Page 36 of The Double Play

I rake a hand through my hair.

He sighs again. “You had a good game tonight. Go back to the hotel and get some sleep. I’ll try to make it so that it’s gone when you wake up.”

An ambitious goal. Brock doesn’t ever bring anything less to the table though.

“When are you going to sleep?” I ask, recalling the worried words from our friends about his lack of work-life balance.

“When I’m dead, I suppose.” Someone says something in the background. Is he still at the office? It’s eleven at night. “I’ll talk to you later. Have a safe trip home.” He hangs up before I can respond.

I force myself to stand up and put my phone in the pocket of the joggers I changed into after the game. I’d thought the worst thing about this trip would be my meddling friends. It turns out, things can be a lot worse.

I trust Brock to handle the brunt of it, though. He’s the best agent there is. But I know that I have to do my part too. Which means there can be no more lines crossed between Hazel and me. She has to be seen as June’s nanny. Nothing more. That’s what’s best for everyone.

Chapter eighteen

Hazel James

Ituckmyhandsunder my thighs to stop myself from fidgeting. My left leg starts to bounce. I still it. The anxious energy makes my limbs ache, but I don’t want Emmett or anyone else to notice my nerves. I settle on curling my toes in my tennis shoes, which helps a little.

All morning, Emmett has acted…off. Not out of character enough to alarm me, but he’s pulled back. His scowl is firmly in place, and he hasn’t teased me about anything or given me any warm glances. It feels as though I’ve just jumped out of the plane we’re currently in, except I’m planted in my seat across from him.

June watches a movie beside me. Emmett has his eyes shut with headphones on. Maybe he’s tired? It has been a long few days. I chew on my lower lip.

“Hey, you okay?” Emerson leans over from the row next to us. He tried to sit closer, but he must have seen the same thing in Emmett’s stormy expression that I did and decided it was best to keep some distance. The two guys next to him match Emmett with their headphones and eyes closed.

I force a smile. “I’m okay.”

He raises his brows. “No, you’re not. Did you and Emmett have a falling out?”

That free-falling feeling comes back. “I don’t think so. Not that I know of.”

“You don’t sound so sure.”

I let out a sigh. “He’s just a little broody this morning, that’s all.”

Emerson chuckles. “Checks out. It’s probably not your fault though. He might still be mad at the reporter from last night’s game.”

I frown. “What are you talking about?”

“I guess you wouldn’t have seen it yet.” He lowers his voice. “This reporter was asking Emmett if you were dating because you and June did that cute gesture thing.”

If I was falling out of the plane before, now I’m barrelling headfirst toward a cluster of jagged rocks.

“I-I just did that because she asked me to. It doesn’t mean anything.”

His smile is much too devious for comfort.

“Whatever you say,Belle.” I glare at him. He laughs. “Either way, the reportersloveto latch on to stuff about your man. He never gives them so much as a crumb and you gave them a big slice of rumor pie.”

I glance at Emmett. I’ve kept my voice low, as has Emerson, but is there a chance he’s listening to us? How much do those headphones block out?

I tug my sweatshirt sleeves down over my palms. “I wasn’t trying to start any rumors. Is this going to go away?”

Emerson waves a hand. “Emmett has one of the best agents around. I’m sure they’ve already got a plan in place. And there’s always something to talk about in the sports world. A dumb college player will get arrested for reckless driving and your little gesture will be old news in no time.”

I slowly nod, having no idea if what he’s saying is true. When I worked for the Lawsons, I didn’t pay attention to sports news. The only thing I watched was the game coverage and the occasional special about charity work the team was doing.

I sigh. “I hope you’re right.”

---