Page 14 of Sweet Spot

“You care about these men.”

“Hell yeah I do. I was them once. I have no fucking clue what I’m doing but I know one thing for sure: I will be the coach I wish I had. They aren’t action figures I fuck around with to win games. They’re players with lives and hopes and dreams. If Eli Stirling keeps treating us all like pieces on his expensive chess board I don’t know if anyone will want to stay here, least of all me. This isn’t the kind of baseball I want to play.” It wouldn’t hurt my pride to walk away a second time, go back to my quiet life on my quiet island and raise my daughter in peace.

Although I might miss seeing Kate.

“Your dedication is an asset,” she said quietly. Almost a whisper.

I couldn’t look away. I should. It wasn’t right to stare into someone’s eyes for that long. I tried to move, but my hand touched hers, and then our knees, and all I wanted to do was kiss her.

“We shouldn’t,” she whispered.

“Of course.”

“We’re working together.”

“A terrible idea.” But her lips were right there and I hadn’t felt so alive in a very long time. “I swore off women for the season.”

“That’s probably wise.” Her breaths came fast and shallow.

I wondered what her skin tasted like and if kissing her would melt the rest of my stress away. “But you haven’t technically started yet.”

“That’s true.” Her eyes darted between mine. “I don’t want to distract you.”

“Maybe I need to be distracted.” I swallowed hard, trying to decide if I should be smart or stupid, because right about now stupid seemed awfully smart to me.

“Sometimes distractions are helpful,” she agreed.

I reached out to cup her face just as the door swung open. Kate’s eyes widened and a split second later she plastered on a professional smile while I turned to see who interrupted us.

Max, Asshole Stirling’s friend, walked back in with a grin, clapping his hands. “Thank you so much, Kate. You’re a lifesaver. She’s a lifesaver, isn’t she?”

My mind was so fogged up I barely followed a thing the man said. “Uh yes. Absolutely. Kate’s ideas sound fantastic and I’m looking forward to working with her.” I’d be a hell of a lot happier if my lips were on hers though.

“Excellent. I’ll walk you out.” Max held out his hand to Kate.

I wanted to smack it away. “Will you come to spring training?” Now that she was here in front of me again I didn’t want to wait too long for the next chance.

“Yes. I can’t say which day, but since one of our biggest issues is the player controversy, I will concentrate my initial efforts in that direction.” Her cheeks were still bright and pink and her hands shook a little as she gathered up her things.

“I look forward to it.”

“Kate’s the best, Anson. A miracle worker.”

Kate forced a smile. “I appreciate the praise Max.” She held out her hand. “I’ll see you soon.”

I took it slow, wrapping my hand fully around hers, then placing my other over the top. Touching Kate energized me, made me feel like a man. Not just Rosie’s dad or Everett’s brother. Not the guy who kept the sanctuary running. A full-blooded man who wanted a woman. “Enjoy your weekend.”

Her eyes dropped to our hands. “Good luck with spring training.”

I reluctantly let go as she walked past me. Max babbled as he walked down the hallway. Kate turned back once to glance over her shoulder. When her eyes locked with mine, sending that electric jolt through my body once more, I knew this other part of me had been fully awakened—the part I put away a long, long time ago.

And it wouldn’t be put back to sleep as long as Kate was around.

I brooded the entire drive from the stadium to Calusa Key. I was half surprised the steering wheel was in one piece as I drove over the causeway to the island I had called home my whole life.

I was generally a laid-back guy. I always said it was the island in my blood. My life wasn’t boring. I went on dates and hung out with my friends. I was happy with my life, the ups and downs, and all the strange paths it took.

All it took was a few hours with Kate in my life to change that. My happy-go-lucky approach to dating had been thrown out in favor of a feverish need to see Kate again. I regretted not getting her number and my skin crawled every time I reminded myself it could be weeks before she came down to spring training.

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