Free Too Hot to Handle: A Boys of Summer Novel by Katie Rose Page B

sauntered up, a big grin on his face. “You know the new guy Shaun is getting hitched? We’re taking him out tonight, sort of a bachelor party before the bachelor party. We got a limo, the whole nine yards. Are you in?”
    “Yeah,” Jake agreed.
    “What about our new babysitter?” Cody asked, obviously referring to Nikki.
    Brian glanced at Ryan, and this time the laugh escaped. “We’ve got that taken care of.”
    Jake looked at Ryan, who nodded.
    The first baseman shrugged. “Since you’ve been falling down on the job, we had to come up with a better solution. So we invited Ms. Case to meet up for dinner. When she gets to the restaurant, she’ll find she’s dining at a table for one.”
    The players broke into laughter, while Jake shook his head at Ryan and the outfielder. “Man, that’s harsh.”
    “Sounds like someone’s in love,” Ryan teased. He sent Brian a meaningful look while his teammate batted his eyes like a lovesick puppy.
    Jake shrugged. “I’m all for a good joke, but this seems a little over the top.”
    “We’re not that bad,” Ryan explained. “The restaurant is a little Italian place in Moorestown called Osteria. Do you know it?” When Jake shook his head, Ryan continued. “It’s close to where she lives, and we’re picking up the check. We just want her out of our hair for tonight.”
    “Gotcha.” Jake nodded. Yet while he’d never let on to his teammates, he couldn’t let them do this.
    Nikki would be crushed. The other pranks he could live with: the wigs, the baseballs, even the croc––they were funny. But this was something different. For her to think she’d finally been accepted, that they wanted her company, and then realize it was all just another joke—that would be heartless.
    In spite of her hard shell, there was a vulnerability about her that he had already seen. His teammates weren’t aware that in addition to being a ball breaker, she could do things that were thoughtful and kind. Like getting English lessons for Antonio. She’d sworn Jake to secrecy about that, so he couldn’t enlighten them, and yet he knew she had a soft side.
    But why did he care? For a moment, a sudden thought unnerved him. Were they right? Was he beginning to, God forbid, develop feelings for her?
    Nah,
he rationalized. While she intrigued him, tantalized him, he just didn’t want to see her hurt. It was nothing deeper than that. Satisfied, his attention switched back to Brian.
    “I’m in. But I’ll skip the limo and take my own car. Where are you going?”
    “Philly. We’re starting at Grace Tavern. Do you know where it is?”
    “Yeah. It’s on Grays Ferry Avenue. I’ll be there.” Jake slung his towel around his neck and headed for the showers.
    —
    The Sonics entered the ballpark to thunderous applause as they jogged onto the field for the first game of the season. Nikki sat behind home plate, watching the festivities as the high school band played and fireworks exploded. She felt a quiet sense of accomplishment, realizing that the work of the last few weeks was beginning to pay off. In anticipation of this game, she’d pounded the phones, making sure all of the right people were there to get the best possible publicity. Scrounging up some club-level tickets, she invited local politicians, celebrities, and some former All-Stars. It was her intention to create a media event, and it played out perfectly.
    Best of all, the Sonics were a better team than the previous year. By the end of spring training, it seemed they had finally found their rhythm and were beginning to display their potential. Chase’s pitching was flawless, Jake inspired the team with his leadoff hits, and Ryan was slamming the ball.
    Fortunately, they’d brought the same energy and enthusiasm home. Watching now, Nikki finally understood the allure this experience had for the fans. They were on their feet, shouting, booing, and cheering in the chilly weather as their team trotted the bases and scored a