Page 36 of Passed Ball

Chapter 17

Xavier

Dean's timing couldn't be worse. I'd finally gotten Vivi to relax, to let me help her for once, and then he had to walk in and interrupt.

Now, instead of enjoying a few more minutes with my hands on her skin and convincing her to eat the damn cake Tenley sent, I'm here, trudging toward my car with Dean's hand on my shoulder and questions written in the set of his jaw when he looks over at me.

"Is there anything going on with you and the director of my non-profit?" Dean asks, like I owe him an explanation.

"Is it reallyyournon-profit?"

"Stop dodging the question." He cuts to the chase.

I let out a sharp sigh. "There's nothing to tell. Tenley's her niece, so the universe keeps throwing Vivi and me together, but that's all it is."

Dean stops walking, turning to look at me like he's waiting for more. "That's it?"

"We're friends. What else do you want me to say?" I snap, throwing up my hands. I'm annoyed that he interrupted us. Annoyed that I don't believe the answers I'm giving him. Just fucking annoyed.

He narrows his eyes. "You remember how things went down when Mia and I tried to hide our relationship, right? Collateral damage all over the place--Hendrix, my game, Mia herself."

"Yeah, Dean, I remember," I say through gritted teeth.

"Listen, if there's something going on, you can tell me. There are no rules that say she can't be involved with a player. I'm just making sure, if there is something going on, you aren't hiding it because of her job."

"Like I said, we're friends." Each time he forces me to repeat it, I grow more agitated. Having Vivienne in my lap minutes ago didn't feel friendly--not by a long shot. I wanted to keep her there and pull her closer so she could understand howunfriendlytouching her made me feel.

My teeth grind together. "I brought her a treat from Tenley because she was having a shitty day. I'm not interested in a relationship right now, and I don't know when I'll be ready."

Except that isn't entirely true. If I were looking for more with someone, Vivi would be the only name on that list. And selfishly, I want to figure out a way I steal pieces of her without having to sacrifice the little time I have.

He studies me for a moment longer. "You don't look at her like a friend does. If you decide to go for it, don't make the same mistakes I did. I'd hate to see either of you get hurt."

Yeah, I don't want that either.

Chapter 18

Vivienne

The sugar rush from the cake Xavier brought earlier is long gone, but the ghost of his hands lingers on my shoulders, leaving me calm and loose for the first time in days. My body is lighter, my thoughts are clearer, and for once, grocery shopping after work isn't a chore.

My phone vibrates in the cart's cup holder, and I spot Tenley's name flashing on the screen. Tension snaps back in an instant.

My niece never calls. She claims shorthand text messages that start with "Hey, fam" are her love language. Which is so fucking confusing because I'm only one person. But when I questioned it, she patted my arm like I was tragically uncool and said, "It's not that deep, Vi. 'Fam' is a vibe, not a headcount."

So, when I see her name now, I know something's wrong. I swipe to answer, pinning the phone between my ear and shoulder as I steer my cart to the side of the aisle.

"Hey, Ten--"

"Mayday, Vi. No time for greetings," she groans into my ear.

Her broken voice stops me in my tracks. I'm blocking the aisle, but I don't really care. "What's wrong?"

"So, so much. But the nonstop pooping while I hurl into a trash can is the biggest bummer."

"Oh, sweetie, I'll be right there. Is Holland okay?" I abandon my grocery list on the spot, veering toward the pharmacy aisle to grab some Pepto before heading to the checkout.

The Bandits are playing at home tonight; it'll be hours before Xavier's home to relieve Tenley. She can't wait that long.

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