The Game Changer(58)

“Like you have to ask. Please sit your bony ass down next to me.”

“I thought you said all the wives were mean?” Matteo’s voice flirted as Trina leaned over me.

“They are. They’re horribly mean. Everyone except for me,” Trina said, her cleavage on full display beneath her sand-colored V-neck blouse.

My phone beeped and I reached for it, noting a text message from Melissa.

Who is that hot piece of ass sitting with you?

She’d attached a picture of Matteo leaning toward me. I typed back:

That’s Matteo. He’s our driver.

Holy hell. He can drive me anytime he wants!!!

Her response made me laugh out loud. Matteo peered over my shoulder at the text message. “Who said that?”

Embarrassed, I hid my screen and shoved my phone into my purse. “My best friend, Melissa. She’s crazy.”

“So,” Trina asked softly. “What I miss last night?”

“Oh, just some fans giving me shit. And the wives sitting here doing nothing while it all happened. I hated that you weren’t here.”

“I saw the paper.” She frowned, an expression that looked unnatural on her face.

“Has that ever happened to you?” I hated the way hope coursed through me, but I desperately needed someone to relate to how my mind raced and my pride hurt.

“Of course.” She placed her hand over her heart. “But I’m already in the public eye a lot for work, so it’s different.”

“Different how?”

“I’m used to it. I’ve dealt with this kind of shoddy stuff for years. I feel bad for you because I know how uncomfortable it feels.”

“That’s it! That’s the perfect word for it.” I looked between Matteo and Trina. “It’s so freaking uncomfortable.”

She placed her hand on top of mine. “I know. And I’m sorry you’re going through it, but you’ll be OK. Don’t let them get to you.”

“I’m trying. It’s a lot easier when you’re here,” I said meaningfully.

“Hey! What am I, chopped liver?” Matteo interjected.

I answered “yes” as Trina answered “no” at the same time.

Cheers filled the stadium as the sound of a bat cracking echoed into the night air. I snapped my head toward the field in time to see the small white ball fly over the wall in center field and into the stands. The crowd screamed and hooted wildly, and the three of us clapped and high-fived each other like we’d just hit the ball.

“I miss a lot of the games for work. I’m sorry,” Trina shouted above the noise.

“Speaking of… apparently you know my boss, Nora? She loves you and said to tell you hello.”

Trina’s face lit up at the mention of Nora’s name. “No way! I love Nora. She’s your boss? You are one lucky girl. She’s brilliant.”

“I know. She’s really great.”

“So that’s the magazine you work for! That’s smashing, Cassie. Truly.”

“Thanks,” I said, reaching out to pat her shoulder.

Trina’s cell phone vibrated against the seat before she picked it up and looked at the screen. “Oh, excuse me. I need to take this.”

I watched as she climbed over the row and into the aisle behind us before walking out of view.

“She’s beautiful,” Matteo said.

“I know. And she’s so nice. Her accent kills me. I want her to call me every night and read me a bedtime story,” I said with a laugh.

“I want in on that deal. Except I don’t want it to be on the phone.”

I rolled my eyes.

“What?” he asked defensively.

“It’s just typical, Matteo. That’s all.”

I hated typical, which is why I attempted to steer clear of Jack in the first place back in college. I’d labeled him as the most predictable kind there was. I had been wrong.

“Ah, come on, she’s a beautiful girl. I’d have to be blind to not be attracted to her.”

“Well, I’ll let you know if it doesn’t work out with her and her boyfriend.” I winked.

“Would you?” He nudged my shoulder teasingly, and I looked back toward the field.

Trina never came back, and Matteo and I spent the rest of the game making idle chitchat and wondering where Trina disappeared to. I realized that having him there made me less concerned with my surroundings, and who violated my space.

When the game ended, I stretched and almost lost my balance. Matteo’s strong arm grabbed my back, holding me steadily in place. “Thanks,” I said, before moving away from his grip.

“Can’t let you get hurt or Jack will kill me.”

I shrugged, unable to disagree when, amid the chaos of people shuffling around, I heard someone shout, “Replace Jack already, Cassie?”