Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80953 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80953 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“I’m going to marry you one day, Ty Rollins,” he said softly, gently tucking my hair behind one ear, and my heart stopped.
“One thing at a time,” I said, leaning down and pressing my lips to his, a soft brush that became a fire, his hands tangling in my hair, his lips turning desperate on mine.
I stayed by his side until the sun rose, pink sunlight tentatively pushing through the open curtains, my name a beg off his lips when I finally rolled out of his bed, pulling on my jeans, sneaking barefoot down the hotel hall and back to my room.
I undressed in the dark of my own room, crawling into my bed, my phone plugged in, and fell asleep quickly, my heart soaring, a smile stretched over my face.
It was perfect.
More than I’d ever dreamed of.
55
New York
Wish u were coming home with me. You still need to see my place.
I stretched in the hall, my bag at my feet, eyes on my phone, halfway through a response, when the hand landed on my shoulder. I jumped, lifting my eyes off my cell, and stuffing it in my back pocket, the text from Chase still open on it. “Mr. Grant,” I said with a smile. “Good game.”
“Great game.” He beamed. “I can smell the playoffs now.”
“Me too.”
“What are your plans this week? Tobey’s at the house, and we’d love to have you over for dinner. Maybe Tuesday?”
The door to the locker room opened, and the owner of my heart stepped out. I kept my eyes on the man before me, the act heroic in its struggle. “I’ll check my schedule. Dad keeps me pretty busy when we’re home.”
The soft smack of shoes on wood, Chase slowly wandered closer, the hall too thin, my control too weak, and I met his eyes despite myself, my mouth curving into a smile. Mr. Grant followed my eyes, his mouth breaking into a smile, and he clapped Chase on the shoulder. “There’s our star! Man, am I glad that we got you in pinstripes, boy.”
“I just score the runs, sir.” Chase nodded to me. “Her dad’s the one keeping them off the board.” And Dad had done a great job of it, closing the last eight games without a single hit.
“While you’re here,” Grant said, gripping Chase’s shoulder and turning to me. “Convince Ty here to take a few days off. I’m trying to get her over to our house for some home cooking that will fatten up those bones of hers.”
Chase smiled at me, and I could read everything he was thinking in those eyes. My return smile was less enthusiastic, a hard pit forming in my stomach, as I hoped, prayed, that he wouldn’t take this conversation any further, wouldn’t mention—
“Is she the prettiest thing you’ve ever seen or what?” Grant peered at me alongside Chase, and I shifted, reaching down and picking up my backpack, my stomach tighter.
“I won’t argue with that.” There was too much feeling in his voice, and I looked up in warning, my eyes sharp, Grant catching the inflection and turning to him with a laugh.
“Now easy there. Don’t go getting any designs on her. You may not know it, but you’re looking at my future daughter-in-law.” My stomach dropped even further and I felt suddenly hot, stars appearing in my vision, and I didn’t realize that stress could make you physically sick.
“Is that so?” Chase’s voice was low and steel, and all I wanted to do was escape.
Instead, I tried a laugh, the sound almost strangled. I reached out, patting the older man’s arm. “Did you see the Marlins’ highlights?” I babbled. “Grio batted 4 for 5.”
The man brushed me off, turning back to Chase. “Have you met my son yet? Tobey’s at Harvard. He’s smart as a whip and has had eyes for Ty here since she first joined us.”
“I was twelve,” I interjected. “I don’t think Tobey liked me then.”
“Well,” he conceded, “maybe not then. But those two…” He smiled big, turning to me with a wink. “They’re destined to be together. I just know it. So, what do you say Ty? Dinner with us Tuesday night?”
I almost swayed, the need to vomit growing stronger with each shade darker that Chase’s face grew. “Let me check with Dad,” I promised Grant. Then, gripping my backpack tightly, I turned tightly on my heel and all but sprinted down the hall, hitting the bathroom and bending over the toilet.
I didn’t vomit. Maybe all I needed was to escape the situation. Maybe wiping my face down with cold water helped. What didn’t help was the bathroom door opening, Chase entering, and staring at me with a face of fury. “What was that?” he bit out. “You’re betrothed to that prick?”
“I was being polite,” I yanked at the paper towels and pointed to the door. “You’re not allowed to be in here. It’s the women’s bathroom.”