Page 103 of Forever Defiant
I flipped to the next slide on his laptop. “Team communication. Also known as the time when Horn isn’t allowed to celebrate before he’s actually completed the damn play.”
That got a proper laugh — full volume, no apology.
“Alright,” he said, rolling his shoulders like he was gearing up for kickoff. “Let’s knock this out before I pull a muscle in my brain, and they get back.”
The reminder that Savvy and Hadley would be coming soon soured my mood, but Noah nudged me, and I spent the next fifteen minutes helping him before we both heard the front door open.
“Come on,” Noah said, getting up with a sigh. “Let’s go find out what the next chapter in the book ofWhy Do We Keep Getting Dragged into Shit?is.”
“I know you’re not enjoying this,” I said to him. “We can still stay clear of it.”
“Can we? And Dust? The only person enjoying this is your girl,” he said seriously.
“Not my girl,” I muttered, but I followed him out, feeling slightly better that I wasn’t the only one who resented being part of this shitshow.
Savvy and Dante were whispering in the kitchen, and Hadley was hovering near the door like she was ready to bolt.
“How was Nashville?” Noah asked casually.
Hadley turned to look at us, her eyes flicking to mine before quickly looking away. She hadn’t responded to the text, but that look was one of guilt. Why?
“We’re getting drinks,” Savvy said brightly. “Who wants what? We’ve got lots of electrolyte water, soda, or... Why is there no beer?”
“Spring training,” all three of us answered.
Savvy looked at us, wide-eyed, before she nodded. “Water it is.”
Dante helped her carry the drinks over. Hadley had asked for soda, and Savvy squeezed onto the couch between Dante and Noah, which was either a tactical choice or just Savvy. I took the armrest of the only other chair. I looked at Hadley. She looked back.
I sighed. “I’ve left you the seat.”
She looked between it and me. “I’m okay to stand,” she said coolly.
I didn’t argue. I didn’t even comment. I slid my ass from the armrest to the seat and took the water from Dante.
“So... what did you find?” I asked Savvy.
I was done trying to figure out the woman to my left. I was pretty close to being done with all of it.
Get through, get drafted, get out.That was still the plan.
Except she was right there, not looking at me, and I was aware of exactly where she was in the room without trying.
That wasn’t done. That wasn’t even close.
Chapter 23
Hadley
It was so stupid that I never took the seat.
I mean, I’d been sitting in the car for a couple of hours, and standing was a nice change, but they were all sitting, and standing was just awkward now.
Savannah was telling Noah and Dante about the trip; she was very good at telling a synopsis. I, maybe, needed to get her to read more of my stuff to cull it for word count. Dustin was also paying attention; in fact, he was very pointedlynotlooking at me. Was he pissed I never replied to him?
“So she just told you all this stuff?” Noah asked dubiously.
Savannah looked my way. “Well, she’s a friend of Hadley’s, kind of.”
