Page 6 of Catching Her Heart (Austin Stars Baseball RomCom #2)

CHAPTER SIX

Three days since Ted walked away from me in that parking lot, and I can barely function.

I've written exactly one article—a fluff piece about the team's batting practice routines that even I know is terrible.

Every time I try to focus on actual reporting, my mind drifts back to the hurt in Ted's eyes when he accused me of betraying him.

I keep calling him. He never answers.

The worst part is covering the games. I have to sit in the press box, watching Ted struggle behind the plate, and pretend I'm not dying inside.

He's made two errors in the last two games—Ted Brennan, who never makes errors.

During yesterday's game, he struck out three times.

Three times. I've watched him play for weeks now, and he's one of the most consistent hitters on the team.

But I can't write about it. I know Tim expects me to cover Ted's sudden slump—it's becoming the story everyone's talking about—but I can't bring myself to put his struggles in print.

Instead, I've been focusing my articles on Jay's continued dominance and the team's overall winning streak.

It's getting harder to avoid the obvious story, though.

"Blackwood!" Tim appears at my desk like a storm cloud. "Where's that piece on the team's defensive struggles? Brennan's made more errors this week than he has all season."

"I'm working on a different angle," I say, not looking up from my computer screen. "The pitching rotation analysis you wanted."

"The pitching rotation can wait. Brennan's the story right now. What's going on with him?"

My stomach clenches. "I don't know. Players have slumps."

"Players don't usually have slumps that coincide with personal drama," Tim says pointedly. "I heard he's been asking around about trade rumors. Maybe he's distracted by contract negotiations."

"Where did you hear that?" I ask, trying to keep my voice casual.

"Sources, Blackwood. The kind you're supposed to be cultivating." Tim leans on my desk. "Speaking of which, have you made any progress on those insider connections? The trade deadline is next week, and Simmons's been filing exclusive after exclusive."

I want to scream that I had a connection, that I threw away the best source I've ever had because I actually care about him. Instead, I just nod and promise to work harder.

After Tim storms off to terrorize someone else, I grab my purse and head for the door. I need air, I need coffee, I need to be anywhere but here.

I'm walking toward Hill Country Coffee because apparently I'm a masochist who enjoys torturing herself. I’m almost there when I hear a familiar voice.

"Piper! Oh my goodness, Piper!"

I turn to see Bridget hurrying toward me, wearing her Austin Stars jersey and carrying approximately six shopping bags. Her face lights up when she spots me, and my heart sinks. I'm not ready to face Ted's family. Not when I feel this raw.

"Bridget, hi," I manage, forcing a smile.

"I've been hoping I'd run into you!" She sets down her bags and pulls me into a hug. "We missed you at Sunday dinner. Mom made your favorite sandwiches and everything."

"I'm sorry, I've been really busy with work?—"

"Oh, I know how it is. Teddy's been busy too. So busy he forgot to eat Mom's lasagna yesterday. Can you believe that? Teddy never forgets lasagna." Bridget's expression grows concerned. "He seems so sad lately. Just moping around, staring at his phone like he's waiting for it to ring."

My chest tightens. He's staring at his phone? Is he hoping I'll call? But he never answers when I do.

"I'm sure he's just focused on the games," I say weakly.

"Maybe. But he keeps asking if we've heard from you. And yesterday he asked Mom to make extra sandwiches, then looked so disappointed when you didn't show up." Bridget studies my face. "You two didn't have a fight, did you?"

I open my mouth to deflect, but something in Bridget's worried expression breaks me a little. "It's complicated."

"Oh, honey." Bridget's voice goes soft. "I know you two had a little spat, but surely you can work it out before the wedding!"

"The wedding?" I stare at her.

"Well, I've been practicing new songs! I found this beautiful version of 'At Last' that would be perfect for your first dance. Want to hear it?"

Before I can stop her, Bridget starts humming, and I realize she has no idea how serious this is. She thinks we had a minor disagreement, not that Ted believes I betrayed his trust and ended things completely.

"Bridget," I interrupt gently. "Ted and I... we're not getting married. We're not even dating anymore."

Her face falls. "What? But you're perfect for each other! And I already picked out my maid of honor dress!"

Despite everything, I find myself smiling at her priorities. "I'm sorry. I know you were excited."

"But this is just temporary, right? A little bump in the road? You'll work it out!"

I shake my head, feeling tears threaten. "I don't think so. Ted doesn't trust me anymore, and maybe he's right not to."

"That's ridiculous. Teddy adores you. I've never seen him so happy as he was these past few weeks."

"Well, he's not happy now," I say quietly.

Bridget looks stricken. "There has to be something you can do. Some way to fix this."

I think about the Chicago job offer, about the deadline that's looming. About how maybe it would be easier for everyone if I just disappeared.

"Actually," I hear myself saying, "I might be moving to Chicago. There's a job opportunity there."

Bridget's shopping bags hit the ground. "Chicago? But you can't leave! Ted would be devastated!"

"Ted won't even talk to me, Bridget. He made it pretty clear he doesn't want me in his life."

"He doesn't mean that. He's just stubborn. All the Brennan men are stubborn. But if you leave..." She looks genuinely panicked. "You can't go to Chicago. What about your job here? What about us? What about Ted?"

"Please don't tell him," I say quickly. "About Chicago, I mean. He won't even take my calls, and I don't want him to think I'm trying to manipulate him or make him feel guilty."

"But Piper?—"

"Promise me," I insist. "It's better this way. If he doesn't want me here, then maybe Chicago is where I belong."

Bridget looks like she wants to argue, but something in my expression must convince her. "I... okay. I won't tell him. But I think you're making a mistake."

"Maybe. But it's my mistake to make."

I hug her goodbye and walk away, leaving her standing there with her scattered shopping bags and her shocked expression. As I head back toward my car, I pull out my phone and scroll to the Chicago Tribune's number.

Maybe it's time to call them back and accept their offer. Maybe it's time to stop fighting for something that was never meant to be.

Behind me, I don't see Bridget pulling out her own phone, her promise to me already warring with her loyalty to her brother.

But I do know that if I'm going to leave Austin, I need to do it soon. Before I lose what's left of my heart completely.