Spotlight (Holland Brothers, #4)

by Rebecca Jenshak

“Ten more seconds,” I speak the words out loud as I soak in just a few more moments of the city sounds. “Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two.” I pause. “Two and a half⁠—” A deep chuckle rumbles from the shadows, and I suck in a startled breath. “Hello?” I ask cautiously as I sidestep closer to the door leading back inside. I swear to God if I get murdered up here, I’ll be so pissed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” I finally see him, or part of him. He stands on the balcony of the room next door, cast in shadows.

“Have you been out here the entire time?” I ask, glancing at the door again, just in case I need to make a run for it. I’m fairly certain I could outrun him in the time it would take for him to leap over the balcony wall. “If you’re asking if I heard your conversation, then yes, but only because interrupting seemed rude.” “And eavesdropping isn’t?”

I probably shouldn’t provoke this strange guy, but I can’t seem to help it. I’m still prickly from talking to Jake. “I was here first, so technically you were eavesdropping on me.” “You weren’t talking,” I point out. “Actually, I was having a pretty nice conversation with myself until you showed up.”

His voice softens as he adds, “Sorry. I should have gone inside or said something, but I like it out here and you seem to be having as shitty of a night as I am. Plus, I’m a gentleman. I couldn’t just leave you out here all alone.”

“Who’s Jake?” he asks. “Boyfriend? Husband? Dad?” “That’s none of your business.” “Doesn’t matter, anyway. He sounded like a jerk.”

“If he’s not going to make it this weekend, I am happy to take his place.” “What?” “I love a birthday party, and I just happen to be free.”

“I don’t even know you.” I study his profile in the dark. He leans against the stone wall of the balcony. Long jean-clad legs crossed at the ankle. He slouches forward slightly, but I can still tell by the width of his shoulders and the bulge of his biceps that he’s tall and muscular. I wish I could see his face better.

“Sure you do. I’m your next boyfriend.” I smile and laugh softly to myself. The moonlight flashes against his teeth enough for me to tell he’s smiling, too. “Thanks for the laugh. I needed that.”

Lol

“Wait,” he calls out. “You can’t just leave me out here. Who will I talk to?” Pausing, I glance back at him. “The same person you were talking to before I came out and interrupted you. You can finish that nice conversation with yourself.” “I like talking with you better. What’s your name?” “I’m not telling you that.” I should leave it at that and keep walking, but something keeps me rooted in place. “Fine. Tell me something else about you then.” “Why?” “Because I don’t want to go back inside yet, and I get the feeling you don’t either.”

“I hate the cold,” I say finally.

“It isn’t that cold.” His hands are shoved in his pants pockets and his shoulders are slightly hunched to block the wind. “It’s cold to me.” “You must not be from here.” “No. I’m not.”

“Me either. I like it though. I didn’t grow up with real winters either, but I love snow and ice, and all that.” I shiver just thinking about it. “Not me. My winter accessories are only for show.”

“Tell me something else,” he says. “Umm…” I’m a little embarrassed that nothing immediately comes to mind. For one, this is a bizarre scenario, so making idle chitchat with a guy that could still turn out to be a serial killer is not at the forefront of my mind. But also, I’m not used to guys wanting to know things about me beyond the usual:

“I want to start a garden, but I have no space in my current apartment for any more plants. I like action movies but only if they have a romantic subplot. I read several books a week. I don’t understand the appeal of pumpkin spice beverages. When I was in high school, I went to the state championship for cross country. And I cannot go on one more bad date.”

“A runner?” he asks, sounding impressed. “Not anymore. I had a couple scholarships to colleges, but I didn’t go.” “Why not?” “Life.” It’s my usual canned reply, but then I remember I’m never going to see this guy again. “I got pregnant.” “You have a kid?” His lips curve with a bigger smile than I’d expect. It isn’t like most guys recoil in horror, but they rarely look this… happy about it. “A daughter. She turns six next week.”

“What’s your name?”

“I know I’ve only known you for a few minutes, but you aren’t the kind of woman a guy forgets so easily.”

“A person’s name is usually the least interesting thing about them, so if you’re only offering a few pieces of information, I want the ones that tell me more about who you really are.”

“I’m not sleeping with you.”

“I’d say the thought hadn’t crossed my mind, but I’d be lying.” Another quiet chuckle leaves his lips after the admission. “Won’t tell me your name, not sleeping with me, but you will stand out here and talk with me?”

“You know, there’s a bar downstairs filled with women who would probably be willing to do a lot more than talk.” An image of some other woman entertaining this guy flashes through my mind, along with an unexpected hit of jealousy.

“Is that a no?” he asks. “I haven’t decided,” I say, but don’t make any move to go inside. “Was the guy on the phone your boyfriend?” “No. I am very single.” And in case he thinks that’s an invitation, I add, “I’m not interested in dating right now.” “That bad, huh?” he asks with a tinge of disbelief in his voice, like dating is awesome. Maybe for him it is.

“I’d like to blame the men I’ve been out with, but honestly, it’s me. I’m a terrible date.” “What? No way. I don’t believe that.”

“It’s true. I promise you.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Now tell me something about you.” “I’m an open book. What do you want to know?” “Why are you in the city?”

When he finally answers, he says, “I had a job interview today.” “And it didn’t go well?” I ask because he did say he was having a crappy day. “It was a long shot. I knew that before I came, but I had to try.” “I’m sorry.” “Thanks. What about you? What brings you to the city?” “I’m here with my sister. She had a job thing, and I tagged along.” “That’s cool. Older or younger?” “She’s three years older.” “Other siblings?” “No, just the one.” “You’re the baby of the family, like me. I have older brothers.”

“Speaking of siblings,” he says, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his phone. He stares at it, a grin pulling up one side of his mouth. “They’ve been blowing me up all day to hear about the try—, I mean, the interview.”

“Was it that bad?” I ask. He blows out a breath that is visible in the dark night, and I can feel the weight of his emotions, disappointment, most likely. Maybe shame. “No. In fact, it went well. Or so I thought. They want to go in a different direction.” “I’m sorry.”

“Anyway, enough about me.” He pushes off the balcony, standing to his full height. My heart pounds a little faster as he comes toward me. He’s even taller than I assumed. Broader too. With each step he takes, the light brings him into better view. The black T-shirt he’s wearing stretches across his chest in a way that hints at the muscle underneath.

“I knew you were beautiful, but the closer I get, the more out of my league I feel.” His voice has a direct line to the butterflies in my stomach. “You’re full of shit.” The traitorous butterflies flutter anyway. “I’ve never been more serious in my life.” His brows pinch together. “I feel like I’ve seen you before.”

“Maybe in another life.” “Either way, I’m glad we both ended up on this balcony together.” “I should go in,” I say, but don’t move. “Come have a drink with me.” He tips his head toward his room. “I don’t think so.” “Why not?” “Maybe I don’t want to.” “Nah.” He grins and shakes his head. “That can’t be it.”

“Invite your sister too, if you want. I promise to be a perfect gentleman.”

Ruby is probably sleeping by now, but I don’t want him to know that. I also don’t really want her to come. Which is how I realize I want to go. I want to spend more time talking to this guy and I don’t want to dissect it too much. And really, what could it hurt? I’m never going to see him again and it’s my last night in New York. Gigi would be proud.

“Fine. One drink.” His grin widens and makes my stomach flip nervously. I hope I don’t regret this.

I wake up to my phone vibrating in my pocket and a warm, soft body pressed against me. My eyes flutter open and a smile curves my lips at the sight of the woman in front of me. Her hair smells like coconut. The memory from last night plays like a movie in my head.

We talked all night. Just talked. I can’t remember the last time I did that. It was… nice. More than nice. It was one of the best nights of my life. I still don’t know her name, or anything about her really, but I might know her better than any other woman I’ve met.

My entire body hurts. Between the tryout yesterday and falling asleep on the small hotel couch with one arm underneath her, I feel at least ten years older. Worth it. My phone vibrates again. I move slowly, careful not to wake the mystery woman. My throat hurts from talking and my eyes burn from lack of sleep. Worth it. So fucking worth it.

As I slip my phone back into my pocket, there’s a knock at the door. I still, wondering if I imagined it. The knock comes again, louder this time. I manage to get up without waking the woman in front of me and pad to the door. Everly stands on the other side. “I need you to get downstairs immediately.” The urgency in her tone has my body going alert. “Good morning to you too.” “Here.” She shoves mouthwash at me. She has a brush in her other hand. “Do you have a shirt that’s less wrinkled? Never mind. You’ll do.”

“What’s going on?” “I’ll explain in the elevator. We have to go now.” “One sec. I—” I glance back to the couch. She’s curled up to make herself more comfortable.

“Fine, I’m attracted to you,” she admits with a coy smile. “I knew it.” I did, but hearing it lights me up. “Don’t let it go to your head, Hotshot.” “Too late. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever met just told me she was into me.” She laughs. “That is not what I said.” “No? I must have misunderstood.”

“This wine is better than sex.” My brows rise. “It’s not that good.” She makes a low sound deep in her throat and her blonde hair falls over one shoulder. “You must not be having sex with the right people.” “That’s probably true. I can’t remember the last time one managed to get me off.” “You’re serious?” I ask when she doesn’t laugh it off. She nods and takes another drink of her wine. Her blue eyes are like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Bright and sparkly like sapphire in the sunlight. My brothers would give me so much shit if I ever said that out loud, but I don’t care.

My body is having a very visceral reaction to the thought of her not knowing good sex. As in, it would like to show her how good it can be. “You’ve definitely been having sex with the wrong people.” “I’m starting to think there isn’t a right person out there. At least for me.” “I don’t know if I’m the right person or not, but I can guarantee you this, gorgeous. If you were mine, I’d make it my life’s mission to get you off well and often.”

Ooppp!!

Everly moves in front of me. She spritzes some sort of floral spray in my face with no warning. Whatever the hell it is tastes awful and I grimace. “What the hell, Ev?” “Colt Backer is here.” My stomach dips. “What?” “He called me this morning and asked to meet. That’s all I know.” Everly continues fussing over me, smoothing out wrinkles in my shirt and running her fingers through my hair.

Colt waves for us to sit down. His dark skin crinkles slightly around his eyes as he smiles at me. “Sorry for the impromptu meeting. It’s early and I know you have a flight back home in a few hours, so I’ll make this quick.” I tip my head in a nod for him to go on. My flight isn’t until this afternoon, but I am eager to get back to the woman in my hotel room.

“I’m sorry we don’t have a spot for you this season. It wasn’t an easy call to make. In fact, even now I’m sitting here wondering if I made the right decision.” He narrows his gaze at me like maybe he’s about to change it now. Hope fills my veins, and my pulse quickens.

“You’re going to be a hell of a pitcher, Flynn,” Colt says in a very matter-of-fact tone. And just like that, any hope I had is squashed. You’re going to be a hell of a pitcher. Not, you are a hell of a pitcher. “Thank you.” I’m shocked the words come out as polite and friendly as they do. I’m tired of people telling me I’m not ready, not good enough, not there yet.

“You’re young with a long career ahead of you. What I need and what you need are at odds right now. I admire you and I’m looking forward to watching you progress, but right now the team needs someone with more consistency and experience. You get a few more seasons under your belt, stay healthy, and work on taming that fastball, and I’ll be one of many general managers fighting to sign you.” “With all due respect, sir, what we need might be different, but what we want is the same. You want a pitcher that will lead you to a pennant and I can promise you that no one wants to stand on that mound again more than me. I know I’m young and that there is still work to do, but I’m ready for it. I will outhustle every other player on your roster. I come from a family of professional athletes so that isn’t a claim I make lightly. You’re right I don’t have a lot of experience, and some might say that makes me a risk, but that’s not how I see it.” “How do you see it?” His lips part with a grin.

With a shrug I say, “I’m going to be the best pitcher in the league. I just need someone to put the ball in my hands so I can prove it.” His smile widens as he continues to stare at me. I’m not sure how long goes by before he stands. I guess that means we’re done here. Everly gets up to shake his hand. They exchange a few words that I don’t hear. I’m slower to get to my feet. I meant every word I said. I’m not blowing smoke or saying what I think he wants to hear, but I’d be lying if I didn’t hope that it’d also sway his decision. Colt shifts his attention back to me and extends a hand. I take it and he grips my palm tightly as he says, “It’s my hope that our paths will cross again.”

As soon as he’s gone, Everly blows out a breath. “I’m sorry I dragged you out of bed for that. Nice job, though. You handled it well.” “Not well enough,” I say dryly. “We will find you the right team, and Colt and every other team that passed on you is going to regret it. Mark my words.”

I give myself two more seconds to feel sorry for myself but then I remember there’s a gorgeous woman upstairs in my room. I take off in a jog toward the elevator and smash the up button with my palm. Last night, she made me forget about everything going on with baseball. I want to go back to that bubble with her.

I’m out the door the second I can squeeze through, and I jog down the hall until I come to my room. I pat my pocket for the key, only to realize I didn’t bring it. Instead, I pull out my phone and navigate to the app. “Come on. Come on,” I mutter quietly while I wait for the light to flash green. When it does, I push into the room, gaze going right for the couch where I left her. The room has that stillness that already tells me she’s not here, but I check every room and even out on the balcony just to be sure. Then I retrace my steps and look for a note or any sign that she left me some way to contact her. Nothing.