Chapter 7
Alex
“Excuse me?” Tenny’s incredulous tone makes my shoulders climb up to my ears.
This is three thousand degrees of bad. I’m not sure what atrocities I committed in a past life—maybe I was an overzealous IRS agent or had a habit of kicking puppies—but surely I don’t deserve this.
I mean…
It’s technically my doing.
Amelia cautioned me against making up a fake relationship to get our grandmother off my back. It’s just that Mags is unrelenting. Unlike my older sister, who had no issue firmly setting the boundary that she’s focusing on her professional goals and not interested in a relationship, I…
Well, I did what I always do when Mags asks me for anything.
I caved.
This time, that looked like making up a fake boyfriend.
It started off innocently enough. I told her I was dating someone online, so that way I’d never have to produce an actual human for her to meet.
Mags lives in San Diego near Dad, but since she’s newly retired, she has a habit of popping up unannounced.
Case in point, why she’s standing in my hotel hallway, speaking to Tenny Jackson.
It’s also my fault that she’s looking at Tenny like he’s familiar.
When I was a little loopy off an emergency dose of painkillers after a long day on my feet, I might have texted Mags a grainy picture of Tenny out of uniform.
It was the night I found out I’d be working for the Waves, but instead of going out to celebrate, I was at home with my trusty heating pad.
I’d been looking him up, concerned about how that first interaction with Tenny would go.
That’s why his picture had been on my phone screen.
Next thing I knew, Mags called, and I was sending the photo along.
I also decided it would be a great idea to expand the story.
You know, really let my creative juices flow.
My boyfriend, Max, also worked for the team I’d be reporting on!
Wasn’t that great? Now we could see each other all the time, and Mags wouldn’t have to worry about me being lonely.
“Did you bring her all of this because she was having a hard few days?” Mags’s grin could power a small city. “Aren’t you a gem.”
“I, uh…” Tenny rubs his neck, and the balloons bob in all directions. “Yes.”
“That’s so nice of you, but shouldn’t you be at work? The Waves will need their equipment manager before today’s game.”
“Equipment manager?” Tenny’s gaze zeros in on me.
“She’s right. You should be getting to work, babe. I’ll take care of these,” I say, lunging forward to snatch the gifts.
Tenny evades me with one large step backward. “Babe?”
I really wish he’d stop asking questions.
“Yes,” I hiss through a clenched smile, advancing again.
“I couldn’t possibly let you manage all of this yourself, snookums,” he tells me while jogging backward. “Not with those dainty little hands of yours. Why don’t you open your door for me, and I’ll put these in your room?”
The mischievous grin on Tenny’s face twists my stomach into four distinct knots.
I catch Mags’s breathy “What a gentleman” as she begins to meander our way. Since she’s being stubborn about getting a hip replacement, she can’t move very fast anymore. Even with her hip slowing her down, Mags insists on life-long healthy habits—like always taking the stairs.
Tenny doesn’t budge when I reach the door, just stands entirely too close as I pull out my room key.
“Care to back up?” I ask, shooting daggers through my narrowed eyes.
“Care to tell me what’s going on, Ms. Stevens?” His low voice sends goosebumps down my neck.
It’s infuriating that even while I’m completely ticked at Tenny, I still react this way. As soon as this is all over, my body and I are going to have a sit-down conversation.
“Why don’t you just deny you’re my boyfriend so we can move on with our day?”
“And miss out on the fun?”
The door beeps. Tenny uses the hand holding the balloons to open it, and the mylar circles bonk me in the face with his swift movement.
“Sorry, angelcakes.”
It’s the way his voice drips with mock-sincerity that puts me over the edge.
“That’s it.”
When I storm after him, Tenny shuts the door behind us, crowding me against it.
“You’ve probably got ten seconds.” He places the bag and cup on the tiny kitchenette counter beside us and releases the balloons. “Explain.”
When I move to push past him, Tenny boxes me with hands flat against the door. “Start talking.”
He’s so close I can feel the heat of him, see the even rise and fall of his chest. Usually when I interview him, there’s a slight scent of grass and baseball dirt that clings to him, but this early in the day, all I can smell is his cologne. It’s bright and citrusy and wholly distracting.
“I lied.”
His grin is almost lopsided. “Obviously, babe. Why?”
My mouth opens, but I can’t force the words out.
Amelia has the freedom to stand up to our grandmother because she never scared Mags out of her wits immediately after the sudden passing of our grandfather.
Mags had been too buried in the grief of losing her partner of forty-eight years to visit me while I’d been recovering—something she still feels guilty about, even though I’ve reassured her dozens of times.
Ever since, she’s made it her mission to make sure I’m okay.
“It’s just very important to Mags that I’m happy.”
His eyes flick between mine. “And a boyfriend would make you happy?”
“What makes me happy doesn’t matter.”
His brows furrow. “You being happy is the only thing that matters.”
Something about the low sincerity in his tone, in the way he’s looking at me, frazzles my brain.
A shuddered breath slips from my tight lungs. “I—”
“Alex, honey. The door closed behind you,” Mags says from the other side of the wooden barrier. “Could you let me in?”
I open my useless lips, but nothing comes out.
Tenny surveys me for another lingering second before gently placing one hand at the base of my spine, the other between my shoulder blades, and pulling me toward him. My mind malfunctions for a second, thinking he’ll kiss me, but Tenny moves me aside to open the door.
“Mags.” He envelops her in a hug. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. Unfortunately, I do have to run, and there are some things Alex needs to straighten out.”
Tenny waggles a finger at me.
“I can see why she lied to you, though.”
Mags’s white eyebrows furrow in my direction as I catch Tenny’s mirthful gaze.
“See, I’m not the Waves’ equipment manager. I’m their first baseman.”
“But Tennessee Jackson is—” Her rings sparkle as she covers her gasping mouth. “Oh, my goodness, it is you!”
“In the flesh, ma’am.”
I nearly kick Tenny in the shin when he winks at my grandmother.
“I get it now.” Mags nods sagely. “This is a huge conflict of interest—her dating you while also reporting on you. If this got out, it could damage Alex’s career.” She turns toward me. “Is that why you were so scathing in your last report?”
“You understand.” Tenny is all nodding compassion, his hand splayed over his chest. “She had to throw me under the bus to keep suspicion at bay, even though we can all agree that I’m one of the most valuable players on the team.”
When my mouth pops open to protest, Tenny lays a finger over my lips.
“No, honeybun. It’s okay. I’m not upset.” He wisely removes his hand before I bite him. “Mags, if our relationship ever became public, my career wouldn’t take a hit, but it would be devastating for my sweetiepie.”
I can’t help myself. I stomp on Tenny’s foot.
“Whoa. Watch out, clumsypuss.” He tsks at me before directing his dimpled grin at my grandmother. “That’s why we have to keep it a secret.”
Mag gasps again, sliding a pointing finger toward me. “That’s why you’ve been so cagey with the details of your boyfriend. And Max!” She barks a laugh. “No one is named Max but dogs.”
“You got me,” I say, holding up my palms in surrender.
“See you later, babe.” Then Tenny Jackson—first baseman for the Waves and the man I can’t stop bickering with—slides an arm around my waist and presses a quick kiss to my temple.
He’s already two large steps down the hall before he turns around, laughing.
“I almost forgot.” Tenny holds up his fist.
I’m too stunned by the casual show of affection, from the lingering sensation of his lips on my skin, to do anything but lift my knuckles.
He taps them with a ginormous grin. “Mags, have Alex text me your full name, and I’ll get you a front-row seat for this afternoon’s game. I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be a good one.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
Panic knocks me back into my body. “Oh, I don’t—”
“I insist,” Tenny says while walking backward. “Anything for family.”
I send him one last murderous gaze before he escapes down the stairs.
“You know,” Mags says, tucking her arm through mine. “I understand a forbidden romance. Before your grandfather and I met…”
I shouldn’t zone out while Mags is speaking, but all I can think about is getting to the ballpark and wiping that smug grin off Tenny’s face.