Page 82

“An hour, tops.”

I straighten, renewed energy zipping to the soles of my feet as I follow Willow into my teammate’s house.

It looks like everyone is here, children racing between groups of adults. Large glass doors are flung open to Trevor’s expansive yard and garden area. Soft-pink peonies peek from organized greenery vignettes while mature magnolias stretch toward the sky. Even I have to admit—begrudingly—that it’s the perfect day for a cookout.

After setting Willow’s cookies on the oversized kitchen island with the rest of the covered dishes, Tenny grabs me by the shoulders. I glance to Willow for help, but she’s quickly absorbed into a WAG circle with Mallory, Alex, and Dulce, DJ’s wife.

I groan, letting my teammate lead me away.

“I’m so jealous.” He jostles me. “You’re on every network—not just the baseball ones. Your hug-out from last night was on The Today Show!”

In yesterday’s day game against the Memphis Monarchs, I was halfway between first and second when their second baseman, Oscar Morales, caught a grounder. Instead of tagging me out, he opened his arms and motioned for me to come over.

Normally, I would have jogged to the dugout and ignored him altogether, but Willow told me she’s been watching game highlights from Diamond Breakdown. I knew walking into Oscar’s arms for a hug would make the highlight reel and delight Willow. I just didn’t expect it to be this big of a deal.

“Hey look, it’s the league’s first designated hugger,” Rhett jokes, bringing an artisanal water bottle to his lips.

“You gonna start greeting us with embraces now?” Colton opens his arms wide.

I shrug off Tenny then shove Colton in the chest before he can get too close.

“Knock it off.”

The three of them laugh at my growly command.

“I’ve got to know. What was the thought process?” Rhett asks.

“I was ambushed.”

“Didn’t look like it.”

He whips out his phone, playing the clip everyone is unnecessarily obsessed with. In this edit, the video freezes as I lean into a hug, angelic choir music bursting from the phone speakers.

My teammates lose it.

Tenny looks like he’s half a second from crying he’s laughing so hard. Colton is half-snorting, half-cackling. Rhett wheezes like he’s got a three-pack-a-day habit.

“I hate every single one of you.”

“No, you don’t,” Tenny says, clapping me on the shoulder. “Not anymore.”

I grunt, crossing my arms and waiting for these idiots to calm the heck down. In the distance, I catch Willow looking at me, a sweet smile on her lips.

“Save me,” I mouth.

Willow shakes her head, giggling.

“Not yet,” she mouths back.

When my scowl deepens, Willow’s smile doubles.

Then a loud slam at the front door draws our attention.

“Someone, lead me to the grill.” A short brunette walks in with paper grocery bags hoisted over her head. “I brought Wagyu.”

Kai almost trips over a toddler rushing to the woman’s side. He immediately ushers her toward the patio where Trevor is grilling, Colton and Tenny following close behind.

Normally, I’d be relieved to get a little peace and quiet, but I can’t help but notice how Rhett’s eyes follow the woman as she’s led outside. He squeezes the neck of the water bottle as she laughs with everyone surrounding her. When she and Tenny share a long hug, Rhett runs his fingers through his blond hair and glances at his shoes.