Page 82 of The Double Play

“You’re dating an MLB player. This kind of money is nothing. I’m sure he’d buy you two of everything here if you just said the word.”

I stiffen. “I’m not with Emmett for his money, if that’s what you’re implying. I love him.”

I turn to see Brock nodding. His eyes are on the field again.

“I didn’t think you were, but that’s good to know. It’s not like all that money would buy you anything of worth anyway.” He pulls out his phone. It looks like he’s getting a call, but I don’t have time to see the name on the screen before he’s answering it.

“You’ve got Jones,” he says in a completely different tone than the one he’s been using. After a moment of listening, he says, “Hold on for just a sec, Porter.”

He stands and sets June down in her seat. She looks up at him with a frown. “It was good seeing you, Junebug. Enjoy that cotton candy for me.” His eyes go to me next. “Tell Emmett I said hello. Duty calls.”

He starts making his way down the row of seats.

“Oh–um, nice to meet you!” I yell, earning a wave over his shoulder.

“That was weird,” Raven says from beside me.

“Very weird,” I agree.

After the game, I’ll have to find out what Emmett thinks of everything. Or…maybe tomorrow. A smile stretches my lips as I think of our agreement to meet up in the backyard tonight. It’s going to be a late meeting, but it’ll be worth it for some time alone. My stomach flutters. Brock was right about money, because even though I’d give every dime I have for this feeling, it doesn’t cost a thing.

Chapter thirty-nine

Emmett Foster

Mybodyisscreamingat me to go crawl into bed, but my heart wants to see Hazel more. It was a fairly grueling game. We won, but not without putting up a fight. As soon as the game was over, all I could think about was seeing her. I rushed through the interviews and my shower. Emerson tried to slow me down by teasing me about being right all along about Hazel and me, but I dodged him so I could rush home.

My headlights illuminate the wall of my garage as I pull in. We took separate cars so Hazel could put June to bed earlier, so her car is already here. My phone buzzes and my stomach turns. Earlier, I saw a text from Shelby, which I didn’t answer. I hope it’s not another one.

Wildflower: June and Raven are asleep. I’m waiting out back whenever you’re ready.

A grin breaks out across my face. I leave my duffel bag in my car and rush inside to the back door. As soon as I walk out, Hazel runs to me. She jumps into my arms, wrapping her legs around me.

“Congratulations,” she says, her lips brushing against my ear. I shiver at the feeling.

She kisses me before I can respond. Her fingers push into my hair. I tighten my hold around her waist. Her mouth moves over mine with the kind of hunger that mirrors what’s building inside me. Just as sudden as her kiss began, she pulls back. Our chests rise and fall in time with each other. She presses her forehead against mine.

“I missed you,” she whispers.

“If this is what it’s like when you miss me, it’s almost worth the torture of being apart.”

We haven’t even really been apart much. I’m sure it’ll happen more often in the future as I have away games she can’t come with me to. I hate the idea of leaving her behind, but she won’t be able to count on her dad to take care of Raven, and Raven won’t be able to leave school that much, and neither will June.

It was hard enough leaving June with my mom and then Hazel. Now that Hazel is in the picture, it makes me hate this part of my career even more. I love what I do, but I despise how often I have to be away from those I love.

“I loved watching you play,” she says, meeting my gaze. Her green eyes are hooded with desire.

“Yeah?”

She nods slowly. “I like how intense you are on the field.” Her lips brush mine. “I wanted to run out there and jump into your arms just like this.”

“I would have carried you off the field and forfeited the game.”

She lets out a soft laugh. “You would not.”

“If it meant I got to kiss you, I’d quit baseball period.”

Her hair falls into her face as she shakes her head. “I never took you for a flirt, Emmett Foster.”

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