I scoff, shaking my head as Daphne arrives at my side.
Tenny tones down his flirty banter while we conduct a short post-game interview before I successfully corner Shane Seaver.Finally. My producer has been breathing down my neck about getting a sound bite.
“You were two for four, with a double before your home run, four RBIs, and that outfield assist at the plate. Heck of a game. Would you say you’re feeling comfortable on Waves turf?”
“It’s a field. Just like any other.” Shane stares off at a spot in the distance, his ever-present scowl on his face.
I force my smile to remain in place. “That throw to the plate in the seventh saved a run. Walk me through that play.”
“Ball came to me. Guy tried for home. I threw it.”
“And that home run in the sixth—did you know it was gone off the bat?”
“Yep.”
Geez Louise. Talking to him is like squeezing blood from a stone.
I try one last time. “Four RBIs tonight. Big contribution for the offense.”
Shane shrugs. “That’s my job.”
“Anything you’d like to say to the Waves fans after a performance like that?” I ask with an unflappably positive expression.
“Night.” With that, he strides away.
I wait five seconds until the tiny red light blinks off then sag with a frustrated exhale. Daphne gives me a commiserating frown from behind her viewfinder.
“Let’s see if we can talk to Colton. He had two outfield assists.”
Daphne wordlessly follows me as we head in his direction.
We finish out our night, not crossing paths with Tenny again. I’m forced to reckon with the disappointment I feel when I don’t receive a random text message about bridge mechanics or peat moss. This man is taking up an inconvenient amount ofspace in my brain while trying to burn out my retinas with his defined pecs every chance he gets.
It’s possible—okay,definitelyaccurate—that I tend to be overprotective of my body. I’m realizing that that cautiousness has translated to my heart too. My dedication to my career has acted as a shield for relationships. After all, it’s the perfect excuse. Six nights a week, I’m at the ballpark. I travel with the team. My work hours are bonkers.
Dating someone outside of baseball would be a challenge.
The thing is…Tenny is busy during those exact hours in the same place.
Itcouldwork logistically.
The chemistry between us is off the charts, so I just need to decide if I’m brave enough to take a chance.
Once I successfully wrangle open the janky lock to my apartment, all I want is to face plant onto my mattress. How I end up in my kitchen, nursing a glass of water while rewatching Liv’s video, is honestly a mystery.
Fine.It’s no mystery.
I’m undeniably attracted to a certain golden-retriever first baseman.
That and I remember what happened after the video—how Tenny was incredibly sweet with the boy, squatting so they were face to face and chatting with him long after he was supposed to report to batting practice. A soft grin lifts my lips at the memoryof Tenny ruffling the boy’s hair as he stood and how the child surged forward to squeeze the life out of him.
Toggling off the team’s social media page, I aimlessly scroll for a few seconds. Then, Arizona’s newest video pops in my feed. Cinematic music plays in the background as she walks into Tenny’s very tidy room and then fully swoons. The text over the video reads, “When your brother finally meets a girl he’s crazy about and cleans up his act.” The scene repeats itself as she pretends to faint in his home gym, the laundry room, and the kitchen—all of which are impeccably clean. I’ll give it to Arizona, she really commits to a bit. That last fall on the kitchen floor looked like it hurt.
I end up watching the video twice, not only because Arizona’s editing skills are impressive, but I can’t stop smiling at her on-screen text. Did Tenny really start keeping his house clean because I commented on his messy ways? And why does that thought make me unreasonably happy? My cheeks hurt from my stupid, giddy grin.
I watch the video one more time before scrolling to read Arizona’s caption. My stomach lurches as I set the glass down on the counter before I accidentally drop it.
“I’ve never seen the house this clean, and I’ve got Rory to thank! Can’t wait to meet you, girl. In the meantime, thanks for the clean house! Bonus, it no longer smells like feet and bad decisions.”
