“Then I was womanizing half of the United States.”
The laugh leaving my mouth is half-bark, half-snort. How is it possible that Tenny can crack me up even when I’m talking about my darkest days?
He squeezes my fingers. “Thank you for telling me.”
Surprisingly, it was easy to open up to Tenny. I don’t talk about my past with anyone but Amelia. A part of me wants to tell him how terrifying it was to be slammed down by a wall of water, only to be pummeled into the sand by a second successive wave. How the pain from the burst fracture was so intense, I almost inhaled underwater. How, afterward, it was a blur of surgery, uncertainty, and so much fear.
My eyes press closed, not quite ready to go into detail.
Having my past out in the open also reminds me of what I’m supposed to be doing here—working. I’m supposed to be putting every effort toward making my mark as a journalist, not traipsing around town with a sexy baseball player, pretending to be his girlfriend.
“There’s something else you should know. I promised myself that I would do everything to make the most of this career, sinceI lost…” I swallow, forcing myself to regroup. “This is my first season with the Waves, and I need everything to go well.”
“It will.” Tenny runs his thumb over the inside of my wrist, sending a sweep of heat up my arm.
I slowly draw my hand back. “What I’m saying is, I shouldn’t be doing this.”
Tenny doesn’t look hurt or even surprised. If anything, he looks…peaceful?
“I get it.”
“You do?”
“Sure.” He unbuckles his seatbelt. “Do you still want me to come over and watchSabrinawith you, Mags, and Carly tomorrow night?”
My eyelashes are fluttering so quickly you’d think I was trying to take flight. It’d been our plan to keep up the ruse for one final “hiding from the public” hurrah of a movie and takeout before Mags flew home mid-day Sunday.
“You’d do that?”
Tenny pauses his movement, holding my gaze. “I’ve discovered that I’d do anything for you. If you want to fight with me, let’s go. If you want to come at me in interviews, I’m ready. If you need me to wait it out for a season, I’ve already waited five years.”
My heart lurches into my throat as my eyes widen.
“Hold tight, okay? Let me get your door.”
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more attractive than Tenny’s determined strides around the front of his truck, one hand carelessly buttoning his suit jacket. The whoosh of cool air when he opens my door is nearly enough to sober me, but my fingers still tremble as they slide into his. Once I’m safely on the ground, Tenny shuts my door, not stepping back.
“There’s just one thing I need from you.”
Chapter 17
Tenny
The scent of Alex’s perfume is nearly incapacitating as I back her against the side of my truck, but I’m too focused now. I heard her explanation and will absolutely honor her wishes, but I also know something about playing scared. Alex is pushing me away out of fear, not because she doesn’t want me. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be licking her lips while staring at my mouth.
“Tell me I can’t kiss you.” I set one palm against the glass beside her head, waiting.
Something hums in my veins when Alex hesitates, her gaze flicking to my jaw before falling to the dip between my collarbones.
“Go ahead.” I hover my lips over her ear, close but not touching. “Tell me.”
“You’re a pain.”
A chuckle escapes me as I lean back to catch her gaze.
I’ve never smiled like this. I’m used to frenetic energy running through my veins, but I’ve never felt completely lit from within while absolutely calm at the same time. It’s like a glitter cannon explodes in my chest while “Only Time” plays in the background.
“If that’s true, tell me to back off.”
