Page 103 of Double Play

“It was your vision and your belief in us. Thankyou.”

She nods but looks hesitant for a moment. “I need to talk to you about something. He didn’t want us to tell you, but you’re going to see it on television or social media, and I’d rather you have the opportunity to fly home with me now rather than freak out all night and have to wait until tomorrow to fly with the team.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

She places her hand on my shoulder. “It’s Layton. He got hurt in the game tonight.”

“Is he okay?”

She shakes her head. “No. His leg was practically snapped in half. He’s already in surgery.”

I suck in a breath as my head starts spinning. My hands start shaking and she takes them in hers.

“He specifically asked that you not be told so you could celebrate with your team. He knew you guys won before he got hurt. He wants you to stay and enjoy the moment with your teammates. My plane leaves in an hour. It’s entirely up to you whether to stay the night or fly home with me.”

“Of course I’m coming with you.”

She nods. “I figured as much. Get dressed. I’ll wait for you.”

An hour later,we’re sitting on her private jet. I’ve scoured the internet. There’s no additional information on Layton, but I’ve watched the collision at least fifty times. It was bad. He didn’t have time to get his leg into position to absorb the hit properly. He was able to get his glove down into position and secure the out, but his leg took the hit at a bad angle and snapped. It’s horrific to watch. My heart breaks for him.

Reagan interrupts my thoughts. “He’s still in surgery. You won’t find anything new. Trust me, I’m checking in.”

I nod. “Thanks.” I look down and then back up. “I guess you know we’re in a real relationship?”

She lets out a laugh. “Umm, yes. I’m not an idiot.”

“I know you’re not. You’re not going to void his contract, are you?”

She has a look of shock on her face. “Of course not. I’m not trying to screw him over on a technicality. He did what we asked of him.Morethan what we asked of him. There’s no denying that he got the asses in seats at your games. You ladies put on a show that kept them there and got them vested in the team, but he got them there in the first place. I’m grateful to him. To both of you.”

“When did you know?”

She smiles. “Francois sent me a few of the proofs right after the shoot.” She fans herself. “They were hot as hell. I knew immediately it was no longer fake. You can’t fake what I saw in those photos. The one they used for the cover wasn’t even the hottest one. It’s just the hottest one that wouldn’t get censored.”

I can’t help but give a small smile at the memory of that day. “Do they look good?”

“They look fucking amazing. I immediately had our PR people pushing for the cover. They didn’t need to push very hard. The chemistry you two share truly jumps off the page. Consider yourself lucky. I know plenty of people who wait a lifetime to share half of what I see between you and Layton.”

I know she’s right. I bite my lip. “Please know that I tried in vain to keep him at arm’s length.” I shrug. “He was my childhood crush. My fantasy man. I just couldn’t help but be attracted to him.”

She nods. “He’s hot as hell. Of course you’re attracted to him. Every woman in America is attracted to him.”

My shoulders fall. She’s right. Every woman wants him. “I suppose he can have anyone he wants.”

“I saw those pictures. He wants you and only you. If I show you something, I need you to swear to keep it between you and me. I signed a non-disclosure.”

“I promise.”

She messes around on her cell phone screen for a few moments. When she gets to whatever it is she’s looking for, she hands me her phone. “Tell me what you see in this.”

I take her phone and my breath catches. It’s one of the photos from the shoot. I’m standing in front of him, though slightly off to the side so you can see both of our bodies. Our shirts are open. His hand is on my stomach. I’m looking at the camera, playing the part, but he’s looking at me. There’s no mistaking the desire written all over his face. I’ve never in my life had a man look at me the way he is in this photo. Women dream of having a man look at them the way Layton is looking at me. It immediately gives me chills.

I breathe, “Wow.”

“Yep. There’s nothing fake about the way he’s looking at you. The way he’s touching you. The way he’sreveringyou.”

That’s exactly what he does. He reveres me.

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