“I think you were just being selfish.”Heheld up a hand to stop the words he could see waiting to spill fromAcen’slips.“I’mnot saying you were wrong or right.Just, maybe you should be clear in your own mind why you did what you did before you go trying to get back intoRose’slife.”
“I’m going to offer to help her coach her team to the state finals.”
Tea spewed fromRiley’slip as he coughed up the liquid he’d just sipped.“You’rewhat?”
Acen crossed his arms over his chest.“Youheard me.I’mgoing to offer to help her with the team.”
Riley stopped coughing.Redfaced from the exertion, he said, “Haveyou lost your mind?Didyou not hear a wordI’vesaid about her?Shebuilt that team from nothing.She’sa great coach.Youdon’t need to get up in the middle of that and throw her off her coaching game.”
“Christ.Whata mess.”Acenmuttered.
“You wanted to come back,”Rileysaid, not unkindly.“Justremember what you’re walking into.”
“I came back for my dad.Thathasn’t changed.”
Riley gave him a long look.“Youcame back for more than that.Whetheryou admit it or not.Justmake sure you don’t hurt her again.”
Acen didn’t answer.Hedidn’t need to.
CHAPTERTHREE
“Let’s run it again, ladies!”
Rose blew her whistle and clapped her hands, her voice sharp and sure despite the heat bearing down on the field.Groansrose from the ladies facing her.Shecouldn’t blame them.Sweatclung to her neck under her messy ponytail, and the late-afternoon sun glared off the metal bleachers, but the team was humming with energy despite the groans.Practicesalways got more intense in the weeks leading up to the regional invitational, and this year’s squad had a real shot at taking the title.
“Ginny!Gloveup on the hop this time.Maggie, if you’re gonna call it, youhaveto catch it”
“Yes,Coach,” came the familiar chorus from the group gathered around her in the dugout.
Rose smirked.“Let’snot make me get mean.”
“Too late,”Tashamuttered, loud enough for a ripple of laughter to follow.
Rose was still grinning when a familiar voice—low and irritatingly warm—floated from behind her.
“You always this tough on your team?”
She froze.Tooka breath.Turnedaround.
AcenWheelerstood behind the dugout fence, arms slung casually over the rail like he had every right to be there.Likea bad dream that just kept coming back.Dreamsmade her think about bed, which led to thought ofAcenthere, which made her temper flare.
“Don’t you have a porch to haunt somewhere?”she said in a low voice, ignoring the delighted glances being cast atAcen.Likemoths to a candle flame.Ifonly they knew what he was capable of, then they’d think twice about those lecherous looks.
“Okay, ladies.Y’allknow the drill.Geton out in the field and put it into practice.”
She andAcenwatched in silence as the team headed out and took up their positions.Whichstill left the batter and catcher too close for comfort.Roseedged them over to the bleachers.Nopoint in the whole team knowing her personal business.
“Riley invited me.”Acensaid as they stopped by the hot metal seats, not daring to sit in the heat and risk burned backsides.Hehoped lightning didn’t strike him from the clear blue sky for the lie.ButmaybeRosewould take his proposal better if she thoughtRileywas on his side.
Thatmade her pause.Surelyhe hadn’t said what she thought he’d said.“Hedid what?”
“FiguredImight help with drills,”Acensaid, stepping to the side of the dugout out of the direct glare of the sun.“You’vegot a good lineup, but they’re tight on fielding.ThoughtI’dlend a hand.”
Rose narrowed her eyes and kept her distance.“Areyou sure he didn’t mean you can help withhisteam?Idon’t recall mentioningIneed help with mine.”Shecast an eye over the girls who were hitting and fielding balls like she’d asked.“We’reabout to compete in the regional invitational, in case you haven’t heard.Histeam is not, so that’s the one that needs help.”
“I’m sure,”Acensaid with that infuriating half-smile.“Hethinks you’re too stubborn to ask for help and the regionals will be tough.Atleast according to him.”
Could her brother have actually set her up like this knowing how she felt about whatAcenhad done all those years ago?Hemust have lost his mind if that was the case.She’dnever let anyone assistant coach for her before.Andif she decided to go that route,AcenWheelerwould be the last person she’d trust to be that for her.
