Apparently not.
I knew this was a possibility. I mean, he plays for the Outlaws. And the main purpose of that team is to feed the Blaze. I get that. I know how it works, but I don’t know. I guess I just thought I had more time. When John Hastings pulled his hamstring in the game over the weekend, I should have known that they would call someone else up. If I had done my research like I should have, I would have known that Cameron was a first baseman.
It’s probably better that I didn’t research him. I would have been worrying this entire time. Now, here I am, trying to settle into my new job and work past the hype that my last name and connections are the only reason I’m here. I also have to deal with working side by side with the sexiest man I’ve ever met, who just so happens to kiss like he was born to do so.
I’m screwed.
I ignore Dr. Thomas, who I think is also ignoring me, as I make my way to the small break room and grab a bottle of water from the fridge. I drain half the contents before replacing the lid. “Just breathe,” I whisper to myself. “He’s just a man.” After a few more calming breaths, I get back to work, making sure that my training bag is packed up and ready for the road trip this week. We have two back-to-back games, one away and one at home, and then another stretch of home games. This is my dream job with a team that feels like home. No, this team is home to me. It’s family, and I refuse to let some sexy, incredible-kissing stranger interfere with that.
Once I have everything we may need while away, I place the bag by the door with the rest of the training equipment to be loaded onto the bus tomorrow, then gather my purse and keys and hightail it out of the stadium. Normally, I would hang around and make sure nothing else needed to be done. That’s been my norm since I started, but today, I’m too raw. I need to go home and dissect today’s new revelations.
Just as I’m pulling into our condo, my phone rings. “Hey, Wil.” I sigh into the phone.
“Rough day?” she asks.
“You could say that.”
“Well, I was thinking I’d pick up Mexican for dinner. I’m exhausted too, and you’re going to be gone the next few days. I thought we could just hang out and catch up before you leave tomorrow.”
“That sounds good to me. I have a lot to tell you.”
“Oh, now this I have to hear. Does it involve any of those hot-ass men you work with?”
“Yep.” I don’t bother elaborating.
“I’m on my way. You get packed so we have the entire night to gossip about whatever it is that has you in a mood.”
“Extra queso and chips,” I tell her. It’s one of those nights.
“On it. Be home soon.”
The call ends, and I can’t help but smile. I already know what she’s going to say. That he’s good-looking and I should just roll with it. She’s been pro-Cameron since the day we met him. It’s not that I disagree with her, but my job is important to me. It’s been my dream for so long, I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize it. Besides, I have to at least make him work for it a little, right? I mean, I can’t come off too eager or easy. I don’t want to play games, but I also don’t want to fall at his feet. That’s not who I am.
Grabbing my things, I climb out of the car and head inside. I immediately kick off my shoes and plop down on the couch. I know I need to pack, but that won’t take me long, and I just need a minute to reflect.
He looked good today. Damn good. He was dressed in slacks and had on a polo that showed off not only his muscles but also his tattoos. What I wouldn’t give to trace them up close and personal. Not that I expected him to look anything less. I’ve seen the replay of our kiss many times. The way his calloused hands cradled my face and the way his muscles were tight underneath that plain T-shirt he wore.
I shake out of my thoughts. I can’t go there with him. He’s a player. I’m a trainer now, and it was a one-time, isolated event. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s a good memory to have, but that’s all that it will ever be. I’m a professional now. “Right.” I laugh at myself. “There is nothing professional about the way that man makes you feel, Paisley Gray,” I mutter.
I hear the front door open, and Willow calls out, “P! Guess who I ran into?” as she comes walking into the room.
“Me first,” I say, standing from the couch to help her.
“Paisley,” a deep voice greets me. I don’t have to turn around to know who it is.
“Guess who also lives here?” Willow says. I can hear the smile in her voice.
I turn slowly, bracing myself at the sight of him standing in our small kitchen. “Cameron,” I greet him.
“Looks like we get to have dinner together after all.” He winks.
“I invited him,” Willow blurts. “I bought way more than the two of us can eat, and I don’t want to eat leftovers the entire time you’re gone.” By means of explanation, it’s a good one, except for the fact that I needed to vent to her. About him.
“Thanks for picking this up, Wil,” I say, ignoring Cameron’s reference to how we’re having dinner together even though I turned him down.
“Sure thing. I’m just going to run and change. Be right back.” She shoots off down the hall to her room, and I want to yell for her to wait for me.
“How was the rest of your day?” Cameron asks.
“Uh, good. Good. Yours?”
“Overwhelming,” he says with a chuckle. “I’ve waited what feels like a lifetime for this, and it’s finally happening. It all seems pretty surreal.”
“You’re going to do great,” I reassure him.
“Yeah?” he asks. “I’m glad you have faith in me. I have this feeling I’m going to get out there and choke.”
“Come on now. A big, strong, tough guy like you? I’d have thought you’d have all the confidence in the world, ready to take the game by the horns and all that.”
“No. I do, but it’s still got me a little shook up. This is my chance, you know? I could just be filling in for Hastings, or I could stay, and I really, really want to stay.”
“The team is great, and Coach Drummond is fair. Just do what you do best. Play ball. Don’t let the hype or the fact that it’s a different team get to you. Go out on the field, play your game, and it will all work out.” Baseball talk I can handle, especially if it’s the Blaze. It’s a safe topic for us.
He steps up beside me, but I don’t stop pulling food out of the bags. “Hey.” He places his hand on my arm, which forces me to stop and look at him. “Just breathe, beautiful.” He smiles at me.
“Look. The game was fun, but we work together now. It’s important that we remain professional.”
“The game was fun.” He gives me a wicked smile. “And I agree with you. We should maintain professionalism while we’re working.”
“Good.” I stand up a little straighter. “I’m glad we can agree on that.”
“Paisley?” He tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear.
“Yeah?”
“We’re not working right now.”
“N-No, we’re not, but we are coworkers.”