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She pushes my arm as she laughs. “Fine. But we’re still going to make a mess of the new ones you put on.”

“Sounds perfect,” I murmur, kissing her softly, finally doing what I wanted to do all night—hold her in my arms.

forty

Cole

I stretch my backout when we get to the clubhouse after practice today, watching as Knox makes circles with his arm to loosen up the tension in his shoulder.

I love getting back to baseball, but it’s more physically demanding after some time off. My body is going to feel like gelatin for the next week.

Ari plops down on the chair beside me with a groan. “Holy shit, you guys work hard here.”

“Which is why we won the World Series,” I reply, stripping off my sweat-soaked shirt.

“We almost beat you.”

“But you didn’t,” Knox chimes.

“Fuck both of you,” Ari chides as we laugh. “Goddamn, my hip is killing me right now.”

“Get one of the trainers,” I reply.

“Already talked to Dr. Coltrain. He said he’ll send someone in.”

The clubhouse door opens slightly just then, barely enough for a voice to sneak through. “I’m coming in, so cover yourselves up. I really don’t want to be flashed right now.”

I throw my head back and laugh as Lucia stalks toward us, looking like a woman on a mission in her team-issued polo shirt.

Beside me, Ari scoffs. “Seriously?”

“I’m just as thrilled about it as you are, Morgan. Just be quiet and let me do my job.”

Knox and I exchange a confused look. He mouths,‘What’s that about?’but I just shrug. The last time we were all together was that night Ari came to New York, and as far as I know, nothing happened.

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it also gets you all the gossip.

“Uh, what’s that about?” I ask, looking directly at Ari and Lucia as she has him on the ground working on some hip stretches.

“Ari’s annoying, pushy, and thinks he knows best.”

“Lucia’s uptight and condescending with a stick up her ass.”

“What the fuck happened? You guys were fine last time we were together.”

“It’s nothing,” Ari mutters, wincing as he moves.

“Nothing at all,” Lucia adds, “except that your friend is a self-righteous dick.”

“You really gonna put all that on me? Because I seem to remember things differently.”

“Oh, I’m sure you do. Men always remember things differently. That’s why most of you are completely useless.”

“You know what?” Ari says, popping up to his feet and groaning as he moves his hip. “I think I’m good. I’ll stretch on my own. I don’t really want your help.”

“Suit yourself,” Lucia replies, rolling her eyes and standing herself up. She looks at Knox and me. “See you guys around. I’m out.”

And she strides out of the clubhouse, mumbling something under her breath in Spanish as she goes.

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