Warning Track (Callahan Family #1) - Carrie Aarons Page 0,48

day. He wants me, so bad that he aches. That’s what he said. Our texting has stopped, and it’s strange that I miss him, miss his witty banter throughout the day. So many times, I’ve picked up my phone to send him something, and then stopped myself.

I meant what I said in that closet, we can’t actually do this, but lord do I want to. There isn’t even a word for how much I want to kiss him again, for how deep the yearning is.

“I am.” I nod, hoping that he’ll just go to his room.

Hayes’ green eyes flick down to the ice bucket I’m holding. “I have to go get some myself, could use a drink. Is that what you’re doing?”

His friendly grin is loaded, and we’re both walking on shaky ground right now. As it is, it’ll be hard knowing he’s staying in the same hallway as I am.

“Yep, that’s what I’m doing.” I’m being strange, and he catches on.

“Everything all right?” Those gorgeous blond locks sway as he tilts his head to the side.

I blow out a breath. “Oh, everything aside from the universe trying to mess with me. Again. I locked myself out.”

Half-expecting him to laugh, I’m surprised when Hayes just clucks his tongue, tips his chin up, and shakes his head at the ceiling, as if to admonish the universe for trying to mess with me.

“Come on, let’s grab dinner.” Hayes nods his head toward the bank of elevators.

It’s the last thing I expect him to say, and my heart gallops like it’s trying to keep up with my rapidly unraveling mind.

My eyes nearly pop out of my head. “I have no shoes, and I really should just go downstairs and explain. Hopefully, the front desk will give me a new key. It’s been a long day.”

“We can have them prep a new key for you when we get back, and there are flip-flops in the gift shop. You look like you might keel over, and I happen to know where they serve the best lobster rolls and fried soft-shell crab in the city.”

As if on cue, my stomach grumbles so hard that Hayes looks down at it with an approving smirk. I guess I can’t use the excuse that I’m not hungry, especially since just his words are making my mouth water. But the idea … well, it’s not particularly a good one.

“Hayes, someone could see us together.” My head shake is firm.

“We’re a player and a general manager, talking contract negotiations about my playing for Packton next year. Or at least that’s what we’ll tell them if they ask.” The finely tailored shoulders of his sleek navy suit shrug easily.

And because I’m tired, and hungry, and deep down just really do want to spend more time with this man …

This is how I end up wearing white rubber flip-flops with a three-hundred-dollar dress on my first date with Hayes Swindell.

22

Hayes

Half an hour and a gift shop purchase of flip-flops later, Colleen and I are seated at one of my favorite seafood joints in Baltimore.

I’ve played in the league for a long time, so my travels have always taken me to the city, and the inner harbor is one of my favorite places to explore when we’re not on the opposing team’s field. The orange brick walk by the water, the buildings overlooking the nautical port, the seafood that is incomparable, the aquarium. Last time I was in town, I rented a boat one afternoon and took some of my teammate’s out fishing.

Luckily, the hotel we’re staying at is pretty close to all the hot spots in the harbor, considering the ball park is located right here.

“I don’t think I’ve ever actually come down here,” Colleen mused on our way over as she looked around at all the lights and sounds.

The hostess at the small restaurant I’ve come to frequent on trips to Baltimore hands us drink and food menus and then promises our waiter will be over shortly.

“You’ve never been here?” I ask, waving my hand around.

She shakes her head across the table from me. “Most road trips, I usually stay in my room catching up on work. Or my father would take meetings with agents and I’d stay back, grab room service or something. Now that I think about it, that’s kind of pathetic. I’ve been in so many cities in this country, but never actually seen them.”

“I feel that way too, sometimes. Then about two seasons ago, I made a promise