Page 71 of Truth or Tequila (Grand Slam 1)

“I do, but if you want to have my back, have Sophie’s back, too.” I pause for a second. “I need you to understand that. If we’re going to keep working together, she’s part of the equation. It’s not negotiable anymore.”

He doesn’t say anything for a full minute, but then finally says, “Yeah, I’ve got it. If that’s what you want, I’ll protect her like I protect you. Just get your ass back to the house as fast as you can, so I can get you to the stadium.”

As I hang up with him, a text comes through. I glance at it. It’s a picture from Sophie. I can’t quite make out what it is. I look at it closer to see that it’s her underwear—ripped completely apart at the seams.

I laugh as I text back.

Our first official date should probably be at an underwear store or something. You’re going to need a lot of replacements. Or maybe quit wearing them all together?

She texts back a smiley face. Yeah, that’s the right emoji. I can’t quit smiling this morning. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to quit any time soon. I’ve never felt this happy in a relationship—not even close. I can’t believe I just met her. It feels like I’ve known her for years.

* * *

As I get out of my car in the stadium parking garage, some guy I’ve never seen comes walking over to me.

“Hey, Seb.” He’s wearing a team badge around his neck, so he must work for the organization. “It’s all over Twitter that you spent the night at some apartment complex in Coconut Grove last night. I thought you lived over in the Bunker. Did you have a booty call last night?”

“What the fuck?” I grab him and slam him against a car.

“No!” Joe wedges his way in between us. “You’re already late, Seb, and this isn’t worth it. Keep walking.”

“Man, I didn’t mean anything by it.” The guy starts following us into the office. “You know, get some where you can.”

I whip back around and charge at him again. Joe lowers his shoulder and throws a block into my body.

“Seb, walk!” Joe turns around to the guy and puts his hand up. “You’d be better off to wait a second before you come in. I’m not stopping him next time you say something stupid.”

“What the fuck, Joe?” I say as he ushers me through the office door. “I don’t know that guy. Why does he feel like he can say something like that? It’s bullshit.”

“I’ll talk to Gary about it. Okay?” Joe keeps pushing me toward the elevators. “I think we should get you a parking spot by the clubhouse so you don’t have to walk through here anymore. Probably the best thing for everyone. Now, can we please get on the field before Bud loses his fucking mind?”

“No one is going to talk about her like that,” I say, punching the field-level elevator button.

“He doesn’t even know who he’s talking about. Settle down.” He looks at me over the top of his sunglasses. “I’ve never seen you like this about anyone. Not even your family.”

I take a deep breath. “She’s special, man. Something about her. I’ve known it from the first second I saw her.”

When the elevator doors open, Gentry and Liza are standing against a wall like they’re waiting for someone. They stare at me and start whispering as I walk off.

“What’s that about?” I say to Joe as we walk into the clubhouse.

“I have no idea, but with those two, it’s never a good thing.”

Bud flies over to me when he sees me walk in. “You’re ten minutes late for warmups. Get your ass on the field. And I’m about to fine you into oblivion.”

“Yep, fair enough,” I say, heading toward my locker. “Do what you have to do.”

* * *

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