“Why couldn’t you have made it easy on yourself, like tapping Rory’s knuckles or something?”
At the mention of the woman Tenny kissed while I was trying to figure out my feelings, I resume my work, more frantic than ever. If I have to rip the sleeves off this shirt, I will. I have a white tank beneath it; maybe I can get away with just wearing that. Internally, I sigh, knowing it’s not professional enough for camera.
“Rory and I are over.”
My fingers still again.
“Aw, really? I’m sorry, Ten.”
“It’s fine.” His hard tone makes a shiver run down my spine.
“Come on,” I murmur, pleading with the last of the gossamer fabric still stubbornly attached to the nail.
Suddenly, the door flies open, and I’m face to face with Tenny. His eyes widen before several things happen in quick succession: hanging up his video call, he tugs me into the crampedoffice before shutting the door behind us, using his big body to block my exit.
“Hey!” I protest before confirming that, yep, my blouse sleeve is thoroughly ripped.
“How much of that did you hear?” He steps forward, nearly pushing me against the overcrowded desk.
“I wasn’t trying to listen. My shirt got caught on the door frame,” I tell him, gesturing to the torn fabric.
“Sure.” His tone feels like an icy slap. “More like you’re going to use the information in another story, trying to make me look bad again. Well, joke’s on you. Most professional athletes hold superstitions—ones that make mine look tame.”
I set my hands on my hips. “I wasn’t going to use the information against you.”
He shakes his head while rubbing his beard scruff.
“Iwasn’t.”
“Alex, I can’t trust a word you say.”
He might as well have shoved me, the way my breath escapes in a sharp, pained exhale.
Tenny’s anger vanishes, his gaze skipping all over my face as he murmurs a curse.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” His hand lifts, as though he wants to touch me, before he clenches it into a fist and draws it back. “I wasn’t thinking when I pulled you in here. Is your back okay?”
“It’s fine.”
My pride? It’s seen better days. The organ between my ribs? It’s thoroughly bruised too. I should be glad Tenny’s no longer dating Rory, but I’m sure he’ll just run out and get a substitute as soon as the game is over.
My teeth grind together as I hold up my fist.
“I’m not going to use this information against you,” I tell him, nodding toward my hand. “Go ahead. I don’t want to mess up your game.”
Tenny hesitates before tapping his knuckles to mine. “Thanks.”
“Oh, it wasn’t for you. It was for the rest of the Waves lineup. They don’t deserve you stinking up the field.”
“Wow.” He takes a step back, crossing his arms. “You reallyarea piece of work.”
I give him my most saccharine smile. “Takes one to know one.”
Tenny’s exhale is more of a growl. “You drive me crazy, you know that?”
“Oh, no. Did I cause a slight hiccup in your day?” I give him a little pout. “Meanwhile, you ruined my shirt. What am I supposed to wear on air?”
Tenny rolls his eyes at me before opening the door, wrapping his large hand around my wrist, and tugging me—albeit, a lot gentler than before—into the clubhouse and toward his stall. He drops my hand to rifle through a hanging garment bag before thrusting a crisp white button-up in my direction.
