Free Home Run Baby: A Sports Romance by Tabatha Kiss Page A

fill in blanks for me, if needed. These guys tend to get a little hushed when it comes to the good details — the kind of things readers really want to know about.”
    “I’ll do my best,” I say.
    “You’re in the big leagues now, honey,” she says, spinning around to climb onto the bus. “It’s expected .”
    “Okay.”
    “Seriously. I could fire you.”
    I nod as she disappears up the stairs.
    “How are you feeling?”
    My lips curl at the sound of his voice and I raise my camera as I turn around, snapping an awkward close-up as he hovers over me. “A little better,” I say, letting the camera hang from my neck. “My head still hurts a bit, but I’ve got some doctor-approved, baby-safe, painkillers to help knock it out.”
    Hunter nods, his eyes flicking down for a brief instant, no doubt jarred at the casual way I threw baby-safe in there. Honestly, it kind of stuns me, too. “Good,” he says.
    “So…” I scan the windows above us for Trisha but she’s chatting up the coach at the back of the bus. “She’s certainly got her eye on you.”
    “Yeah, I can tell,” he chuckles. “I’m not interested, though.”
    “Really?” I ask, trying not to seem too excited.
    He lowers his voice. “She reminds me of my mom.”
    “Your mom?”
    “Yeah, she’s from Georgia, so she’s got that southern belle accent going on, too. She also used to dye her hair like that…”
    I laugh. “Good news for me, I guess.”
    He pauses, once again dropping his eyes to look the entire length of me. “I meant what I said last night, Daisy. I’m in.”
    I smile, feeling that rush of warmth from my fingers to my toes. I clear my throat. “Speaking of mothers… you haven’t told yours about any of this yet, right?”
    “Me? No. ”
    “Good,” I nod. “I’ve only told my sister. Begged her to secrecy and she’s not one to blab, so…”
    “I haven’t told anybody,” he says. “Well, except Devin.”
    “Devin?”
    “I’m Devin.”
    I flinch and look up to see a man with his head sticking out the window, staring down at us with a wide, clown-like grin and slick, black hair.
    Hunter rolls his eyes. “Daisy, Devin. Devin, Daisy.”
    “Your secret is safe with me, Daisy Hawthorne,” Devin says, holding his hand over his heart. “You have my word.”
    “Um…” My eyes flick between them. “Thank you.”
    His head retreats back inside and he slides the window closed, leaving us alone again and I blink at Hunter.
    He shrugs. “He’s cool. Don’t worry.”
    “Okay…” He leans over and grabs my suitcase, sliding it into the back with the rest of them. “Thanks.”
    “Shall we?”
    “We shall…”
    I turn to board the bus, falling in line behind Hunter and the rest of the team. As we step up, a few of them let out cheers and offer high-fives to Hunter as he passes them by. I take the opportunity to snap a few photos of him from the back, catching the looks of admiration and loyalty from his teammates. He’s obviously well-respected among them and who could blame them?
    “Yoo-hoo!” Trisha calls out. “Hunter! You’re back here with me, honey.”
    Those looks of admiration turn to winks of approval from the remaining players but I try not to let that get to me. Hunter told me he was in. He looked me in the eyes and said it to my face. I don’t have to worry about Trisha Wells digging her perfectly-painted claws into him but my gut still twists a bit as he slides into the seat beside her.
    I take the aisle seat across from him, quickly realizing that I’ve settled in next to Devin.
    “Cocoa butter,” he says, flashing a quick wink at me.
    I pause. “I’m sorry?”
    “For the stretch marks. My mother swore by the stuff. Gotta keep things moisturized .”
    “Oh…” I force a smile. “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    I stand up again to stick the camera cases in the overhead compartment but immediately feel a presence over my shoulder.
    Hunter slides his fingers into the handles