“Maybe I’ll see you in Utah next season.”
She sipped from her straw. “That would be cool.”
They made their way out of the deserted restaurant. The poor staff was right behind them, sweeping under their table and hauling away dishes so they could go home for the night. Tilly hadn’t realized how late they were.
Brayden
Brayden sat in the hotel lobby, his elbows on his knees as he watched the front door. He couldn’t stand the thought of Tilly kissing Rowdy again, so he’d set himself up as sentry. No matter how uncomfortable it would be, he’d hover until Rowdy left, sans kiss.
The hours spent on the padded bench were some of the worst he’d had on a road trip. And this road trip had been awful. Knowing Fuentes was in town, had made a move on Tilly already, was killing him. He couldn’t hang with the guys because he was too stressed about where Tilly was and who she was with—his mind was in a frenzy. The only break he got was during games when he could keep an eye on Fuentes in the bullpen, on the mound, or in the dugout. As long as he could see the guy, he calmed down. Still, he paced the bullpen, wondering if Tilly was meeting up with Rowdy later. There were so many stress hormones in his body that he was headed for an early grave.
He ran his hands down his face. It was well past one in the morning. He could have missed them coming in, but he didn’t think so. He’d watched the door like a hawk. He mentally walked himself through what they could be doing if it were him and Tilly out together. They’d sit at a table until closing time talking about everything and nothing. Gag! Were Tilly and Rowdy wrapped up in one another in a booth somewhere? She’d start out sitting across from Brayden because he was all elbows when it came to eating—or so she claimed. But by dessert she’d be on his side of the table, her arm looped through his and her head on his shoulder as she stole bites of his brownie sundae or carrot cake. He liked berries but she favored chocolate, so he’d order what she liked, knowing he’d only eat half of it. She’d never order her own, calling him her calorie shield. Each bite he ate was one she didn’t. Just one more way she’d made him feel like he was taking care of her. It was so silly.
So why did he miss it so much?
Why couldn’t he let her go like he’d sworn he’d to the day they’d broken up?
Because you’re in love with her, idiot.
He told himself to shut up. He couldn’t go there. He couldn’t open up their love and take a look at it, because if he did … he’d lose his resolve. He’d forget all about what Tilly deserved in this life and he’d be selfish in his love and keep her for himself. She needed to find someone who could make her happy, give her all the things she’d ever wanted, including family climbing excursions and camping trips in the desert. He’d always imagined carrying a baby in one of those backpack things as they hiked—even researched them online to find the best one. With his neck … He added that dream to the rest of the lost dreams in his heart.
Tilly’s laughter floated through the revolving doors, hitting him square in the chest. He looked up to see her arm hooked through Rowdy’s, her eyes alight.
This wasnothappening.
He was on his feet before his brain realized that his legs were moving him towards the happy couple. He couldn’t grab on to a thought and had no idea what he was going to say. His blood pressure was through the roof, and his hands were numb.
“I had a great time,” said Rowdy.
Tilly smiled at him. “I did too. Let me know if you come to Utah soon.”
“I will. I’d love to see those falls you told me about.”
Falls? Rowdy couldn’t be talking abouttheirfalls. The ones they’d kissed under. No way. Tilly wouldn’t. Then again, who was he to claim the spot? The mountains and the red rock and the trails belonged to her more than him. If they’d split things up in a divorce, she would have gotten all of the outdoors and he would have the Redrocks.
It was time to end this little dating adventure. “Hey, you two just getting in?”
Tilly exchanged a look with Rowdy, one that was full of meaning Brayden didn’t understand. It made him all the more determined to get Rowdy out of there. He positioned himself next to Tilly’s shoulder, where could easily place his hand on her warm skin—itched to do so. To show in some way that Tilly was his and not Rowdy’s. She wasn’t his officially, but his heart was in her hands and he couldn’t seem to get it back.
“You’ve got a game tomorrow.” He nodded towards the door, indicating Rowdy should use it.
Rowdy worked to stifle a smile. The smugness leaked out of him. “I thought I’d stick around, maybe see Tilly up to her room.”
Tilly was better at controlling her face, but her lips twitched. “Yeah. You can come up.”
“No. He can’t,” Brayden said through clenched teeth. “He’s pitching. And you wouldn’t want to be accused of messing with his game, would you?”
Tilly gave him a saucy look that saidtheirlate nights hadn’t messed with his game. If anything, he’d played better after holding her for an hour or two under the stars. She filled him up.
“Not that he’s right, but I should get going.” Rowdy leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
Brayden growled, the sound low and deep in his chest, primal.
“I hope you sleep well.”
Tilly grinned at some shared secret. “I’m sure I’ll sleep better tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Night.” He patted Brayden on the back.
