The Best Mistake - Cookie O'Gorman Page 0,45

“She’s okay, got released from the hospital last week. They say her red counts are back up, so that’s good.”

I nodded. “It is. The team signed a card for her. It’s in my bag by the door. Don’t forget to take it.”

“I won’t.”

“We’re all here for you, you know,” I said quietly. “We got your back.”

“I do know,” he said with a nod. “Thanks, Captain.”

I shook my head. “No thanks necessary.”

T.J. shot a look over my shoulder, and suddenly his smile was back.

“Well, I’ll just get going. Leave you to spend some quality time with your…friend.”

I didn’t miss the emphasis he put on the word or the wink he threw Honor before he walked away, but the guy was gone before I could say anything. T.J. had always been a smartass. As I turned to scoop up the remaining pancakes, I could feel Honor looking at me.

“Do you do that with all of them?” she asked.

“What?” I said.

“Check in, make sure they’re okay, ask about their families.”

Shrugging, I switched off the burner and picked up a towel to wipe my hands.

Honor continued to stare up into my eyes. “It’s sweet,” she said. “How you look out for them.”

“I don’t look out for—” From the corner of my eye, I saw Baylor stealthily trying to grab another beer from the fridge and called him out. “Hey! You know the rules. One and done.”

He stopped with his hand on the bottle, turned to me with wide eyes, figuratively caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “But Arch, I was just…”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but you already had your one beer for tonight. Right, Bay?”

“Yeah, but…”

Hands on hips, I stared him down, waiting for his explanation.

“Fine, geez,” he said and shut the fridge door. “But lighten up. It’s not like one more Corona would’ve killed me.”

“It wouldn’t have made you any quicker either,” I said. “June was right. You need to get faster if you want to go pro.”

Baylor gave a sober nod but then ruined it with a salute. “Okay, Cap. Whatever you say, Cap.”

As he went back to rejoin some of the girls from the game, the ones who’d all been dressed alike, and took a sip of one of their beers, I just shook my head. Baylor threw me a grin in response.

“He seems like a lot to handle,” Honor commented.

“He is,” I said. “They all are.”

“But it’s obvious you love them.”

I looked around and tried to imagine what it was like to come into this place filled with baseball players, friends and superfans, how it all looked to her. Some of the guys had pulled up a game in the living room. Others were lounging around, digging into their second and third plates of breakfast. A few were playing video games in the room next door. Several were getting their flirt on like Baylor. Everything seemed chill, relaxed. I didn’t know if this was Honor’s scene, but it was definitely mine.

I shrugged. “They’re my family.”

“Gotta say”—she smiled as my eyes met hers—”this is a far cry from what I’d imagined ‘celebrating a win’ would be like. I was worried it would be like the last party.”

“You mean, when you came here looking to score with my brother?”

She winced. “Ugh, please don’t remind me.”

After serving the last of the food, I leaned back against the counter.

“What was that all about anyway?” I said.

Honor’s eyes widened. “Are we seriously talking about this?”

“Figured it’s what friends do.”

“But why?” she said. “You were there. It was a disaster. You know I tried to seduce you thinking you were—”

Honor suddenly cut herself off, and we both looked to Baylor as he let out a loud laugh. Two of my other teammates had gotten up from the couch and were headed this way, looking to grab more food, no doubt, though it was already gone.

“Hey, follow me.”

The instant I took her hand a sensation of warmth ran through me. Honor drew in a breath.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“This is an important talk,” I said, walking toward the stairs, leading her up them and down the hall. I kept hold of her hand the whole way. “I thought we could use some privacy.”

“Yeah…but your room? What if someone needs you downstairs?”

Opening the door, I walked inside first, and Honor followed. “They can do without me for a few minutes.”

“Okay, if you’re sure…”

Honor’s head was down, looking at our hands, studying them.

“Your hands are really rough,” she murmured.

It took me a second to respond.