Page 49 of Truth or Tequila (Grand Slam 1)

“What do you mean you’re safe? Safe from what?”

I take a deep breath. “Things are getting weird. I need some information.”

“What do you mean ‘weird’?” His voice is getting deeper again.

“You insinuated that Gentry might be sexually inappropriate. Tell me exactly what you’ve heard.”

“Sophie! Did he touch you? I swear to God I will fly to New York right now and tear him into tiny pieces—”

“He hasn’t touched me, and if he does, I’ll flatten him. You know I can take care of myself. But he says inappropriate crap all the time. Just tell me what you know.”

He takes a deep breath and whistles it out through his teeth. “I don’t know anything for sure, but it’s a pretty widely held belief that Gary’s grooming him to take over the team, but can’t quite get there because female staff have complained about Gentry harassing them.”

“What do you mean by ‘harassing’? Like he said stuff to them or was it physical?”

“I don’t know, Soph. Maybe some of each, but it’s bad enough that the minority owners are blocking Gentry from being any more involved with the team.”

When I don’t say anything, he continues, “Soph, why don’t you resign the contract? Come home now. I’ll book you a flight or send my plane up for you.”

“We’re coming back tomorrow morning—”

“On the team plane? Where Gentry is? Hell no.”

“The owners don’t ride on the team plane. At least they didn’t on the way up here. I’ll be fine.” I stop to think for a second before I reluctantly add. “Will you dig up some information on a guy named Joe Thomas? He works security for the team.”

“What kind of information?” I’m not sure if there’s a voice range below bass, but if there is, that’s where Roman’s at right now.

“I don’t know. He rubs me the wrong way. There’s something off there.”

He growls into the phone again. “Sophia, do not leave your hotel room. I’m coming up there tonight to get you.”

“No, you’re not. I’m fine. Really, Roman. I’m good. You know I’d tell you if I wasn’t.”

Roman takes another deep breath. “Maisie told me Seb Miller’s trying to get with you—”

“Oh my God! Why do you two talk?” I yell, throwing the phone away from me. “Seriously, she’s not supposed to be sharing best-friend information with you.”

He ignores me. “She said she met him and he seems all right. She’s a good judge of character. I trust her. If you have him watch your back until you get home, I’d feel a lot better.”

“I’m not asking him to watch my back. He’s the superstar. The team has people watching his back, and this Joe guy is one of them, by the way.”

“Hmm. Hold on.” I hear him yelling something but can’t make out what he’s saying. He must be covering the microphone. “I’m back.”

“How’s the hurricane?” I say.

“Don’t try to change the topic to something more agreeable, Sophia. I know how you operate.”

“Roman,” I whine. “How is a hurricane more agreeable than anything?”

“Well actually, this one is. It’s going east of Miami—supposed to hit up around South Carolina. We should be fine.”

“Okay, that makes me feel better at least.”

“I’m worried about you, Soph. Call me when you’re on the plane tomorrow.”

“Okay.” I’m a little surprised he’s giving up this easily. He usually doesn’t. “I’ll be fine.”

“Oh, I’m going to make sure of that,” he says as he hangs up.

* * *

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