Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 44342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Skyler looks tired but happy. Zach stands close, watching me like he thinks I might drop his daughter.
I rise from the chair and move closer to the bed. “She’s going to be a heartbreaker.”
“She’s not dating until she’s twenty,” Zach announces.
Skyler rolls her eyes, and I laugh. My brother-in-law has been a mess since the day he found out Skyler was pregnant. I thought he might relax once the baby arrived, but apparently not.
I spend a few more minutes with them before leaving so the rest of the family can have a turn.
When I get back to the waiting room, I hug my parents and say goodbye to everyone. They all promise they’ll be watching the game on television.
As soon as I step outside, my first thought is Nicole. I shake my head. I need to focus. First, I have to figure out how I’m getting to Ohio for the series. Then I can think about Nicole.
Although I already know I’m going to be thinking about her the entire way there.
CHAPTER 6
NICOLE
I pull my baseball hat lower and focus on the pitcher on the mound. My eyes keep straying to first base, but I have to remind myself that I’m not here to watch Guy Brody. For the last six days, he’s texted and called me. I’ve sent him messages saying I’m too busy to talk, trying to break things off cleanly, but it hasn’t slowed him down at all.
When he knows the truth, it will. I’ve just been too nervous to tell him.
The ball is hit straight to Guy, and I watch as he scoops it up and steps on the base for the final out. The crowd goes wild as the Jasper Bears win, but my eyes stay glued to the white band wrapped around Guy’s wrist. Is that my hair tie? No way. It can’t be. It looks exactly like it, though. I guess I’ll never know because I won’t be getting close enough to see for sure.
Reluctantly, I rise from my seat and straighten the VIP pass hanging around my neck. I pull my Grant Foxx jersey down over my hips and follow the crowd through the stadium.
Instead of heading outside, I take the path toward the tunnel that leads to the locker rooms and operations area.
I hold up my pass, pull my hat down until it nearly covers my eyes, and make my way into the tunnel where the rest of the Bears’ families are waiting. There are so many people that there’s no way Guy will see me.
As soon as I spot my dad, I wave. His smile gets even bigger, and he jogs toward me before lifting me into a hug and swinging me around.
I pat his shoulder as he sets me down. “You’ve still got it, old man.”
“Har, har. Funny.”
I squeeze his shoulder. “How does it feel?”
He rolls it once. “Nothing a good massage and an ice bath won’t fix.”
My dad has played in the majors for most of my life. Everyone thought he would retire years ago, but he’s proven them wrong by continuing to play for one of the best teams in the league. He was traded to the Bears a few months ago, and this is the first time I’ve gotten to watch him play here in the stadium.
“Get the massage and the ice bath,” I tell him. “We can have pancakes tomorrow.”
He shakes his head. “Absolutely not. It’s tradition, Nikki. Pancakes after a win.”
I smile. “Well, I don’t want to mess with traditions, that is for sure. You pitched a great game, Dad.”
As soon as the words leave my mouth, someone approaches from behind him. “Great job, Foxx.”
My dad turns and bumps fists with Guy Brody. Right now, I wish I were anywhere but here.
Dad gestures toward me. “Brody, this is my daughter, Nikki.”
Guy goes completely still when he looks at me. I try to keep our secret and hold out my hand. “Hey, Guy. It’s nice to meet you.”
He grips my hand and doesn’t let go. From this close, I can see that the white band around his wrist is definitely my hair tie.
Someone calls my dad’s name, and he lifts his hand in acknowledgment. “Nikki, I have to go. I’ll see you out front. Pancakes.”
I don’t take my eyes off Guy. “Sounds good, Dad.”
He walks away, and Guy is still holding my hand.
I gently pull it free.
“Grant Foxx is your dad?” he asks.
I nod, guilt settling heavily in my stomach. I should have told him. I could have, but I knew that once he found out, he would have dropped me off at my room and disappeared. Besides, it wasn’t like anything really happened. We kissed. It’s not like we had sex or anything.
Guy searches my face. “Is that why you’ve been blowing me off and avoiding my calls?”