I shake my head.
It doesn’t matter. All that matters is my job—the one I’mcurrently avoiding.
Except…everything about Tenny’s personality feels incongruous with that of a womanizer. He’s sweet, attentive, willing to help me out when I putmyselfin an impossible jam. He could have left me high and dry in the parking lot weeks ago, when I hurt my back, or this morning with Mags. Someone who didn’t care about others surely would have.
A niggling feeling settles in the pit of my stomach.
There’s something I’m missing. I just don’t know what.
My phone pings on the table, and I glance down, expecting Daphne’s “Where are you?” text.
Except, it’s not my colleague reminding me to get my head in gear.
It’s from an unknown number.
Unknown
Babe, we have a problem.
Chapter 9
Tenny
Ifrown at my messages to Alex. It certainly looks likeToo muchthe way my text bubbles stack on the right side of the screen with no response from her. Before embarrassment can set in, irritation flares across my sore chest muscles.I’mthe onehelping her with this. The least Alex can do is respond. If I was a less generous man, I’d let her dangle in her web of lies.
My fingers nearly crush my phone. I’m considering typing a message to the tune ofBest of luck, I’m outwhen Alex walks into the clubhouse, phone clutched in one hand while the other rubs her lower back.
Our eyes meet over the noisy, crowded room, and my stomach bottoms out. I’m in front of her before I’ve even realizedI’ve moved, and it takes every ounce of willpower not to spread my fingers wide over her spine.
“Are you okay?” I murmur.
She drops her hand, self-consciously ducking her chin. “I’m fine.”
“Don’t lie to me.” My gruff voice sounds like broken glass.
Her brown eyes meet mine, and I flinch with the need to touch her. Why is this, being near her, always so overwhelming? I shouldn’t even be focused on this,on her. I should be celebrating a good game, looking forward to light workouts and relaxing in the dugout for the next two days while a few reserve players get a chance on the field.
“I’m just a little stiff. The chairs in the press box are like sitting on stone.”
“What if you brought a seat cushion or maybe—”
“No.” The strength returns to her gaze. “I’mfine.”
I nod, understanding the desire to appear strong even if you’re hurting inside. Every player has had moments in their career when they’ve needed to keep up appearances.
“Okay.” I lick my lips, glancing around the room to see if anyone can hear us. “Did you get my texts?”
When I look at Alex, her unfocused eyes are trained on my mouth. A bloom of heat races down my back, settling heavy at the base of my spine. How is it that we were fighting mere hours ago? I spent the rest of my pre-game warmup incrediblyfrustrated with Alex, but now I just want to dive my hand into those golden waves and lose myself in her eucalyptus scent.
Will it be as good as the last time?
Will it be better?
I nearly groan as the mature part of my brain reminds me now is not the time to be thinking about kissing Alex. We really need to sort out the issue with her grandmother.
Unable to stop myself, I lean forward until my pinky lightly brushes hers. “Alex?”
A shiver runs through her before she rubs at the goosebumps on her forearm.
