by Jody Holford
“Elbow needs to be above the shoulder. That’s it. You need to keep your feet planted as you follow through. There you go.”
Pride filled him when the distance of her next throw surpassed all of the others.
“You’re a natural.”
She laughed. “Hardly. But you’re right. It feels good.” She tried again, and it went even farther. Her laughter made it fun, reminding him of the first time he’d held a ball. He was five. He’d picked up that ball and knew he wanted to be a ballplayer.
Isla rotated her shoulder. “That’s going to ache. No wonder you guys have to ice down.”
Liam swung the bat a few times, listening to the whoosh as it sliced through the air. He loved that sound. Only one sound better in the stadium, and that was making contact.
“You ready to try the ball machine?”
Isla looked over at it. “Uh, it’s going to spit out baseballs toward my head?”
Liam laughed. “It’s not aimed at your head.”
She tilted her head and scrunched her lips. “I’m not so sure. How about I watch you?”
Liam showed her how to load the ball into the machine, adjusted the speed, and walked across the field.
“Ready when you are,” he hollered.
When the ball came, the sound of the bat making contact hummed through him, created a bone-deep satisfaction.
“Oh my goodness!” She shouted it, staring at him. “That was insane!”
He laughed, waggled his eyebrows playfully even though satisfaction over her expression buzzed through his body. “Baby. That was nothing.”
Like a kid in a candy store, she kept asking for more, and Liam couldn’t help it, he fell further because her delight was energizing. When he’d hit a dozen balls, he walked over and kissed her. She didn’t seem to mind that he’d worked up a sweat, but then, she’d helped him do so in other ways more than once.
“You are incredible. If you weren’t on my team, I’d seriously be wooing you,” she said, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
Liam laughed. “Hmm. Maybe I should have utilized my free agent status.”
“Well, you’re stuck now. I’m keeping you.”
The bat fell to his side, and he scooped her up, pulling her body against his own. Her hands went to his shoulders and his circled, holding his own arms so she was basically sitting on them.
“I like the sound of that. Careful. I might get ideas,” he said. She leaned down, took his mouth in a kiss that made him wish they weren’t in the middle of the field.
The way she leaned back, cupped his face, made his heart do that weird jump slash squeeze thing.
“Once things are more settled, when I get my dad to back off and make it clear to Bruce that he’ll have to get used to me, we can stop hiding. But it’s better for both of us this way.”
As he loosened his grip, letting her slide down his body, he hated that she was right. He’d have lawyers all over him, his contract torn apart. It wasn’t like he’d ever sue her for harassment or something, but the media would have a field day. And that would have a definite ripple effect. He’d had a good career, and he knew he was coming to the end of it, but he wasn’t sure he was ready for that to be now. Going out on top mattered to him. But so does Isla.
“Is it my turn?”
Pulled back into the moment, he nodded, kissed the bridge of her nose. “Yup. I’m going to throw the ball for you, though, because I want to teach you how to stand first, how to swing.”
She bit her lip, staring at him with her brows scrunched.
Using his index finger, he smoothed the lines. “That okay?”
She nodded. “You know, I’m wondering, do you know if the team has ever done anything with schools? Like a partnership? Can you imagine how pumped kids would be if they could get some one-on-one instruction from players?”
He grinned. Liam could see the gears turning. “I know there’s a few guys who work with rec centers and stuff. Definitely be worth looking into. You still thinking of talking to that Conroy guy?”
They walked toward the home plate and she side-eyed him, a grin tipping up her unpainted lips.
“His name is Jonathan. I think you’d like him,” she said.
“As long as you don’t,” he replied, pointing to the plate.
Stopping in front of him, her hands on his chest, she tilted her head back. “Liam Cruz, you are the sweetest, sexiest man I’ve ever met. Without question. How on earth can you be jealous of a business partner you’ve never met?”
“You were jealous of Lara.” He stared pointedly.
Her nose scrunched up. Freaking cute. “She’s a model.”
“Yeah, well, your pal Jonathan didn’t exactly fall off the ugly truck.”
Her belly laughter made it hard to fight his smile. “You looked him up?”
Liam shrugged.
“Maybe we should set Jonathan and Lara up.”
Now, he laughed. “How about we just worry about us?”
“I like us, Liam. It feels like the rainbow after the storm. Or during the storm, in my case.”
Kissing her was like breathing. Necessary. “Me too, Red. Let’s stop doing this to each other. I won’t act like a dick about Jonathan and you remember what I told you. Whatever you see online isn’t real. Us, right here…this is the most real I’ve ever felt. And I have to say, watching you enjoy the sport I love is only making me like you more.”
“Well then, I’d better hit a home run,” she said, taking the bat from him.
He took a few minutes to show her how to stand. He also took a few minutes getting distracted by curling his body around hers.
“Uh, is this how you learned?” She turned her head as much as she could to look over her shoulder at him.
He smirked. “Not exactly. But I think it’s effective, don’t you?”
“We’ll see. Are you going to throw the ball to me?”
He stepped away, moved in front of her. “Let me see you swing first.” Watching while she pretended to hit a ball, he nodded. “Okay, but keep your head up. Put your legs a little farther apart. You’re going to move with your hips, like I showed you.”
She swung again.
“You want to square the bat up when you follow through. Okay, I’m going to toss a few balls.”
She missed the first three and he gave her further instruction, reminded her what to do. When she made contact, she dropped the bat in her excitement.
“I did it! I hit it!”
Laughing, he hugged her. “Yeah, you did. Let’s try it again, okay?”
They went through it about a dozen more times, and Liam realized that between Isla and baseball, this had been one of the best nights of his adult life. And he wanted more of them.
“Come on, I’m going to show you the different positions like I did on the paper, and then we should get home.”
“Home?” She was still standing on the plate.
“My place? Yours? Doesn’t matter to me. We aren’t being followed or stalked by the media. It’s close to midnight. Drive your car, I’ll drive mine, it’ll be fine.”
Walking over, the bat hanging by her side, she used her other hand to run her fingers through his hair.
“We’ll flip a coin. Because it doesn’t matter to me, either.”
The stadium lights, the woman, the smell of the field. Yeah. He’d hit a home run all right.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Isla waited in the reception area of the downtown Nashville television station. Tapping her heeled feet against the linoleum, she checked her phone again. The network director was running behind, but at the moment, it felt more like another snub.
Texting Addie, she asked her to set up a meeting with Bruce for the afternoon, see about contacting the Triple-A team manager again, and arrange to speak to two of her outfielders currently waffling about their free-agent status. It was Bruce’s job to deal with them, but she wanted to see if she could convince them to stay. Her taking over had made several of
the players antsy.
“Ms. Bennett?” A man with thick salt-and-pepper hair wearing a navy suit approached.
She stood, hand extended. “Isla. Mr. Fetter?”
He nodded. “Please, call me Jim.”
She walked alongside him, past the reception desk and into a corner office. The sun was shining through the window, casting light over the framed posters and awards on the wall. The company was a multi-station outlet, covering news, sports, and a few cable programs.
“Please, sit. I’m glad you called. Not just because the contract is expiring, but because we’d like to do an interview with you. Welcome you to Nashville properly.”
Her pulse settled as she slipped into one of the plush seats in front of his dark walnut desk. “That would be great. Hopefully, I’ll do better than I did at the last press conference.”
His chuckle was deep and warm. He took a seat behind his desk and folded his hands on the top. For the actual contract negotiation, Josiah would be present, but Isla had plans she wanted to put in place.
“It’s a lot to take on at once. I’m sorry about your grandfather,” Jim said, his eyes soft.
“Thank you. I hope I can fill his shoes,” she admitted. He might not have had a winning team, but from everything she’d seen and read, he’d had Nashville’s heart.
“Ratings are down. That’s the first thing we need to think about when we renegotiate. I’m proposing that our marketing teams get together and brainstorm ways to change that. With you being new at the helm, it’s an opportunity to rebrand.” Jim said all of this without inflection.
She’d been in enough meetings to know he was assessing her, gauging her reactions and knowledge. With an easy smile, she told him her plans for Conroy Hotels. His eyes glinted with appreciation, and she knew she’d added one more person to her side.
“The other thing I’d like to work on with your network is a big brother sort of program. I’ve spoken with a few of my players about more personal interaction, namely with kids. So far, Liam Cruz, Tommy Fortin, Corey Dryer, and Anderson Kenshaw are on board. They’re willing to donate time to teaching kids the basics, but I haven’t finalized any details on how kids will be chosen, whether we should do draws at ball games, do it as an online promotion, or what. But it’s on my mind, and I’m hoping to get more players on board.” Those were the big guns, though. Part of the reason she’d wanted to talk more with Tommy and Corey was because they’d agreed to the initial idea.
“I have to say, Isla,” Jim said, leaning back in his leather chair, “I am impressed and looking forward to working with you. Will you have more details on that next month when we review the contract?”
She gave a mental victory pump. “I absolutely will.”
“Those are Nashville boys you listed there. Definite fan favorites. You might still be learning baseball, but you definitely know what you’re doing.”
Why this virtual stranger’s praise pleased her, she couldn’t fully identify. But it did, and she left the meeting feeling good about where she was headed and what she wanted.
The next several days passed without incident, and she felt like she was settling into a routine. She and Liam stole moments when they could, but she spent so many hours trying to work out the deal with Jonathan over the phone, via email, and through Skype, she was dragging her feet by the time she got home.
By the end of the week, she was looking forward to dinner with Liam’s family and hoping nothing spoiled the afternoon. She pulled a different outfit from the closet as Addie came into her bedroom.
“I thought you were wearing jeans and that pink top.” She was holding a mug of tea, and her hair was tucked up in a messy bun on top of her head. Just looking at it made Isla’s brain hurt.
Isla held up a pale blue wrap-sweater. It crisscrossed over her breasts and tied on the side. “What about this one? I think the pink one is too…Saturday on the couch watching baseball.”
Addie laughed and set her mug down. “I don’t see the problem with that, seeing as you’re going to a ballplayer’s family for dinner. What’s Liam wearing?”
Isla’s mouth dropped open. “I don’t know. I didn’t ask him.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re not in high school,” Isla said, scoffing at her friend’s teasing.
“Um, sneaking around with boys, nervous about meeting the parents, and worrying about how much cleavage is too much? Are you sure?”
Tossing the blue sweater, hanger and all, on the bed, Isla collapsed beside them. Her laugh turned into a groan. “What am I doing?”
Addie lay beside her, their heads next to each other. “Falling in love.”
Turning her head, she glared at her friend. “I meant with my life.”
“Oh,” Addie said, drawing out the word. “That. I’m pretty sure you’re rocking the baseball ownership thing. I’ve been in contact with several school districts across the state, and we have a lot of interest in the baseball program.”
Turning so she was on her side, her head resting in her hand, Addie poked her in the ribs. “Breathe, sweetie. Things are going well. Take tonight and let yourself feel normal.”
“You’re a good friend, Ad.”
Addie nodded. “I know.”
“Why don’t you come with me? If the rest of Liam’s family is anything like Talia and him, it’s a more the merrier sort of thing.”
Addie smiled indulgently but shook her head. “I have some stuff I need to get done.”
Isla sat up. “If I’m taking the night off, you have to promise you will, too.”
A grin practically swallowed Addie’s face. “Settle down. I’m not doing anything with baseball.” Her friend sat up and smoothed down her shirt.
Guilt tugged at Isla’s heart. “You’re working on fund-raising of some sort, aren’t you?”
Addison nodded, like giving up her time in pursuit of making life better for others was just a natural thing all people did. She had no idea how special she was.
“Can I do anything?”
Addie shrugged and picked up her tea. “Nah. I’m just doing some research tonight. There’s an MS Society here, and I’m going to look up some of the key players, past charity events, see what the deal is. I also have a few things I need to tie up from leaving Colorado so quickly.”
Isla stepped forward and, mindful of the mug, gave her friend a hard hug.
“What’s this for?”
When Isla pulled away, she took Addie’s hand. “You are the best friend a girl could ask for. I’m sorry I’ve been so self-absorbed.”
Addie tipped her head back and laughed. When she started walking out of the bedroom, Isla followed. “Yeah, you’re totally selfish. Look at you just working me to death in a fancy office and making me live in this pretty apartment. Not to mention the exorbitant salary.” She set her mug down on the counter and turned on the kettle, then faced Isla. “You act like your grandfather just died and you had an entire baseball team thrown at you.”
Isla crossed her arms over her chest and tried not to smile. “I’m serious. You have things that matter to you, too, and I’ve not only pulled you away from all of them and your family, but I haven’t even asked how you’re doing with all of that. With your mom and the distance and—”
Addie cut her off by raising her hand and then coming forward to hug her. “Stop, Isla. Stop. We’re good.” She let her go and stepped back to the counter. “I’m where I want to be, and I’m excited. I love this job; I love being part of the team. I’m happy to be where you are, and my parents and I are managing long-distance just fine, so stop worrying. Please.”
It wouldn’t stop her from trying to think of a way to spoil her best friend as soon as she could, but Isla agreed.
“Good. Now go finish getting ready for your boyfriend. I’m going to have a lovely bubble bath and put on my cozies.”
When her tea finished, Addie set off to do that, and Isla returned to her room to try to decide between what she was wearing and the ot
her items she had in her closet.
Chatting with Addie had left her feeling less stressed. She’d met parents before. But it had never felt like this. Liam was very close to his family, and she knew tonight mattered. He mattered.
She’d blown off Addie’s comment about love, but she was fast slipping in that exact direction whether she wanted to or not.
Dressed in dark jeans, her blue sweater, and brand-new sexy underwear with matching bra underneath, Isla packed a light bag and texted Liam that she was ready. When her phone buzzed, she expected it to be him. Instead, Ian’s name popped up on her screen. He hadn’t contacted her since his visit to Nashville, and when her dad showed with the lawyer, Ian was absent.
Ian: Can we talk? Do you have time?
Isla: About?
Ian: Dad. The team. You selling a small percentage to him.
Isla: It’s not happening, Ian. I’ve already started negotiations on a deal with someone else for a ten percent stake.
Ian: You’re making a mistake. I’m trying to help you here.
Isla: Then be supportive of what I want.
No answer. Typical. She tucked away the unease when the doorbell sounded and went to meet Liam. When she opened the door, he was dressed in a thin, long-sleeved black sweater and a pair of jeans that fit him perfectly.
“Hey,” he greeted, his eyes heating and softening at the sight of her.
“Hey yourself. You look great,” she said, stepping in to him.
“That’s my line.” He leaned down, captured her mouth in a kiss, and settled his hand on her waist.
Isla wondered if it would always feel like fireworks when they kissed.
When he lifted his head, he pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose. “You ready?”
She inhaled deeply and let it out. “I think so.”
Pulling the door closed behind her, she would have fallen into step beside him, but he turned back and pressed her against it, kissing her again, this time more insistently, deeper. Not just fireworks. A Disneyland-caliber light show went off behind her eyelids as she wrapped her arms around him.
