Page 52 of Double Play

“Shit. Don’t you dare.” I squeeze my eyes shut and take a deep breath. With a mountain of regret, I say, “I’m on my way. Stay right where you are. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.” Fifteen if I take a few shortcuts.

I hang up the phone and punch my steering wheel. “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!”

I need to cancel with Arizona.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

ARIZONA

Layton: So sorry. Something important came up. I’ll call you later.

Tears immediately fill my eyes. He changed his mind. Cooler heads prevailed and he changed his mind. I don’t bother to respond as I pull off the highway and head toward my apartment.

By the time I walk in the door, my face is full of tears. Ripley is sitting on the sofa watching television. As soon as she notices my state of distress, her eyes widen. “Oh, sweetie, are you okay? Was today that bad?”

I shake my head. “No. Just the opposite.”

I lay down with my head in her lap and proceed to tell her everything that happened. She sits there in complete shock.

“Wow. The mutual attraction has been obvious to everyone but the two of you.” She bites her lip. “Have you seen any of the photos? I bet they’re scorching hot.”

I shake my head. “We didn’t stick around. We were both anxious to get out of there and over to his place. At least I was.”

“Maybe something important really did come up. Guys don’t usually pass on sex with hot chicks unless it’s something major. And I’ve seen the way he is with you. He wants you. Badly.”

I sigh. “Maybe it’s a sign that I shouldn’t go there with him. We both know it’s a mistake that will only end up in me getting hurt again. What if it impacts the team and the league? Maybe I’m being selfish.”

She runs her fingers through my hair. “The last thing in the world you are is selfish. You did this whole thing for the team and league in the first place.” She grabs my chin, forcing my eyes to meet her. “You can’t continue to live in fear of getting hurt. It’s always a risk, but your hibernation for the past year hasn’t been healthy. It’s not like you’ve been happy.”

I pout. “I’m happy. Happier.”

She smiles. “You’re only happy because you get to live and play with me again.”

“Being with you does make me happy.”

“What about your concerns over being intimate with a man? You’ve been so trigger-shy. How did him touching you feel?”

I blow out a breath. “Honestly? It felt incredible. I didn’t have any of the issues I thought I would the first time a man touched me after all this time. I hate to admit it, but I think it’s him. He makes me feel safe. As foolish as it was, look how he behaved at the field when he thought I was hurt. Look what he did to Marc. He’s always asking me questions about my life. Everything he says and does makes me think he cares.”

She rubs my arm. “I know he cares. I’m convinced he wants you and has for a long time. And that’s why I think something big must have really come up.”

“Maybe you’re right.” I sigh. “What are you up to tonight?”

“I…umm…I have a date, but I can cancel.”

That brings a smile to my face. “You do? With whom?”

Her face flushes. “No one you know. I’ll cancel. You need me.”

I shake my head. “Absolutely not. I’m going to grab some food then go for a long jog to clear my head. After that, I just want to take a nice, hot bath and go to bed early. You have fun.A lotof fun.”

Her face flushes again. She likes this guy, but she’ll tell me about him when she’s ready. I don’t want to push.

“What are you wearing?”

“I was deciding between three or four dresses. Will you help me pick one out?”

“Of course.”

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