Page 43 of Turn Me On

Great. Fucking great. This is so not my MO. I haven’t been into someone this much since college. Three years in the pros, and I haven’t liked someone enough to make it past a handful of dates.

Now, with Maddox, I want him,andI like him. But I also need him.

This is getting to be a big problem.

10

INDECENT VERDICTS

Zane

The next night in Miami, I’m feeling pretty good when I field a scorching throw in the fifth inning, stretching so far to tag out the runner that I’m doing a split.

Highlights reel, here I come.

The night becomes even better when I get ahead in the count off Hoffman—thank you, Maddox—and whack a single into left field in the seventh. Then, I’m downright great as I steal second against the Miami Aces pitcher.

And fan-fucking-tastic is the word when Declan sends me home on a double.

When I reach the dugout, I smack palms with Gunnar. “You’re almost as good as me,” he says.

Them’s fighting words. “Bet you a cool grand I finish the year with more RBIs and runs.”

He scoffs. “Double or nothing.”

“You’re on,” I say. We shake on it, then lean against the railing and cheer on our team. I pump a fist when Declan slides into third on a wild pitch.

I catch Gunnar staring at my daiquiri tattoo. “I should bet you a Piña Colada tat. You’d look hilarious with matching cocktails. And you really can’t resist a wager,” he says.

“Not when it’s a sucker’s bet. You’re an easy mark, Gun,” I say. “I will finish the year with better stats and happily take your money.”

He rolls his eyes. “Someday, that cocky attitude is going to bite you in the ass.”

“Ooh, scary. That’s only one of my favorite things,” I say.

He laughs. As he should—he walked right into that. We go back to watching the field, cheering and high-fiving when Declan scores. Then Gunnar says to me, “So, what’s the latest with the endorsement deal?”

I cross my fingers. “Maddox is on his way back from London. He should be back in”—I glance at the time on the scoreboard in centerfield—“about three hours. He’s supposed to call me. I can’t wait.”

And fuck. I did not mean to say that last part.

Gunnar’s eyes widen. “Someone’s counting the minutes until his sexy new agent lands,” he says as Declan passes behind us in the dugout, then stops in place, clearly intrigued by our convo.

“Got a hot new agent, Zane?” Declan asks.

Gunnars nods on my behalf. “Yes, Zane sure does.”

“The plot thickens,” Declan remarks, then joins us at the railing. “What’s the deal? You’re eager to see this guy?”

I scoff, making light of my earlierI can’t waitremark. “Because this morning he met with the company we’re courting.”

Gunnar cups his ear. “I didn’t hear you deny your agent’s sexy.”

Declan joins in with, “Is there a denial coming?”

I adopt my most stoic expression. “No denial. You met him, Gun. I told you then I think he’s gorgeous. But I’m not foolish enough to act on it.”

My gut churns because I’m lying to my best bud, and now to Declan too.