Payoff Pitch (Philadelphia Patriots)

by V. K. Sykes

  “No, wait. Please, Noah. Because there’s something I still need from you. I can’t just move back into your house and pretend nothing has changed between us. Emotionally, I mean. I need…I need to mean more to you than…than what we were before.”

  Well, maybe the words weren’t flowing so well after all. She had to hope he understood what she was trying to say.

  When Noah wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight against him, she knew he did. Relief flooded through her as she snaked her arms around his back and squeezed with all her strength.

  “You’d better believe you mean more to me than that,” Noah said, in a low, husky voice. He cradled her close to him. “Most of the reason I just walked out of that damn room was because I realized how much you mean to me. How much I want to be with you, not a bunch of suits in a corporate office or some dumb cocktail party.”

  She pushed away a little bit, taking in his solemn expression. “Really?”

  “Yeah, really. They’re not my tribe and they never will be.” A slow smile curved up his mouth. Teddy felt the force of it deep inside, winding its way around her heart.

  “You know,” he said as he settled his hands on her hips, “I don’t think I’ve ever felt more like a ballplayer than when I was talking to that bunch just now. Between what happened in Cooperstown and what happened in that ballroom, it’s clear now that my life is in baseball. I mean that it always will be, one way or another, even if I wind up coaching high school in some little Texas town. My future is not in the boardroom of Baron Energy, and it’s sure as hell not shilling for the gas industry.”

  Tears stung her eyes but she didn’t care. They were happy tears, and she didn’t need to hold them back. “I’m thrilled, Noah. Thrilled beyond any words. But I’d stick by you even if you did turn into a corporate flunky.”

  “Ouch,” he said, giving an exaggerated wince.

  She let out a watery chuckle. “All kidding aside, I need you to know that I’ll support whatever decisions you make. And I’ll do it because I love you so much.” She shook her head, kind of amazed at how easy it now was to say that to him. “I’m sorry I made things so difficult for you. I was, well, scared.”

  Noah softly kissed her forehead and then her lips. “I’m sorry too, babe. I love you, Teddy. It took me way too long to figure it out. And to finally say it.”

  She stared up at him, drinking in the expression on his face, letting the words she’d so longed to hear take up residence in her heart. “Actually,” she whispered, “it’s not been that long. It’s been less than two months. Most people would think we’re crazy.”

  He grinned. “Maybe, but I think I always knew you were the one. Probably from the moment I nearly ran you over.”

  Teddy laughed. Now that the stress of baring her soul to him was past, she felt almost giddy. “Then I guess we owe it all to Buster’s prison break, don’t we? That crazy mutt is what brought us together.”

  “I’d say we owe it to all three mutts—Buster, Toby and Sadie. And, speaking of the last two, I know they’ll be moping around with broken hearts if you don’t come back right away.” Again he nuzzled her mouth—for too brief a moment, as far as she was concerned. “And that goes for me, too.”

  “Of course I’ll come back. Tonight, if you want me to. I’d miss Toby and Sadie too much not to come.” She couldn’t resist a playful dig, feeling so light-hearted that she imagined herself floating a few inches above the terrace.

  Noah faked a wounded look. “And what about missing me?”

  Teddy rolled her eyes. “Oh, you too, I suppose. But you’d better think of something else to call me other than your dog walker from now on.”

  Noah stayed silent for a moment. “Well, then, how about I call you my girlfriend? Or, better yet, the woman I love?” His intent gaze told Teddy he meant every word.

  “Both will do nicely,” she said. “Now, I think it’s time for me to go home and do some packing. Care to join me?”

  Noah shook his head. “That can wait. First, I’m taking you to dinner so every guy in the restaurant can envy me for having the most beautiful woman in Philadelphia on my arm. Then we’ll go pack your stuff and go home so we can…” He let his words trail off, grinning.

  “Walk the dogs?” Teddy teased.

  “Okay, that, too. But I’m sure they won’t mind if we make it quick just this once—so we can get on to more interesting business.” Noah said in a sexy growl.

  Teddy smiled as the man she loved wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her back inside. “Sounds like a perfect evening to me.”

  - EPILOGUE -

  Though Teddy still felt a bit uncomfortable with Adam and Levi Cade, she figured that would fade over time. She had to give them credit, because on the two occasions they’d seen each other over the seven weeks following the industry reception, they’d made a real effort to be welcoming and even warm to her. That said a lot for how much they loved Noah and wanted to keep him in their lives despite the decisions he’d made.

  Still, she knew their acceptance of his refusal to join the family business was only temporary. Adam Cade was not the kind of man to take no for an answer, and she was convinced he had yet to let go of his goal of someday getting Noah into the CEO’s chair at Baron Energy. Still, Noah had made it crystal clear that his life in baseball was far from over, and Teddy didn’t see that changing any time soon.

  She glanced around the ballpark’s All-Star Club as they waited for Noah to join them here now that the game was over. The exclusive press level seating area and lounge cost a big premium and so was mostly the preserve of Philadelphia corporate and professional types. But Noah always managed to get seats there, courtesy of one of his sponsors. He’d be up soon enough—he’d promised to shower quickly and join them.

  Teddy couldn’t wait to see him. He’d be so pumped about pitching effectively tonight. He’d thrown a perfect sixth inning, getting three outs in succession with a strikeout and two harmless grounders. She knew it didn’t get much better than that for a relief pitcher, especially one with a shoulder that needed babying after he’d finally received clearance to pitch again. Since he’d only thrown eleven pitches, she’d fleetingly thought that the manager might even leave him in to pitch another inning. But that wasn’t to be—the pitcher’s turn to bat had come in the top of the seventh, and Noah had been pulled from the lineup for a pinch hitter.

  Still, it counted as a win for him all around.

  Adam and Levi snagged a table and ordered drinks while she checked in with Cristina to make sure Toby and Sadie were doing fine. Cristina was pretty talkative, as had frequently been the case since Teddy moved back into the house. The difference from the early days of their relationship was remarkable, and obviously attributable to the come-to-Jesus talk Noah had initiated with the housekeeper the morning after Teddy took up permanent residence. Promises were made, assurances were given, and worth was unhesitatingly affirmed, Noah had told her later. Whatever transpired during that discussion, Cristina had turned into a rather pleasant, reliable housemate, and—dare Teddy think—possibly even a future friend.

  “I’m sorry that took so long,” she said to Adam and Levi once she got off the phone.

  “No problem, Teddy.” Adam glanced at his watch. “We’ll just stay a few minutes and say hello to Noah then head back to the hotel. It’s getting late, especially since we’ve got a crack of dawn flight to Harrisburg.” He gave a little chuckle. “We wouldn’t want to keep the new DEP Secretary waiting, would we?”

  No, but it must be nice to be able to lobby the woman within a week of her taking office, Teddy couldn’t help thinking. She wondered how long it would take environmental action groups to get on the new Secretary’s agenda.

  Still, she managed a smile. “Striking while the iron is hot, so to speak. The poll that came out last week must have made you happy.”

  A poll by a consortium of local universities had shown an increase in general support for fracking of three percent
since the industry started running ads nearly a month ago. Though it had dismayed Teddy to read the numbers, she knew polls went up and down. She hoped the increase would simply be a temporary blip manufactured by an expensive media campaign.

  Adam raised his beer glass in a salute. “It sure did. And our own polling is showing even better movement in our favor.”

  Oh, joy. “Well, then, it appears that you didn’t miss Noah after all. That actress you hired to front the campaign could probably sell ice to the Inuit,” she said.

  “Liza’s fantastic,” Adam said. “But I’ll be honest with you, Teddy, and I think Noah is already aware of this. I didn’t come up with the idea because he’d make the best spokesman for the campaign. Yes, he’d have been good, but there are lots of great people out there—professional people like Liza—who make their living convincing folks that every word coming out of their mouths is the gospel truth.”

  Teddy got it. Adam was just confirming what she’d suspected all along. “You were using the campaign to shift Noah’s focus from baseball to his future at Baron. Like you said, I don’t think that’s a surprise to either Noah or me.”

  “Believe me, I didn’t do it as some sort of crass manipulation. I hope you can understand that. I just wanted what I thought was best for Noah in the long-term.”

  Teddy believed him. “I’m sure he knows that, Adam.”

  “Yes, but I wanted you to know it, too, Teddy. I don’t think either of us is going anywhere in terms of being part of Noah’s life, so it’s important we understand each other.”

  You’re darn right I’m not going anywhere. It was nice to hear Noah’s dad signal his acceptance of that fact.

  “Absolutely,” she agreed.

  An elevator at the far end of the lounge opened and Noah stepped out. He wore jeans and a faded red Patriots T-shirt along with a black leather jacket in recognition of the unusually cool September evening. Teddy’s heart rate doubled at the sight of him, just as it did every time after even the briefest of absences.

  Noah shook hands with his dad and brother before putting an arm around her and giving her a tender, lingering kiss. He was obviously sending Adam and Levi another message, and Teddy loved every sweet second of it.

  “Great game, son,” his father said.

  “Man, you looked strong out there tonight,” Levi added.

  Noah smiled wryly. “I’m afraid it was mostly an optical illusion, but it’s coming along. Getting professional hitters out with junk pitches takes a lot more skill and cunning than blowing heat past them.”

  Even Teddy knew that Noah’s pitches were hardly “junk”. She could tell from his eyes that he was pleased with his performance.

  “Well, we just wanted to take a minute to congratulate you,” his dad said. “Levi and I should be going now, though, what with that early flight tomorrow. Besides, I’m sure you two have plans of your own.” He winked at Noah.

  Oh, Teddy had plans for Noah, all right. With only slight variations for added flavor, they were the same plans she’d had every other night—a glass of wine, a little talk, and then a whole lot of hot sex. Only the Patriots’ road trips had interrupted their delicious routine, but her anticipation of Noah’s return always seemed to contain its own special delights.

  Noah shot her a questioning look. “Did you tell them? You said you would.”

  “Well, uh, no. Not yet,” Teddy stammered. Man, she hated tooting her own horn. She’d much rather that the focus stay on Noah.

  “So, what are you waiting for?” Noah said with a grin.

  Adam and Levi glanced between the two of them, both looking a bit wary.

  “You tell them, Noah. Please,” Teddy pleaded.

  “Okay, if you insist. Guys, Teddy got some fantastic news today. Her Law School Admission Test scores arrived,” Noah said, beaming. “She totally aced them. A score of 169, which is probably good enough to get accepted by some of the top tier law schools in the country.”

  Teddy shifted uncomfortably as she waited for Noah’s family to react.

  “Wow, you must be some smart,” Levi said, looking reluctantly impressed.

  Teddy knew that in some ways she’d have a harder row to hoe with Levi than with his father. Although he and Noah had finally thrashed things out, Levi was still hurt and resentful that his brother had rejected a role in the family corporation. She could only hope he would eventually come around to genuinely accepting Noah’s decision.

  The elder Cade smiled and nodded. “Congratulations, Teddy. You know Southern Methodist has a very fine law school, and UT Austin is one of the best in the country.”

  Noah rolled his eyes. “You never give up, do you, Dad?”

  “Never. We want you two back in Texas, whether at Baron or not.”

  Teddy very much liked the sound of you two. Noah’s father had clearly accepted them as a couple. Who knew? Maybe he was even starting to approve.

  “Well, all I can tell you is that Teddy and I have agreed on one thing.” Noah looked at Teddy and she nodded, happy he was going to say it. “We’ve agreed that we’re not going to be separated, no matter what. If I get traded, or if I retire and get a coaching job somewhere, she’s coming with me and she’ll go to school wherever I land. Or, if I’m still playing here and she needs to go somewhere else for the right law school, then I’ll be following her. No long distance relationship for us.”

  Teddy and Noah had made that decision nearly four weeks ago after she’d taken the LSAT. He knew how much law school meant to her and how hard she’d been working to get herself in a position to apply. She, on the other hand, knew how important it was to him to keep playing as long as his arm would allow, and hopefully right here in Philadelphia. If Teddy could make a wish come true, it would be that Noah could pitch several more seasons for the Patriots and finish about the same time as she was getting her law degree from top ranked Penn or, if she didn’t get accepted there, from Villanova or from Temple, where she would get her undergraduate degree sometime in the next year.

  Still, hearing Noah make that declaration to his father and brother thrilled her beyond anything she could describe in words.

  Adam gave a little shrug. “Yeah, not like your old man, huh? Hell, I was so busy running around the country that I didn’t see much of your mother and you, did I? Looking back, I have to admit it might not have been the best way to do things. I made a lot of money and built a great company, but the family had to make a lot of sacrifices because of it.”

  Noah and Levi looked at each other but neither said a word.

  Teddy jumped in. “Before you go, I wanted to say that the next time you’re in town, I’d like to make dinner for both of you at our house.” Saying our house sounded pretty great, although it still took some getting used to. “I’m not exactly a gourmet cook, but Noah and I would really like it if you’d come.”

  “You bet,” Noah said. “And, by the way, she’s a great cook.”

  Adam’s smile looked warmer and more genuine than any Teddy had seen so far. “It would be my pleasure, Teddy.”

  Levi gave her an approving smile and nod.

  “Be forewarned, though,” Noah said with a sly grin. “We’ll be serving water straight from the Marcellus Shale. With a twist of lemon, of course.”

  Adam rolled his eyes and Levi chuckled. And when Noah pulled Teddy close and kissed her again, she knew that everything was going to be just fine.

  -THE END-

  Thank you for reading Payoff Pitch – we hope you enjoyed it! If you did, please help other people find this book by writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon, or other retailers. We’d also be thrilled if you joined the VK Sykes Facebook page or followed us on Twitter. You can also get the latest VK Sykes book release news by signing up for Vanessa's newsletter.

  Please turn the page for an excerpt from Curveball, Book Four in the Philadelphia Patriots series.

  -CURVEBALL-

  Taylor Page never wanted anything but a career in major league baseball, and hard
work and talent have finally landed her the job of Assistant General Manager to the Philadelphia Patriots. Too bad most guys in baseball still don't take a woman exec seriously, especially a thirty-year old blonde with no on-field experience. She needs to do something big to convince her bosses she has what it takes to run a team.

  Veteran Pittsburgh outfielder Ryan Locke's career is in jeopardy when rehab fails to correct a suddenly unreliable throwing arm. A single parent with a troubled daughter and an alcoholic mother to support, retirement just isn’t on. Ryan's best hope is for a trade to an American League team as a designated hitter, allowing him several more years of play.

  When Taylor needs a replacement for an injured first baseman, she comes up with an innovative but risky idea: convince her boss and Ryan that he has what it takes to play first base for the Patriots. With Ryan dead-set against that plan and both their careers on the line, neither Taylor nor Ryan can afford the explosive physical attraction between them. But Ryan is intent on seduction, and Taylor soon finds she can’t resist playing his game.

  What the hell was up with Taylor Page, anyway? It seemed like every time Ryan glanced her way, she was looking straight at him with those piercing baby blues of hers. Even weirder, every time he caught her, she immediately swung her attention back to Joe Ridge, who must have wondered why his dinner companion’s gaze was centered just over his left shoulder. Two other guys were at their table, but they were in the process of leaving.

  Okay, Ryan was pretty much directly in Page’s line of sight. So if she looked past Ridge and straight across three other tables at the Summer Moon, she was naturally going to be staring right at him. And he was sitting in front of floor-to-ceiling windows that gave out onto a spectacular nighttime view of the Gulf of Mexico. Still, he would bet a thousand bucks that her attention on him wasn’t a figment of his imagination, and it was probably no accident that she showed up at the bar tonight, either. Checking him out at batting practice, drinking at the same bar, eyeing him repeatedly—it added up to a big mess of something’s going on, babe.