Page 17 of Small Town Frenzy
Pent-up frustration from our encounters.
Dealing with his arrogance.
All lead to these buildups and breakdowns. Top it off with dealing with my father this morning, and I was bound to explode at some point. I’m just glad it was with Savvy instead of at the jerk himself.Never show weakness.
“Ballplayer is pulling the thread.”
“He’s not pulling anything. Not the wool over my eyes or over my head. Not a bone in my body finds that man attractive despite the slip of my tongue.” Exasperated by getting myself into this mess, I sigh again. “Rant over.”
“As long as you’re good.”
“I’m good.” I throw my hands up as if that proves some point. “Go get your nachos. If I don’t see you before I leave, I’ll pick Jacob up today.”
“Okay.” Pointing at the console, she says, “Don’t forget to grab your jersey for tomorrow. It’s right there.”
“Thanks.”
As soon as she leaves, I return to my emails to ensure I don’t have any emergencies waiting for me. Looks to be clear since she’s already gone through them. I grab my bag, the list of sponsors off the printer, and the jersey before heading out.
I take a deep breath, inhaling calm, already feeling more myself than I was earlier. Nothing about that Griffin Greene is worth getting worked up over. I must only tolerate him for one more day, and then he’ll be back to flying wherever he’s headed, and I’ll have my good little life back again.
It sounds so easy when I know this is the most difficult challenge I’ve ever faced. I know what the right thing to do is, but as Jacob’s mother, I will always prioritize his needs and safety.What a nightmare.
CHAPTER 7
Griffin
While trackingthe ball across the sky, I start for first base. When it lands on the other side of the fence, I take a home run victory lap around the bases, high-fiving the guys as I pass them by.
I spot a certain little ball of fire as I round third, heading down the home base line. Standing ahead, past the home plate, she leans against the fence in front of the stands. The heat of her glare extends across the field, stabbing me like a sword to the heart.
For a Dover, she’s a hot-tempered little thing. I always heard they were too good for everyone, so to see her emotions worn so openly is surprising. She looks away when my eyes catch hold of hers, though she pretends she doesn’t notice me, or maybe it’s a bad acting job of not caring. Whichever it is, there is no way she doesn’t remember being together.None.It’s not possible when my memories hold every minute of that night.
That night has been playing on repeat since I got a goodlook at her yesterday. Now I’m left wondering what to think. It’s confusing. Should I remind her who I am? Do I wait for her to remember? What if she never does?Fucking humiliating.
That’s probably more her style, based on seeing her in action here.
I’m still not sure how I’m supposed to feel about her. I shouldn’t feel anything, but it’s hard to resist pushing those buttons of hers, so I pass the dugout and head toward her instead. “Can’t get enough of me, huh?”
She rolls her eyes before righting her expression to indifference, and replying, “You don’t need to waste all your energy at practice. It’s only a fundraiser game.”
I look over my shoulder at the teams changing out, then turn back to her. “I have plenty more where that came from.”
“I rem—” She looks away with clamped lips, then glances back at me with a chill rolling off her entire being. “You should really see a doctor about that swollen head of yours. It can be dangerous if left unchecked for long.”
“So I’m sensing.” I smirk. “What brings you by today,Ms.Dover? Got more paperwork for me to sign?”
Her body loosens under the release of a hard breath. So shecanrelax around me.Good to know.
“No paperwork. And I’m not actually here to see you at all.”
Resting my hand on the fence above my head, I keep my eyes steady on her while she tries so hard to keep her gaze from returning to me. Only judging by how she’s looking anywhere and everywhere else except at me. “That’s too bad. I love meeting fans.”
She grumbles under her breath and shoots me a look before lowering her glasses from her head to her nose. “Listen, Greene, I don’t know what you think this is, but it’s nothing. Not a friendship. Not a working relationship. Nothing but a short blip on our life’s radar, so if you’ll excuse me?—”
“Excuse you from what?” She’s adorable in that sexy librarian way when she’s wearing those black-rimmed glasses.
“From this little tête-à-tête, so I can do my job.” With a clipboard and papers held to her chest, she points across the field. “I’m verifying the sponsorships are hung and their placements are correct.”
