Spring Training (9 page)

Chapter Eleven

“
Jessa, I’ve been looking all over for you.”

Jessa looked up from her laptop, blinking a few times to focus on the cute little redhead standing in the doorway.

“Amy!” Jessa couldn’t hide her surprise. “It’s good to see you.” Jessa waved her in. “I had a really great time at dinner the other night. I’ve been meaning to call you to say thanks for letting me crash the party.”

Amy was about as sweet and real as they came. She’d treated Jessa like a long lost sister, something Jessa wouldn’t forget. For the first time in longer than she could remember, she’d tasted genuine friendship from a woman who didn’t see her as anything but herself. Plain ole Jessa.

It was refreshing.

But it didn’t explain why Amy had sought her out. Or why she was out of breath. “Not that I’m not happy to see you, but what are you doing down here? Are you okay?”

Amy put her palm to her chest and drew in a deep breath. “I think the better question is, what are
you
doing down here? I mean, really, Jessa.” Amy scrunched up her perk little nose. “It smells like wet socks.”

Jessa laughed and looked around the cramped little office. Not an office so much as a closet with a desk and a couple of chairs. There were no personal items scattered about, no file cabinets or any other items that would make this anything other than a space for the transient. It was buried in the catacombs of the stadium, but it was quiet and empty. Two things she’d needed in order to catch up on the work she’d neglected while “watching” Garrett.

“Take a seat before you have a heart attack. Did you run all the way down here?”

“No, of course not.” Amy slid into the chair, concern etched on her face. “I ran all
over
down here. Well, walked actually, and I’m feeling very out of shape. I didn’t realize how many places there are to hide around here.”

Jessa thought about that. “I guess it would be easy to get lost if you didn’t know where you were going. And I’m not hiding.” She motioned to the papers spread across the desk. “I’m working.”

Amy waved her off. “Well, there are a lot of places to work around here then, too. Who knew this place was so big!”

“I grew up in stadiums like this, so I guess you could say I’m used to it.”

“Your father is rather hands-on, isn’t he? Not that I’m complaining, mind you. Miles loves playing for this team.”

Jessa smiled. It wasn’t the first time she’d been asked that question and it wouldn’t be the last. A lot of people thought it was strange, the amount of time TJ Montgomery spent with his beloved team. Some even criticized that he was a micro-manager, not able to give control to his coaches and managers. It was bullshit, but Jessa figured their record of four World Series wins in the last eight years could speak for itself.

TJ took an active interest in his players, not as a coach or a boss, but as a mentor and friend. He left the coaching to the coaches, the managing to the managers. Instead, he’d counseled on everything from dating and marriage proposals to children and the best school systems. He was there for them. Right or wrong, TJ considered the men family. Sons.

“He loves the game. He wanted me to love it too, I suppose, so he always brought me along. While tutors schooled me in math and science, Dad taught me everything there was to know about baseball.” She chuckled. “I always thought he’d wished I’d been a boy. Sometimes, I get a little sensitive about it.”

“I’m sure that’s not true. Your father must love you very much to include you in his life in such a way.”

Jessa shrugged. She knew her dad loved her. It had never been a question of that.

“Besides,” Amy continued, “he’s got all the boys he needs right out there and he doesn’t have to worry about them eating him out of house and home, smelling up the place with sweaty gym clothes, or burping at the dinner table. It’s the best of both worlds.”

Jessa really liked this woman.

“Ugh, forget about my dad. You’ve made me grateful for my breasts.”

Amy snickered and shot her a wink. “It’s always good to have perspective. I did search you out to say hi and visit for a bit, but truth be known, the real reason I came to find you was to let you know one of the players was hurt on — ”

“Is Garrett all right?” Jessa’s heart jumped as cold dread filled her system.

“— the field.” Amy finished over her interruption. Blue eyes narrowed in scrutiny.

“Garrett’s fine,” Amy said slowly. “It’s Tyler.”

Jessa cursed and squirmed under Amy’s intense stare. She could feel the woman reading her thoughts until all of her secrets were laid bare. Her only hope was that Amy would let it go.

“Tyler? What happened?” Please, please let it go.

“I’m not sure the extent. Shoot, I’m not exactly sure what happened.” Her cheeks blushed deep enough to match her hair. “I was goofing around on my phone and wasn’t watching. I did see him walk off the field, but his arm was curled into his chest. I figured since you were here, you’d want to know.”

“Shit. I should probably get over there.”

Jessa stood and started collecting her papers, shoving them into her bag with more force than necessary, chastising herself for her own stupidity. She hadn’t anticipated how hard it would be to act normal about her relationship with Garrett. She needed to be more careful.

“There’s no need to hurry. Tyler will more than likely be with the doctors. Nothing you can do for him right now, so you can stay and talk to me about what’s going on with you and Garrett.” Amy grinned knowingly.

Jessa fought to keep her expression calm. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, come on. I was there the other night. It was obvious he wasn’t happy about you dancing with Tyler. And girl, the way he took hold of you on that dance floor had me ready to jump my own husband.”

“I … I didn’t realize.” Jessa felt her cheeks burn.

“Honey, anyone with eyes could see that boy has it bad for you.”

Panic began to set in. “Oh, no. No, it’s not like that at all, Amy. We’re hanging out. Dad sent me here to keep an eye on him. I’m doing my job.”

“That’s some job description.” Amy’s laugh was loud and boisterous. “Oh, don’t look so worried, Jessa. Your secret is safe with me.”

* * *

“Ow!”

Garrett watched from the doorway as the doctor wo
rked to stabilize Tyler’s shoulder. Tyler’s face was flushed, his eyes burning a hole through Garrett’s forehead. Garrett offered him a hint of a smile, a showing of support his friend so obviously needed.

Garrett winced in sympathy as the next line of expletives burned his ears.

“What are you trying to do, Doc? Rip my damn arm off?”

Unaffected by his gruff, the doctor helped Tyler out of his jersey. “Looks like you did a good job of that yourself, Tyler.” The good doctor smiled. “Without any help from me.”

With speed and efficiency, the doctor wrapped a stabilizer around Tyler’s chest and shoulder, tightening the Velcro straps around his arm. Seeming satisfied no further damage could be done, Dr. Adlyn stepped away from his patient and turned to Garrett. “There’s a lesson to be learned in all this.”

Tyler snorted. “Oh, please. Enlighten us, o’ wise one.”

Garrett chuckled. Dr. Adlyn was a relatively young and good-looking man. Garrett guessed he wasn’t much into his forties and was one of the greatest damn orthopedic doctors in the country. As hands go, Tyler was in the best.

Dr. Adlyn smirked and shook his head. “Obviously, the pain meds haven’t kicked in, so he’s a bit grumpy.”

“You think?” Tyler snapped, sitting on an examination table, swinging his feet like a three year old who needed to pee. The tension radiating from him was pliable, the sense of foreboding thick in the air. This couldn’t be good.

Garrett gave up the safety of doorway and walked into the room. “Give the doc a break, Ty. He’s only trying to help.”

Dr. Adlyn clapped Garrett on the shoulder. “See that he doesn’t hurt himself further until I get back. I’ve got to go make some arrangements for our friend here.” He headed toward the door. “Save the heroics for when it counts, boys. That’s the lesson here.”

Garrett couldn’t argue with the doc’s parting shot. Tyler had been careless. Not paying attention. Distracted.

It could’ve been me.

Garrett hadn’t been paying attention either. Hell, he hadn’t even seen what happened, his thoughts being centered on the woman who was changing his world and all. Garrett had only been a few yards away, yet couldn’t give an accurate account of how Tyler got hurt other than to generalize. Ball hit high toward the first base stands. It should’ve been a routine play.

Only now, this play would make the lead story on every sports channel highlight reel tonight.

Garrett had been the one distracted.

Several times last night he’d reached out, searching, wishing he’d find Jessa there. Wanting to curl into her delicious body and lose himself in her heat.

But she hadn’t been there. All he’d had was the lingering scent of her skin on his sheets. A scent that made finding sleep hard and his dick harder.

He clenched his fists at the memory, shoving it deep into the recesses of his brain. This was not how he’d imagined things to go. He was here to play ball. That’s it.

He’d do well to remember it, too.

Sighing, Garrett crossed his arms over his chest and looked at Tyler. “Well? What’s the verdict?”

Tyler snorted. “Rotator cuff.”

Garrett grimaced, understanding the ramifications of that kind of injury. “Sorry, man.”

Tyler shrugged, then let out a groan. “Damn it. Don’t make me move.”

Garrett stifled a laugh. As if he could make Tyler do anything.

“How bad is it?”

“Pretty fucking bad. Hurts like a screamin’ motherfucker too. A foul ball. Jesus, it’s pre-season. I should have let the fucker go. Better yet, I should have taken that tee time and been on the goddamn golf course while you rookies played warm-up. The doc says it’s gonna need surgery, so it looks like I’m out for the season.” Tyler cursed again under his breath. “I’ve never had a summer off. Guess I’m gonna see how the other half lives.”

“It’s lucky you weren’t hurt worse, I guess.” Garrett was at a loss as to what else to say.

“Yeah, I feel pretty fuckin’ lucky right now. Like a fuckin’ leprechaun.”

It was clear by the amount of cussing that Tyler was none too happy about it, but hell, Garrett didn’t blame him. Like himself, Tyler was a dedicated athlete who loved his sport. Garrett would go nuts if he had to watch from the sidelines, even if it were a game or two. Sitting out a whole season? Yeah, he felt for his friend.

Tyler’s injury struck a chord. What if it
had
been him? Sure, Garrett had a healthy bank account now, but how long would that money last if he couldn’t play ball? What the hell would he do with himself then? All it took was one injury to end a career.

Or fucking the owner’s daughter.

He had responsibilities, people he’d let down if he fucked this up. Something he was well on his way to doing if he wasn’t careful.

Shaking off his train of thought, Garrett focused on the more urgent matter at hand. “What’s the plan?”

“I’m headin’ home to Arkansas after surgery. Might as well recoup somewhere comfortable and quiet. Doc also said I’d be in physical therapy for up to twelve weeks. Maybe longer. Damn, this sucks.”

Finding himself antsy, Garrett moved around the room, inspecting the equipment, checking the contents of containers.

“You look like shit.”

Tyler’s statement stopped him dead. “This, coming from the guy on the exam table.”

“Seriously, Garrett. You look like you haven’t slept in a week. Jessa keeping you up nights?”

“We’re having a good time. You know? Playing around.” Garrett turned and leaned his ass against the counter. They were doing more than playing around, but until he knew what that meant, he’d keep the information to himself. “No big deal.”

Tyler nodded with feigned understanding. “Right,” he drawled. “See, here’s the thing, Garrett. Women like Jessa … they don’t play around. I don’t care what she says. If y’all are having sex, she’s given a piece of herself to you.” He shifted his ass on the table and sucked in a breath. “It might be a tiny piece, but it’s a piece none the same.”

“When did you become Doctor-fucking-Phil? You, the man who’s made fucking an Olympic sport. What do you know about how women feel?”

Tyler stared him dead in the eye. “It’s a fact, brother. When this thing ends — and you know it will end — you’ll take a piece of her with you. You’ll know it. She’ll know it. It’ll change both of you. What then, G?” Tyler made a disgusted noise. “You’re a fool if you think you’ll walk away from this unscathed. Either of you. I never thought you were the kind of man to play with a woman like that.”

“Who says I’m playing?” he barked before he could stop himself. “Maybe it doesn’t have to end.”

And there it was.

The thing that had been nagging Garrett all day.

He liked Jessa. She was beautiful and sweet. When she looked at him, he didn’t feel like she was sizing up his cock, or his wallet. She saw beyond the hype to the man that he was underneath. That had to count for something.

“I know you and TJ are buddies, Garrett, but Jessa … man, Jessa is his only daughter. How sure are you that he’d simply roll over and accept that you’d been fucking her?”

Not sure at all.

“Enough, Ty.” Garrett growled. “We’re done talking about this.”

“Kiss my ass, Donovan. I’m the one with a fucking pack strapped around my shoulder. One stupid mistake and as far as this season is concerned, I’m done. But you’re not. Your career is just getting started and here you are, bound and determined to make a mess of it. Jesus Christ, Garrett. Think about what you’re doing. You’ll lose credibility; your reputation would be shot. You’ll be branded. Or worse.”

Garrett tore his cap off his head and slapped it against his thigh. He shoved his other hand through his hair, ready to spit nails. “You think I don’t know that?”

“I think you aren’t thinking with the right head. You’re letting your dick get in the way of your future.”

What if Jessa is my future?

He pushed back the thought. “I thought you said you were done giving me shit about this.”

“Yeah, well. I lied.”

The fight drained out of him. “So it seems.”

Tyler moved over and Garrett slid onto the exam table next to him.

“Do you love her?”

Surprised by his question, Garrett shook his head. “Of course not. It’s too soon for all that.” He waved his hand, dismissing the idea. “It’s safe to say I like her, though.”

Tyler considered him. “Man, you’ve got it bad.”

Garrett pinched the bridge of his nose. “Yeah, man. I think I do. Which means, either way, I’m fucked.”

“Fucked about what?”

Garrett jumped off the table as Jessa walked into the room.

“Amy came and found me.” She spared him a wary glance before moving closer to Tyler. “You okay?”

Tyler turned on the charm, causing Garrett to grit his teeth. “I’ll live darlin’, but I wouldn’t say no to a little TLC.”

Jessa’s gaze darted his way before she smiled back at Tyler. “I’m sure you’ll have the nurses lining up to take care of you. Don’t worry.” She patted him on the leg. “I’ve talked to the doctor. You’ll be on your way in no time, and you’ll be back next season good as new.”

Garrett stood back, giving Jessa and Tyler time to talk about logistics. The sound of her voice lulled him. Admitting he liked her to Tyler had lifted a weight from his chest. As if those words alone were enough to chart a new course. As if it erased the obstacles that stood between them.

“Garrett? Can I see you outside for a second?”

“Sure, Jess.” He gave Tyler a look that said he had no idea what she wanted and followed her out of the room. He pulled the door closed behind him. “You look good enough to eat,” he teased once they were alone in the hallway.

“Garrett, stop.”

“What? It’s the truth. What I wouldn’t give to pull you into one of the storage closets, pull down those jeans and —”

“No,” she raised her palm to cut him off. “Amy knows, Garrett. If we keep this up, it won’t be long before word gets back to my dad.”

Garrett had a feeling he wouldn’t like what was coming. “What are you saying, princess?”

“I’m saying we can’t do this anymore. It’s over. We have to stop.”