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CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

SILAS

“Photographers are over there,” Kent said as we settled into the bleachers at the softball field.

I nodded, holding back a groan. We’d always planned to attend a softball game to show support for the team we sponsored, and it was a given that we’d pose for pictures later, but I didn’t think a photographer would be on the sidelines documenting our every damn move.

We’d only brought Nate and Adrian with us. Kent had wanted the entire team here since they had a day off, but I told him that would just make us all a spectacle and not only take attention away from the girls, but distract them. Even though a few of them kept looking in the stands at us anyway.

No matter how many times I’d repeat to myself that PR was part of the deal of any team, and being a young organization, we needed to trade on whatever popularity we had, I was fucking exhausted. I just wanted to do my job without feeling like a show pony all the damn time.

While everyone was glancing back at us, I was scanning the crowd for Rachel. I’d wanted to surprise her, and even though it had only been a week since the last time I’d seen her, the need to see her again was driving me out of my mind even worse than before.

Before, I’d wanted to see her but hadn’t thought I could have her, so I’d tried to view any distance between us as a good thing. Now that I did have her, I wanted her all the time. But work for both of us and this stupid secret thing we had to go along with for now made that more difficult than it ever should have been.

I’d been watching Taylor since we’d come. Poor kid didn’t know how to react to me when their coach brought us over before the game to say hello. I couldn’t blame her as I was also clueless about what to do. I’d met the team before but couldn’t act like I knew her better than the rest of the girls, and she probably was scared to let on that she knew me better too.

“The girls are good,” Nate noted as he leaned forward.

“They are,” I agreed. Nate wasn’t exactly warm toward me, but he’d stopped snapping back whenever I made a comment or suggestion. We’d never had words, but I did give the team an overall talk about appreciating their cooperation in avoiding any defiance or disrespect since I wouldn’t tolerate that, at all.

None of the guys were like that, but Nate had had the decency to look away, most likely knowing that I was speaking directly to him. I wouldn’t call him friendly, but it wasn’t a battle to talk to him after that.

“That was a good double play.” Adrian nodded toward Taylor as she was smoothing her hair back into her ponytail, and she slipped her hat back on.

She had a great arm, throwing bullets from her spot on third base. She’d swung at some far-off pitches, but once she made contact, the ball had sailed with a shit-ton of distance. Maybe I could help her get a better eye when she was at the plate, as long as no one was around.

Because any time I spent with Rachel and her sister would have to be in secret.

Fuck, I hated this.

“That’s one of the PR people, right?” Adrian pointed to where Rachel was settling onto a bench behind the team. She whispered to one of the parents next to her as they pointed toward us.

She was a field away, but my eyesight was perfect enough to spot her freeze up for a moment. Fumbling around Taylor was uncomfortable but not noticeable since I still hardly knew her.

But when Rachel came over, I’d have to watch myself. I couldn’t touch her or kiss her hello or head over to where she sat to be next to her.

If my gaze lingered on her, as it was doing now since the rest of the field and anyone else faded away once I’d spotted her, people would talk, and she couldn’t afford that now.

I leaned back and rubbed at my neck, the tension in my jaw giving me a pounding headache.

I reached into my pocket to grab my phone. I’d sent an email to my lawyer to see if the rule at Rachel’s job about fraternizing with clients was legal. Even though I knew that companies could make whatever rules they wanted, I hoped for a way to fight it if we ever got caught, and I was hoping the buzz I felt against my leg was good news.

The message on my screen was a text from Rachel instead.

Rachel: I didn’t expect you here today, Coach.

Me: I wanted to surprise you. Not that I can come near you right now.

Rachel: It’s a good surprise! But yeah, this blows.

Me: Taylor is good. Tell her she’s got a great arm .

Rachel: From you, she’ll love that.

Rachel: Also, you look fucking hot today.

I smiled at my screen. I wore a Bats T-shirt and a plain baseball cap. I’d shot down Kent when he suggested to wear our jerseys. Yes, we were here for promo reasons, but the girls were the players today, not us.

Me: You can tell that from all the way across the field?

Rachel: Of course I can. Those thick, muscular thighs, the biceps bulging out of your T-shirt.

Rachel: You’re a tease. Showing everyone here what’s mine.

I burst out laughing before I could help it.

“You all right, Coach?” Adrian asked, chuckling as he squinted at me.

“Yeah, fine,” I told him, stuffing my phone back into my pocket. “Why?”

“Whoever you were texting with put a big smile on your face. You’re gonna break everyone’s heart on Instagram if you’re attached now. Who is she?”

“I bet I know,” Nate said next to me, his cocky smile spreading wider when he met my gaze.

“I bet you don’t,” I tried to reply with enough force to stop him from any more comments or questions.

“Who?” Adrian asked. “How does Nate know her?”

“He doesn’t. Just relax and watch the game before we have to take pictures. Then you can have the rest of the day off.”

I’d grabbed Rachel away from Nate at the gala, full of enough jealous rage that I hadn’t cared how obvious I was about it. I’d truly never thought we had a chance of being together and would have to be careful not to tip off the wrong people.

But I’d already done that, so now it was just a matter of time before one of us did it again.

“Make sure you stick around for the team photo,” Kent said when he came back from the restroom, and Nate and Adrian headed toward the concession stand.

“This was a good idea,” Kent told me when they were out of earshot. “A local team sponsorship, especially a girls’ team. Looks good. I’m not on board with everything else the agency suggested, but this is easy. Gets our faces out there.”

He meant my face and maybe Nate’s, but I only nodded.

“So, what’s this I overheard when I sat back down? You seeing someone?”

Yes. And she’s incredible, and I think I’ve already fallen in love with her.

That was the answer I wanted to give.

“No, the guys were just speculating.”

“Ah, good.”

“Good?” My head jerked to Kent. “Why is that good?”

He nodded toward the girls’ bench. A few of the mothers were looking back at us and whispering to each other.

“Can’t forget about our new fan base,” he whispered.

Oh, fuck no.

I was about to stand up and lose my shit, boss or not, when I heard a squeal on the field. The girls had made the last out of the inning and had won six to three.

I couldn’t go back at my boss in a crowd, especially when this was the PR part of the day and I had to plaster on a big smile. I’d been happy to be here to celebrate the team we sponsored, but not for Kent to pimp me out to some of the players’ mothers.

“Congratulations, ladies!” Kent said, his wide, shit-eating grin churning the rage in my gut even more. “That was a good game.” He glanced back at me.

“Yes, it sure was. You’re all very talented. I’m glad I got to watch you all in action.”

I caught Taylor sneak a look at her sister. Rachel motioned for her to turn around and line up with the other girls.

Nate and Adrian stood on one side of the team, and I hung toward the back where Taylor stood.

“Thanks for coming to the game today,” Taylor said, giving me a small smile.

“No thanks needed. You have an awesome arm.”

I grinned when her eyes grew wide.

“Really? Wow, thank you.”

When her eyes lit up with excitement like that, she reminded me of her sister. Rachel had done a great job raising her when she was barely an adult herself, and to have the kind of mother Rachel had told me they had, it made them both even more special.

I smiled for three shots before the team dispersed.

“Are you headed back to the field, Silas? The guys said they have somewhere to be, so I can give them a ride back,” Kent said as he dangled his keys around his finger.

I’d met them here in the hopes of sneaking some time with Rachel after, but I needed to wait until they got the hell out of here. I wasn’t letting what Kent had insinuated go, but I wouldn’t let it ruin the five minutes I’d get with my girlfriend today.

“No, I’ll head home. I told the guys to enjoy their day off, and I intend to do the same.”

“All right, fair enough. See you in the morning.” He jabbed my arm and jogged to catch up with the guys. Adrian waved, and Nate stared back at me for a half beat too long before he turned.

And to think, I’d thought he wasn’t going to be a headache anymore.

A few parents still lingered by the girls’ bench, and I debated on taking my time leaving the field so I’d happen to run into Rachel and her sister on the way out, but then I might look like a creep waiting outside a girls’ softball game alone.

Not only did I hate having to sneak around, I was crap at it.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I was relieved for an excuse to stand by the exit and check.

Rachel: I know you’re off today. Want to meet us at home, and we’ll order some pizza?

Rachel: All these moms love to gab at the end of a game, and if one of them sees us leave together, the Bats being our sponsor…another level of complication.

Me: Fucking exhausting, isn’t it.

Rachel: Awful. So, see you at home, Coach.

Me: I look forward to it, Slugger.

I caught Rachel’s gaze over her phone screen as I left the field, a tiny smile playing on her lips when she shoved the phone back into her bag while she spoke to the other parents. She didn’t look much older than her sister in a T-shirt and shorts. And as much as I wanted to run my hands all over her beautiful body, her sister would be around tonight, so we’d both have to control ourselves.

Dinner at her house with her sister felt like a big step, but every time I had to keep all I felt about Rachel to myself, it seemed like two steps back.

But the only direction I wanted to go was forward, with Rachel. I’d tolerate what I needed to if I had her in the end.