Page 56 of The Magical Tea Shop

“Solidarity, you understand,” Tylene said.

“We like you, and we get that you’re makin’ the rounds and all.”

Ivy’s gaze swiveled back to Nell. “The rounds?”

“With the Rebel hotties.”

“Oh, well…”

“No worries, it’s cool,” continued Nell.

“We did too when we first moved here. They’re good-lookin’ guys, but…” Tylene snorted, “they tend to represent the positions they play a teeny bit too well.”

Nods followed all around.

Nell must’ve read Ivy’s look of confusion. “Kyle’s the pitcher and, boy, did he throw out at Pedro. Pedro’s a hard hitter.”

Ivy blanched. “Surely they didn’t hit you when you went out?”

“No, we’re talking ’bout the brawl.”

Ivy nodded. “Ah, Dina.”

“She’s the blabbiest,” said Tessa. “But you know how, like, Roman goes for first base and Joel’s a second base kind of guy.”

“And Rob goes straight for third base?” finished Ivy.

“See, I knew she’d get it,” said Tylene to the others.

Brantley still wasn’t back, and Ivy was having fun now. “Okay, so Brantley plays short stop, right? So does he stop short?”

Nell let out a hoot. “No, Ive, no, no, no. Brant’s the master of the double play. You’ll need to watch yourself from all sides. Well, unless you’re into that, which is cool, too. That’s all we wanted to say.”

“Bye!” They jumped up and scurried back to the bar, just as Brantley got back to the table in time for Mackenna to swing by with his order.

Brantley slurped mussels while Ivy sipped her mojito. When she stood and excused herself to use the restroom, Brantley rose. Ivy thought he was being polite, but the creepy factor rose exponentially as he trailed her down the long hallway. When she glanced back in question, he stepped close and said, “I had a nice time.”

“I did too, Brantley.”

Suddenly, he transformed into octopus man, his strong hands coming at her, aiming for second and third base. Ivy stumbled backward and found herself trapped between her date and a brick wall. She cast her gaze in search of a way to sidestep, but Brantley loomed. She immediately understood why the Roadies had warned her. Ivy put her hand out to nudge him back.

“Hey, Brant.”

Someone slapped Brantley on the back. Ivy peered past his shoulder and was never more grateful to see Jaxon in her life. Roman was there, too, and easing Brantley to the side to pull him into a conversation. Their agile moves gave Ivy enough space to slip out and hightail it for the women’s while Roman talked a steady stream and Jaxon steered Brantley toward the front.

Alone, Ivy stared at herself in the mirror in the glaring light. How she hated the dating game’s expectations and posturing. All at once, everything Holly said about the dangers of dating flooded her thoughts. Ivy leaned on the sink and took a breath. Steadier, she stepped in the hallway and out the back into the night.

As the door slammed shut, a deep voice rumbled. “You okay?”

Ivy jumped and let out a squeal.

“Whoa, sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Hand on her chest trying to calm her raging heartbeat, Ivy recognized Jaxon. He was leaning against the building, the concern in his eyes clear. Her heart rate eased at the realization he had been waiting to make certain she was all right. She let out a breath and nodded. “You knew I’d abscond.”

“He deserves it,” said Jaxon in a growl of disapproval, as he pushed off from the wall.

“He still in there?”

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