Page 3 of Rounding Third

“What about my chest?”

“Nah, sorry, bud. Cord has you beat in the chest game.”

Smithy’s brows pull together and he opens his mouth to say something, but Macy holds her hand up, stopping him.“Wyatt has everyone beat for his thighs and ass. Leo holds the title for the most defined arms. Covey has the most amazing dimples. Wheeler has the most captivating eyes. Schmidt has the nicest hands. And Holden has the most defined back muscles I’ve ever seen.”

“You’re only giving Schmidt the nicest hands?” Smithy asks with amusement dancing in his eyes. “Really, Macy?”

“Well, he pissed me off. He’s lucky he got the nicest anything.” She waves a hand through the air, dismissing him.

“Who has the nicest hair?” I pipe up, more than entertained by this conversation. I love watching Smithy interact with people and the banter they have.

“Covey,” Smithy and Macy say at the same time, causing all of us to laugh.

“Cord has the best Adonis belt.” Macy grins, making Smithy let out a loud groan.

“It’s like that man was carved out of stone. I swear he has the best of everything. I don’t know if I can even compete with hisabs.” Smithy lifts the hem of his t-shirt to reveal a perfect set of abs. Abs I think about more often than I care to admit.

“Sorry, handsome.” Macy lifts her shoulder in a shrug, not really caring either way. She isn't there to stroke his ego and I really like that about her, but I don’t want to watch Smithy fish for compliments from another woman.

“I’m going to get out of here,” I whisper as I grab my bag and sling it over my shoulder.

“Hey, wait. I wanted to talk to you. Let me walk you out to your car.” Smithy gently grabs my wrist to stop me, then his hand slides down until he’s threading his fingers through mine.

“Don’t you have to work?”

“I do, but I told the coach I had something to take care of and he flipped me off, then told me to go.” Smithy grins. “I didn’t want to miss you.”

“Thank you for meeting with me, Liliana. I look forward to reading your article and seeing what happens. I’m sure I’ll be in contact with you in the future over other jobs as well.” Macy stands and holds out her hand for me to shake.

“You’re welcome.” I give hers a firm shake. “I appreciate you giving me the exclusive interview. This should help me at work a lot.”

“You two can use my office to talk. I need to go find Owen to go over something for the start of the season.” Macy smiles as she gathers her notebook and a pen, then she’s gone.

Leaving me alone with Smithy.

Chapter 2

Smithy

“Are you ok?” I ask slowly as I settled on the edge of Macy’s desk.

“I'm fine. What would be wrong?” Her voice is a little too upbeat and the smile on her face is a tad too fake. I know she’s trying to hide something; I just don’t know what.

“I mean, you can pretend to be fine, but you’re not. I know you, Sweets.”

“You know, just because you go by your last name, doesn’t mean you need to call me by my last name.” She huffs and folds her arms across her chest.

“You’re Liliana Sweets. Not only is that the coolest name ever, but you’re the sweetest person I know.”

I reach for her hand and she doesn’t pull away from me. I tug her until she’s standing between my legs and staring down at me.

She looks adorable with her blonde hair pulled into a high ponytail and her pencil tucked behind one ear. She’s wearing dress pants and a fitted top with a little jacket. She looks the part of a female sports reporter, yet she still looks feminine.

“Are you really mad over the name?” I ask softly.

“No,” she whispers.

“Then what’s going on?”

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