Page 70 of Crossing the Top Line

The flight attendant pales before nodding frantically and scurrying back to the galley. Logan turns his attention back to me, expression visibly softening.

“I should have warned you that it was hot.”

I shake my head, stomach doing weird little flips. It shouldn’t be so hot for someone to get angry on my behalf, or to take care of things before I even have to ask, right? I have to be imagining the heat of his stare, because he’s just being nice. I look away to avoid reading any more into Logan’s behavior than I already have.

Thankfully, the announcement of our imminent departure comes over the PA system, diverting both of our attentions for the moment. Once my now iced coffee returns, and we’re in the air, Logan turns back to his notes. I do my best to do the same, but it doesn’t escape my notice that his knee drifts over, brushing mine every time we hit a patch of turbulence.

One of these days, I’m going to be able to get work done on a flight like I used to. And what a wonderful day that’ll be.

WegetintoSanFrancisco early in the afternoon the day before we’re scheduled to play the Wardens. Coach is breathing fire, because we should have been here hours ago, but a sudden equipment malfunction grounded our plane from LA to San Francisco. We’d ended up having to charter buses, putting us very behind schedule. The trip isn’t bad, only a few hours up the coast; a drive I’m used to from my time playing in California. But by the time we reach our hotel, everyone is tense and going stir crazy.

“What a shitty way to turn thirty,” Markus Dahlberg grumbles from behind me as we’re in line waiting to get our room key.

I turn to him and furrow my brow. “I didn’t know it was your birthday,” I say, my surprise painting my words.

He shrugs, taking the key offered to him and hefting his backpack higher on his shoulder. “It’s no big deal. Just gonna order room service and chill,” he grumbles.

Staring at his retreating back, my frown deepens. I turn and accept my room key, wheels turning in my head. We’ve had a rough day, but we’re basically free for the rest of the evening. An idea hits and I look up, eyes scanning the crowd in the hotel lobby until I spot the one head sticking up above them all. I work my way toward him, nudging Dallas’s shoulder when I’m closer.

He grins down at me, and I can’t help but return it. I don’t think Tex has a single unfriendly bone in his gangly body, which I’m relying on for my plan to work.

“Did you know it’s Dahly’s birthday?” I ask.

And judging by the way his eyebrows shoot up, Dallas didn’t know. He immediately starts trying to find Markus in the crowd, but he’s already caught an elevator up.

“Can’t believe he didn’t say anything,” Tex says on an exhale, shaking his head slightly. “Would have gotten something together for him.”

I grin wickedly, which makes Dallas laugh. It only takes a few minutes before we’re in agreement over what to do, and we go our separate ways to put the plan into action.

“Guys, seriously, you didn’t have to do anything,” Markus groans from the center of our group as we walk down the sidewalk.

“I’m going to make it an even bigger deal now, just to spite you,” Dallas teases, throwing an arm around our teammate’s shoulder.

There’s a collective chuckle at Markus’s expense, and I grin as I look forward, spotting our destination easily. I point out Escapee’s Delight, a local microbrewery and tap room, leading the way through the front doors. This was one of my favorite haunts once I turned twenty-one, as my old apartment building is only three blocks north of here. I’d usually come in alone, so I got to know the owners and the staff pretty well. They even remembered me when I called to ask if they had room for a group to come in and celebrate.

“Well, hello there, stranger! Good to see you again!” Meghan exclaims as she looks up from the glasses she’s washing from behind the bar.

“Hey, Meg! Is Chey here?” I ask, walking right up and accepting her loose hug as she leans over the bar top.

“Nah, they’re at home. The first trimester is kicking their ass,” Meg says conspiratorially.

I smile wide in delighted surprise. “That’s amazing! I’m so glad it finally happened for y’all!” I cry.

“Who’s this, Spence?” Eli asks, coming up to my elbow and leaning on the glossy wood.

I jolt, remembering why we’re here in the first place. “Eli, this is Meghan. She owns this wonderful place with her partner, and I’ve just learned they’re expecting,” I explain.

Eli opens his mouth to start a conversation, but someone nudges me from behind. I turn to find Dallas there.

“I’m so sorry to interrupt, ma’am, but are those tables with the balloons for us?” he asks, his Texan charm on full display.

Meg grins with a nod. “Absolutely. All your drinks are half off, and the kitchen is still open for a few more hours if you want some snacks. If anyone’s got questions about what we’ve got on tap, please feel free to ask.”

I step back, grinning bashfully as I realize I’d been holding up the line of my teammates waiting to order.

Before long, everyone is crowded around the table Meg so generously decorated for us, conversation and drinks flowing easily. Someone’s making it their personal mission to ensure that Markus’s cup is never empty, which I appreciate. I’m leaning on the end of the table, half-listening as Caleb and Owen bicker about fantasy football, sipping on my pint of dark beer, when movement at the door catches my eye. I snap to attention and hurry over to open it as I recognize Tori, and the rectangular white box she’s balancing in her arms.

She gives me a grateful smile as she crosses the threshold, and I can’t help but look her up and down. She’s dressed in dark khaki slacks, the wide leg covering her high-heeled foot. Her white blouse is flowy, tucked into the high waist of her pants and accentuating her mouth-watering curves perfectly.

---