Page 53 of Double Play

“Indie. I’m only going to say this once. I’m loyal to a fault. Which means I’m dedicated to you. To us, whatever we are.”

Slowly, I lift my head, hesitantly meeting his eyes. “And what are we?”

“Whatever you want us to be.” Leaning forward again, he sets one hand on the brick beside my head. “Because I’m not going anywhere.” His eyes search my face. “I’ve already missed too many opportunities with you. Too many years.”

He swallows thickly. “Truth. I’m not letting another chance pass.”

All the air in my lungs whooshes out of me. If there wasn’t a brick wall at my back, my weak knees would cause me to collapse.

“I want to date you,” he admits.

“You know why I can’t,” my response is a strangled whisper. This job is too important to me. My career could be on the line. I’m not risking my dream, my future.

Yet everything in me wants to shout from the roof top . . . Hands off! This man is mine. And it isn’t fair that I can’t touch him in public. Make my statement and stake my claim. It isn’t fair that I can’t smile as wide as I want at him across the field, even give him a flirty wink, for fear I’ll lose everything I’ve worked so hard to gain. It isn’t fair to me or him.

“I do.” He sighs, not in exasperation but in understanding. He’s been so fucking understanding.

“And I get that you’re scared. Of me or us or whatever. But I’m telling you I want you. I want to be with you, and all I can give you is my word. There isn’t anyone else, Indie. Not now.”

Has there ever been? Because he’s been single his entire life. He didn’t marry the mother of his child and Isaiah never mentioned a long-term girlfriend.

I’m the one who got married at my parents’ insistence. And I’d loved Malakai, or so I thought.

But staring up at Declan, towering over me once again, I’m not so sure I’ve known love. Because love doesn’t burn like my ex or betray like my father. Love simmers and sparks and sets off fireworks.

“I’m not playing a game with you,” he adds. “Only honesty between us.”

Declan presses off the wall and like a ball thrown toward a bat, I lean forward, following his retreat.

“I’m not playing a game either,” I whisper.

“Truth.” He huffs, crossing his arms. “I want you in my bed. But I also want to spend time together.” As if absentmindedly, his hand covers his heart like he’s swearing an oath.

“I—” In the flash of a second, I wonder what I’m so afraid of with him.

He isn’t asking me to give up my career or questioning the value of my job. He isn’t demanding I consider alternative futures. He’s asking for time.

And that might be my real fear.

Because if I give him time, he’ll steal my heart again.

“What would time look like?” I can’t date him in public. I’m not willing to risk the implication. Sleeping my way upward. Or using our friendship to some advantage. Not to mention, there’s no fraternizing with the team allowed.

“Everything can be private.”

“Like me in your bed?” I tease although the question comes out as a croak.

Declan narrows his eyes at my sarcasm. “Like you come to my house. Or I go to yours. I don’t need my business all over the media, and I’m not willing to risk yours either.”

He pauses while I process just what he’s said. He actually wants to spend time together that doesn’t involve us having to go anywhere in public.

“Dare,” Declan grinds out. “Invite me over.”

I’m typically up for a challenge. I’ve become a female sportscaster in a field traditionally dominated by men, yet slowly accepting women. I got divorced because I knew I deserved better than a cheating husband, participating in antiquated opinions about a driven woman. My ex thought he should have been my first priority when the first thing he said he loved about me was my independence. My determination to succeed.

And standing before me is a man who simply wants my time, and nothing else from me.

Not to give up my job. Not to forgo my future.