The city had grown so much, but she was still in awe of the Arch and the Mississippi River as they wound their way downtown and toward the stadium.
“So you’ll continue to play baseball until the end of the season, then you’ll head to Tampa and join the football team there?”
“Yeah. At least this season, since the Rivers have a shot of making the playoffs. It works easier that way for both teams, rather than me trying to jump back and forth.”
“Easier on you, too, I imagine.”
He nodded. “I travel enough with the Rivers. I don’t need to go back and forth with the baseball and football teams. When baseball is done, I’ll join Tampa and play out the football season with them.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know how you do it, Trevor. Trying to juggle two professional sports seems crazy.”
He pulled into a parking spot and turned off the engine, then turned to her. “That’s me, Haven. Just f**king crazy.”
She laughed and got out of the car with him.
“I’ll set you up inside the boxes where it’s more comfortable,” he said as they headed into the stadium.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to sit as close to the field as possible, unless there are no seats available.”
“Are you sure? The club box seats are much more comfortable. Plus, there’s liquor and great catering.”
“I’m pretty sure I can handle it.”
“Suit yourself.” He led her inside and stopped at security, where she was given a pass. She picked it up and looked at it. “This isn’t a press pass,” she said as she hurried to keep up with his long strides.
“Yeah, I know. A press pass limits you. This one won’t. It’ll give you access to anywhere in the stadium you want to go.”
“Really. Why would you do that?”
He stopped and turned to face her, and as they stood in the sun, she was struck again by how utterly gorgeous he was. “So you have all access. But don’t go anywhere you shouldn’t.”
She laughed. “Where am I not supposed to go?”
“The locker room would be a bad idea. You don’t know who you might find naked down there.”
“Okay. I’ll avoid the locker room. Anywhere else?”
“Management offices might be a bad idea. You don’t want to get thrown out on your ass before you get a chance to interview anyone.”
She sighed. “Just tell me where I should go.”
“You should be safe at field level or in the club boxes.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll meet up with you at the exit when the game’s over. If you get hot, just head upstairs to the club boxes. They’re air-conditioned.”
He directed her to the field—and pointed out the boxes.
“Okay.”
“Do you need me to walk with you?”
“Thanks, but no. I’ll find my way around. You go get your game face on, and kick some ass.”
He grinned. “Thanks. I’ll see you later.”
He disappeared down the tunnel, and Haven made her way out to the field. There were press on the benches higher up. Since she had the all-access pass, she walked out to the field entrance where security waved her on.
Awesome.
She stood out on the field, and her first thought was of her dad, of how much this would have thrilled him, to be standing here at field level with her, surveying the players as they took the field for warm-ups.
She’d have brought him along, too, just so he could have the chance to meet and greet all the players.
He’d been such a fan of the Rivers. Through the years when the team had played like shit and ended the season in the basement, he’d always remained a devoted fan.
So had she, because of her dad.
She turned around, surveying the stadium. The Rivers had built a new one a few years ago, so this one wasn’t the same as the one she’d been to with her dad all those years ago.
But still, it was Rivers baseball, and she’d give anything to be sharing this with him right now.
God, she missed her dad so much right now it physically hurt. She laid her hand over her stomach, massaging the ache of loss that seemed to swell and grow inside her. Part of her wanted to turn tail and run like hell, to leave the stadium and all the memories that swirled around her like a thick cloud.
Part of her was still that little girl, eating popcorn and a hot dog and cheering on the Rivers with her dad.
The other part of her was a grown woman, scared to death that she couldn’t handle the responsibilities of her new job.
And nowhere in that scenario was the pep talk she so desperately needed from her dad right now.
But her love of baseball—of sports—was because of her father. She owed it to him to stay and give this a shot. He’d be mad at her if she didn’t, so she blinked back the tears pricking her eyes, forced back the ache of loss and the fear of failure that welled inside her, then took a deep breath to center herself. She climbed up to the field-level seats and one of the staff directed her to an empty chair where she could watch the game.
She took out her laptop and started making some notes. People started filing in. A lot of women, too. Wives and maybe girlfriends of the players, no doubt. She wanted to talk to them, as well, but not tonight. She’d do that some other time.
When Trevor took the field, her heart skipped a beat. She’d seen him play on TV, of course, but never in person. He was so tall, and God, he looked mouthwateringly good in uniform as he trotted out to the field to warm up. She’d thought she was over the crush she’d had on him in college.
As she watched him run, she realized what she felt was nothing more than the rush of close proximity, the fact that she had one time with him. He was paying attention to her, giving her his time. If there was one thing Trevor had, it was charm, and he knew how to use it. He’d always had a reputation with women, and for all his talk about focusing on nothing but sports in college, that hadn’t been the case at all. He’d had plenty of girlfriends—or at least he’d gone through a lot of women.
From the initial research she’d done about his adult life, it appeared he was still going through them. Approaching thirty, he remained unattached and hadn’t had a serious girlfriend. She wondered why. She made a note to ask him, then focused on the practice.
They got into positions while the pitcher warmed up. Trevor was in left field. She knew a lot of these players, though the team had made a few changes in recent years. Gavin Riley was still at first base, anchored by Dedrick Coleman at third, the veterans who were still the glue that held this team together. They’d traded for a hotshot shortstop, Chase Henderson, who looked to be an up-and-comer.