Page 6

FIVE

HANNAH

“Just wait until you see the bikini I bought when I was in Florida. This thing barely has strings.”

Lennox gives me a once-over. “You telling me you don’t have any tan lines beneath that jersey?”

I let out a long sigh. “Sadly, even if I did, no one would get to see them. I was too busy babysitting the damn rookies during spring training to even flirt, let along lay out in the sun.”

Lennox smiles. “Just means your kitty is in need of some attention.”

“My kitty isn’t getting any attention this weekend. But my muscles are ready to get a pounding from the jets in that hot tub.”

My bestie grins. “I love hot tubs.”

“I love hot tubs too.” Aiden, dressed in his signature Bolts blue suit, appears out of nowhere and nuzzles his wife’s neck.

He’s the first of the guys to make his way to the friends and family room after the game. The Bolts won 3-1, and Aiden and Noah were responsible for two of the three goals.

“Congrats, Lep. That was one wicked slapshot.”

He gives me one of his dopey, lopsided smiles. “Thanks, Han. You ready to celebrate?”

“What I’m ready for is a drink. But I promised Noah I’d wait for him. If you’re ready to head out, I’ll meet you there.”

“You sure? We can wait and ride to the house together.”

His offer is sweet, but I’m used to traveling by myself. The girls are always being followed by their men, but I’ve spent more than half my life by myself. I can’t imagine spending that much time with another person and liking it.

“I’m good. I promise. You guys go. But put my bag in a room with a nice en suite, ’kay? I need a hot bath when I get there.”

Lennox winks. “You got it, girlfriend.”

As they head toward the door, Lennox leans into Aiden. In response, he presses a kiss to her cheek.

In the last two years, I’ve gone from having two single friends to being part of a group of five women, four of whom are either married or engaged. One by one, they fell in love, and not once have I longed for my turn. Most women would want what my friends have. And hell, I write romance novels; I get the appeal. But I prefer to sleep in the middle of the mattress and hog the blankets. A vibrator can get me off just as well as a man, if not better, and then I can turn over and go back to reading my book without feeling like I’m disappointing someone by not pretending to be interested in what they have to say.

My girls still include me in their couples’ trips, and I don’t mind being the third wheel—or ninth, in this case. All my besties are with wonderful men who make sure that when they get their girls a drink, they grab one for me too. To be honest, I’m more spoiled than most, since all their guys make a point to watch out for me. It’s a charmed life.

“What are you smiling about?”

I look up to find Noah sauntering my way, his black suit hugging his rugged frame and a pair of black-framed glasses perched on his face. Yes, Noah Harrison wears glasses, and it has always made the ladies go crazy. It’s the juxtaposition, I think. He looks like a nerdy jock. And he is. He recites random facts and loves doing crossword puzzles. He was meant to be a grandpa, and I adore him for it.

“Just thinking about the steak and the orgasm that are calling my name.”

“Jesus.” Cringing, he peers around to make sure I haven’t been overheard.

I, on the other hand, laugh my ass off. I’m the head of PR for the baseball team. No one is catching me saying shit like that in public. I cover that stuff up.

“Relax, old man. I’m just teasing. I’m definitely having pizza tonight.”

With a chuckle, he drapes an arm over my shoulders and leads me toward the door. “Missed you, Han. And Oliver hasn’t shut up about your offer to take him to a Revs game when you get back.”

I grin as we head out into the tunnel that leads to where the team’s bus is parked. “Tell him he can have as many hot dogs as he wants.”

Noah frowns. “Let’s not do that. The kid has a weak stomach.”

“Noted. I wish you didn’t have to go back tonight. You sure Liam can’t watch Oliver for a couple of days so you can hang with me for the weekend?”

“Nah, I miss the little guy too much as it is. He’s been at Jen’s all week. I’ve got three days until our next game, and I’m going to enjoy every moment of them with him.”

“You’re a good dad.”

“And you’re wearing Daniel Hall’s jersey.” Noah pinches the fabric at my shoulder and tugs lightly.

“I’d forgotten that I have another player to cheer for now. I always wear Hall because it’d be weird to pick one Langfield over another.”

“What about War?”

“Nah, he’s too broody for my liking. Besides, he was your best friend in college. That would have been weird.”

Noah hums. “True. But it’s not a little strange to show up wearing that when you’re staying the weekend with him and a bunch of couples?” He raises his brows like he’s insinuating a situation that’s far beyond the realm of possibilities.

I roll my eyes. “Camden will be there too. Pretty sure they’re sharing a room.”

Noah waggles his brows as if to say the more, the merrier .

I smack his arm. “Noah, I’m not like that.”

“I’ve read your books.”

My heart lurches. “You read my books?” Outside the girls, I don’t think anyone in my life has ever read my books.

“Of course. Every time you release a new one, I buy like ten of ’em and give them out to my teammates’ wives. I’m still dying to know who the younger sister of those crazy brothers ends up with. Are we ever getting her book?”

Truly shocked that he actually knows the plots of my books and is interested in them, I find myself at a loss for words. But rather than show any kind of vulnerability, I straighten my shoulders and force a cocky smirk. “An author never spills her secrets.”

As we stop on the sidewalk, he pulls me in for a hug and drops a kiss to my forehead. The gesture is oddly comforting. “Proud of you, Han.”

“Thanks,” I force out past the lump in my throat.

“Where’s your crew?”

“I sent them ahead. I’ve got an Uber coming.”

Noah grins. “So like I was saying before, you and all those couples?—”

“And the manwhores. Don’t forget the manwhores.”

With a shake of his head, he grins. It’s good to see him smiling. “I don’t get that impression from Hall. I haven’t seen him do anything but practice. Kid seems dedicated, that’s for damn sure.”

“Yes, well, that’s what he is. A kid. And like I tell him every time he hits on me, I’m not looking to be anyone’s mommy.”

Noah’s laughter fills the night air. “For the record, I think you’d make a good one.” With a wink, he backs up, then turns and heads for the team bus.

I fold my arms across my chest and mentally bat his words away. That is the last thing I want to think about tonight. I’ve got twenty-four uninterrupted hours of fun ahead of me before the team gets to Arizona and I’m back to babysitting a bunch of baseball players.

“Oh, and Han,” Noah calls from the bus’s doorway.

“Yeah?”

“Told you.” He lifts his chin. “He’s a good kid.”

I turn, and when I find Daniel Hall in his black game day suit leaning against the door, arms folded across his chest, watching me, my stomach flips.

I don’t know what to make of the intense look this usually happy-go-lucky guy has aimed at me, but for some reason, I know even as I walk toward him that tonight won’t go at all as I had planned.