Ace Middlebrooks, the Monarchs’ third baseman, gives me a quick once-over, then grins at Mateo. “So this is the nanny, Martinez? Looks like you’ve been holding out on us.” He looks back at me and winks. Shit, this might have been a bad idea.
“Hey, Charlie, do me a favor and take Anna up to get some dinner for me, will you?”
Charlie nods. “Right away. Let’s go, kiddo.”
At the mention of food, Anna darts toward Charlie and starts reciting the concession stand menu from memory.
A part of me wants to turn and go with them, but then I’d have to turn my back on Mateo, which seems like a very dangerous thing to do while he’s silently staring down a grinning Ace.
Anthony notices and looks back and forth between Mateo and me. “Isa, tú sí estás bonita. Look at you. It’s like you’re glowingor something,” he teases, and the look I send his way only eggs him on more.
“Let me see, you decide to wear my jersey again? Give us a spin.”
My cheeks go bright red, and Mateo notices. “Torres, quit it.”
Mateo must be thinking that Anthony is teasing me for wearing his jersey, since we’re now a couple. Oh, this is gonna be bad.
“Sheesh, está bien. I just wanted to—” He leans back slightly and catches sight of the name on my jersey. “Oh. Oh, damn.” He starts to shake his head as he laughs. “Damn, Isabella. I’m gonna have to tell Denise about this one.”
“Torres, don’t make me tell you again. Leave her alone.” Mateo’s teammates start to pay closer attention, their confused gazes latching on to my panicked one.
Anthony raises his hands. “Okay, tranquilo. My bad. Didn’t know you were cool with Isa wearing Ace’s jersey, though, given how you just about lost your shit when she wore mine, and I’ve known her forever.”
I swear I can no longer hear the sound of the crowd.
When I put on this stupid jersey, I thought Mateo would ask me to spin, and he’d get riled up and take it out on me in bed tonight. I didn’t realize we’d have an audience and that the owner of said jersey would be looking at me like he doesn’t mind me sporting his name one bit.
“Shit, Mateo. I didn’t know your nanny had such good taste.” Ace moves to take a step closer to me, but Mateo’s gloved hand smacks his chest, stopping him in his tracks.
“Watch your mouth when speaking about my woman.”
A choir ofwhoas andoh shits echoes around the team as they all bow their heads slightly and take a large step back.
Ace’s playful face quickly turns serious. “Had no idea, man. Meant no disrespect.” He nods my way, his tone much lessflirtatious than before. “Nice to meet you, Isabella. Thanks for holding down our guy here. He’s a good one. See you around.” He taps another player on the chest, and they all head to the dugout, whispering among one another.
Only Mateo, Anthony, and I remain.
They step closer, creating a small circle among us.
Anthony is basically bouncing on his feet. “So… it’s true? It happened? You two are finally—”
“Yes. And I fucked it up just now by letting it slip before Isa was ready to tell people.” Mateo closes his eyes and shakes his head, seeming upset with himself.
I discreetly poke him in the chest to look my way. “It’s fine, I promise. I don’t mind them knowing as long as they let us tell Anna before anything gets out.”
Anthony shakes his head, losing his smirk in the process. “Nah, don’t worry about it, Isa. The team’s a vault. Those guys would never talk. They aren’t rookies, and we know how to keep our business to ourselves. I trust them.” He squeezes my shoulder softly. “I’ll let you two lovebirds be and reinforce that notion now so you don’t have to worry about it.” He nods at Mateo. “See ya out there. Let’s get it done tonight.”
Mateo nods as Anthony jogs away.
“You know exactly what’s going to happen the second I get to that dugout, don’t you?” He raises a reproachful brow.
“I’m assuming I’ll be receiving a new jersey?” I smile innocently.
“You trying to rack up a collection of my jerseys or something? Say the word, and I’ll have your closet filled to the brim by tonight.”
“Jerseys, your gray hairs, whichever brings me more joy at the moment.” He shakes his head, probably concocting a devious plan for me tonight. “And nice touch with the whole ‘my woman’ bit.” I sigh dramatically. “And here I thought you would test outthat new boyfriend title you worked so tirelessly for earlier in the kitchen.”
“I look like a boy to you?” he asks, eyes darkening as they quickly rove over my body. He doesn’t let me respond as he starts to back away. “Anna’s staying another night at my mom’s. Be ready for what’s coming your way, Morales. Your ass is going to regret this.”
