Page 59 of Rounding Third

“Why are you here, Liliana? Was the article not enough? Did you want to make sure you looked in our eyes as soon as we read what you really think of us?” Wheeler steps so closely to me his chest almost touches mine.

“Back the fuck up, Wheeler,” Smithy growls as he tugs me behind him, placing himself between us. He has no problem going nose to nose with Wheeler.

“No! I want to know what she has to say for herself. I can't believe her. You know she’s only with you to get more information out of you. She hasn’t wanted you since you’ve been chasing her in college. Isn't it pretty coincidental she finally starts dating you when she decides to write an article like this on all of us?”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. You should shut your mouth before you say something you’re going to regret,” Smithy says in a deathly low tone. It has the hairs on my arms standing on end. I’ve never heard him sound so scary.

“Let’s just go, Trav.” I tug on his arm, trying to get him to walk away.

“Yeah, Trav. Why don’t you listen to your little whore,” Wheeler sneers. “I guess she’s willing to do anything for a story.”

“You motherfucker!” Smithy shoves Wheeler as hard as he can, making him stumble back a few steps, but there are other teammates behind him, keeping him upright.

Wheeler doesn’t even hesitate. He comes back at Smithy with his fists raised. I want to step between them and stop this, but I know I’ll get hurt and Smithy will never forgive himself if that happens.

“Break this up!” Cord hollers, trying to get between them, but some of the players I don’t know as well don’t let him through.

A punch is thrown by Wheeler and connects with Smithy’s cheek, right below his eye. His head whips to the side and my entire body goes still.

“We’re fucking done!” Smithy doesn’t even seem to care about his own injury as he swings for Wheeler, punching him right in the eye.

“Enough,” Owen roars, making the entire room go silent. “Sit at your fucking cubbies like the children you are!”

When people don’t move fast enough, he shoves them in the direction of the chairs in front of their cubbies.

“I was planning on waiting until after Smithy and Liliana left to have this conversation, but apparently you little shits can't wait five minutes.” He folds his massive arms over his chest and glares at each player as they slowly take their seats. “Levi, could you get Charlie and Macy? I think they need to be here for this too. And when Macy argues, tell her I said now, or she can find a new job.”

Owen disappears into his office and comes out a moment later, pushing his office chair. He moves it to the center of the room before sitting down like a pissed off father.

“I can't even wait in my fucking office for the girls to join us because I don’t trust you assholes to keep your hands to yourself… Smithy, sit. Now, you’re not leaving either.”

Smithy takes a seat and tugs me onto his lap. He places his large hand on my cheek and guides my head until it’s pressed against his chest.

“Stop beating yourself up, Sweets,” he murmurs only loud enough for me to hear.

“But you’re hurt and it’s all because of me. You should’ve left Wheeler alone. He wouldn’t have touched me.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that right now. He’s livid. I’ve never seen him like this and he’s said quite a few things to you I never thought he would’ve said. You will always be my priority and I’ll always protect you.” He brushes a kiss across my forehead.

The door to the locker room flies open and Macy stomps in like a pissed off pit bull.

“Excuse the fuck outta me! You’re going to fire me if I don’t come down here? I'm trying to clean up the mess she madeand you’re threatening me?” She points a finger in my direction, never taking her eyes off of Owen.

“Sit on Cord’s lap and shut up,” Owen growls. He normally has the patience of a saint while dealing with the team and the girls, but he’s pissed.

Macy scowls, but slowly walks to Cord and drops down onto his lap. He murmurs something in her ear and she shakes her head.

Charlie slips in behind Owen with two ice packs in her hand. She gives one to Wheeler and one to Smithy before settling on Wyatt’s lap.

“Are you all ready to listen like adults?” Owen asks as Levi pulls up a chair next to his and settles into it.

“Yes,” everyone around the room grumbles.

“Liliana didn’t write the article, so get off your high horses and stop looking down your nose at her,” Levi announces loud enough for everyone to hear him.

“What are you talking about? How would you know?” Wheeler’s voice is full of anger and I'm sure the black eye he’ll be sporting tomorrow isn't going to help ease those feelings.

“Because I have the article she wrote.” Owen waves a few papers in the air. “Shall I read it to you like a bedtime story?” He arches his brow, then begins to read it to all of them.

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