“We could do it now.”
Jenna wanted answers, but the thought of getting into all that tonight felt heavy and depressing. She rolled her head his way. “Mind if we just watch the game? I kind of just want to chill.”
“I could use some downtime too.”
They watched a couple commercials in silence, then Jenna asked, “How goes it at the station? Are things with Marissa any better?”
“Not really. I tried to apologize again last week, but we got interrupted.”
“Maybe you can pick up the conversation later.”
“It wasn’t going very well anyway.”
“She might just need more time.”
The game came back on and they got wrapped up in the inning. The Braves shut down the Nationals with a strikeout and two caught balls, then they were up at bat again. They got two on base and were heading to the top of the lineup.
“Load ’em up, baby.” She aimed a smile Ty’s way.
But his eyes were closed and he was breathing deeply. The lamplight glowed on his features, highlighting his cheekbones and the curve of his jaw. The dark fringe of his lashes cast shadows under his eyes.
He really was burning the candle at both ends. But he’d always had a great work ethic. There was a reason they’d made him captain. Maybe she should go home and let him get to bed.
But then, he was getting some sleep right now, and she was in no hurry to head home, where Mom and Gordon would likely be curled up on the sofa watching the game. At home Jenna had to either pretend she approved of him or avoid him altogether. She didn’t love either option.
She got up to flip off the overhead light, then turned her attention back to the game. Ty would want a recap when he woke up.
It was the bottom of the seventh when some quiet snoring drew her attention. She glanced at him, lips twitching. She couldn’t wait to tease him about that. His brothers claimed he snored and Ty always denied it. She was an eyewitness now. Ear witness?
Her gaze skated over his face, so peaceful, his lips parted in sleep. He’d apparently given up on the patchy beard—his chin was shaved smooth now. She didn’t mind a beard on a man, but Ty looked better without the facial hair. Honestly, there was no good reason to hide those lips.
She ripped her gaze away and gave her head a shake.
Sofia was right, apparently. These were not thoughts she’d ever had about Tyson before. Why was she suddenly thinking of him this way? Why did the sight of him now make her stomach flutter? And why now, when she felt so messed up inside?
She thought of the months after the prom kiss and how she’d carried a torch for him. But those feelings had faded eventually as she put their friendship first. And in the light of his relationship with Danielle. Were they coming back?
The crack of the bat drew her attention back to the screen where a line drive loaded the bases. The Braves’ cleanup hitterwas next up to bat, so there was a chance of a grand slam. Should she wake Ty?
She glanced his way.
Nah. Seemed like he could use the rest, and it wasn’t as if the game was tied. If Olson cleared the bases, Ty could always watch the replay online.
A minute later the batter entered the box.Come on, Olson.If he hit the ball over the fence, it would be the Braves’ first grand slam of the season—a cherry on top of this series against the Nationals.
A low moan had her glancing Ty’s way. His brows pulled together, and his eyelids flickered. He wasn’t snoring now. His leg jerked in sleep and he moaned again, the sound quiet and mournful.
Must be having a bad dream. When he moaned again she quietly called his name. But he didn’t stir.
His breaths came more quickly. His heartbeat pulsed quickly in his neck.
She scooted closer and touched his shoulder. “Hey, Ty? You okay?”
He slept on, the grooves between his brows deepening. He mumbled something, tossed his head.
She gave his shoulders a little shake and found them rigid. “Wake up, Ty. You’re having a bad dream.”
His eyes popped open and he sucked in a big breath as if just surfacing from a deep dive. His gaze tracked to her, his expression dazed.
