Playing the Player(70)

Max tugged on my shorts, and my eyes flew open. “What?” My voice was sharp, and he took a step back from me, stumbling over his untied shoes. “I..um…just thought…” He held his arm up. “Maybe we all need some magic.”

His big sad eyes ripped a hole in my righteous anger. I took in all three of them, so pathetic and remorseful, even Slade. I knew the kids felt terrible. The way the tour guide had freaked out would probably haunt their nightmares for weeks. Mine, too.

“This situation calls for drastic measures,” Slade announced. His face broke into one of those glorious smiles that made my stomach drop to my knees. I darted a glance at Gilly and saw that she was equally enchanted.

“What?” My voice cracked. I hoped he had an amazing idea that wasn’t dangerous or illegal.

“Baseball,” he said, and we all gaped at him.

He grabbed the kids’ hands and turned to run down on the porch steps. “Come on, BB,” he called over his shoulder.

The heat from the blazing Colorado sun beat down on me as I followed Slade and the kids down Pennsylvania Street, jogging to catch up.

“Where are we going?” I asked, a little out of breath.

He slowed his pace and smiled down at me. “Coors Field. There’s this game, involving bats and balls… Maybe you’ve heard of it?”

“How do you know there’s a game today? And what about tickets?”

He grinned at me. “Details, Trina. Nothing to worry about.”

My mind swirled. How much were tickets? What if the game was sold out? What if the kids hated it? What if we sat next to drunken fans who screamed obscenities the whole time?

“This is not on the schedule,” I muttered. Slade’s low laughter sent chills up my arms.

“You ever see Ferris Bueller’s Day Off?” he asked as we walked down Colfax, heading toward downtown and the Sixteenth Street Mall. I held Gilly’s hand while Slade held onto Max.

I rolled my eyes. “Of course.” I tapped the side of my head. “Room up here for some pop culture experiences.”

His sexy grin made my knees literally wobble. Another cliché come to life, much to my horror.

“Touché.” He laughed. “Anyway, that’s what I’m going for. We need an epic save.”

“The museum was a stupid idea.” I bit my lip and glanced at him. “Why’d you go along with me when I suggested it?”

His eyes were fixed on my mouth. He blinked a few times then shrugged. “Uh, I…well…” His voice trailed away.

“Whatever.” I walked faster, annoyed that he obviously hadn’t been listening to me the other night.

The Sixteenth Street Mall bustled with office workers running errands and gathering outside for lunch dates. Grungy teenagers zoomed by us on skateboards, and homeless men leaned against buildings, grateful for the shade.

The shuttle whooshed to a stop in front of us, and we stepped on. The kids crammed onto a bench seat while Slade and I stood in the aisle. I reached up for a wrist strap, annoyed they were almost of reach.

Slade’s hand looped easily through his wrist strap. He smiled down at me. “Why don’t you just hold onto me? You won’t have to reach as high.”

The shuttle lurched away from our stop, and I fell against Slade. He settled his free hand on my shoulder, anchoring me in place. I was pretty sure my skin was melting under his touch—possibly evaporating altogether.

I was grateful to hold my tote bag in both hands, since I didn’t know what else to do with them. I took a deep breath, which was a mistake because I inhaled Slade’s piney, sunshine smell.

“You okay?” His voice was soft and right next to my ear, since he’d leaned over, his face close to mine.

Unable to look at him, I just nodded and stared at my toes. The polish was already chipping again. WTH? Why did I even bother trying for cute toenails?

He straightened, but his arm stayed wrapped around me, his grip warm and firm on my shoulders.

What was going on? I squeezed my eyes shut and remembered what I’d told Desi about not turning into obsesso-girl, analyzing his every move. I was full of crap. I’d never been so obsessed in my life.

“We’ll get off at the end of the line, then walk to the stadium,” he said.

I nodded, focusing my attention on the passing view of shop fronts and meandering tourists. The shuttle stopped, and everyone rushed for the doors. Slade held Max’s hand and I held Gilly’s.

“I love baseball!” Gilly exclaimed, swinging my arm as we strolled behind the guys.

“Really?” I looked down at her red hair glowing in the sunlight. She reminded me of an escaped elf from the North Pole.