Page 158 of Chasing Headlines

“Stupid ball playing jerk.” I muttered under my breath as I pulled the car to a stop a few blocks from the stadium.

“Sounds like sweet daydreams of your beloved beau.”

I snorted. “Hardly.” Dammit, I really needed to stop saying these things out loud. Especially around Dotty.

“No, that irritating friend ofyours.” A crowd of maroon and silver mixed with people streamed across the street. I glanced at the clock on the dashboard and sighed.

“I figured.” Dotty folded her hands on top of her purse. “You really can't stop thinking of him, it's understandable. He's very handsome.”

Most especially around Dotty. “Why do you insist that—Nope, we're not doing this. I am dropping you off here. Deputy Reegan will be along any minute. He’s sharing his extra special box seat tickets.”

“Have you seen that man's face? If it's not fashioned out of cement that would crack if he smiled, then I'll hand over my Jello to Nelson for the next week.”

“We call that 'resting bitch face'.”

“Ah yes. I can see that.”

I glanced around looking for Reegan. “It's a terrible condition that affects?—”

She smacked my arm. “Give it up, blondie, you've never been that amusing. But it does entertain me to see young Coop react to you.”

I caught sight of Reegan's cowboy hat. I waved through the windshield then honked. He spun toward my car, leaning down to look in the window.

“All that's on TV is reruns, anyway.”

What was she saying? How Coop reacts to me?“Well, enjoy the game. I'll check in with the deputy to make sure one of us gets you home before you turn into a pumpkin, or a mouse or something.”

Pretty sure that he only reacts one way at all times.

His tongue darted into my mouth, stroking, deepening, striking flint against steel . . .

I clutched him tighter. His shirt bunched beneath my fingertips. And the hidden dark part of my brain wanted to know what it would be like to feel every inch of his skin against mine.

Damned traitorous brain. And why did I have to remember we had a steamy make out session on the floor of my dorm, but he didn't? Life was critically unfair.

Reegan pulled open the passenger side door and helped Dotty out of the car. He tossed a grey coupon pass onto my dash. “Season ticket holder lot's to the left. Better hurry.”

“Thank you!” I called out. But he'd already whisked Dotty away.

I officially take back anything negative I ever said about you, you wonderful generous man and your beautiful, face.

I parked, jogged, ran stairs—in that order—and had just made it through the entrance bag check and metal detectors when the announcers came on over the loudspeakers.

“Ladies and gentleman, please rise for the national anthem.”

It’s time!I stood at attention and turned toward the flag waving on the jumbo monitor. As soon as the anthem was over, I was off to grab my special press-only seat behind home plate.

I did have one question, and I realized entirely too late that I had no one to ask: were the press attendees allowed to cheer?

Chapter Forty-Four

Olivia POV

Idecided I didn't exactly care whether I was supposed to cheer or not. The press section and the scouting seats were largely empty. A true testament to the fact that the freshmen would be the ones carrying the team—sooner rather than later.

Schorr had been recruiting heavily since being back at the helm, and the proof was landing five of the top-ranked high schoolers, as well as Antonio from one of the IML Dominican academies.

Still, with only one member of the crop of newcomers guaranteed to take the field tonight, I couldn't lie, I was filled with doubts.

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