Page 47 of Offsides Attraction

“Nope. I’ve been working on this plan since the moment you stormed in here.” His head hadn’t, but his heart had, and Bash wondered what other plans his heart had in store for him.

Chapter 21

“Why are you waiting outside?” Lucas asked as he and Cal approached him. “It’s freezing.”

“Seemed safest.”

“There must be a mob in there,” Cal said, looking around Lucas at the Marketplace Main’s entrance. Technically not a mob—Bash didn’t think the well-mannered citizens of Cascade City had it in them—but people were jammed in Get Lost and the hallway, eager to meet Gloria Sebastian. “Parking wasn’t easy. Let’s go.” He slapped Bash on the arm as he walked past him. Cal was new enough to the game that he enjoyed being recognized in public. His good looks and easygoing personality helped, too.

“Wait.” Bash swallowed around the lump in his throat. “I have to tell you something.”

“You’re dying,” Cal said, and Lucas smacked him on the head, giving him a what’s-wrong-with-you look.

“No, but I’ll be dead meat after tonight.” Bash paused to savor the world as he knew it. Once the words were past his lips, it was game over. He’d lose the freedom that came with being Bash Vetter. Everyone would expect more from him and he’d be evicted from the safety of his shell.

Spending time with Penny and her family, and getting to know his teammates and the Tetons staff had taught him he wasn’t the Tin Man. He had feelings, and he cared about people, but he didn’t rush in heart first like other people did. He felt comfortable here and accepted as he was, and it was going to hurt like hell when he told them the truth.

“Gloria Sebastian is my mom.” Their eyes widened.

“Does Penny know?” Lucas asked. Bash shook his head. “She won’t be happy.” He’d be lucky if he got away with Penny only being unhappy. He could recover from that.

“I know, but I hope she’ll understand.” And forgive me.

“Why risk it?” Lucas asked. When Cal wasn’t around, the two of them freely discussed Maggie and Penny. Lucas was crazy for Maggie, and it sounded like she felt the same way. Bash refrained from sharing his feelings toward Penny. He was still sorting through them himself, but he knew he’d never felt this way with anyone before. And for the first time in his life, he saw the appeal of marriage. Of committing to one person. As someone who was interested in multiple things at once, the idea of a commitment like that grated on him. But with Penny? It could be a good thing.

“She was worried about the store, about end-of-year sales.”

“So, you called your mommy.” Cal sounded hurt and pissed, and Bash realized Penny wasn’t the only one impacted by his confession. He and Cal worked well on and off the field, and Bash may have just tanked their friendship, one he hadn’t fully valued until now.

“I did. She hates book signings, and I’ve never asked her to do anything like this before.” He resisted telling them he’d spent a good portion of his childhood begging her not to go to signings. He saw so little of her during the week that to have her leave for a weekend book fest was unbearable.

“You risked the friendships you’ve built so Penny could make her extra partnership bonus,” Cal said slowly, putting the pieces together. He tilted his head from side to side, like he did when Coach suggested a change. Cal might be easygoing, but he was deliberate and thoughtful in his actions and decisions. “What do you need from us?” Bash relaxed at Cal’s question. They had his back, and he hadn’t ruined their friendship.

“She’s going to feel blindsided and hurt, probably mad—”

“Definitely mad,” Cal said.

“I need you to support her. Once we’re in there, you’re both Team Penny, got it?” Cal and Lucas looked uncertain and their loyalty to him was amusing and touching. He’d always preferred respect over friendship, but with these two men, he’d found both. If Penny didn’t turn him into a frog or a goat, he’d find a way to thank them.

“How about if Cal runs interference with Penny and I’ll be special teams? We’ll cover both of you,” Lucas said.

“Fine.” He didn’t need their protection, but he’d agree to almost anything to make sure Penny had support.

Cal nodded and reached for the door, saying, “And here I thought tonight would be dull. Silly me.”

Penny leaned against the tall display shelf and counted the number of people still in line to meet Gloria Sebastian. They’d hosted a ticketed author question-and-answer session in the late afternoon, and the book signing had started almost two hours ago. The ticket sales from the Q&A—which was pure profit other than the cost of beverages, at a steep discount from Brewster’s, and an assortment of cookies from Maggie—brought their sales to last year’s total.

She slipped her foot from her shoe and wiggled her toes. Wearing heels hadn’t been the best choice for standing on her feet all day, but Penny felt the occasion deserved it. She could pretend she was part of the publishing world and dressed for the office.

The hair on her nape tingled, and she turned toward the door. She still couldn’t read him, but she could always sense Bash’s presence. Cold comfort, she thought as he, Cal, and Lucas moved toward her, all looking a bit on edge.

“Nice turnout,” Cal said, giving her a brief hug.

“It’s been a great day, and Vander Vetter’s asked if we wanted to host a science fiction writer in January, a cozy mystery writer in February, and a historical fiction writer in March.” Penny couldn’t believe their good luck. A first quarter boost like that almost ensured she’d get her partner bonus next year.

“What did you say?” Lucas asked, leaning in for a hug. It was like hugging an overgrown teddy bear, and Penny was happy Maggie had finally come to her senses about Lucas. They made an adorable couple, and he was a perfect addition to the family.

“I told them to send me some dates, and I’d see if it worked in our calendar. With Elspeth and me each taking a month off, it might be tricky.”

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