Page 30 of Stopping Short

“But you’re not coming to work tomorrow,” he sighs like he’s completely done with me.

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to. I know you. What’s going on, Jackson?”

I tell Owen everything from me punching Evan to how we rushed to leave Pittsburgh before Evan could find out.

“Man, there won't be a single guy on the starting lineup soon.” He chuckles and I imagine him shaking his head.

“I'm still single.” I roll my eyes.

“You won't be for long. You’re head over heels for that girl.”

“I'm not sure she feels the same way though.” I don’t bother trying to deny my feelings for Harper. It would be pointless. Owen would actually give me more crap if I did deny it.

“What’s not to like? You’re attractive, kind, a good player, and a good guy.”

“Owen?” I smirk, knowing I'm going to annoy him. “Are you hitting on me? Do I have to contact human resources?”

“Oh, shut up.” He ignores me. “Do you need off tomorrow or can she come to the clubhouse? I don’t mind her being your shadow. She knows Charlie, Macy, and Cici, correct?”

“Yeah, they all know each other. I don’t think they were ever close, but they’re not strangers. She was in Jax and Cody’s grade growing up.” I run a hand through my hair.

“Ask her to come to work with you. She can watch you practice or hang out with Charlie or Macy… Liliana might be there tomorrow too. I should probably call her since you punched someone.”

“Already did. We have a podcast set up for this week, but I'm wondering if we should hold off now that things have developed with Evan. It might be worse to draw any attention to me, especially when he hasn’t gone to the press yet.”

“True… If Harper wants to stay home, then you need to be there, but I’d rather you come to work. Obviously. You know I care about your personal life and I know it’s more important than baseball.”

“Which is why you’re the world’s greatest boss.”

“Yeah, yeah. That’s what you all say when I fold like a house of cards,” he grumbles. “I'm becoming too soft. I used to be a bosshole and I didn’t care about anyone. What happened to me?”

“You hired a bunch of men you already had relationships with. You knew all of their families and cared about them before they ever became your employees. You’re not soft, Owen. You’re fair and you actually care. That’s not a bad thing.”

“Yeah. We better end this season in a good position or I’m going back to being a bosshole.”

I laugh and shake my head. I love working for him. I wouldn’t leave the Pit Bulls even if another team offered me twice as much money.

“Goodnight, Owen.”

“Goodnight. Text me in the morning and let me know what the plan is.”

“Will do.”

I end the call and quickly grab the t-shirt and pajama pants I found while I was talking. I head back into the room Harper claimed and find her sitting on the bed with her knees pulled up to her chest.

“Hey… Are you ok?” I watch her carefully as I take a seat next to her, placing the clothes between us.

“Yeah. I'm fine.”

“I don’t believe you, but that’s ok.”

Harper’s gaze snaps to me and I smirk. Her brows are furrowed, making her look adorable. I don’t think I realized how much I missed spending time with her until I actually got to see her this weekend.

“There’s no point in hiding things from me.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders and tug her into my side.

“I'm not… I just… I don’t want to be scared.”