Page 21 of Fastlander Fighter

Ruger’s team maxed out at five runs and ran into the dugout to find their gloves, which was chaos.

She was giggling just watching the coach trying to wrangle them. “Hey man, thank you,” the coach said to Captain as he walked past the dugout.

“Sure thing. I can get the next inning if you need help.”

The coach looked exasperated. “I need help,” he said with a self-deprecating laugh.

Captain nodded. “I’ve got you.” He strode straight for her. “You hungry?” he asked.

“Um, I keep smelling the popcorn,” she said softly, reaching for her purse.

“I’ve got it,” he said, and walked away, but then circled back to her. “I liked that.”

“Liked what?”

“I liked that I asked if you were hungry, and you knew what you wanted and you didn’t walk on eggshells around it. I like when a woman knows what she wants.” He paced away and back, leaned down, and murmured against her ear. “You look fucking hot tonight.”

She’d instinctively slipped her hand to the sleeve of his T-shirt and gripped him there as he’d talked to her so closely.

“Me?” she asked, stunned.

He eased back just enough to lock his glowing silver eyes on hers. “Yes, you.” He straightened, and said loud enough for everyone to hear, “You were always a looker, Sloane.”

Eyes wide, she watched him walk toward the concession stand. It wasn’t until she noticed Ryan and his friends watching her that she understood. Oh. Okay. That must’ve been a show for Ryan again. She wasn’t really the hot sort of woman.

That made sense—him just trying to take a dig at Ryan, who clearly had a problem with everything going on. She hadn’t felt pretty in years.

She looked down at her red spaghetti-strap tank top tucked into her jean shorts, and her tan sandals. She had shaved her legs this morning and curled her hair. There had been effort, so there was that!

Sloane wrung her hands, and then waved when she saw Ruger waving to her from the dugout. He gestured her over.

“I got a run,” he said.

“I saw that! You’re doing great.”

“Where did Cap go?” He was calling Captain “Cap” now.

“Concession stand. He’ll be right back.”

“Okay. I have to put my glove on now. I have to go catch the balls.”

She smiled as he walked away to find his glove. Ruger was absolutely the best part of her whole life.

“I need to talk to you,” Ryan said from way too close.

Sloane sighed. “No, you don’t.”

“Are you dating him?” he demanded, anger visible in every facet of his face.

“It’s none of your business.” She tried to step around him to head back to the bleachers, but he cut her off.

Much too close for comfort, he lowered his voice and told her, “I don’t like him around Ruger. He’s a shifter.”

And something about that caused a reaction inside of her. Something snapped like a rubber band. “Hey Ryan,” she murmured, her gaze drifting up to his. “Why would I give a fuck what you think? I care what Ruger thinks, and he likes Captain just fine. You don’t care who is around Ruger so long as it’s your squad. Say it like it is. You don’t like Captain around me. You’re allowed to move on with your mistress, and you want me to be alone. That’s what manipulative assholes like you thrive on.” She scrunched up her face and offered him an empty smile. “Go use that tactic on your new wife. I don’t care about the show anymore.” When he didn’t move from directly in front of her, she told him, “You’re dismissed.”

“I’m dismissed?” he asked. “Am I dismissed?” he gritted out, taking a step closer.

“I didn’t hear her fuckin’ stutter,” a calm voice sounded from behind her ex.

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