“He was wearing a hot mic.”
Tenny’s mouth drops open as his eyes widen. “I had no idea. Oh no, I said your name. Are you in trouble? You are, aren’t you? That’s why you’re here. I’ll fix it, Alex. I promise. Whatever I have to do. I’ll talk to the network or the—”
He doesn’t get to finish his thought because I frame his face with my hands and crush my mouth to his. Tenny lets me kiss him for six sweeping seconds before he palms the back of my head, resting his forehead against mine.
“I’ll fix this. You have to letme—”
“I love you too.”
A noisy inhale fills his parted lips. “You…what?”
My pulse ticks rapidly against my temple, but I don’t pull the words back. I wouldn’t rush downstairs, worried about how Tenny was feeling, completely disregarding my hard-earned professional future, if I didn’t.
“I love you.”
Tenny’s eyes ping-pong all over my face as a trembling hand slides beneath my hair. “You do?”
My mouth pulls into a soft smile as I nod.
His fingers twitch at the back of my neck as he closes his eyes with a shaky exhale. Then, Tenny’s ice-blue eyes are on mine, more focused than I’ve ever seen them.
“I love you so much I can’t think straight half the time. I want everything for you Alex, everything with you. Whole days off, months in the offseason, every day for the rest of my life. I want to take you on trips, and buy you a new car, and justbe with you,even if we’re just going for a walk. And more than anything, I want to help you surf again. After knowing how much it means to you, I’m selfishly impatient to see you on a board. It’s just—” He releases a hissing breath. “I want a lot of a lot.”
My grin deepens as I lean forward until my lips nearly brush his. “Good. Because that’s what I want too.”
Tenny’s mouth grazes mine with a cut-off groan, his fingers firm on my neck. “You’re sure?”
“Yes.” I smile against his lips. “We can go over the details later, but for now, just kiss me.”
I don’t have to tell him twice. Tenny slides one hand under my hip, picking me up and setting me across on his lap. The rest of my stolen minutes in the clubhouse are very,verywell spent.
Once I fix my hair and apply a little powder to cover the beard burn around my swollen lips, I tuck myself into a private office to listen to the multitude of voicemails. Cecil’s are just clipped requests to call him back. The number from New Jersey was from the network, an official-sounding administrative assistant asking that I return her call. Mags’s and Amelia’s messages both had varying levels of excitement. Mags because she’d known Tenny was in love with me from her time with us in Phoenix, and Amelia because she hadn’t realized that my fake relationship had turned into something real.
After shooting Mags a positive text message and reassuring Amelia that she and I will have a long conversation once I’m able, I call Cecil.
“Finally.Did you tumble down a stairwell or something?” He chuckles at his own joke, adding, “Actually, that would be fantastic! Then, Tenny could tote you around the stadium while flexing his burly arms.”
“What?” I pinch my eyes closed, a throbbing pressure building in my skull.
“I’m just saying it would make great TV, that’s all.”
“Sure,” I say, not really meaning it, but agreeing with the producer that’s seconds from firing me feels like the right move.
He laughs again. “I think it goes without saying that the network isfuming.”
“I understand.” I swallow, tightening my abs for the eventual blow.
“But I think this is marvelous,” Cecil says with giddy delight.
I barely stifle my shocked snort. “You do?”
“Absolutely! This kind of forbidden relationship is what engaging contentthriveson. There are so many opportunities to get the audience hooked. Let’s say, in the future, you get a little flirty with another player during an interview. Then the big jealous boyfriend comes in to defend you just like he did tonight and—”
“I’m going to stop you right there,” I tell him, tone like steel. “Tenny is not a pawn to be used for ratings. If that’s what you expect from me, then I’m not interested in continuing withDiamond Breakdown.”
I expect to dry heave at the idea of throwing away years of hard work, but if it comes at the cost of making a mockery of the man I love, so be it.
“Ack. You’re no fun.” He clicks his teeth. “Regardless, I want to see how this pans out, and I’ve convinced the network itwould be good for the program. I’ve bargained for you to stay for the rest of the season. After that, you’ll probably have to reassign to another MLB team to keep withjournalistic standards.” He says the last two words like they’re boring and unnecessary.
