Page 26 of Run the Play
Rowan shrugs. “Maybe, but I don’t think he will. Honestly, I should start looking for another job. Maybe in a city that doesn’t have a team in the league,” Rowan mutters.
“No,” Corie and Sloane cry out.
“Not yet,” Corie tells her. “Let’s just see how this all shakes out. The guys will be there. You’re not alone anymore, Rowan. You’ve got us, and he won’t touch you,” Corie says, her voice fierce.
My little sister loves with her entire heart. She looks back at her husband, and Knox nods in response. He’s going to do whatever it takes to keep Rowan safe, all from a single look from my sister.
“You have all of us,” I tell her. I continue to draw circles on her knee with my thumb. I know all eyes are on us, on me, but I don’t let that stop me. Her skin… it’s so fucking soft. I don’t think I’ve ever felt skin so similar to silk before.
“You’re starting over again because of him,” Foster tells her. His words are more like a demand, and something tells me it’s not just Rowan’s story he’s thinking about.
“Thank you,” Rowan says. She lifts her head and glances at every one of us.
I watch as her gaze roams around the table until, finally, they land on mine. Her light blue eyes shine with the wetness of hertears, and all I want to do is make it better. I want to take that fear that I see lurking away from her.
“I’ve never had people,” she says. “Not people who were mine. I know that sounds silly.” She smiles shyly. “My foster families, they got paid to let me live with them. Chaz—well, you know how that turned out. His friends were mine by association. I thought at one time they were mine as well, but my life was his. It was his world, and I was just living in it. Moving to Nashville was supposed to be a chance for me to live for myself. My fresh start. My time to make choices and friends and move forward.” She pauses, and I watch as her throat bobs with effort as she swallows.
Why do I have the sudden urge to kiss her?
“Thank you for your kind words and support.”
“Well, you’re welcome,” Baker tells her. “But you have to stop apologizing. We’re your people, after all.” He offers her a wink, and the urge to reach across the table and slap the wink right off his face is strong.
What’s going on?
Why am I acting this way?
Rowan flashes him a watery smile, and I squeeze her hand, needing her eyes on mine. She glances at me, and her gaze softens, as does something inside my chest with that single look.
“You need a break?” I ask, keeping my voice low, just between us. She nods, and I stand, her hand in mine. “Be right back,” I say to our friends, knowing damn well they’re going to have questions—lots of questions that I don’t have answers to.
That doesn’t stop me.
With my hand wrapped around hers, I lead her into the house. Once we’re in the kitchen, I move to the island and turn to face her. I don’t know why I do it, but I grip her hips, lift her on the island, and step between her thighs.
She’s not mine.
But I still have this urge to be close to her. Bracing my hands on the island on either side of her, I stare into her beautiful blue eyes. “Are you okay?” I don’t know why these are the words that chose to come out of my mouth. Of course she’s not okay. She just bared her soul to us, people she’s known for a short while. Sure, she’s been around more lately, as my sister and Sloane have taken her under their wings, but she doesn’t have that bond that the rest of us have.
Not yet.
She’ll get there.
“Honestly, I don’t know.”
“Talk to me,” I say softly, fighting the urge to wrap my arms around her.
“You have better things to do than listen to me yammer on about my ex.”
“I’m exactly where I want to be.” The words surprise me, but they’re true. I can’t think of a single place I’d rather be than right here with her.
“I’m scared. He’s every bit the asshole his reputation says he is. He’s not going to stop until he gets what he wants, and what he wants is me. Not because he loves me, but because I got away.”
“I won’t let him get to you. Me and the guys, we’re going to be there with you. Maybe we should go to the team and tell them what happened to ensure you never have to work on him,” I suggest.
“No. I don’t want to draw more attention to me. Besides, it’s his word against mine.”
“You have medical records.”
