Page 23 of Reputation (Toronto Royals #1)

Chapter Fifteen

Eavie

“Can everyone please ensure they are ready to leave in five minutes?” Molly yelled from her position at the front of the caravan of vehicles.

“And don’t forget to check in with my team.

We are taking attendance and checking the lists to make sure everyone has reported for their assignments.

Trust me, you do not want to show as absent.

” She aimed a pointed look across the massive group of Royals players and employees gathered in the garage.

Eavie pitied anyone who failed to follow Molly’s stern directions.

Shifting from one foot to the other, she tried to keep her body warm in the cool garage as she waited.

She’d changed into leggings after lunch, unsure what tasks she would be doing.

She wanted to be ready if it was something that required physical effort.

Unfortunately, they were not warm enough to keep the cold temperature of the garage from seeping in.

Grayson Anderson, the team’s equipment manager, would drive their group to the Field of Dreams main shelter on the east side. The fourth member of their group was Bexel Klein, one of the fall semester interns.

As she waited, she watched the different groups try to get organized as everyone prepared to leave the office for the afternoon. She was distracted by the loud chatter of various conversations and didn’t hear the footsteps approaching.

“Cinderella,” came his voice from just behind her.

She froze, eyes closing as she drew in a deep breath, trying to quell the sensations his voice triggered in her blood. Her nerves thrummed with excitement beneath her skin as she felt his presence wrap around her.

Opening her eyes slowly, she continued to stare straight ahead. “Don’t call me that,” she said sternly, keeping her voice steady with a calm she certainly didn’t feel.

“Hey, if the shoe fits,” he said, a satisfied smirk in his voice.

She couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled past her lips, shaking her head at the cheesy, perfect line. She couldn’t deny he had his charming moments—ones she rather enjoyed.

Recovering from her outburst, she pinched her mouth together, pulling her face into a carefully pleasant mask. “Good morning, Mr. Morghan,” she said as stoically as possible.

She knew it was ridiculous to still address him as such, but it was one of the last defense mechanisms she had to keep herself in line. What she’d seen earlier this week had caused her carefully crafted walls to crack. She needed every shield she could muster to keep them from shattering.

He chuckled, and the sound shot straight down her spine. “You know, I enjoy this little game you like to play.”

“I’m not playing a game,” she countered, shooting him an arched look.

He smiled down at her, gaze tracking her face. The skin around his eyes crinkled slightly as they settled on her lips, which, despite her best efforts, twitched up at the ends.

“If you say so,” he answered, his voice low enough to make her belly clench.

He came to stand beside her, dressed casually in black athletic pants paired with a Royals hoodie. He wore a matching baseball cap on his head, hiding his dark hair, but some unruly ends curled around the edges, seemingly refusing to be tamed.

A few heartbeats of silence passed before she felt the need to break it. “Do people really not show up for this?” she asked, pointing to the group. “I mean, it’s only an afternoon, and it’s for a good cause.”

Jax smiled, shaking his head. “There was an…incident last year. Unfortunately, some people were unable to make their assignments. It didn’t reflect well on the organization, so marching orders were given for this year.”

“Oh,” she said, looking anywhere but at him. “So what charity did you do last year?”

“This one,” he said.

“You went to Field of Dreams last year?”

“Yep. I go every year that I’m home for Thanksgiving,” he said. “Even before I signed with the Royals.”

“Oh,” she said again and immediately wanted to kick herself for sounding like a broken record and an unimaginative one at that.

She was saved from her awkward attempt at trying to make conversation, something she was usually good at, when Grayson finally joined them.

“Everyone ready?” he asked, brown eyes glancing back and forth between them.

Grayson was medium height, with a dark coloring only broken by the trace of gray peppering his hair. He’d been with the Royals for years and was the direct result of a few goals from his stick-passing assists. The man was said to have piano fingers when it came to being ready for broken equipment.

“Absolutely,” Jax answered, clapping Grayson on the shoulder. He turned, shouting to Bexel that they were leaving.

The young guy practically ran over, blond, curly hair bouncing as stars danced in his eyes that the Jax Morghan knew his name.

Grayson rounded the front of the van just as Bexel reached for the front passenger door. Eavie went to climb in the back when Jax’s hand shot out, clasping the kid by his collar.

“It’s polite to offer the lady the front seat,” Jax scolded, moving Bexel out of the way. It would have been comical, the way Bexel stood on his tiptoes if it hadn’t been for the fact that people were staring.

“Of course,” he stumbled. “Sorry, Eavie.”

She gave him a pitying smile. “It’s alright,” she told the kid before turning her gaze to Jax. “I don’t mind sitting in the back.”

Jax held tight to Bexel’s collar. “I insist,” he said, gesturing to the front seat.

Other members of the organization were starting to look their way as they all ambled toward their various rides.

Embarrassment crept up her neck, staining her cheeks.

“Okay,” she said quickly. Stepping up to the open front passenger door.

She would have liked to argue with him more, but she wanted to avoid any more attention.

“You can put him down now.” She looked pointedly at where his fist held the back of Bexel’s shirt.

Jax released the poor kid, who immediately climbed into the back.

Eavie slid onto her seat as Grayson chuckled beside her.

Setting her bag on the floor, she turned to close the door but found Jax standing there, waiting to do it for her.

She blinked, surprised. He gave her a soft smile before gently closing it.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the Field of Dreams main shelter.

Arms full of supplies from the organization’s holiday wish list, the four walked through the front doors and into the small lobby.

It contained a couch, two chairs, and a small reception desk.

The walls were a warm cream color, and the floors were standard white tile.

While it was not fancy, it was clean and welcoming.

“Jax,” a tall man with dark skin called out. His short black hair matched his trimmed beard, which covered the lower half of his face.

“Cade, my man,” Jax responded, giving him a back-slapping hug.

Eavie was surprised that they seemed so close. It shouldn’t have, considering he’d told her he volunteered here every year, but their greeting seemed more intimate than an annual visit would suggest.

“How are ya?” Jax asked him.

“Oh, you know, living the dream,” he answered, his face softening.

“Glad to hear it.”

Stepping back, Cade turned to the rest of them.

“Welcome to Field of Dreams,” he greeted.

“Thanks for being here today. It means a lot to these kids for such a well-known organization and players,” he added with a pointed look to Jax, “to take the time to spend with them. It helps with their mental and emotional state to see that there are people in the world who care.”

Eavie blinked back tears, the sentiment hitting her square in the chest. “We’re honored to be here,” she responded on behalf of their group.

Her eyes shot to Jax, who was watching her. As always, something passed between them, but it wasn’t heat or desire this time. It was softer, more…intimate.

Quickly, she looked away, returning her attention to Cade. “We’re all yours for the afternoon. Don’t be afraid to put us to work.”

Cade laughed, the sound deep and full. “Oh, don’t worry. Jax can attest that we get our worth from every minute of your time.”

“Great,” Grayson added, rubbing his hands together. “Where should we start?”

Cade pulled a phone out of his pocket and tapped a few buttons.

“Grayson and Bexel,” he said, looking at them since they were the only other guys in the group.

“I’ve got you two starting on furniture assembly.

We just got a shipment of new bedroom items that were donated and need to be put together.

Head through the doors and to the back of the gymnasium. All the pieces should be waiting.”

“Ah, furniture,” Bexel said, looking wide-eyed at Cade.

“Something wrong with that?” Jax asked, narrowing his eyes at him.

Eavie tilted her head, watching his reaction with curiosity.

It was at odds with how he usually interacted with team members, and she wondered about the sharpness behind it.

Eavie had always enjoyed a good puzzle, and the conflicting sides of him she kept seeing only piqued her determination to find out who the real Jax was.

“No, no,” Bexel stammered. “It’s just, well, I’ve never done that before.”

The guys chuckled, and despite not wanting to embarrass him, Eavie couldn't suppress the smile that tugged her lips.

“Come on, kid,” Grayson said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “Today’s the day you learn.” He steered a pink-faced Bexel through the doors as Jax and Eavie exchanged a humorous look.

“You might want to check the beds before anyone gets in them,” Jax joked quietly to Cade.

Cade shook his head. “Anyway,” he said, pulling his phone back up. “Jax, I’ve got you on activities duty today. I know you enjoy spending time with the group. We’ve got the lower gym set up with volleyball. The group’s waiting for you.”

“Sounds great,” Jax said, happiness evident on his face.