Page 52 of Leave It On The Field (Grand Slam 3)
“Uh,” he says, taking the phone from Sophie. His face is tight. “Ricky’s at security. He wants to be cleared.”
“No.” I sit up and glare into the phone. “Not going to happen.”
“The guard said he’s alone—no Katie,” Dad says, glancing up at Sophie. “And Stone and Paul are here with their wives.”
“Don’t let him in Dad,” I say, growling. “He makes Sophie uncomfortable. She’s having a good time. He’ll ruin everything.”
“Seb.” Sophie peeks around Dad’s body. “It’s okay. I don’t want to cause tension between everyone.”
“You’re not causing anything. He’s the one being a dick.” I pause for second. “Look, he still has tickets to the game, and Katie has a pass to the suite, but I don’t want them at our house. Don’t let him in.”
“Soph!” I hear Maisie scream. “Kit’s telling the story of how she and Butch met. It apparently involves a raccoon. I told her to pause until you get out here. Is that Seb? Hey, Seb! Good win last night. We miss you!”
“Hey, Mae. I miss you guys too.” I smile at her as she waves in the background. “Soph, go out and hear the raccoon story so you can tell me later. If it involves Butch and Kit, you know it has to be good. Dad and I will handle this. Okay?”
“Okay,” she says, smooching another kiss at me. “I’ll hopefully see you before the game. I love you.”
“I love you, baby. Have fun.”
The elevator beeps to alert me that someone’s on their way up to the suite. It has to be Joe since he has the only other elevator pass key.
“Hey, Dad,” I say, “Joe’s on his way up. I have to go. Don’t let Ricky in. He’s done this to himself.”
“I won’t,” Dad says. “Don’t even think about it anymore. I have it handled. Have a good game. We’re so proud of you, Seb.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I say, hanging up as the elevator door opens.
“I have another thirty minutes, Joe.”
“You have another twenty-two minutes,” he says. “And bring your bags. We’re not staying here tonight.”
“What?” I raise up a little bit and look at him over the back of the couch. “Are we headed to L.A. after the game? I thought we were leaving tomorrow morning.”
“We are leaving tomorrow morning. Drew decided to let the team stay at their homes tonight.”
I jump up. “Seriously? Please tell me you’re not fucking with me.”
“I would never kid about something as important to you as spending the night with Sophie. I would like to keep living beyond today.”
“Damn!” I jog into my bedroom and start throwing my stuff into the suitcase. “I can’t wait to tell Sophie. Are you sure about this?”
“Yeah. Drew just texted everyone.”
I grab my phone and read the text. “Amazing. Why did he change his mind? Is he trying to ease up on the reins a little bit?”
“I doubt that’s the case. I think he’s just pissed at Roman. They apparently got into it last night about something. Max heard Roman calling Drew a ‘controlling little fuck.’”
“Uh, that was probably me. I asked Roman to sneak Sophie up to my room. It didn’t exactly go as planned.”
Joe shakes his head. “All of you are behaving like sixteen-year-olds at summer camp.”
“I can’t help it. I’m having serious Sophie withdrawal symptoms. I feel like my dick is about to explode.”
He spits out a little of the water he’s drinking. “What the fuck, Seb? That’s a textbook example of TMI. Keep that shit to yourself.”
“Sorry, man. All this excitement must have temporarily disabled my filter.” I take a deep breath and smile. “God, I can’t believe I get to spend the entire night with her.”
“You are the most whipped man I’ve ever met.” Joe throws some socks from the floor into my bag. “Does Sophie give you treats when you walk this nicely on your leash?”
