Page 6 of Rescuing Royce

He took a few seconds to contemplate whether he should continue on the wrong turn he’d taken. Grant wasn’t someone you wanted to make an enemy. He was a great guy but didn’t suffer fools—ever.

“I’m sorry.” Royce knew when to cut his losses. Something he wished he could do while on duty. The hours and the increasing decline in civility in the country had definitely begun to rear its ugly head in their area. Plus, he’d heard that Grant and TS were looking to upgrade their security protocol for not just the stadium but for the players when they were on road trips.

If that were the case, they’d need experienced personnel who could be counted on in tense situations. He’d been thinking about making a change shortly after he arrived in Pineville. He’d returned home thinking the change in location, in a less crime-ridden area would reignite his dissatisfaction with police work. He’d been wrong. It hadn’t been Dallas; it was the job. He was burned out and needed a change and a new challenge.

Royce cleared his throat, took a sip of his beer, and with his focus on the visiting team’s batter, asked Grant what had been on his mind. “Are the rumors true? During the offseason you and TS plan on revamping the stadium’s security set-up?”

Grant remained silent as the fourth hitter in the line-up sent a pop fly to right field. That made three outs and had the Outlaw players hustling off the field.

“So, you like baseball, Royce? Because you know this is the final game in the championship series, and your attention seems to be everywhere except where twenty-three thousand fans are.”

“Sure. I like the people who play baseball. But it’s too slow of a game for me. I find myself watching the fans watching the game much more interesting.”

Grant chuckled. “Fans or maybe just one in particular?”

To answer that question would expand the circle of people who knew he had it bad for Amber and get back to Sophie, who may or may not become inclined to play matchmaker.

“My radar for trouble is on twenty-four seven. I’ve tried, believe me, tried to turn it off, or at least mute it. Guess I’m just one of those unlucky guys who’s always connected to his surroundings, you know?”

Grant had locked his gaze onto him and continued, his stare unreadable. “Royce, you’re a rare man. I’m sure plenty of first responders carry some level of heightened awareness for trouble when their off-duty, but I’ve noticed that you take it to a whole other level. It has to be mentally draining. Maybe you need a hobby? Besides chasing women, that is.”

Royce shifted in his seat. He looked from Grant’s grinning face to Connor, who had stepped up to the plate. His eyes flicked to the scoreboard. Tied at three, the Outlaw’s celebrated hitter raised a hand before taking a practice swing. The crowd roared, catcalls rang out, and his best friend settled into his stance. The crack of the bat rang out, followed by seconds of silence as thousands collectively watched the ball fly high into the lights.

Connor tossed his bat and headed for first. As the ball descended, a dull roar grew as the reality of the moment began to sink. Fans in the cheap seats located along the right-field foul line raised their hands, some bare, some with treasured gloves. It remained fair, and as if written in a movie script, a young man wearing Connor’s jersey grabbed the homerun ball and clutched it to his chest as those around him piled on him in celebration.

The stadium went wild. His friends and sister cheered and cried. On their feet, Grant slapped him on the back before bolting over his seat and hunted down the other owner, TS, and lifted him in a bear hug. The Outlaws had done what no one thought possible, win a USBL championship less than three years after joining the league.

“Royce, he did it; they all did!” Reese launched herself into his arms. He swung his sister around; her joy and love radiated from her tear-stained face. He hugged her tight. His gaze landed on her friends, the women who had married other members of the team. Kelsey has saved Maverick the pitcher; Lara had caught Luke, the catcher, and Noel, who’d been chased by the team’s owner, ended up taming him as well.

Off to the side was Caris, who’d married the team’s manager, Blake, adopted the adorable Valeria who was currently bouncing on her mama’s hip and clapping her chubby hands. The woman who’d he been attempting to ignore moved closer to Caris, who was her boss and held out her arms for the toddler. The little girl’s face erupted into a wide smile and turned into Amber’s arms as she giggled and grabbed a handful of Amber’s long curly hair. Caris, now free to hug the rest of the group, took her friend and the little girl into a quick embrace. The crowd continued to roar, and the players were sprawled on the field as they celebrated.

His gaze refused to leave Amber as she and Valeria bumped noses, which he thought were called butterfly kisses. The look on her face as she interacted with the child created a pull in his gut. Unfamiliar with the sensation, he then rubbed his chest. Damn.

“I’m working on a party at The Club. You’re invited. As a guest. You’re not to work the door, got it?”

He looked into his sister's face; a mixture of excitement with a touch of bossiness met his gaze. He nodded and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Text me with the details. I’ll make sure I’m off duty.”

He needed to get out of there. The feelings Amber was creating had to be extinguished. He’d spent enough time around the domestic bliss outbreak this year. He’d attend the Outlaw’s celebration, and then he’d go back to his usual routine.

Amber Wyatt was a temptation he didn’t think he could avoid much longer.

5

“Hey, Royce. My man. What are you doing back in Pineville? It’s good to see you.”

Royce looked over his shoulder at the sound of his name, all the while remaining on alert to his surroundings. Tonight, he was on unofficial bouncer duty at his sister’s nightclub, whether she liked it or not. His superiors weren’t thrilled with his off-duty moonlighting, but he wasn’t breaking any rules, and if ever there was a night his twin sister needed him—it was tonight.

The last thing he needed or wanted was a trip down memory lane.

He shifted his gaze back to the bar and swore. Much to his irritation, his gaze had been glued to a pair of legs attached to the untouchable Amber. He’d been battling the urge all evening to warn away every guy who dared to approach the one woman he himself wanted yet forced himself to stay away from.

Untouchable. By his own decree. It was driving him nuts to see men, not unlike him, drawn to her with similar, if not the exact intent as him.

The Club and attached restaurant was the most popular nightspot in Pineville, and Reese had outdone herself by organizing the private party for the Idaho Outlaws celebration. She’d managed to have printed invitations sent out within twenty-fours of the game, and no one got in without one.

The guy who’d shouted his name walked unsteadily over to him with the distinct gait of someone already deep into the bottle. Hell, he knew the face but couldn’t remember the name. Shit. The guy had bad news flashing in neon over his head. What was the guy’s name; Ted, Tanner, something with a T?

Unfortunately, he didn’t have a choice to ignore anyone tonight. However, everyone at the closed-door event had to have some type of connection to the Outlaw organization, that didn’t guarantee zero problems. How had this guy been invited?

---