Page 46 of Home Town Advantage
“Ooh, I like that line.”
“Me too.” Her face then falls serious. “I did call for a reason. Have you read the news at all today?”
I shake my head. “No, what’s up?”
“Your agent, Tanner Montgomery, got into a bad car accident last night. Your softball friend, Bailey Hart, was in the car with him.”
I gasp. “Oh my god. Where were they? Are they okay?”
Her face scrunches a bit. “It was on their way home from Arizona and Layton’s wedding. I think he’s going to be fine, but the news stations are saying that Bailey is in surgery. She…umm…may have broken her back. But it could just be rumors. I don’t know anything for sure.”
Tears fill my eyes. Bailey Hart was the first person to welcome me to Philly when I visited before the draft. She’s beenso kind to me. She comes to games all the time when they’re not playing. My heart breaks for her.
“I’m going to run so I can find out how she is. Thanks for letting me know.”
“Sure thing.”
We hang up, and I’m not sure who to call. I imagine her sister and friends are at the hospital. I don’t want to bother them.
I take a deep breath, knowing there’s only one person who I can call right now. I find Vance’s contact information and click on his number. He answers after only one ring. “Hey. Are you okay?” He sounds frantic.
“Yes. I just heard about the accident. What’s going on?”
He exhales a long breath. “It was pretty bad. Tanner wrapped his Maserati around a pole. I’m trying not to bother them, but Cheetah has been sending updates when he can. Tanner only has a concussion. A bad one, but no permanent damage. Bailey fractured her spine. They think she’ll walk again, but it’s going to be a long, uphill battle. She’s going to need months of therapy to get back to normal.”
Tears fall from my eyes. “Holy shit. Poor Bailey. Is there anything I can do?”
“Nah. She’s got her core group there, so nothing right now, but once she’s out of the hospital, I think that’s when she’ll need support.”
“Wow. Okay. Will you keep me updated? I don’t want to bother them, but I want to know how she’s doing.”
“Of course. Champ is good friends with Bailey. He said he’s going to the hospital either tonight or tomorrow morning. He’ll update us afterward. I’ll text you then. How are things going for you?”
I look around at my beautiful surroundings. “Great. Honestly, I feel like I’m in a real-life painting.”
He chuckles. “I get that. I went to Italy once. It’s…different from what you and I are used to, right?”
I find myself wondering who he went with. It’s such aromantic country. Why do I feel a pang of jealousy that he possibly experienced it with another woman? More importantly, why do I care?
“It is,” I answer.
“Is Euro-trash boy with you?”
I let out a laugh. “He’s from Massachusetts.”
“Meh. He looks like Euro-trash to me.”
I shake my head in amusement even though he can’t see me. “No, he was busy. I’m heading up to him in Rome tomorrow.”
He mumbles something about Shane being a douchebag for not spending time with me while here. Frankly, I don’t disagree with that statement, though I’m starting to feel like Shane isn’t the man I’d want sitting across from me at this charming café. Vance is. I get a vision of his sexy hair blowing in the breeze. The small smile he reserves for very few people, but I know I’m one of them. His green eyes practically burning a hole through me, the way they do sometimes when I’m in a skirt or dress.
I squeeze my eyes shut. Fuck, Sulley, this is Vance. The man who betrayed your brother on the deepest level. On the other hand, he’s also the man who is making my brother’s dream come true.
I’m silent, feeling a clusterfuck of emotions. “Vance, I should go.”
“Oh, okay. When are you back in Philly?”
“Not until after the holidays. When I leave here, I’m heading straight home to my parents. Good luck with the rest of your season. Please text me Bailey updates when you can.” I need to get off the phone.
