But my hands were balled into fists at my sides anyway.
This wasn’t me. I wasn’t some possessive prick who wouldn’t let anyone look at his girl.
But she wasn’t my girl. She was my friend and my daughter’s temporary babysitter. Yet the thought of her with anyone else, a friend or some random guy, made me want to climb the concrete wall right after I bashed my head against it.
“Don’t you two have somewhere to be?” Silas asked Nate and Adrian. “Get cleaned up and get out of here.”
“Got it, Coach. Have a good night, everyone.” Adrian gave me a sheepish smile before he disappeared down the hall.
“Listen, I shouldn’t get involved,” Nate started as he stepped up to Deacon. He had the decency to grimace when he met my gaze.
“You guys are supposed to be old friends or something, but if he knows how to snap the bones back together—”Nate pointed his thumb at me “—he probably knows how to break them easier. Just saying.” He winced and backed away toward the locker room.
“I am so sorry,” Deacon said, eyes wide. “Listen, I had no idea you guys were tog?—”
“We aren’t. She’s my friend, and she’s watching Bennie for me for the season.” I dragged a hand down my face and tried to get a handle on myself. I was not only acting like a dick, but an unprofessional dick in front of guys from the team and their coaches.
“If you want to date her, that’s your business. Just maybe don’t hit on her in front of my kid.”
“I didn’t hit on her. I was more poking for information. She’s beautiful, and again, I didn’t think you were together?—”
“We’re not.”
Deacon laughed.
“Then why do you look like you want to take a swing at me? Nate’s right. You could snap my neck pretty quickly if you wanted to. And right now, you kinda look like you want to.”
My body was still rigid from head to toe, and I could barely get a sentence out without sounding like I was ready to pounce. What was the point of denying it?
“So I will back off.” He held up his hands, his lips curving. “I’m happy for you, man.”
“Happy for me?”
Another laugh rumbled out of his chest.
“Whatever is going on, I’m glad you found a woman to make you this nuts. Means she’s special. And she seemed nice for the few minutes I spoke to her. Good for you.”
His smile was easy. Easier than I deserved. Deacon was a good guy. If Stella did want to date him… I still couldn’t complete that thought. It wasn’t because I was thinking of her with Deacon; it was thinking of her with another guy who wasn’t me.
“Good night, everyone,” Deacon said with a wave and headed down toward the offices.
“I know,” I said to Silas, letting my head fall back against the wall.
“You can’t go on like this. You know that, right?” Silas said, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he padded over to me. “Deacon is a good guy who took it in stride, but with someone else, you might have a fight on your hands if you act like that.”
“Right. Listen, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize.” He shook his head. “Just do something about it before it eats you alive. I’ve been there,” he said, glancing back at Rachel. “Take it easy tonight. And in general.”
I nodded, because what else could I say? I was losing my mind because I didn’t want to lose Stella, and she wasn’t even mine.
I trudged down the hall and found Stella and Bennie giggling near the bathroom.
“You ladies ready to go home?”
“Can Adrian sign my ball?” Bennie asked. “Stella said I could put it in a case too. I don’t play baseball and I don’t want to ruin it, so I think that’s a good idea.”
“It’s a very good idea. Should we get a case for your Nate jersey too?” I asked, reaching for her hand.
