by Jody Holford
Her mama bear claws were sharp, but Addie didn’t seem to mind.
“She’d have to be blind not to,” Addie said quietly.
It was Sawyer’s turn to inhale sharply. That was a hell of a compliment coming from her.
Lynette stared at them, her eyes moving back and forth, a knowing smile on her lips. One he didn’t want to see. He was doing a lousy job of establishing a friendship with Addie and apparently it was noticeable.
“Would you mind if I stole Sawyer away for a few minutes? There are some people I’d like to introduce him to.”
Sawyer frowned. He didn’t want to leave her side. When Addison smiled at them both, he felt like he knew her well enough to know it was genuine.
“I’m fine. Please. Do what you have to do. I’m going to go accidentally bump into more famous people,” she said.
Sawyer figured he’d laughed more around her just today than he had in far too long. Unlike him, she loved this stuff. She was in her element, and the excitement added an extra glow to her skin.
“I like her,” Lynette said, taking his arm and leading him away.
His eyes tracked her movements even as Lynette told him who she was introducing him to: Scott Klein, Kipp Loeman. He knew of Kipp—former NFL quarterback—but he didn’t know Scott.
Both guys were together, chatting with a couple other men who Sawyer didn’t recognize. Lynette handled introductions, and before the awkward lull of silence that generally graced him when he was supposed to perform, Kipp asked him about his knee.
“It’s good. I was only out a few games. Came back in time for the playoffs,” Sawyer said. He sipped his beer.
“I saw that hit. I can’t even think about it without wincing,” Kipp said, a grimace on his face.
About his age, all of the men in the small circle had eyes on Sawyer, and though he expected to feel on display, it was easier than he thought to relax.
“Tell me about it. Every now and then it just replays in my head and I can feel it all over again. What about you? You’re no stranger to injury,” Sawyer said, remembering the hit the quarterback took a few seasons back.
They fell into conversation that felt natural. He waited for one or both of them to shift gears into something that would make him feel like a show pony. He felt an odd mixture of surprise and relief when they continued to chat easily about sports. Glancing around, he saw Addie. His heart twisted uncomfortably. From seeing her across a room? What was in the beer? He set it down on a passing tray and excused himself from the group.
“Hey,” Addie said when she met him halfway.
“Hey yourself. I was just coming to see how you were doing,” he said, resisting the urge to pull her close. Maybe he could be friends with this woman. Anything more and he’d screw it up. But it beat the idea of not being around her at all. There was a hell of a better chance of a platonic association surviving over any other type of relationship. He just wished his head and his heart could fall in line with logic.
“I’m doing great. This is so fun.”
Her fangirling was cute and made him realize he took a lot of his lifestyle for granted. Mostly because all he wanted out of it was to play the game.
When Addie suggested getting some air, he was happy to lead her out to Lynette’s patio. It overlooked the lights of Nashville. Just standing out there, the breeze picking up, the lights shining and a woman full of energy and calm in equal amounts at his side, he felt something he hadn’t in far too long: happiness.
“What a night. I can’t wait to tell Isla I met Alyssa.”
Leaning his arms on the railing, he turned his head to see her. “You and Isla are close.”
“Best friends. She’s the best person I know. I’m so excited that she didn’t walk away from the team. She’s spent her whole life in her father and brother’s shadows and I knew, from the minute she told me she was all in, that she’d do right by the team.”
“I love how passionate you are about the things and people you love.”
She mirrored his pose. “Isn’t that the point of…everything? That’s how you feel about baseball, right?”
He nodded. It was. Though, there was more trepidation behind his feelings now and he couldn’t quite figure that out. “What about your family? You said they’re in Colorado? They must miss you.”
“They do. I miss them too, but I talk to my mom almost every day. She has her good days and bad ones, but she’s the one who taught me that if you want to make a difference, you have to jump in and do it.”
“Seems like a good lesson.”
They stared out at the cars below, the people walking the downtown sidewalks, and Sawyer soaked in the comfortable silence between them.
“So, that kiss?”
He turned his head again, smiling. “I was just trying to get your attention. You wouldn’t answer me about what you wanted to drink.”
Her laugh made him smile. It was musical. Happy. Like her. “Interesting technique.”
“Never had any complaints,” he said, a grin tugging at his lips.
“I can’t imagine you would. And I’m not complaining, but I don’t think either of us is in a place to go down that road.”
He’d said the same thing himself, and now he was letting her behind the curtain to see certain less-than-pleasant aspects of his life. If things went sideways, he knew what a woman scorned could do. Yeah, like marry your brother.
This woman was sneaking under his skin and inside his heart and he knew better than anyone that once you dropped your guard, things turned sideways. Dropping his guard was never a good thing.
“I know. But I like you, Addison. And oddly enough, it’s more than just thinking you’re hot. Though, that’s one hell of a distraction,” he said, turning so his whole body faced her. When she did the same, it brought them closer physically than was wise.
“Back at you, Sawyer.”
They held each other’s gaze and he wondered how it felt like more. How simple things with this woman felt magnified. “We can be friends. Like you said, I could use one. And you’re still new in town, really. So, you could, too.”
She bit her lip and he had to swallow down a growl. He wouldn’t mind having his mouth on hers again.
“We’ll hang out, watch Netflix, and do odd favors for each other?”
He chuckled and stroked a hand up her arm. “Sounds like a perfect friendship to me.”
She nodded. “Me too.”
She turned back toward the city view, and Sawyer stared at her profile. Letting his guard down wasn’t an option, but maybe it was okay to let her in a little. He’d been wrong about Alyssa. Maybe Addie was right and he was too damn jaded. The other side of his brain cautioned him that being that way was what kept him safe. But staying that way was starting to feel damn lonely.
Chapter Thirteen
What Addie needed, other than to refocus on her job, was a night with her friend. A girls’ night. Free of men. Good-looking, sports-playing, make-her-tingle, supposed-to-be-not-quite-friend guys. None of those allowed.
The knock on her door pulled her from the file she wasn’t actually reading. She stood and came around her desk, her smile widening.
“Dustin. Welcome. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Hi, Ms. Carlisle. I’m excited to be here,” he said. His shoulders scrunched a bit as he eased his way into her office. His hair was slicked back and he’d worn a suit. He looked so professional, and a wave of pride washed through Addison. She thought of herself as a good judge of character. Dustin had impressed not only her, but Isla and Liam as well. He was going to fit in well at the Slammers headquarters.
“Please. Call me Addie.”
His youthful cheeks turned slightly red at the request, but he nodded. “Uh, so, when I interviewed with you and, uh, Mr. Cruz and Ms. Bennett, you weren’t entirely sure what I’d be doing.” He gestured to his clothes. “I didn’t know what to wear.”
Ushering him in, she pointed to the chair in front of her desk
. She sat in the one beside it rather than in her usual one. His nerves were bouncing off him like jumping beans and she hoped to put him at ease.
He sat, went to run a hand through his hair, and then, as if he’d remembered it was full of product, put his hand on his lap.
“Dustin?”
His eyes widened. “Yes, ma’am?”
She laughed. “Addie. Please. Could you do me a favor and breathe? You already got the job.”
Letting out a deep sigh, his shoulders sagged. “Yeah. Sure. I can do that. I’m sorry. I just… I mean, I grew up watching baseball, you know? And now I’m working for the Slammers. The Yankees have played in this stadium. Oh, I mean, and of course the Slammers. They’re our home team—”
She cut him off with another laugh and by raising her hand. “It’s okay to be impressed by the Yankees.” She leaned forward. “I’m a Colorado girl so my heart is divided, too. I do understand what you mean, though. It’s daunting, to say the least. But we’re really impressed with your work ethic and your goals and I’m very happy you took the job. Mostly because, after discussing a number of possibilities, we decided that you’re going to be my assistant.”
His smile widened and finally lost some of the nervous edge. “Really? That’s great. What will I do?”
Crossing one knee over the other, she angled her body toward him, excited to share her ideas. “I mentioned that I’m heading a new division here as director of player and staff wellness. I’m trying to meet with each of the players and house staff but obviously with the playoffs, everything is being pushed back. You’ll help me conduct interviews, do research, create plans for different needs, and make some local contacts that assist us with what we can provide for our organization.”
Dustin ran a hand over his neck, his eyes thoughtful and his lips pursed. “That sounds really incredible. And challenging. Do the players know they’re all being interviewed?”
“Good question. As of the beginning of this week, yes. Isla sent an email to the entire organization to rearticulate the goal and what we’re after.”
When he straightened his shoulders and leaned in, she continued. “I have a list of the players I’ve met with. We’ll need to make a list of which players have responded favorably and work with them first.”
“What about players who are resistant?”
“Another excellent question.” She thought of Sawyer. “We’re going to have to work around their resistance and make them see we’re on their side.”
He gave a wide, toothy grin. “I’ll try to be cool around the players. My dad wouldn’t believe me when I said I got this job.”
That puzzled her a little, but before she could ask him about that, another knock came from behind them. They turned together, but it was probably only Addie’s heart that skipped a couple of beats.
“Sawyer,” she said.
“Hey. How’s it going, Dustin?” He came into the room and when Dustin stood, shook his hand.
“Mr. McBain. It’s awesome to see you again,” he said.
Sawyer shook his head. “Sawyer. Please.”
Addie stood as well. “That’s how I reacted, too. What can I do for you, Sawyer?”
His eyes found hers and she sucked in a breath. The man had a potent gaze. One side of his mouth tipped up. “I came to chat about my wellness.”
Dustin looked back and forth between them. “Uh, I can get started on something?”
Blinking rapidly, trying to come up with a professional answer, Addie went around her desk. “I’ll show you where you can work for now, and I’ll get you to contact this list of players.” She picked up the folder, checked it, and then handed it over.
Dustin opened it and then glanced up at Sawyer. “You’re on the list.”
Sawyer’s lips curved. “Addie’s got me covered.”
Now why did that sound sexual? “That’s true, but he can practice the interview on you.” She grinned at him and pressed her advantage. “Dustin needs the practice. Don’t be difficult,” she said.
The flare of his eyes and the way his mouth tipped up at one corner made her feel like a heart-eyed teen. Sawyer’s eyes moved over to her and he held her stare, one brow arched. “Just because we’re friends doesn’t mean you get to be bossy.” He leaned in. “At least not here.”
The air thickened, and it wasn’t until Dustin cleared his throat that Addie realized they were still holding a staring contest worthy of two sixth graders.
“Let me get Dustin settled. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Working up a somewhat genuine smile for the new hire, despite the whirlwind in her stomach, she showed him to an office down the hall that Isla had okayed for his use. She made sure he had what he needed—a laptop and phone—and that he knew where the coffee and bathrooms were, then headed back to her office. Outside the door, she pulled in a couple of cleansing breaths.
“Make yourself at home,” she said when she saw Sawyer leaning back in her chair.
“I like your office. It’s very you,” he said, folding his hands behind his head.
Trying to see it through his eyes, she glanced around. She’d added some vintage posters to the walls, a couple of plants, a shelf full of books, and the small, cozy chair in the corner had a throw her grandmother had made her years ago. She liked to feel at home no matter where she was.
“Thanks. But you didn’t come here to admire my office.”
She folded her arms across her chest and wondered why he inspired such a pendulum of emotions. Frustration. Lust. Back and forth.
Sawyer swung out of the chair. “No. You’re right. I’m at the ballpark for practice and I wanted to ask you about something.”
He came closer. Too close for breathing that didn’t illicit want. “I had an idea for later. After practice. Game three is the day after tomorrow so it won’t be late or anything.”
Before she could stop it, her brain came up with far too many ideas of what that something could be. “Oh?”
He grinned like he could read her mind. She started to make a sarcastic comment to offset the rush of adrenaline his words caused, but he stopped her with a finger to her lips.
“Besides, I think this friendship thing is growing on me.”
There was something in his voice. Tilting her head to one side, she studied him. “What do you really want?”
He stepped back and put a hand to his chest. “Nothing. Why are you so suspicious?”
“Sawyer?” She fought her grin.
“My grandmother roped me into playing poker with her and some friends later tonight. I love hanging out with Grams, but she and her pals get together once a month and generally I can avoid it, but she wore me down.”
Addie chuckled. “If you’re playing poker, you’re sitting down so your bottom should be safe from their grabby hands.”
He scowled. “You’d think. Come on, Addie. Don’t you want to meet my Grams?”
Oh, goodness. Her heart was going to explode from the adorable and endearing look on his face.
“I’m sort of working here.”
“It’s not until later and I’ll be tied up for hours anyway. You won’t be here all night, will you?”
She bit her lip and considered her options. She did want to meet his Grams. So far, she was the only family member he’d mentioned without a sneer. She also wanted to spend more time with him. As a friend. Making friends in a new town is very important. So is your job. “I’ll go if you agree to answer my wellness intake on the drive.”
“You’re already helping me out.”
She nodded. “Yes. But my intention is to help you in all areas of your life.”
“I don’t need help in all areas. But I’ll answer the questions.”
They both held their ground, waiting for the other to say something. Addie broke first. “I think this is the first time we’re hanging out on equal footing.”
His lips quirked and he let out a low laugh. “I guess we’ll see how it goes.”
She wasn’t
normally good with that arrangement. Addie liked to have a plan and be able to see exactly where things were headed. Sawyer made her want to remove the life jacket and find out if she could swim on her own. That was either going to be a really good thing or something she might not bounce back from.
…
Addie looked over the list of questions Dustin had formulated for an email survey for each of the players. Considering timing, how busy the players were, and the reluctance of some to be interviewed, he’d suggested that a short survey might be more prudent.
They started easy with questions such as name, position with the company, goals and highlights. The survey moved on to physical health, mental health, support systems, family, and areas of need. She knew they were reluctant to say they needed anything. People didn’t want to appear weak.
Addie had seen, firsthand, the strength it took for her mother to ask for and receive help. Addie had grown up realizing that the ability to reach out and lean on others wasn’t a weakness but a sign of bravery and fortitude. Someone like Sawyer saw it as a chance for others to find the holes in their armor. She wondered if that made them too different from each other or a perfect complement.
By the time they finished up with the final question she’d created—What more could the company do to support you and your family?—she felt confident that the questions were a step in the right direction.
It had taken her mother years to get her MS diagnosis and then she’d had to fight for support from her employer.
“These are excellent. We’re going to send this out right away. Your first day was a complete success.”
“Thank you so much!” Dustin said with a smile. Then he checked his watch. “It flew by. Do you mind if I stay a little later? It might be easier to study here than in my apartment.”
She stood, discreetly stretched and realized she hadn’t eaten in too many hours. “Of course. This is your space. There’s food and coffee in the staff room. Help yourself. Do you have roommates?”
“Three.”
Addie winced. “Guess it makes it cheaper. No family close by?”
