Page 63 of Double Play

My eyes close and my fingernails scrape through his hair. My legs tighten around his big, sweaty, delicious body.

I have no idea how long we kiss. I just know that it’s a long time and we’re undoubtedly creating a spectacle. I’m sure this will be on the news later, but I don’t care anymore.

At some point we hear Ripley clear her throat. “The reporter is gone, but you may want to talk to your brother.”

We end the kiss and turn toward the dugout. Quincy is standing there with a murderous look on his face.

Layton presses his forehead to mine. “Maybe I should talk to him. I couldn’t even change in front of the guys. I have scratch marks all over my body.”

My chin drops. “No matter what, it willneverbe okay for my brother to see my scratch marks all over you.”

He chuckles. “I wear them proudly. It’s sexy as fuck when you do it. Clearly, they bring me luck, as does your scent. I’m happy to sit down with Q.”

I sigh. “Layton, I don’t know what we are. What would you even say to him?”

His face drops. “Is it not real for you too? I thought we discussed this.”

“Of course it’s real for me, but we’re new and undefined. Can we please hold off on talking to my brother? Let’s see how it goes. You said yourself, you’re new at this. I just don’t want issues between you and my brother if things don’t work out for us. You’re teammates and best friends. I don’t want to come between you two.”

“I guess you’re right. We definitely can’t let management know either.”

“I thought they didn’t care if we were real or not.”

He pinches his lips together.

I narrow my eyes at him. “What aren’t you telling me?”

He scrunches his face. “They specifically asked me not to touch you. They said it would jeopardize my contract extension.”

My eyes widen as I quickly slide off his body. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I don’t give a fuck whatthey think.”

“I do. I don’t want to be the reason they cancel your contract. We absolutely need to keep our relationship a secret.”

“Let me get this straight. We’re in a real relationship, but we need to fake being in a fake relationship. So we’re fake fake dating?”

I can’t help but giggle at the absurdity. “Yes. We need to play the part.”

“Ripley saw me in your bed.”

“Ripley won’t say anything to anyone. But my brother and management? We’re fake in front of them.”

He doesn’t look happy, but he nods in agreement as he places me on the ground and silently heads toward the locker room.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

LAYTON

The week after Arizona and I first had sex was crazy. Our schedules were the exact opposite, making quality time difficult. It was full of frantic stolen moments and late-night rendezvous for the first four days. Honestly, it was hot and dirty.

Having her smell on me for games has helped me to the best five-game hitting stretch of my career. And I think she gets off on the fact that it helps me. She goes out of her way to make sure I get my refreshers before each game, even if only for a few minutes in a closet in the stadium during warm-ups.

We finally have an evening where neither of us has games. It’s our last night together before her team has a three-day road trip, and the Daultons asked us to show face at the season opening game for the Philly professional basketball team. They gave us four seatsright on the floor, so we invited Quincy and Ripley to join us.

Just before the game starts, there’s a man with a microphone on the stadium floor talking to the fans, getting them hyped. He looks over at us and points. Into the microphone, he announces, “Look who’s in the house tonight.” I sigh. This happens every damn time I come here. They always give me unwanted attention. “It’s the best ballplayer this town has ever seen...” That’s nice of him to say. “Arizona Abbott and some guy she’s dating.”

The whole crowd erupts in laughter, as do we. He continues, “And the best pitcher this town has ever seen…” Quincy smirks. “Ripley St. James.” The whole crowd eats it up. “Oh, and I see Arizona’s brother. I forgot his name.” Again, nothing but raucous laughter from the fans.

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