Page 145 of Wild Pitch
“Besides, it’s been great for the team from a PR perspective,” Audrey adds, reclining back. “That’s why I’m protesting. A video that has accrued one million views in the course of a single morning, with overwhelmingly positive comments, and that isbeing shared all across other social media platforms, shouldn’t merit a suspension. That’s just my opinion as a PR specialist.”
Shaking my head, I’m about to ask what video they’re even talking about until it finally clicks. It was part of the master plan we orchestrated as a group last night.
“Oh.” I gape at them. “So people are taking it well?”
“Don’t get me wrong, there’s some griping that the hottest baseball player of Spring Training has found his lady and it’s none of the singles online, but it’s a smashing success.” Rose pats my leg over the fluffy blanket.
“In fact, everyone online is asking who this woman who keeps it real is that managed to capture Cade Starr’s heart.” Audrey leans forward again. “Would you be open to revealing your identity? I’m sure we can make you a celebrity of your own, and maybe that confers you an extra layer of protection.”
“Or brings out the stalkers, no thanks.” I wrinkle my nose.
“Okay, fair.”
“Anyway, now that we’re gonna have some free time in our hands, should we book a trip to the beach or something?” Rose asks, glancing at us in turns.
I’m about to remind her that I have a brand new boyfriend who isn’t suspended and has a pool in his house, when the doorbell goes off and makes us jump.
“Um, is anyone waiting for someone?”
“No?”
“What if it’s Cade?” I ask, making a move to pull off the blanket.
Audrey raises a hand. “You stay comfy. I’ll get it.” She leaves her chair and marches on her socks toward the door.
“Pizza delivery,” a familiar voice says, just not the one I’m really waiting for.
Rose jerks in surprise even before our other roommate at the door asks, “Logan?”
“And me,” someone else says, and Rose’s frame relaxes at Lucky Rivera’s voice.
“Plus me.”
That’s when I spring from the couch. My legs tangle with the fluffy blanket and I almost crash on the hardwood floor, but I manage not to break my face on athleticism alone. My bare feet give me enough purchase not to skid as I rush to the front door.
“Excuse me,” I declare and Audrey has enough wit to step aside quickly. Logan takes one look at the bull charging toward him, he raises pizza boxes above his head and also moves aside. Rivera yelps as he tosses himself out of the way.
But Cade doesn’t move an inch. Or I guess he does, but it’s only to spread his arms wide.
I barrel into him at top speed. His arms close around me and lift me off the ground. With my arms over his shoulders and around his neck working as a pillow for his head, I crash my mouth on his for a kiss I mean to convey all my gratitude with, no matter what happened.
Except someone clears their throat behind me, and when that doesn’t work in making us put some distance between us, Logan Kim says, “Hey, no one here has any issues with your PDA and all that, but you may want to do that inside the house where the neighbors can’t see Hope’s underwear.”
Squeaking, I release Cade’s mouth and watch his eyebrows rise. “What is he talking about?” he asks softly.
“I might not be wearing any pants.”
“Ah.” Slowly, Cade sets me back on my feet and leans back to look. I try pulling the hem of my T-Shirt lower but unfortunately it’s a short one and there’s nothing that can be done. Amusement lights up my boyfriend’s eyes. “And no shoes either.”
“Yeah, kinda didn’t think about putting any on the way.”
He snorts, but next thing, he’s bending lower to slide his arms under me. The whole world tilts and I grab onto his neck.
“Cade! What if you get hurt?”
“If the cowboy gets hurt from just that, I’d be real shocked,” Rivera says as we pass him by.
Cade crosses the threshold into the house and still doesn’t set me down. “Everyone look away from my girl,” he commands.
