Free Spring Training by Parker Kincade Page A

“There are rules here. Unwritten, sure, but that doesn’t make them any less critical to your career.”
    “Since when do you give a shit about anything except how many women you can fuck at one time?”
    Tyler laughed. “Good point. But who I fuck isn’t up for discussion right now.”
    “My sex life isn’t either.” Garrett stripped off his shirt and tossed it into his bag. He pulled out a bottle of water and drank it down, wishing it were something stronger. Much stronger. Maybe then he could ignore the fact that Tyler was right. Garrett should have stayed away from Jessa. He should have played it straight and stayed focused. Too late for all that now.
    “Did you fuck her?”
    Garrett glanced around to make sure they hadn’t been overheard, and found himself counting to ten. In the past that kind of question wouldn’t have affected him. They were guys. It was a typical guy question to ask. So why did he have the sudden urge to knock all of Tyler’s teeth out?
    “Don’t push me on this, Tyler.” Garrett was running low on patience. He needed a shower and a cold beer, and he was damn tired of arguing with his friend.
    “Right, because you’ve got it all under control. Tell me something, Garrett. What happens when TJ finds out you fucked his only daughter? What do you think he’ll do when you break that girl’s heart?”
    “Who said I’m gonna break her heart?” And why the hell was he still talking about this?
    Tyler gave him a skeptical look. “So … what? You think you’ll have some fun? Fuck a few times and that’s it?” His expression turned thoughtful. “Hmm, I never pegged Jessa as a blow and go kind of girl.”
    “That’s enough,” Garrett snapped. “You ever talk about Jessa like that again and I’ll make sure you regret it. I’ll admit, I don’t have any idea what I’m doing, but I do know what happens between me and Jessa is just that — between me and Jessa. If you value our friendship, Ty, back the hell off.”
    Something akin to understanding flashed in Tyler’s eyes before he stood and clapped a hand on Garrett’s shoulder. “It’s because I value our friendship that I’m in your face about this. Your family is counting on you. Your team is counting on you. Do the right thing.”
    Tyler walked away and Garrett dropped his head into his hands.
    Do the right thing. He wasn’t sure he knew what the right thing was anymore. Jessa had swooped in and turned him inside out in a matter of days. Right or wrong, they weren’t finished. Not by a long shot. He’d tasted heaven last night and, if he had his way, he’d be dining again tonight.
    A chime sounded and he reached for his cell. His blood pressure went up a notch as he read the text message from Jessa.
    Tough batting practice. Looks like you need some rest.
    I’ll see you tomorrow.
    Fuck. That.
    Strike three, baby.
    She wasn’t going to run from him. Not after last night. He knew the impossible situation they were in and right now, he didn’t give a shit. He was pissed off, hard as a fucking brick, and distracted as hell.
    A smile tugged at his lips as he thought of his next move.
    You’ll see me sooner than that.
    He pressed send, knowing he’d have to hurry before she hightailed it out of there. He finished changing as fast as he could, wishing for a shower, but he didn’t want to risk missing her.
    There was only one place she could be. Her dad’s skybox gave her the greatest advantage. She could watch his practice and avoid him at the same time.
    By the time Garrett got there, his patience had reached its limits. His gaze zeroed in on her the minute he walked through the door. Facing the windows overlooking the field, she was dressed in a T-shirt that hugged her curves, barely meeting the top of her low-rise shorts. Her hair was pulled back, no doubt in an effort to keep cool in this unusual spring heat.
    There were two men with her, men he recognized but couldn’t place. But it didn’t matter who they were