The Game (Carolina Connections Book 4)

by Sylvie Stewart

  “Oh, I couldn’t possibly understand? What, because I’m just some dumb jock who works construction and plays ball?”

  “That’s not what I meant. You’re just…young.” Her voice had lost some of its fire by this point.

  “Emmy. Sorry. Emerson, I’m twenty-four, not twelve. I work hard and I’m carving out a career for myself. I don’t deserve the insinuations your making. You don’t even know me.” I wasn’t going to let anyone dismiss me that easily, much less this woman I was apparently in complete lust with.

  “I know enough.” The critical look was making a return.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  She raised her eyebrows. “I know you encouraged a fourteen-year-old kid to do whatever it took to fit in with the ‘cool kids.’ I can’t think of anything as immature and shortsighted as that.”

  Fuck. The pieces were finally coming together here. “Is that what this is about? Jesus. I gave the kid a few pointers to help him avoid getting bullied. I didn’t tell him to steal a goddamned car!”

  “Keep your voice down,” she hissed.

  “And, by all rights, I should be pissed at you!” I threw at her. Yeah, she didn’t hold the patent on annoyance.

  “Me?!” She couldn’t have looked more shocked.

  “Yes! You sued my friend, who also happens to be my boss, and almost ruined his life!”

  She sucked in a breath of shock. “I did not! That was much more complicated than you’re making it out to be.”

  I tilted my head at her and leaned in. “Hmm, kind of like my situation with Chris?”

  That shut her up.

  “Where’s your big lawyer talk now?” I taunted.

  She actually growled at that point. Damn, her eyes were on fire. Flecks of gold glinted throughout the brown of her irises. It made me wonder how they’d look when she was aroused.

  Seemingly all out of arguments, she asked, “So, what now?”

  I put my hands on my hips. “I don’t know. You tell me. Apparently, I’m your dirty little secret whether you like it or not. Your boss is not going to want me off that team and you know it.”

  Her shoulders slumped. “I know.”

  I just stood and stared back at the building. I guess I sort of had screwed this up for her, but I didn’t understand the big deal. I’m only five years younger than her. I brought my gaze back to Emmy, unhappy that I’d caused this defeated look. “You know, guys date younger women all the time. What’s the big deal if it’s the other way around?”

  She waved me off. “It’s a complete double standard, I know, but that doesn’t make it any less real. They’ll skewer me for it.”

  “Even if we kick ass at the tournament?” I asked, giving her a wicked grin.

  That brought out a small smile in response. “Well, it couldn’t hurt to win, I suppose,” she admitted.

  “You know what I think? I think you worry too much.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You’ve been talking to Ari, haven’t you?”

  “No, but if we can join forces to loosen you up, I just might call her.”

  She sighed and paused. “Look, Gavin, I’m sorry I blew up at you. I just really need everyone at the firm to take me seriously. I can’t afford to slip.”

  I was beginning to understand that it wasn’t just her co-workers she needed to take her seriously. It was everyone. And I was certainly ready to take her seriously. Probably just not in the way she meant.

  “It’s okay. I can see you’re under a lot of stress. I have ways of relieving that, you know.” I waggled my eyebrows in an exaggerated move to keep her smiling. Her face was brilliant when she did.

  “I’m sure you do.” She shoved my arm and then seemed to remember herself. “Don’t you have training to get to? I believe my brother is waiting with bated breath.”

  I looked at my watch and saw that she was right. I’d used up my free time and I’d be late if I didn’t leave now.

  “I suppose I’ll have to save all my stress-relieving skills for our second date.”

  “Gavin.” She left it at the one word, but it spoke volumes.

  I wasn’t letting go that easily. “What? If everybody already thinks we’re dating, what’s the harm?”

  She pursed her lips, bringing my attention directly to them while my mind replayed that killer kiss in the elevator.

  I leaned in close. “And don’t try to tell me you didn’t enjoy that kiss.”

  Her face flamed, and she immediately spun on her heel to head back to the office.

  I just laughed, causing her to pick up the pace, providing me with another awesome view of her ass in that prim little skirt.

  I spent the drive over to the Academy both reliving the hot elevator kiss and planning where to take Emmy to dinner the next night. She hadn’t technically said yes, but she hadn’t said no either. And I thought I’d made a good argument in my favor. She was clearly shy when it came to the physical, but I could work with that. I couldn’t wait to get my mouth on her again.

  It was time to change my thought pattern when I pulled into the Academy parking lot and spotted Jay and Coach Davidson talking to Buzz on one of the practice fields. It brought to mind my first interview with Buzz and Gerry, and I recalled being a little star-struck myself. Since then, I’d gotten to know the former Major League first baseman, and the awe had worn off. He was a decent guy, but to be honest, I preferred Gerry’s company and mentorship.

  Guessing that the guys wouldn’t appreciate me sporting even the slightest wood, I went directly inside and changed into my coaching uniform of an Academy polo shirt and khaki pants before joining the trio on the field.

  “Coach,” I greeted Davidson as we shook hands. I turned to Jay and extended a hand to him as well, while still addressing Davidson. “Looks like you’ve won the lottery with this one.”

  That brought out polite chuckles from both men as Jay tried to wave me off. “Nah, I’ve got a lot to learn. I was just telling Mr. Hader how glad I am for the opportunity to learn from y’all.” Damn, this kid was polite. And humble. I’m sure I was a conceited asshole at his age.

  “Well, no time like the present, if everybody’s ready.”

  “I’ve got to be running. Nice to see you, Buzz, Monroe.” Davidson nodded at both of us. “Good luck, kid. See you at tomorrow’s game,” he said to Jay and then excused himself.

  Buzz patted Jay on the shoulder. Hader had lost some of his stature with age, but he was still a relatively fit guy. His omnipresent sunglasses covered his eyes and an Academy baseball cap topped his head. “I’ll leave you to it for now. Coach Monroe will be doing some evaluations today, as we discussed. I’ll catch up with you again on Thursday.” Buzz nodded to both of us and headed back to the main building, leaving Jay and me to play ball. Damn, my life was good.

  Chapter Eleven

  Wow

  EMERSON

  I put my head down and worked like an obsessed woman for the rest of the afternoon and early evening, not daring to slow down or I’d have to think about that damn kiss. That damn kiss that had lit my entire body on fire and had me thinking very, very naughty thoughts I had no business thinking. Nope. Too Young for You. But I’d never had a kiss like that—one that I could feel in every pore and cell. Sadly, even the most memorable sex I’d had couldn’t compare to that one simple kiss. How pathetic was that?

  I pulled my glasses off and squeezed the bridge of my nose. This wasn’t working. My belly dipped as my mind went back to the elevator. I was pretty sure those weren’t butterflies in there—they seemed more like spider monkeys, screaming and swinging around, laughing at me and my stupid predicament.

  I’d concluded that there was no easy way to bow out of this softball team situation, so I’d have to make it work somehow. The trick would be finding a way to keep my reputation as a serious, professional sharp-shooter in the process. I was at a loss as to how to accomplish that. Gavin had been right, the age difference shouldn’t matter in the grand scheme of things,
but that didn’t change anything. It was an old-school boys’ club and I’d entered the clubhouse with my eyes wide open, agreeing to play their game by their rules. If I chose to break them, it was at my own peril.

  But, besides the image part, I still felt silly even considering going out with Gavin. Okay, so he was five years younger, not nine as I’d feared, but a lot happens between the ages of twenty-four and twenty-nine. Careers form, goals alter, responsibilities increase. He hadn’t experienced much of that yet, as far as I could tell. We were in different stages of our lives, making this a terrible idea.

  All I had to do was look at my father and all his failed relationships with younger women to drive that truth home. I’d vowed never to make the relationship mistakes he had. And then there was the need to focus on work and Jay. I couldn’t forget that.

  No. Dating Gavin Monroe for real, as opposed to fake-dating him for the tournament’s sake, was a terrible idea all around. So, why did the spider monkeys keep telling me otherwise. Darn hormonal beasts.

  I closed my laptop and packed up to go home. It was after seven and I clearly wasn’t in the headspace to be productive anymore tonight. What I needed was Netflix and a bowl of ice cream.

  Unfortunately, if I’d thought time at home would distract me from the unwanted younger-man temptation, I’d been dead wrong. As soon as I walked in the door, Jay regaled me with a thirty-minute monologue on how utterly amazing his afternoon at the Baseball Academy had been—meeting the famous Buzz Hader, touring the facility, and, let’s not forget, hanging out with Coach Monroe, who was apparently the coolest guy on earth. I smiled and nodded and told Jay how happy I was that things had gone so well. He couldn’t wipe the sweet lopsided grin off his face. Eventually, he couldn’t come up with one more unforgettable detail to share, and off he went to his room to finish his homework.

  It wasn’t until Jay left that I realized this was the first time since he’d moved in that he’d acted like the old Jay I knew. Happy, carefree, content with life and his place in it. And, dammit, it looked like I had one Nope/Too Young for You to thank for it.

  I was halfway through my second episode of The Crown, knowing I should put the remote down and go through more paperwork, when my phone rang. My pulse jumped as if my body were on constant alert for any form of contact from Gavin. I wasn’t going to answer and was about to let it go to voicemail when I glanced at my phone and saw that it wasn’t Gavin at all. It was Ponch. A stab of disappointment I didn’t want to examine too closely cut through me. Of course, I wasn’t going to share that with Ponch—even though his ego could take it.

  “Hey there,” I said into the phone.

  “Hey, beautiful, how’s it going?”

  I wondered briefly if he even knew who he was calling or if he always used terms of endearment in place of names in the event he misdialed. “I’m good. How’s the world of motorcycle gear?” Ponch owned an independent gear shop for all things involving motorcycles. I’d been by a couple times, but the vibe there could be more than a little intimidating.

  “Same as ever. Business could always be better, but I’ve got no real complaints,” he answered. “So, what are you up to this weekend?”

  That caught me by surprise. I mean, it wasn’t as if Ponch never called me, but it was usually regarding something related to Ari or the rest of the family. Maybe his mom had tasked him with getting me over to her house.

  “Um, I’m not really sure. Ari and I had talked about dinner Friday since she’s not working…” I trailed off. “Why? Is your mom having the family over this weekend?”

  “No, nothing like that.”

  Now I was really confused. “Oh,” was all I could think to say.

  “I want us to go out to dinner.”

  Um, okay. This couldn’t be what it sounded like. “You’re more than welcome to come on Friday. The more the merrier.” I’m sure my tone was way too cheerful.

  “Sorry,” he practically barked into the phone. “Forget I said anything. Have fun with Ari and I’ll talk to you later.”

  Then he hung up.

  I stared at the phone for a good minute trying to figure out what the heck had just happened. Had Ponch Amante just asked me out? What sort of alternate universe was this where I had not one hot guy, but two wanting to take me out? I looked down at myself, checking to see if maybe my boobs had grown recently, but nope. They were still a modest B-cup.

  I must have misinterpreted, and I decided to pretend the call had never happened, just as Ponch requested. I also took it as a sign that I needed to get back to work, so I dove into some paperwork and soon forgot about the strange call.

  A text came through when I was getting ready for bed. I froze and bit my lip, not sure which name on the screen would rattle me more. Five seconds of kidding myself that I wouldn’t read it and the phone was in my hand. I swallowed hard and felt my belly flip over. For the third time this week, I’d changed the contact name.

  Be Careful: Are we still on for dinner tomorrow night?

  I harrumphed. Presumptuous much?

  Be Careful: I thought I’d take you to Gia since I know you like that place.

  How did he know that? Maybe he had been talking to Ari.

  Emerson: How do you know that?

  Be Careful: It’s where I first saw you.

  What? How was that possible? We’d met at Jay’s game.

  Emerson: We met at Jay’s game??

  Be Careful: Correct. But I first saw you at Gia—at Jake and Bailey Beckett’s shower.

  He’d been there? I’d been at Gia a few months back and noticed the Becketts having a party. I’d quietly approached the couple to give them my card and let them know that I could help if that dreadful Anton Germaine ever reared his ugly, lying head again. I didn’t realize Gavin had been there, but I guess it made sense.

  Emerson: How in the world do you remember that?

  Be Careful: Trust me. You’re hard to forget.

  I felt my body flame at the compliment and the spider monkeys piped up again. I didn’t know how to respond. Nobody had ever delivered such a flattering personal compliment to me before. I was used to professional compliments, but never personal ones. I think my last boyfriend’s best compliment had been, “Excellent parking job.” God, I was pathetic.

  Emerson: Oh. Thank you.

  Be Careful: Don’t thank me. It’s true. Now, how about Gia? It will have to be around 8:00 since I have to work, but I figured you keep late hours anyway.

  I bit my lip and looked around my bedroom as if the answer was held somewhere under a pillow or behind a drape. Part of me really wanted to go and the other part was ready to smack the back of my hand with a ruler for even considering it. But one date wouldn’t hurt, would it? Heck, it was like Gavin said—the firm would all think we were dating anyway. Why not take advantage? Before the ruler could come down on me, I typed my response.

  Emerson: Okay. I’ll meet you there at 8:00.

  I hit send and immediately let out a squeal, something incredibly uncharacteristic of me. I had a sudden urge to call Ari, but I held back, letting the idea of my upcoming date settle in my brain and belly for a moment. My phone vibrated again.

  Be Careful: Can’t wait.

  As much as I feared it and wished it weren’t true, I couldn’t either. What in God’s name had happened to my earlier resolve? Oh yeah, Gavin Monroe had happened.

  “Wow,” Gavin breathed out.

  Yet another first. I’d never been wowed before and I felt my face begin to heat. Darn it. I’d been here five seconds and my grip on my well-controlled world was already slipping. I willed my skin not to betray me as Gavin took me in from head to toe in the lobby of Gia the next night. I’d struggled for ages over what to wear and finally caved and called Ari.

  After she finished I-told-you-so-ing, her first words were, “For Christ’s sake, tell me you’re not standing in your closet looking at a suit.” At that, I put the hanger holding my red Elie Tahari suit back on the rail.

&
nbsp; “No,” I said, convincing no one.

  “This is a date with a hot young guy. You need to dress flirty—as in, plunging neckline or a short skirt.”

  I wasn’t sure if I even owned a skirt that didn’t at least skim the tops of my knees. And plunging neckline? Who did she think she was talking to?

  She seemed to realize this because she continued with, “Never mind. Go all the way to the back-right corner of your closet.” I loved my closet. It was a huge walk-in with a built-in shoe rack that could hold twenty pairs of shoes. And don’t think I didn’t fill that entire sucker up. I glanced to the back-right corner, realizing at once what Ari was up to.

  “Ari, those are your clothes.” She liked to keep a few things at my house for when we had a bit too much wine or she wanted to escape whatever boyfriend was bugging her at the moment. “In what universe do you think I could wear anything of yours?”

  I could practically hear her shrug over the phone. “So, the top might be a bit loose in the rack area—so what. There should be a green sleeveless top with sequins embroidered into the front. Grab it.” I did as I was told but immediately put it right back.

  “Are you kidding me?!” I screeched. The top did indeed have sequins embroidered on the front—what there was of it. I swear the neckline formed a vee that would likely reveal my belly button, not to mention anything I had up top.

  “I’m deadly serious. He’ll swallow his tongue, and it will look gorgeous with your hair.”

  “That won’t matter because I’ll be arrested for indecent exposure before I even make it into the restaurant!”

  “Okay, drama queen, calm the hell down.”