The Game Changer

by Megan Ryder

  Cody glanced back at Savannah. “I’ll bring him home safe and sound, mom.”

  Dylan shot her a scowl, but noted the stiff way Cody held his arm. “What’s going on with your shoulder?”

  Cody pulled it back with a slight wince. “I need to stretch it out. It’s just a little tight. No big deal. Can we go over the hitters before tonight? Omar’s a good catcher but he’s not you.”

  Dylan laid a hand on his arm, effectively halting the younger man from going in the door. “Cody, seriously. What’s up with your arm? Even before my injury, I could see your angle shifting.”

  Cody shook off his hold. “Look, we’re less than a month from the playoffs. We’re in a run we never expected. No one expected. If I go down, we have no one to step in. It’s just a little stiffness, end of season tiredness. Besides, we all play through the pain. You know what I mean. Your knees feel the same every day, don’t they? I’ll be fine.”

  Dylan took a deep breath and decided to trust the kid. He had worked too hard at building that relationship to break it now.

  He nodded. “Okay, but if it gets worse, you have to say something. It’s one thing to play through discomfort but you don’t want to cause yourself long-term harm.”

  Cody quirked a grin. “You sound like you almost give a shit.”

  Dylan clapped him on the shoulder and pushed past him in the tunnel. “Don’t let it go to your head.” He paused. “Cody, thanks for your help when I got the concussion. I appreciate it.”

  Cody shifted and looked away. “Shit, man. You’d have done it for me. Now, let’s stop talking before we hug it out and get all weird. We got a game to win.”

  Dylan laughed and walked down the tunnel to the locker room. But something was going on with the kid, more than end of season stiffness. He’d have to keep a closer eye on the shoulder. He owed the kid that much; owed the team. But God help them if they lost Cody for the season because the kid was right about that. No one could replace him on the pitching staff. They’d never make it to playoffs without him.

  Dylan sat on bench, chewing sunflower seeds, bored out of his fucking skull. The bright sunlight still bothered his eyes a little so he stayed in the shade of the dugout with a couple of the starting pitchers for company. Alex Rasmussen sprawled next to him, his hands rapping out a staccato beat on the bench, clearly agitated by something, or bored like Dylan. Cody floated around like a social butterfly, at the top of the steps, chatting with fans on the side or other players.

  “Man, he’s worse than a girl. Can’t sit still for five minutes,” Alex commented.

  Dylan shrugged and took a slug of water, then he remembered the cookout. “He hasn’t learned the rhythm of the big leagues yet, I guess.”

  Alex nodded and let the silence drag on a few moments. “Thanks for having us over a couple of weeks ago. Never got a chance to thank you. Your Savannah’s pretty awesome.”

  A smile crossed his face. “Yeah, I think so too.”

  Alex clapped him on the shoulder. “I knew it! Y’all weren’t that close before the picnic but I knew it wouldn’t be long. She’s pretty hot but a decent girl, you know?”

  Dylan nodded, pleased despite trying to keep an even expression. “Candice seemed nice.”

  Alex’s expression shut down pretty quick. “Well, that’s over. I kind of knew it but was dragging it out, you know? It sucks to come home to an empty house all the time. I have Thor and he’s great but he’s not exactly who I want to snuggle up with in the middle of the night, you know what I’m saying?”

  “Man, I really hope you’re not looking at Thor that way or I’d have to sic Savannah on you and, believe me, you don’t want that. She’s pretty damned passionate about animal welfare.” Dylan laughed.

  “Nah, the house is just so quiet now. It was nice having someone waiting for me, keeping the bed warm. Someone to have dinner with.” Alex shoved a few sunflowers seeds in his mouth. “Know what I mean?”

  Dylan nodded, leaning forward and bracing his elbows on his knees, studying the field but not really seeing anything. His house, once as quiet as a mausoleum, had become chaotic and full of noise since Savannah and Sadie had entered his life. Like Alex, when he came home, he had someone waiting for him, someone to eat with, talk to, and sleep with. Savannah was entwined in his life now, more than just his bed. What would happen if anything changed that?

  “Dylan?”

  Dylan shook his head and glanced at Alex. “Yeah, Savannah’s been great. Sorry about Candice though.”

  Alex shrugged fatalistically. “She didn’t really care about me. She liked dating a Georgia Knight. It was the position she liked, the status and the potential for exposure. She liked going out to dinner where the reporters were so she could get her picture in the paper. Then I found out she was using her position as my girlfriend for opportunities at work.”

  Dylan straightened and frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “She works in marketing and they’re looking at some campaigns and she promised she could get me to sign on to a couple of them, some local ones. You know, I’d probably have done it anyway. I like helping local groups better than the big guys. Local businesses can’t always afford us. But I hated that she lied to me to get the promotion, used our relationship to get the position.”

  A chill ran up Dylan’s spine. His own worst fear right there. Damn, he had thought the other woman was a bit cold but not that calculating. “I’m sorry, man.”

  “Yeah, well, you don’t need to worry about that. Savannah’s awesome. Only...” His voice trailed off.

  Dylan quirked his eyebrow, suspicious of what the other guy wasn’t saying. “Only what?”

  Alex sighed. “Look, Savannah runs a nonprofit and they live, breathe, and die by donations. Getting you to sign on and sponsor her, or the Knights, would be huge for her little group. She could never get the Knights on her own. But through you, damn, she could make all her dreams come true.”

  Dylan shook his head. “No, I’ve offered to help and she refused.”

  Alex raised a brow. “Really? What exactly did you offer? Maybe she’s hoping for more than just your advice, like a team sponsorship or something like that. For what it’s worth, I like Savannah and she seemed like an up-front kind of girl. I’m sure she wouldn’t take advantage of you. Then again, I thought Candice was too. I’m just saying to watch out for yourself and be careful.”

  Dylan nodded and smiled. “Thanks. I’ll be careful.”

  And they turned their attention back to the game, commenting on hitters and pitch selections. But part of Dylan’s mind was back on Alex’s words. Few players met anyone who wanted nothing from the player and only wanted the man. Most of them wanted the cache of being seen with a ballplayer, the status, the money, the associated fame. Others wanted what that status could do for them, position, power, opportunities. Maybe he should be more careful, watch out for himself a bit. He’d have to test the waters a bit next time he saw her. He just needed to find the right time.

  He only hoped Alex was wrong and that Dylan had misjudged Savannah. He was getting close and was afraid that he was in too deep to pull out now.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Dylan stumbled downstairs the next morning, yawning and seeking coffee. It was way too early to be up but Savannah insisted she had to be on the road for rescue efforts and, well, once she was up, he couldn’t resist. After physically shoving him out of the room and not letting him shower with her, what fun was showering alone, he was relegated to the kitchen on breakfast duty. Well, that and dog duty.

  He froze as he walked in the kitchen.

  “Lindsey? What are you doing here? How did you get in?”

  His sister, whom he hadn’t seen in months, sat at the kitchen table, the two dogs, who should have been alerting them to a stranger in the house, sitting at attention, mesmerized by the egg sandwich in her hand. Clearly, she had learned the fine art of bribery and had already shared one sandwich, judging by the empty wrappers on the table next to h
er.

  Of course, he would have barely recognized her if Savannah hadn’t shown him the recent mug shot of her DUI arrest a couple of weeks ago. Her deep auburn hair was now white blonde, with streaks of pink in it. Her eyes looked like a raccoon and not just from the dark eyeliner ringing them but from the heavy, dark circles that bruised her fair skin. She was too skinny by half, his formerly slightly chubby sister was rail thin now, almost skin and bones, and she looked tense, skittish, as if unsure about her welcome. He resisted the urge to demand answers and instead just opened his arms.

  The relief on her face was so obvious, it wrenched his heart, wondering what could have made his sister so wary. She launched herself at him and wound herself around him, pressing her face against his neck. He rubbed his hands up and down her back, feeling her spine against his fingers.

  “Well, I’d be jealous except I think I recognize the face.” Savannah spoke behind him archly.

  Lindsey lifted her head, eyes a little damp and a look of horror on her face. “Oh, my God. You’re not alone!” Then a sly smile passed her lips. “I didn’t know you had it in you, big brother.”

  She peered around his shoulder. “Savannah?”

  Savannah grinned. “Lindsey?”

  Lindsey extricated herself from Dylan and hugged Savannah. “It’s about time my brother got some taste.”

  Dylan frowned at the two women chatting like old friends. “How do you know each other?”

  Lindsey cocked her hip and planted her fist on it, looking a little like the sassy younger sister he remembered. “I had to be sure she was taking care of you when you were hurt. I called almost every day.”

  He shifted his gaze to Savannah who busied herself getting the dogs’ breakfast ready, avoiding him completely.

  Finally, she let out a breath. “Fine, yes I answered your phone and it was your sister. We had a very enlightening conversation.”

  He arched his brow and waited for her to say more but she just stood there, fiddling with the dog food. Lindsey chattered on, ignoring the two of them.

  “I gave her the lowdown on Mom and Dad, told her to run interference.” She turned to Savannah. “Did they ever call?” A hint of vulnerability entered Lindsey’s voice, the little kid who always sought her parent’s approval and never quite got it. Neither of them did, honestly.

  Savannah bit her lower lip and studied the ceiling, pretending to try to remember. Dylan took pity on her and took the dog bowls, setting them on the floor for the two dogs who were almost dancing for their food.

  “It’s okay if they didn’t call. I didn’t really expect it.”

  Savannah sighed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

  Lindsey shrugged. “I think it would have been more stressful if they had called, honestly. Dad would have harassed Dylan and Mom would have been over the top about taking care of him then never showed up. Besides, she’s busy with her new boyfriend.”

  Dylan cocked his head at the hurt in her voice. “She’s seeing someone new?”

  “Yeah, she moved on from my agent and is seeing Kyle Weston, you know, my costar. Only a couple of years older than me? It’s fucking wonderful.”

  “Don’t swear,” he automatically replied, stunned by her news.

  “Hey, I’m twenty-four years old and trust me, I say way worse than that.”

  “I’m well aware of that, judging by the press you’ve been getting. So, why are you here?”

  Savannah pushed off the counter. “Well, I think it’s time for me to head out so you can have some family time. Carl, let’s go.”

  Carl laid his head in Lindsey’s lap and whined. Lindsey stroked his ears. “He can stay, can’t he? He’ll be fine with me.”

  Dylan caught Savannah’s glance, the slightly panicked expression at being trapped by the bulldozer that was his sister. Finally, he shrugged. “You’ll only be back here later. Just leave him. He’s fine with us. I’ll walk you out.”

  He placed his hand on her lower back and escorted her to the garage, into the stuffy, warm space. He opened the garage doors and followed her to her Suburban. She placed her hand on the handle, but he laid his hand over hers, holding her in place for a moment. Then he gently spun her around and caged her to the door with his lower body, hands on her hips.

  “I never got to say goodbye.”

  He lowered his head and claimed her mouth in a hot kiss, branding her deep inside, reminding her of him all day, just as he knew he’d be thinking of her, remembering her touch, her gasps, her moans as she moved against him, as she was now. She ran her fingers under his shirt and up his ribs, tracing the muscles. He stroked her with his tongue, tasting the minty toothpaste and heat. Her shirt rode up and his thumb traced circles on the bare skin, under the waistband of her jeans, dipping down to tease along the edge of her panties. She tore her lips away and gasped for air.

  He pulled back, a wicked grin on his face and dropped his hand. “Have a nice day, sweetheart.”

  He brushed her lips once more and stepped back to lean against his SUV and watch her, smirking. She lifted a shaky hand to her hair as she regained her composure. She dropped her gaze to the bulge in his sweatpants and cocked her brow.

  “I’d wait before you head inside.”

  “Don’t worry. I have every intention of taking my time.” Although thoughts of the conversation that awaited him inside were doing a pretty good job of deflating his arousal. He frowned, folding his arms across his chest.

  Savannah laid a hand on his cheek. “Go easy on her. She’s had a rough time, I think.”

  “Really?” He grunted. “DUIs, drugs, partying? She’s made some seriously bad fucking choices, that’s what she’s done.”

  “I know a little about that. Look at my sister. Lecturing her isn’t going to help. Try listening and supporting her.”

  He snorted. “Did that help Lucy?”

  She tucked her tongue in her cheek. “Well, maybe not yet. But I have hopes.” She rose up on tiptoes and kissed him lightly. “Just be nice, okay? You can be a bit of a hard-ass when you get all high and mighty.”

  He started to protest then stopped and nodded. “Fine. I’ll try listening to her first but no drugs in my house. I can’t afford the suspension from the league if they even suspect it.” He laid a hand on the car roof. “Hey, how about dinner tonight? Let’s finally go out on a real date.”

  She looked skittish all of a sudden. “I don’t know, Dylan. Dating seems so...”

  Dylan laughed. “You’re kidding, right? I know we’ve kind of done this ass backwards, sleeping together first, but I think we could handle a real date, dinner and everything. How can it be much different?”

  “It’s very different. It makes it all so much more permanent or something.”

  “I’m not asking you to marry me. I’m asking you to dinner, a meal we’ve shared before.” He scowled.

  What the hell was the problem? Had he misread her signals? Was it all just sex to her and nothing more? And why was he being such a girl about this?

  “No, you’re right. It’s just dinner. I just think we should be careful about where this is going. I’ll see you tonight?”

  He nodded and stepped back from the car. “Good luck with your meeting today. You’ll do great!”

  She slid in her car and backed out, waving as she left. He sighed. So much for morning sex. One round was just not enough. It never would be with Savannah.

  Dylan let himself back into the house and watched Lindsey, legs curled up on the chair, looking younger than her twenty-four years. Savannah’s words echoed back to him and he sighed, searching for a way to start the conversation. He hadn’t seen her in months, years really. Visits had been whirlwinds or phone calls, between her filming and his games, they had grown apart. The little girl who had followed him around, whom he had protected, was gone. He didn’t know her anymore.

  He walked over to the stove. “You hungry?”

  She lifted the coffee cup. “Found coffee and an egg sand
wich. I brought you one too but the dogs looked hungry. I didn’t know you’d have company. Sorry if I cock-blocked you.”

  “How did you get here?” he asked, pouring himself a cup from the carafe, deliberately ignoring her crude words.

  Her smirk faded when he didn’t rise to the bait and she lowered her chin to her knees, her arms wrapped around her legs, perched on the chair. “The usual way. Planes, automobiles.”

  He scowled, irritation scratching at his skin. “You know what I mean. Why did you come here? No tricks or games. Truth this time.”

  “I just needed to get out of California for a while. I wanted to meet this woman who was taking care of my brother. Besides, you invited me, remember?”

  He studied her quietly, noting exhaustion, the shaking hands, and the sadness in her eyes. Her shoulders were hunched over, closing her off completely, not ready to talk about what really brought her here.

  “It’s a good thing I bought furniture for the spare bedroom.” He stood and laid a hand on her shoulder. “But, Lindsey, no parties, drugs, or alcohol while you’re living here.”

  Her eyes widened. “You drink! Why can’t I?”

  He tilted her head. “Because I think you need to lay off it for a while. Get some rest and eat decent food for a while. You’ll figure out your next steps when you’re ready.” He kissed the top of her head. “Stay as long as you need to, just don’t invite Mom and Dad.”

  A quick grin flitted across her face. “Deal.”

  He headed upstairs to shower and prepare for the game, wondering when his life had gotten so complicated. And, somehow, he figured sleepovers with Savannah were out for a while, not that his sister wasn’t old enough to deal with the reality. It just seemed like she needed him and he wasn’t sure about having sex down the hall from his little sister.

  He should have bought a bigger house.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Savannah got out of her Suburban and smoothed the red business skirt over her legs, plucking at the small pieces of dog hair visible on the red fabric. She straightened the jacket, tugging down on it, and adjusted her blouse to ensure she wasn’t revealing too much skin. Her generous breasts sometimes created problems with typical business suits, straining the buttons of blouses, which was why she chose this one, with the black camisole under it. No buttons to strain. She squatted down and checked out her make up in the side-view mirror. This was as good as it would get.