Page 289 of Vegas Heat

“He sold photos he took of some players to the highest bidder and made sure the gossip outlet would create a storyline to make things appear a certain way.” She gives me a pointed look, and I immediately know it was the photos of Cooper that have been all over the internet.

“So why is she still here if she’s not even going for the job?” Mackenzie asks, jutting a thumb in my direction.

“Not that it’s any of your concern, but she’s finishing out her internship.” Joanie offers her a glare, and I’ve never loved her more than this moment. “And you best watch your tone if you want a serious consideration for the position.” Okay, maybe I love her even a little more.

Mackenzie huffs a bit at that but does keep her mouth shut for the rest of the meeting. We’re released for our morning duties, and I can’t help but wander around a little. Soon the stadium will be filled with people waiting for tours before the season gets underway, but there’s something peaceful about walking around before the chaos. I’ll miss this place.

I walk by the StrongFitKids area on the Spade Level, and I can’t help the tears that spring to my eyes. I stop in front of it, and I can picture children laughing as they run through the play structure and race their siblings and other kids at the game. I check out the circuits with the trampolines in between.

Cooper and I made this happen together.

I had less of a role in it, but I was still there for its inception. My dad is the manager of this team. It’s not like I’ll never come to a game even if Cooper Noah is playing third. Maybe someday our child will run around this area we built together.

The thought makes me sad. Our child won’t have a sibling to run around with—much like I never did. I can’t even fathom everfinding someone to love the way I loved Cooper. I don’t want children with some other man even if it would give this baby the sibling he or she deserves.

I brush the tears away, and that’s when I hear footsteps coming up behind me and a throat clearing.

“You okay?” Justin asks.

“No,” I say with a shaky voice.

He pulls me into his embrace, and I feel safe here. Warm. Cared for.

But it’s not the type of safe and warm I’m really craving right now.

Only one person could give me that.

But he chose to walk away.

CHAPTER 16: COOPER

The best part about the intern getting fired was that Troy did it in front of us all as we arrived at the stadium for the game.

“Intern!” he yelled, and Dylan scrambled over to him. “You used insider knowledge both to your advantage and to your profit, and that is not something this team stands for, nor is it acceptable,” he said as he raised his voice at Dylan.

I have to say, it was far more satisfying watching someone else get yelled at than being the constant brunt of Troy’s anger.

I was sure it would center back on me before long, and I couldn’t help the tiny feeling of hope that took root in my chest. If Dylan was no longer working with us, would Troy call in another intern?

Would he call in Gabby?

My gut knew he wouldn’t, and the hope dissipated pretty quickly. He didn’t want me around her, and bringing her here would only have given us access to finding our way back to each other.

She had to be feeling it too. I knew she did.

Because I knew how I felt, and I knew how we were together. There’s no way she just picked up and moved on.

And maybethatis what gave me a glimmer of hope.

But with her in Vegas and me Arizona, Troy had an entire month to widen the divide between us. It was always unlikely he’d choose her as Dylan’s replacement, and she had a weekly class she needed to attend anyway.

And as it turned out, it isn’t her. They didn’t send a replacement, which means we didn’t get the social media coverage we were expecting. Instead, we were told to share anyimages we take with a team email address. I opted out of that nonsense since I haven’t exactly been in the photo-taking mood.

As the month went on, the ache in my chest seemed to be getting worse instead of better.

And as the month of spring training draws to a close with no more threats issued to me from Troy, the anticipation of heading home looms closer and closer.

I’ve been going through the motions as I battle the media frenzy surrounding Stacy and her insinuations, and through it all, I wonder what Gabby is thinking. What she’s doing. How she’s feeling. If she still loves me. If there’s still a chance for us.

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