Page 69 of Truth or Tequila (Grand Slam 1)

He scoots back from me. “So, what? This was like a one-night-stand or something?”

“What? You know it wasn’t. I wanted this to happen. I want it to happen again, but I need to finish this contract first.”

He nods, but his face is starting to tighten. “When are you done?”

“I’m not sure.” I’m finding it hard to hold his stare. His eyes have gotten so intense.

“What do you still have to do?” His voice drops into a low snarl. “You know I’m the one who asked for Liza to be removed. That’s why they hired you. Do you want me to call Ray Franklin and tell him? Then it can be out in the media and you can stop working for the team.”

“No, don’t do that. The story’s fading out. Let it die.”

“Good, then you’re done.” He scoots closer to me again and tilts my chin up to look at him. “Unless you’re doing something else. Tell me what it is.”

“I can’t tell you. I signed a non-disclosure—”

“Seriously? After everything we said—and did—last night? You can trust me. You know that. I’m not going to tell anyone.” He gets right in my face. “Sophie, it better not have anything to do with Gentry.”

“I’m fine. I can tell you this much. I think the first story about Liza being banned was just the tip of the iceberg.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning I think there’s a culture of bad behavior in the front offices and I think the media senses it. I want to get at that before I’m done.”

He walks over to the window and draws the curtains back. Sunshine comes streaming in. “I mean, yeah, that’s important,” he says, turning back toward me, “but I don’t know how safe it is for you. I don’t like it.”

“I’ll be fine. Trust me.” I grab my robe off the floor. “And speaking of trust, are you ready to tell me why you asked for Liza to be removed from the clubhouse?”

He looks out the window for a few more minutes, then finally turns around. His eyes look sad. “I can’t tell you, Soph. Will you trust me that it was for a good reason?”

“Gary thinks she slept with you and that it’s the reason she got fired. I’ve already asked you, but did you sleep with her?”

He walks swiftly across the room and puts his hands on my shoulders. “No, Soph. No. I told you. Of course not. But are you asking me that personally or professionally?”

“I don’t know.” I shrug. “Maybe both.”

His phone beeps. As he digs it out of his bag, I head to the kitchen to get some coffee.

“It’s Joe,” he sighs. “He’s freaking out because he doesn’t know where I am.”

“Don’t tell him you’re here. Seriously, Seb. I don’t want anyone to know.”

His eyes narrow. “Again, are you saying that personally or professionally?”

“Professionally.” I hand him a cup of coffee. “When I’m done with the team, I don’t care who knows about us.”

He takes a deep breath and walks over to me, taking my hand into his. “Look, Soph, I have to leave. Can we talk about this after the game?”

“Yeah,” I say as he kisses me. “Of course.”

“Okay. Call me when you get to the stadium.”

“Unless my driver kidnaps me or something—”

“So not funny, Sophie.” He points at me as he closes my front door. “Lock the door behind me.”

I walk over and click the deadbolt.

“Thank you.” I hear from the other side of the door.

I lean against it and whisper through the door crack. “Go, you weirdo. You’re going to be so late. They’re going to fine you.”

“Worth every penny,” he whispers as he smacks a kiss through the door.

* * *

---