Page 177 of Catch Me
Without thinking about it, I stopped him from leaving by putting my arm out. My fingers twitched, but I held myself back. The last thing I needed was to snap on him and get sued by the Red Sox. All over a guy who didn’t want me around.
“I’m starting to think your ‘emotionally unavailable’ is more complicated than I thought,” he said.
“It’s not.” I dropped my arm and stepped back. “Sorry. I don’t know what happened.”
“Hey, far be it from me to tell you how to deal with it. I’m not exactly in my happily ever after era, either.”
When the elevator dinged again, a group of players piled out. Some of them narrowed their eyes at Amir, but most just lumbered to their rooms. Last out of the elevator was Travis, wearing a bright smile. It faltered when he saw the two of us.
“McKinney,” Amir called, smiling and tossing a wink in my direction.
Travis came over to us, somewhat reluctantly. Amir clasped his hand, pulling him into his chest. I stood there awkwardly, wanting to run to my room but not wanting to look like a coward.
“What are you doing here?” Travis asked.
Amir shrugged. “Making friends. Mallory needs a stepdad, remember?”
There was a blank look on Travis’ face and only a faint flicker behind his eyes. “I’m sure there are better places to look.”
I snorted.
Travis didn’t bother to look at me, but Amir seemed to be reading the situation. “It’s all good. I’m not there yet anyway. You know that.”
“Mhm. If you’re here to throw me off my game, it won’t work. I’m taking that win tomorrow.”
Amir grinned. “Bet you thought that today too.”
Finally, Travis’ demeanor shifted into something lighter. “I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t give y’all a couple wins. It’d be sorta pathetic.”
“Y’all.” Amir nudged me with his elbow. “I love it when he says that. I can imagine him in a cowboy hat with some Wranglers on.”
The idea of it almost made me laugh. “They call it southern charm, right?”
“Most of us aren’t charming,” Travis countered. “I’ve gotta get the bath going, otherwise I won’t be able to lead my team to victory.”
“That’s my cue to ask if I can come in,” Amir said. When Travis didn’t say anything, Amir chuckled. “Not in the bath. You got a minute?”
“Sure.”
“Cool. I need a word with Roman real quick, then I’ll be by.”
Travis lingered for a moment before he headed into his room. I caught him glancing our way as he unlocked his door.
“Don’t worry,” Amir went on when Travis was gone. “It’s not like that.”
“Wouldn’t care if it was.”
“I don’t think you’ll fool anyone with that, but you can keep trying. I just need his advice.”
“On what?”
“So, you do care.” When I scowled at him, he waved a dismissive hand. “You don’t seem the type to blab all of my secrets. If we win, I’ve made a deal with myself.”
“Go on.”
“I’ll come out.”
My eyes widened a little. “That’s a big deal. What about if you lose?”
