Page 55 of Rounding Third

“She didn’t write this,” I keep my tone firm and confident. I know Liliana, she’d never make up a bunch of lies like this.

“Dude, her name is at the bottom of the article. I don’t know how you can say she didn’t write this. I know you two are finally together, but maybe that’s only so she could get more dirt for the article.” Wheeler aims a look full of pity my way.

My stomach sinks as I think about his words. Would she really go that far for a story? Would she take advantage of me like that?

“I… I gotta go.” I push away from the table and jog down to the locker room.

I want to talk to Owen and Levi before they can read this article. I don’t care what anyone says, I don’t believe Liliana wrote that article.

I push through the doors and find Owen in his office with Levi. They’re both on his side of the desk, reading something on his computer screen. My stomach sinks as I take slow steps towards them. I don’t know how they’ll react to this, but I'm nervous.

“Stop being a pussy and come in my office, Smithy,” Owen says without moving his attention away from the screen.

“I guess you saw the article.” I slowly lower myself into the chair across from them. Both of their faces are emotionless and I can't get a read on them.

“We’re reading it now. We just got to the part about how I'm washed up and have no business being anywhere near a baseball field let alone coaching a team.” Levi’s tone is even as he talks. I have no idea what he thinks about this. It’s a little creepy how emotionless the two of them are right now.

“Did you know she was writing this?” Owen levels me with a probing stare.

“That’s the thing… I don’t think she wrote this. None of this sounds like Liliana. She doesn’t make up shit, she reports the truth. I refuse to accept she wrote this.”

Owen stares at me for a solid two minutes before he nods his head and a slow smile spreads across his face.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Because you didn’t doubt her at all.”

“What?” My brows furrow as I stare at him.

“You could’ve pretended you didn’t know about the article or acted like she did this behind your back. Instead, you backed her up. You stood your ground and defended her. That makes me happy to see. Especially because I don’t think this sounds like a Liliana Sweets article either.” Owen sits back in his seat and watches me carefully.

“You’re not mad?”

“As long as she didn’t write this, then no, I'm not mad. This isn't the first time and it won't be the last time someone tried to drag my name through the mud. It sucks, but it is what it is. I'm not going to lose sleep over it. Hell, Macy’s already on it. She’ll have this all cleaned up in the next two hours. She’s a pit bull when it comes to her job. It’s fitting she works for this team.” He smirks.

“It’s not us you need to worry about. I think they’re pissed.” Levi nods his head towards the locker room and I glance over to find all the guys glaring at me.

“Shit,” I whisper.

I stand, knowing I need to talk to them, but before I can think of what to say, the locker room door opens and Sweets fills the doorway.

“You have some fucking nerve showing up here,” Wheeler hisses. “Was everything fake? Did you date him just to get closer to the clubhouse?”

“Yeah, how big are your balls?” A rookie sneers.

“Did you only hang around to get dirt on us?” Someone else asks.

“What are you talking about?” Liliana’s gaze snaps to mine as confusion knits her brows.

“Come here, Sweets.” I motion for her to walk into Owen’s office, knowing he won't mind one bit.

“Care to explain this?” Owen stands from his chair and offers it to Liliana. “You told me about the article Bill wanted you to write, but I didn’t expect this to be released.” She takes a seat and moves closer to the screen. My chest aches as I watch her and pray I'm right about the feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Chapter 28

Liliana

Racing into the clubhouse, I begin searching for Smithy. I want to tell him about what happened and beg him to let me move in so I don’t have to worry about paying for my apartment until I figure out what I'm going to do next.

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