Page 367 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

“And those things are on the list of things we don’t talk about.”

“Fine. I won’t talk about it right now, but it doesn’t mean I won’t think about it.”

“Why did you call, again?”

“I wanted to make sure you were okay if you saw the picture, and to warn you if you hadn’t. Liz’s husband got food poisoning an hour before she was supposed to be on the red carpet. She knew I was in town and asked if I would be her plus one. That’s all it was, nothing more.”

“I believe you.”

“You sure?”

“Yes. My head doesn’t want to, but my heart tells me that you wouldn’t lie to me. You have no reason to.”

“Reason or not, I would never lie to you.”

“When do you get home?”

“Tomorrow, unless you tell me you’re ready to stop pretending we’re just friends. Then I could come home tonight.” I have no doubt that if I said the word, he would be home tonight.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, but promise me you’ll stay out of trouble,” I tell him, wishing I was strong enough to tell him that I do want him to come home tonight. Strong enough to tell him that I am ready to stop pretending and that I want to try being more than friends.

“I promise. Try not to miss me too much.”

“That’s easy, I don’t miss you anyway,” I tease.

“You can show me how much you didn’t miss me when I get home. I need to call your dad. I’ll text you later.”

Nodding, even though I know he can’t see me, I tell him goodbye before hanging up.

“See, I told you it was nothing to worry about. He’s not like Ian.”

“Dad, we’re just friends.”

“You sure about that?”

I don’t answer before walking out and heading back upstairs to my room.

Eleven

HENDRIX

“Did you get in another fight?” Jake looks up from his bag on the bench next to him.

“Last time the manager called a team meeting like this after practice was because you beat the shit out of the pitcher after the game,” Alex says, as if I need reminding. I didn’t forget the game, and I very clearly remember the fight that followed.

“That’s not what this meeting is about.” Tossing my sweatshirt into my bag, I zip it up and head toward the locker room door.

“It must be something pretty big because his daughter is here.”

“Maybe he found out that you were sleeping with his daughter.”

Turning back, I shoot Jensen a look telling him to shut up. “I’m not sleeping with Harlow. We’re friends.”

Without another word, I turn and head out of the locker room and down the corridor leading toward the field. Reaching the top of the steps, I see Harlow talking to her dad. I watch as he says something to her before walking toward home plate.

“You know what’s going on?” I ask, coming to stop next to her.

“He just said he wanted to talk about something and thought it would be best that I came here and heard it from him before it comes out in the news tonight.” Not taking her eyes off the man standing by himself looking up into the stands, she asks, “You don’t know what it’s about either?”

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