“Red Sox rookie shortstop and the First Daughter?? This timeline is unhinged.”
“He better not drop the ball. America is watching, sir.”
“Wait. Isn’t he the one from that St. John photo???”
“She can’t even go to a baseball game without y’all making it a wedding.”
“Security nightmare. Fenway is chaotic on a normal day.”
My stomach dropped.
“What the fuck?” I groaned.
Seeing my name wasn’t the problem. Seeinghismissing was.
“What’s up?” Cruz asked.
I turned the phone toward him so he could see the headline. I knew he’d see it eventually.
“That’s the president’s daughter,” he added.
“I’m aware.”
Cruz backed up half a step, then laughed, more shocked than amused. “Dude. You’ve been holding out.”
“I haven’t been holding out,” I argued. “I’ve been trying to keep my private life private.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “So the suite was …”
“Family,” I repeated, then met his eyes. “And friends.”
“And her,” he added, because he couldn’t stop himself.
“Cruz,” I warned.
He lifted his hands. “Okay. I’m done.” His grin came back anyway. “Does the president know?”
“I’m not doing this with you.” I picked up my towel. “I’m showering before this gets worse.”
He called after me, “You’re gonna be everywhere today!”
“Awesome,” I tossed over my shoulder. “Maybe I’ll get a sponsorship deal for surviving headlines.”
Cruz’s voice followed me down the hall. “Get me a promo code, celebrity!”
The shower was quick, mostly because I couldn’t stand still. When I came back out in sweats and a Red Sox hoodie, the clubhouse spread was already set up.
Cruz was still hovering near my row. “You gonna eat or just stare at your phone all night?”
“I’m gonna eat,” I replied, grabbing a paper plate.
I went straight for the steak tips and chicken. I added a scoop of pasta, a little rice, and some roasted veggies. I took a banana and a bottle of water.
Palmer called over from his stall, “Don’t go light, rook. You’ll regret it later when we’re at Flanagan’s.”
“I’m not going light,” I answered, taking my first bite of steak.
Cline added, “He’s gonna forget food exists the second his phone buzzes about his girlfriend.”
