Page 57 of Drop Three

I stand to take my dish to the sink and make a point to leave it there for the hell of it. I feel Bodhi’s eyes follow me.

Before heading back to the living room, I grab my sketchbook out of my purse on the hall tree and settle on the sofa’s chaise lounge.

“Do you mind if I sit with you? I won’t talk or anything while you read. I want to draw a little before bed,” I ask him quietly.

His stare lifts to mine above his glasses. “You never have to ask, Navy. My home is your home. Stay a while.”

A swarm of butterflies takes flight in my stomach, and I’m immediately hit with sadness over my conflicting feelings for him. This is the side of Bodhi I fell for, which I can no longer let affect me.

“Okay,” I whisper before snuggling myself with the nearest throw blanket and starting on my sketch.

I’ll enjoy him as my friend and let the dust between us continue to settle. As much as the distance between us is the opposite of what I ever wanted, I’m thankful the olive branch has been extended, and we can spend time together.

Right now, it’s with him reading and me sketching.

It feels good.

16

NAVY

“Wouldyou consider this upcoming season acomebackyear for the Strikers?”

“If I have anything to say about it, without a doubt. We’re ready to come back stronger than ever,” says Jack Leggins, head coach of the Atlanta Strikers.

I’m wrapping up another interview with Jack for the day and hoping to get all the scoop on what to expect this next MLB season. The Strikers, unfortunately, didn’t make it to the World Series playoffs last season, but the loss doesn’t seem to faze Jack one bit.

Holding my handheld microphone out to him I ask, “Any free agent players you have your eye on?”

Jack smiles slightly, like the idea is exciting. “Hell yes.”

I raise my eyebrows, hoping he catches on to the edging he gave our viewers. I’ll beg him to share the prospect he’s considering if I have to. “Care to share, Coach?”

Jack smiles brightly, and I take a moment to observe him. Jack’s long brown hair is tossed into an effortlessly sexy man bun. He often keeps it down with a backward hat, but today he is sporting comfort with ease. Jack Leggins is striking and also very much married. His caramel-colored eyes sear into mine as I wait for his response.

“Let’s just say I can quote every monumental play Miles Baker has ever made from the start of his career.”

“Miles Baker? He’s a pretty big deal in Boston.”

Jack nods. “He is. And he will be an even bigger deal playing for the Strikers. That’s all for today, Ms. Hayes.”

I smile at him before directing my attention to the main camera. “Alright. You heard him, Strikers Nation. That’s all Coach Leggins is willing to give us for today. Thank you for tuning in to ATL Sports. I’m Navy Hayes, and we’ll see you next time.”

Once the cameras are off, I pull Jack into a big hug. “Great job, Jack. You only said the wordfuckonce, that’s progress.” I fall into all-consuming laughter.

Jack has a potty mouth and doesn’t care what anyone says. He’s the one man I have to prepare ahead of time so that he acts somewhat professionally before an interview.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Where have you been anyway?”

“What do you mean? I’ve been here. Literally every day,” I reply.

Because I have been. However, most of my time is spent cooped up in my office planning out interviews and charity events for next season, but I haven’t been a ghost, if that’s what he means.

“No shit, Navs. I mean you’ve been quiet. You’re normally all loud and wild around here—you know I love you for that—but lately, you’ve been different, and I’m only making sure the life of the party is still there.”

Shit. Have I been that obvious? I mean, I’m not exactly doing poorly, but I’m surely not where I want to be. The last month and a half living in the house with the guys has been somewhat…good. If that’s even the correct word to call it.

Bodhi and I have gotten along perfectly fine, almost too perfectly if you ask me, but I’ll take it. Things have been very calm. It’s a strange concept for someone whose life is always moving at full throttle, along with her brain.

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