know what to do with you.”
“No need to butter me up to try to get in my pants, Brooks.” Her voice wasn’t as hard as it normally was, and I knew my comment pleased her. The woman couldn’t take a compliment unless it was something physical, and I was going to change that with ourfriendship.
“I meant everything I said. From what I know of you, you’re a strong woman. You impressed the hell out of me with my mom.” I stopped the rush of emotions around her and changed gears. “Getting you into bed wasn’t my intention, but I guaran-damn-tee, if I try to get into your pants, Iwillsucceed, Mitch. I’m respecting your wishes.” I snuck a glance at her, and my throat tightened at the surprise in her expression. “Hey, you okay?”
“Yeah. I am.”
Her voice had steadied, but something about the way she crossed her legs slow and deliberate. She made me pause. She knew exactly what she was doing.
And damn it, I noticed. We were at a stop light and I took advantage of that. I looked at her. Really looked.
My gaze skated down her legs, taking in the curve of her calves, the smooth way she moved. It was an invitation and a warning, all at once.
She arched a brow at me, waiting.
I smirked. I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction.
“How’s your mom feeling, by the way?” she asked, her voice softening, her expression shifting into something gentler.
“She’s good.” I forced my mind back on track, shaking off the distraction of her legs, her mouth, the way her perfume still fucked with my head. “Her ankle swelling’s gone down, and she’s walking fine now.”
I felt the tension curl in my shoulders, waiting for her to bring up the other thing—the one that twisted my insides—but she didn’t.
Instead, she sighed, studying me with a look that made my chest tighten.
“Don’t take this the wrong way,” she murmured, “but you’re not like most baseball players I’ve met.”
I exhaled, relieved. The heavy topic had vanished before it could settle between us. “You hang out with the wrong ones,” I said, laughing.
She shrugged, running a hand through her hair. “I try not to make a habit of it. But being friends with Fiona makes it tough. The constant spotlight, the attention. it just seems exhausting.” Her lip curled slightly, her nose scrunching as she added, “The money must be worth it to have your name all over the media.”
That tone.
There was a story there, buried beneath the sharp bite of her words, and I filed it away in my ever-growing list ofFacts I Needed to Figure Out About Michelle.
I let the comment hang for a second, then replied carefully. “Some athletes crave attention and fame. Think of the ones who make headlines for partying, million-dollar contracts, issues with women, and other scandals.” I glanced at her. “But there are thousands of baseball players, and only a select few make the media in the way you’re describing.”
She hummed, tapping her nails lightly against her thigh. “Are you like that?”
I let out a short laugh, glancing at her out of the corner of my eye. “You’ve never Googled me?”
She didn’t even blink. “Not once. I never Google anybody.”
That was interesting.
Something about the way she said it, firm and almost defensive, didn’t quite sit right. I studied her, trying to pin it down.
“You really meant it back then,” I murmured, “when you said you didn’t give a shit what my last name was.”
She chuckled, low and easy. “Yup. I didn’t even realize you were an athlete until spring training started.”
That made me smile before I blurted out, “Is that why you ended things so suddenly?”
Shit.
The second I said it, I wanted to take it back.
