Read Lexington and 42nd (The Off Field Series #1) for Free Online Page B

“I’ll meet you on the field, okay?”
    I shifted on my feet. “You should both keep going. I really am fine…I promise.”
    “I just wanted a quick word, it’ll only take a second.”
    Buck took a step back and raised his hands. “I’d hate to get in the way.” He grinned at me. “It was nice meeting you. You tell me if this guy gives you any trouble. I’ll sort him out.” He winked at me and swaggered off. Accent and manners, he was definitely from the South—I liked him immediately.
    I looked back up at Will to see him shaking his head at Buck. He was wearing loose jeans and a Warriors sweat shirt, his duffle bag slung over one shoulder. His hair was more out of place than usual and from the stubble along his jawline, I guessed he hadn’t shaved since I’d seen him on Saturday. He looked good enough to eat and, my God, I suddenly wanted to be alone in a locked room with him.
    “I’m sorry about him. He’s my best friend but also sort of the team joker.”
    I laughed. “Not at all. I like him, especially if he keeps you in line.”
    “Yeah, um, about that…I’m sorry about what I said the other day.” Will was shifting on his feet, looking anywhere but at me. “I just…I’m not really sure why I said it, to be honest. It just sort of came out.”
    “It’s fine, Will. I’m sure you just said it out of habit.”
    His head snapped up and he opened his mouth to speak, but instead just gaped at me.
    I grinned. “What’s the matter Quarterback, cat got your tongue?”
    Why was I set on torturing the guy when he was genuinely trying to apologize?
    “No! I mean…” He scratched the back of his neck before meeting my eyes again. “What I mean is, it wasn’t out of habit. I just wanted you to come up, as in…to hang out, you know? I had a good day with you. I didn’t mean for it to sound the way it did.”
    I squinted at him. “You actually expect me to believe you weren’t trying to get me into bed when you pulled that line?”
    He laughed. “I wasn’t, I swear. It honestly came out wrong.”
    “Either way, it really is fine. I didn’t give it a second thought.”
    Liar. And why was I a little disappointed that he genuinely sounded like he wasn’t trying to get me into bed?
    He frowned at me but nodded. “Cool, I just wanted to make sure we were good and all.” He was scuffing his feet on the pavement, awkwardness radiating off him in waves.
    “We’re good, promise. I have to run though…we’re setting up to film your training session.”
    “You’re staying for the afternoon?”
    “Yeah, it looks that way. I might see you later on.”
    He grinned. “You should watch. You might learn a thing or two.”
    “Maybe I will. What’s your number?”
    Will raised an eyebrow. “Getting a little personal now aren’t you Em?”
    I rolled my eyes. “Your jersey. What’s your jersey number?”
    “It’s forty-two.”
    “I’ll keep an eye out for you.”
    Will leaned in close, his dark eyes glimmering with amusement. “Bambi, you won’t need my number to find me.”
    #
    Carrie breathed a sigh of relief as she sat down next to me on the sideline.
    “Now we can relax for a while. Thanks so much for helping.”
    “No worries. It’s good to get out to the stadium before the season starts.”
    Without taking her eyes off the camera crew on the sideline she said, “Hey how did the store opening go on Saturday? Mark said you did it on your own.”
    “It was fine, thanks. Everything went smoothly.” I hesitated before looking over at Carrie. “Actually, it was more what happened afterward that was a bit strange.”
    “Oh?” Carrie still hadn’t taken her eyes off the field.
    “Well, I sort of had lunch with Will. He wouldn’t really take no for an answer.”
    Carrie finally looked over at me, a wide smile spreading across her face. “I knew he’d like you! What happened?”
    “Nothing happened! I’m not interested.”
    “Oh please, of course you’re interested—any