Page 68 of Unexpected Forever
Until now.
I want to be different with Charley and my child she’s carrying, but can I?
The fact I can’t answer without hesitation scares the shit out of me.
Lucas joins me at the rail and claps a hand on my shoulder. “Wow. A woman finally took down Iceman Gentry.”
I scoff and roll my eyes, but my heart races. “Whatever, man.”
“You know, the media is going to have a field day with this.”
Worry and resentment fight for top spot in my gut. “Yeah, I know. My publicist sent me a release to look over this afternoon. And I’m going over it with Darcy this afternoon before we release it.”
“You sure nothing’s been leaked?”
“Yeah, Sharon’s been keeping her eyes peeled for any stories or pictures,” I say, referring to my assistant.
“Thank fuck for Sharon.”
“No kidding. But Madison Ridge is like Cape Sands. It has tourism, but they’re no strangers to celebrities. Her brother is Del Reynolds and her boss is a billionaire winery owner from California.”
“No shit, Del’s her brother?”
“You know him?”
Lucas nods. “Was paired up with him at a celebrity golf tournament a few years ago.” He looks out to the field. “Huh. Small world.”
“Yeah. Well, it doesn’t change the fact that once this shit breaks, I’ve put her in the line of fire to be harassed.”
I might have been able to protect Megan from it all, but Charley’s another story.
He claps me on the shoulder. “You’re one of the hardest-working guys I know, Gentry.” The smile keeping his bed warm at night curves his lips. “You keep my ass in line, that’s for sure.”
I scoff. “Well, you need it.”
“I’m trying to pay you a compliment here.”
“Carry on.”
“You’re also a great guy. A true gentleman. I know you’ll do the right thing for Charley, the baby, and you.”
“Thanks, Raines.”
He holds up a finger. “Wait, I actually do have a piece of advice. I know how you are with relationships. You don’t get too close. But if you want this woman in your life as more than a baby mama, don’t hesitate. You’ll regret it.”
I raise a brow. “Speaking from experience?”
He looks out to the diamond for a moment, a shadow crossing his normally carefree expression before looking back at me with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “A story for another day, Gentry.”
He smacks me on the back. “Now, suit up. I need to practice and since you’re here, you may as well be my catcher again for a little while.”
* * *
After spendingtime with the team while they practiced, meeting with Darcy, and grabbing dinner with Lucas and Derek Emerson, the Bull Sharks GM, I’m glad to be home.
I told Derek about Charley and the press release. He was grateful not to hear the news from the media, especially since we’re near the end of contract negotiations.
With the news going out tomorrow, I need to warn Charley.
