Over the Fence: Lyssa Layne's Baseball Romances (5 page)

“Nicole, get in here!” my boss Michael yells at me.

Crap
. It can’t be good if the boss wants to see me and he’s using my full name. My stomach sinks as I glance at Grant, who raises his eyebrow at me in question. I shrug and walk past Benny, who taunts “Uh-oh, someone’s in trouble…”

My stomach flutters nervously as I follow Michael into the training room. The smell of athletic tape and Biofreeze hits my nostrils and I think I might be sick. Leaning against one of the therapy tables, I try to focus on reading his lips, as I can hardly hear him over the sound of my pulse beating in my ears.

“I have to admit, Colie, you’ve really proven yourself since you’ve joined the team. Adamson and Martinez are proof of your skills. I’ll be honest though, I have reservations about taking you to spring training. I’m not sure how the other teams and new players will accept working with a woman in your position.”

I chew nervously on my bottom lip. Great, because I’m a woman, I’m not going to get the chance to move forward in my career. Typical! I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. It’s not like I didn’t know it would be an uphill battle when I signed on.

“But for now, I’m going to overlook my doubts and give you a chance. You’ll report to Sailor’s Park in Port St. Lucie at eight on Monday.”

My mouth drops when he says this.
I’m going to spring training!
This is my chance, my opportunity to prove I can hang with the big boys. This is exactly what I need to reach my goal and secure my spot permanently with the team.

Michael’s laughter snaps me back to reality. I quickly close my jaws and shake his hand, muttering my appreciation. He nods at me as he looks over my shoulder. “Go tell the guys before they wear a hole in the floor.”

I glance over my shoulder and see both Grant and Benny pacing outside the office. I shake my head at them. As I turn to the door, he says, “Don’t let me down, Adger.”

For a brief second, my excitement turns to fear as he says that, but I quickly push it away. I slowly close the door behind me, not lifting my gaze to meet either of them, but I see both their feet stop in front of me.

After a long moment, Benny clears his throat. “Well…”

I keep my eyes fixed on their feet until I can’t stand it anymore. I look up at them grinning like a kid on Christmas morning. Before I can confirm that I’m going to spring training, Benny hollers and throws me over his shoulder, spinning me around. The few other players in the batting cage look in our direction. I giggle until he sets me down.

I look at Grant, who’s trying to hide a smile. Leave it to him to try and hide his excitement for me. I run to him and jump. He catches me effortlessly as I throw my arms and legs around him, his hands holding me up under my thighs. I lean my head back and let out a cheer of relief. When I tilt my head back up, I’m eye to eye with Grant who is finally letting his gorgeous smile show. I lean forward and squeeze him tightly around his shoulders. He returns the embrace, holding on to me longer than I expect.

He sets me down but keeps his hand on my waist. “I knew you’d be going, Colie.”

I look down sheepishly. Maybe deep down, I did, too.
Ugh
, I showed him my ugly cry for no reason.

Benny clears his throat and we both look over at him. “Um, I hate to break up this moment, but Colie, don’t forget you need to stretch me out.”

I nod and start to move away from Grant, but he pulls me closer to him. He leans down and quietly tells me congratulations. A burst of energy shoots through me at the proximity of his body against mine. I look up into his eyes, unable to move, paralyzed by the buzz taking over me, a feeling that typically only appears in my dreams.

Once again, Benny clears his throat and Grant lets go of me. I can breathe a little easier now that Grant isn’t so close. I have no idea what’s going on with me. I shouldn’t be feeling this way toward Grant. We’re friends, just friends. I don’t date baseball players.

Dammit, Meg!
These thoughts have plagued me ever since Meg made her comment at dinner last night. If my sister had never said anything, I would still be dreaming of Jace, not Grant. Not that Jace is much better.

Benny’s already on the therapy table as I enter the training room. He’s lying back on the table with his hands folded behind his head. He nods toward the ice machine. “Need to cool down, Colie?”

My cheeks are on fire as I mutter, “Whatever, Benny.”

He chuckles but knows better than to say anything else.

***

Grant is sitting on the floor, his back against the couch, while I sit above him. We’re both eating Chinese out of cartons in between me asking a million and one questions about spring training. I draw a noodle into my mouth, giving Grant a chance to ask one himself. “Where do you plan on staying down there?”

I pause. I hadn’t thought about that. I’m still homeless whether I’m in New York or Florida, but I know the team has reserved rooms at one of the hotels for all support staff. “I guess at the hotel.”

Grant scoffs and says, “With the rookies? No way! They’ll all be trying to get you in their rooms, plus fans will be flooding the hotel trying to get autographs and pictures.”

“One, I can handle it, and two, maybe I want to go to their rooms,” I say with a quirked eyebrow, trying to call his bluff.

Grant turns to me, surprised. “You told me you don’t date ball players.”

Damn, he remembered!
I shrug in response. Grant opens his mouth to talk, then stops. His jaw moves up and down while he takes another bite. I wonder what he thinks about my comment. He swallows his food and his Adam’s apple bobs. That sensation I felt earlier grows in my stomach again.

He turns to me and says, “I’m renting a condo in St. Lucie. It’s smaller than the house but you’d have your own room and bathroom. It’s right on the beach, too.” He pauses and twirls the noodles in his carton with his chopsticks. “The offer’s there if you want it.”

I smile at his proposal. For the first time in our friendship, he’s letting me decide. So why do I feel slightly disappointed that he doesn’t demand I stay with him like he normally would? I stand up and head to the kitchen. “I’ll think about it.”

CHAPTER 5

Bright rays of sun fill the room, blinding me as the curtains are yanked open. I cringe and roll over in bed, putting my pillow over my head. As I roll over, the aroma of fresh coffee hits my nose and I begin sniffing to find it’s source.

“Rise and shine, Nicole Adger. It’s time to head to spring training!”

I glance at the clock as I sit up, my hair tied up in a messy bun after a night of tossing and turning due to dreams of Jace Richards and now Grant Adamson. I rub the sleep out of my eyes and hold my hand out for the cup of coffee.

“I thought we weren’t leaving until this afternoon,” I grumble as I take a sip and lean against the headboard. I notice that Grant is already dressed for the day wearing a plain gray t-shirt that hugs his muscular chest. The simple shirt is paired with dark jeans. His hair spikes up in a messy yet totally sexy style.

“I switched us to Benny’s flight, which leaves in a couple hours. I want you to have time to check into the hotel, if you’re still planning on staying there, and then we’ll drive over to the stadium before we do dinner.”

I push the covers back and get out of bed. As I walk to the bathroom, I realize I’m not wearing a bra under my fitted t-shirt, but hey, at least I’m wearing yoga pants. Stopping in the doorway, my hands on my hips, I reiterate, “Yes, I’m staying at the hotel and don’t think you have to babysit me the whole time. You need to focus on getting that starting position.”

Grant nods as his eyes move up and down my body. He’s not even touching me, yet I feel that same warm feeling in my stomach move between my legs. His eyes stop at my chest for a split second and I can feel my nipples standing at attention under my shirt. I shift uncomfortably, although I’ve been guilty of doing the same thing to him.

His eyes meet mine and he says, “Be ready to go in thirty minutes. And I like the messy bun.” He winks and closes the door behind him.

I lean against the wall and slide to the floor. This has got to stop. I can’t think of Grant Adamson in
that
way. It’s been longer than I’d like to admit since I’ve been with a man and it’s never bothered me before. Suddenly though, I can’t get it out of my mind and if Grant keeps looking at me the way he is, I’m going to be in trouble. Neither of us need the distraction. After tonight, I’ll keep my distance at the hotel and I’m sure these feelings will go away… right?

***

We scurry through the airport terminal, partly because we’re running late, but mainly because the guys don’t want to get noticed. Grant guides me through the crowd, keeping me close to him while Benny shields me on the opposite side. We get to the gate and find a few secluded chairs to sit down.

I look at two of the highest paid pitchers in MLB and comment, “I’m pretty sure you two are the famous ones that need protecting, not me.”

Benny chuckles and responds, “Yeah, yeah, Colie. You know ‘ole Grant is always looking for an excuse to keep you close.”

Grant gives him a look that could kill and Benny holds up his palms proclaiming his innocence. I playfully swat Benny in the arm, giving him the nicer version of Grant’s stink eye.

Needing more caffeine, I walk to the Starbucks stand and order a double shot of espresso.
Mmm
, it tastes so delicious as it slides down my throat and wakes me up. I feel a tug on my sweater and turn around. When I look down, it’s a little boy, maybe five-years-old. He speaks so softly that I can barely hear him. I squat to be on his level, which is not an easy task in skinny jeans and heels. After I ask him to repeat himself, I hear him say, “Is that really Grant Adamson and Benny Martinez?”

I glance over his shoulder at his anxious parents and give them a soft smile, letting them know it’s okay. Then I look back at him and nod. “It is. Would you like to meet them?”

His face lights up and a grin spreads over it. I take his hand and we walk toward my travel buddies. His little hand is sweaty as he grips mine tightly. I wave at his parents to follow us so they can get a picture. Benny loves meeting fans. Grant, on the other hand, despises it. Despite being a famous pitcher, he prefers to stay out of the spotlight. Since we’ve started hanging out, he’s gotten better about autographs and younger fans though, so it’s a start.

I tap the men on their shoulders and they turn around. Grant looks down at me then notices the boy and scowls. I take Grant’s hand in mine and give it a tight squeeze, a warning for him to be nice.

Benny, on the other hand, doesn’t miss a beat. He’s all smiles and high-fives as he chats with the boy and his parents. Grant doesn’t let go of my hand, messing with the charms on my bracelet like he normally does when he’s nervous or not comfortable in a situation. I look up at him and whisper, “Say hello, take a picture, it won’t hurt you.”

The boy turns to Grant, fear in his eyes as he stares up at the giant of a man before him. I squeeze Grant’s hand again and he lets out a small sigh as he bends down to talk to the kid. I watch them interact and see Grant relaxing as the boy rattles off all of Grant’s stats from last season.

“So you want to a pitcher?”

The little boy nods.

Grant takes the boy’s arm and shows him different positions to throw various pitches. I smile at the two of them when the boy’s mom says, “Thank you for letting us come talk to you.”

I shake my head. “No problem at all. I know the guys don’t mind.”

“I have to ask, what’s your name? I assume you’re Mr. Adamson’s girlfriend. We see you with him in all the magazines.”

I freeze as she says this. How could anyone recognize me in those horrible photos? But if she did, and she doesn’t even know me, then could Jace too? No, he probably never reads those things. I know Grant and Benny never do. Besides, why am I am thinking about what Jace thinks? He probably doesn’t even remember me.

I’m about to answer when a voice comes over the intercom letting us know it’s time to board the plane. The little boy high-fives Grant and Benny after his mom snaps a few pictures and thanks them. Grant picks up my carry-on and with his hand on my back, guides me to the walkway to the plane. After the gate attendant scans our tickets, we settle in our seats in first class.

“Well done, Mr. Adamson.”

Grant raises that damned sexy scarred eyebrow.

“With the kid. See, it didn’t kill you to be nice and interact with a fan, did it?”

Grant sighs. “No, it didn’t. But you know I like my privacy, especially when I’m traveling, because now they might try to follow us when we land.”

I realize now is not the time to mention the mom’s comment so instead I roll my eyes. “You are so paranoid! What happened to you?”

“Nicole Adger, roll your eyes one too many times and they’ll get stuck that way.”