Page 50 of Rescued Heart

He’d been talking about their fake dating and agreement. But her heart seemed to whisperthat it wouldn’t be lying if their time together wasn’t really fake.

TEN

Suits and baseball did not mix. At least, not in Last Chance County.

Eddie marched toward one of the suited men in question. He shoved his hands into his pockets. He would not, could not, hit this man. Some of his players saw enough violence at home and in the streets. But Roger Pointe could have only one reason to tell Eddie’s team about the previously failed grant money—to get more votes for his own election campaign.

Eddie cleared his throat. “Mr. Pointe, a word.”

Beside Roger Pointe, a stocky man with dark hair that drifted down over his even darker brows turned toward Eddie first but then slinked behind the mayor’s opposing candidate, who finally turned.

An innocent expression brightened Roger’s face as he extended his palm. “Well done, Coach. I hear it’s not every day this team pulls off a victory.”

Eddie stared down at the offered welcome. “The season has only just begun.”

Roger tsked and reached into his pocket and pulled out a golden container with a crown engraved into the metal. He opened it and picked out a pearl-shaped mint. “Based on the frowns on your team’s faces, it sure doesn’t look like a win. I wonder why that is. Though it could be that you’re struggling to fill your chief’s role as head coach. Leadership doesn’t come naturally for everyone.”

The old Eddie would have taken the bait, comparing himself to Macon. Instead, he took in a slow, deep breath. “I believe you had something to do with the frowns tonight.”

Roger popped in two mints and wrinkled his nose. “Those frowns will turn right side up as soon as the election is over and I’m declared the winner.”

Eddie crossed his arms. “You’re a smart man, Roger. You know that’s not what I’m talking about.”

The other man behind Roger shifted his gaze between Eddie and the mayoral candidate almost like a pinball. He edged closer to Roger’s ear. “I’ll go bring the car around, sir.”

Roger patted him on the back. “Thanks, Kelson.” He pulled out a pocket watch. “What can I help you with, Coach? My door will always be open to all fine taxpayers of this soon-to-be-great town.”

Eddie squeezed his hands around his arms. “Why did you tell one of my kids about the failed grant? How did you even hear about that information?”

The pocket watch shut with a click. “The better question would be why you hadn’t told them something that greatly affects their lives.”

Eddie rolled a pebble in the dirt with the tip of his shoe. Would he have told the team about the grant before tonight if the mayor hadn’t decided to take another look?

“There’s a right time to discuss hard things, and during the middle of a ball game?—”

“Interesting. You, as these kids’ mentor, practically a hero these days…” He angled his chin at the dugout, where Bianca had been standing when Eddie had seen Roger. “I would have assumed the truth would always be welcome. That’s what I promise once I’m elected as mayor. Leading in truth. Here I thought you were always a man of your word.”

Eddie refused to allow the growl that caught in his throat. “Truth offered in love.” Exactly what Bianca had said yesterday. Something he often failed at himself. He took in a deep breath. “Roger, can you see that with you telling them, with cameras around, it looks like it’s some kind of hidden plot to promote your name over Gregory’s?”

Roger fisted his hand and plunged it against his chest. “You wound me. I think Gregory has blinded you. It’s time for you to stop hanging all your hopes on a mayor who has obviously let you and these kids down. Then you would see how you and I could be on the same team.”

Eddie wasn’t sure if he’d get a truth or a lie. It was like he was a little kid and listening to his mother’s fabrications. But he still had to ask. “What kind of team would that be?”

Roger raised his brows. “One that wants the best for Last Chance County. After all, it was your beloved mayor who denied the grant money for the youth center. Was it not?”

How had he even gathered that information? “He’s reconsidering things currently.”

Roger tapped his finger against his chest. “Well, currently, I can guarantee those kids a future youth center.”

It was Eddie’s turn to raise his brow. “How would you plan on doing that?”

Roger winked. “You let your new future mayor worry about the details. Justfullsupport from our local hero will be enough.”

There it was. Nothing was ever free.

“Eddie.” The current mayor, Gregory Harrelson, and a cameraman stepped up to Eddie.

Roger offered his hand to Gregory. “Surprised to see you here. Thought you golfed on weeknights.”

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