“Shoot,” I say, wishing I could take back half of my words andallof my attitude from earlier. “I’m sorry, Liesel. Now I feel like a jerk for saying you weren’t being rational.”
“You were a jerk,” she says. “But you weren’t wrong.”
Our shoulders and arms are only a few inches apart, close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from her. “I get why you want to look out for them. Regardless of what happens this week, they’re going to be okay. You’re right that they’re strong prospects, and they’re part of our organization. Besides, we still have the extended roster.”
Her eyes widen. “That’s right. We do. That’s enough, isn’t it? They’re good enough for that?”
“They are. No question. They’ll be in the majors in no time.”
This should comfort her, shouldn’t it? But she buries her face in her hands, and I tug them down. Her skin is soft and warm enough that I wish I’d brought a jacket.
“Hey, don’t worry. They don’t know about any of these discussions. They’re not missing out on anything. And—” I inhale sharply. I can’t believe I’m about to say what I’m about to say, but making a woman cry wasn’t on my Christmas list. “Your forecasts are compelling. I think we should recommend your brothers for the extended roster and sign Colt.”
“Really?” She throws her arms around me, squeezing me like a boa constrictor. “Thank you, Coop! Kathy’s going to be so relieved that we have a good solution.”
I pat her shoulder, noticing that the muscles in her arms extend to her back. I like a girl who works out.
Not this girl, specifically.Agirl.
She releases me quickly, and I’m only disappointed because I’m cold and she’s somehow retained more warmth than I have.
Also, she smells like cotton candy.
“But we need to put together a customized training program for your bros and convince them tolisten. You’re a geek in the spreadsheets, right?”
She laughs nervously. “Yeah. We can do that.”
“And then when the call comes—and it always comes—the Fischer twins will be ready.”
“They’re triplets,” she says.
“Unless you’re planning to suit up, I think you’re going to have to get used to them being called the wrong name.”
“Right, because a whole lifetime of experience hasn’t prepared me for that.”
I tap her forehead. “Hey, you’re a big deal in the Firebirds’ front office. You’re important enough to make recommendations directly to the GM. Your brothersmightbe a big deal. They’ll probably be a big deal. But right now, they’reLiesel Fischer’s brothers. The thought of you giving that up has to suck at least a little.”
She gives me a look. “Don’t psychoanalyze me.”
I look back over the golf course. The lights are bright enough that a few people are even playing. My elbow hurts just thinking of trying to swing a club. “I could be wrong.”
“You’re not wrong.” She inhales and exhales slowly. “I’ve never had anything that’s my own. I’ve been looking out for my brothers since my mom got sick when we were thirteen. Working for the Firebirds is the only thing that’s ever really felt like it wasmine. Sometimes … sometimes I wish they didn’t play for our affiliate. I can’t fail them if they play for someone else.”
“You don’t seem like you’re capable of failing anyone.”
She snorts. “We were in the same meeting with Kathy and Marty.”
I nudge her shoulder with mine. “You didn’t fail. You got into a heated work discussion with a cocky jerk.”
“When you put it that way …” she teases.
I breathe in the dry, cold air, and my teeth chatter together. My elbow is starting to throb. I rotate my arm slowly. “What you’re saying makes sense. It’s hard when you’re constantly having to keep it together for someone else. When it feels like their happiness rests solely on your shoulders.”
“Yup.”
“It’s not true, though. We can’t be the only part of the equation.”
“We?”
