Teagan keeps asking how it’s going with Ian since he found out I’m the father, and each time I have nothing to report back to her with. Before we would spar verbally, but now, he won’t even look at me.
So I know I really need to make an effort to be cordial in hopes to give her some good news soon.
I cough, clearing my throat before I speak up. “Saunders is looking good today.” I don’t really care to talk about who’s pitching today, but it was the only thing I could think about that would be safe to talk about.
Ian’s green eyes cut to mine, and it’s clear that he’s angry. He immediately looks away without saying a word.
Can’t say I didn’t try to be civil, dickhead.
We watch the game together in silence, with me talking to a trainer on my right until he gets up to check on a player.
When we’re somewhat alone, with most of the team on the field, Ian speaks up.
“If it didn’t piss Teagan off, I’d have my hands around your neck.”
Pfft.Ian has no idea that I’ve been trained in self-defense since I could understand what the term meant. On top of that, Idris spent countless hours with me, teaching me how to fight before I left for America so that I could protect myself. So while Ian might throw a good punch, there’s no way he could take me.
“It doesn’t change anything. She’ll still be pregnant with my baby,” I say low enough so that no one can hear us.
If smoke could come out of someone’s ears, let’s just say it would be right now.
Ian blows out a breath, then curtly says, “You fucking prick.”
“I already told you, I didn’t go after her knowing she was your sister. If I had known that, I would’ve stayed far away thinking she was exactly like your stuck-up ass. But she’s not. She’s amazing.”
That has him standing up, towering over me. “Do you have feelings for her? Getting her pregnant is one thing, but I forbid you tobewith her.”
I stand, not about to let him think he can intimidate me. “Teagan and I will do whatever the fuck we want. We’re adults.”
As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I know they’re the wrong ones.
Ian grabs my jersey, cocks his arm back, but before he can land the punch, I duck and have him against the wall.
“Calm the fuck down. You’re going to make an even bigger scene and stress your sister out. She doesn’t need that.”
“Fuck. You,” he enunciates as he struggles to get out of my hold.
“What is going on here?” Coach Tran asks, making me take my hands off Ian.
“Nothing,” I mutter.
“He knocked up my sister,” Ian sputters, still trying to catch his breath.
Coach looks from me then to Ian and says, “Look, kid, I know you’re pissed because you hate Laurent for whatever reason. But everyone involved is an adult, free to make their own choices. Now I need you to be an adult and act professional. If you can’t, get out of my dugout.”
Ian is seething, but instead of doing anything dumb, he merely mumbles, “Yes, sir,” and takes off down the dugout to an empty spot that wasn’t there before.
I go to sit back down when Coach puts his hand on my shoulder.
“I don’t know how, but fix this. I won’t have your personal drama fucking up this team’s dynamic.”
“I’m doing my best, Coach,” I tell him honestly.
“You better.”
I can’t say I have a newfound appreciation for Ian, but Teagan’s happiness is more important to me than my feelings about her brother. So I’m going to do everything I can to make her happy and fix this.
The team is sitting in the hotel lobby bar, having a relaxing night in because we fly back home early in the morning. Our road series against Kentucky went well, sweeping them right on through. But Florida put up a good fight, ending the series in a tie as we both won and lost two games.
