Page 70 of Truth or Tequila (Grand Slam 1)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

seb

“Seb!” When I walk out of Sophie’s building, one of her neighbors takes my picture as I’m going to the car. “Hey, can I get a shot with you?”

He jogs over and tries to get me to pose for a selfie. I don’t. I do my best to ignore him as I pull some palm branches off the hood of my car. I slide in and lock the doors. I have my windows blacked out, so he can’t take another picture, but that’s not stopping him from trying.

“C’mon, Seb, it will only take a second.” He bangs on the windows.

My phone rings. It’s Joe again.

“Hey,” I say, starting my car up. I rev the engine extra loud to try to get the fan to back off.

“Where the fuck are you? I’m at your place. The gate security guard said you didn’t come home last night.”

“Yeah, I stayed at a hotel.” As I back out, the fan flips me off. “I didn’t want to make the drive in that storm. It was crazy. I’m headed home now.”

“From where?” he growls. “You know it’s a day game today, right?”

“Yeah, man. I’ll be there in a bit. I’m over by Coconut Grove.”

I hear him let out a deep breath. “That’s like an hour from here. You’re going to be late. Bud will ose his mind.”

“He’s going to have to deal with it. He can fine me if he wants.”

“Hold up,” he says. “I’m getting a media alert on you. You didn’t kill anybody last night or anything did you?”

I don’t answer him. My mind’s still back with Sophie. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to think about anything else today.

“Hotel, huh? Some guy posted a picture of you leaving an apartment complex. He says you were a douche and wouldn’t pose for a selfie with him.”

“Yeah, well, he’s not wrong about that—”

“Whose apartment? Were you with Sophie last night?”

I don’t say anything.

“Seb, c’mon, we talked about that.”

I pause for a second. “Look man, I don’t know what happened between you and her, but I like her. I want to date her. If you’re going to keep working with me, you need to get on board. Bottom line.”

“She told Gary you were the one who got Liza kicked out—”

“I told Gary.”

“Seb—”

“What’s he going to do about it?” I yell. “Fire me? I’ve got a five-year guaranteed contract.”

He blows out a breath again. He does that a lot when he’s trying not to tell me to fuck off. “Did you tell him why you did it?”

“It’s none of his business, but I don’t care anymore, Joe. He can trade me. Whatever. All I’m concentrating on now is Sophie. And trying to get the team into the playoffs.”

“And which one is your priority?”

“You know I’m always locked in when I walk onto the field, but there’s nothing wrong with having another priority. It’s been way too long since I’ve put energy into my personal life. And it feels nice to finally have someone who’s worth the energy.”

He doesn’t say anything for a second, but finally sighs and says, “Okay, Seb. I’m with you. I’ve always got your back. You know that.”

---