Tenny waggles a finger at me.
“I can see why she lied to you, though.”
Mags’s white eyebrows furrow in my direction as I catch Tenny’s mirthful gaze.
“See, I’m not the Waves’ equipment manager. I’m their first baseman.”
“But Tennessee Jackson is—” Her rings sparkle as she covers her gasping mouth. “Oh, my goodness, itisyou!”
“In the flesh, ma’am.”
I nearly kick Tenny in the shin when he winks at my grandmother.
“I get it now.” Mags nods sagely. “This is a huge conflict of interest—her dating you while also reporting on you. If this got out, it could damage Alex’s career.” She turns toward me. “Is that why you were so scathing in your last report?”
“You understand.” Tenny is all nodding compassion, his hand splayed over his chest. “She had to throw me under the bus to keep suspicion at bay, even though we can all agree that I’m one of the most valuable players on the team.”
When my mouth pops open to protest, Tenny lays a finger over my lips.
“No, honeybun. It’s okay. I’m not upset.” He wisely removes his hand before I bite him. “Mags, if our relationship ever became public, my career wouldn’t take a hit, but it would bedevastatingfor my sweetiepie.”
I can’t help myself. I stomp on Tenny’s foot.
“Whoa. Watch out, clumsypuss.” He tsks at me before directing his dimpled grin at my grandmother. “That’s why we have to keep it a secret.”
Mag gasps again, sliding a pointing finger toward me. “That’s why you’ve been so cagey with the details of your boyfriend. And Max!” She barks a laugh. “No one is named Max but dogs.”
“You got me,” I say, holding up my palms in surrender.
“See you later,babe.” Then Tenny Jackson—first baseman for the Waves and the man I can’t stop bickering with—slides an arm around my waist and presses a quick kiss to my temple.
He’s already two large steps down the hall before he turns around, laughing.
“I almost forgot.” Tenny holds up his fist.
I’m too stunned by the casual show of affection, from the lingering sensation of his lips on my skin, to do anything but lift my knuckles.
He taps them with a ginormous grin. “Mags, have Alex text me your full name, and I’ll get you a front-row seat for this afternoon’s game. I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be a good one.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
Panic knocks me back into my body. “Oh, I don’t—”
“I insist,” Tenny says while walking backward. “Anythingfor family.”
I send him one last murderous gaze before he escapes down the stairs.
“You know,” Mags says, tucking her arm through mine. “I understand a forbidden romance. Before your grandfather and I met…”
I shouldn’t zone out while Mags is speaking, but all I can think about is getting to the ballpark and wiping that smug grin off Tenny’s face.
Waves Group Chat
Tenny
How unethical is it to pretend to be someone’s boyfriend to help them save face in front of their family?
Trevor
