Baden (Pittsburgh Titans 1)

I have plenty of time after my shower to blow my hair straight and then flat iron it to even further smoothness. It’s not a style I normally do, but I never mind doing something different, and it’s a good way to kill time. I put on makeup, something I don’t often wear these days with no job and no desire to go club-hopping, because I want to look pretty tonight.

I try to fool myself it’s because I’ll be meeting new people, but I can’t lie… it’s for Baden.

I want him to think I’m pretty, and part of me hates myself for even going there. It feels like a betrayal to Baden for his kindnesses as he has certainly not given me any indication he’s interested in anything but friendship. I shouldn’t confuse matters by calling attention to myself in this way.

And yet, I leave the makeup on.

Dressing in a pair of lightweight jeans and my very best Titans jersey with former captain Braden Rutherford’s name and number on the back, I’m ready to cheer on my team when Emory’s car pulls into the driveway.

CHAPTER 19

Sophie

It took roughly half an hour to get from Baden’s to the arena, but by the time we pulled in, Emory, Jenna, and I had become fast friends. Most of our conversation focused on Jenna’s upcoming move to Pittsburgh, and I regaled her with all the amazing things we could do to make her feel at home.

Of course, that will mean effort on my part to venture out, but I’m riding high on the achievement of coming to Phoenix, so I’m sure I can do it.

At the arena, I was surprised that Emory pulled into the players’ parking lot, displaying a special pass hooked to her rearview mirror.

“Family members get to park in the players’ lot?” I ask.

“Nope,” Emory replied, glancing back at me with a twinkle in her eye. “Baden pulled strings with Dominik to let us park here tonight so you didn’t have to walk through the general parking lot.”

I glance out the window as Emory navigates to a parking space, blinking back against the prick of tears. I can’t believe he did that for me.

“He cares for you a lot,” Jenna says from the front passenger seat. She’s a tremendous beauty with a soft voice. Baden told me about her scars, and I caught a glimpse of them when we first met. They’re bad, no doubt, but in no way do they diminish her loveliness. I know that’s easy for me to say.

“Baden is a caring person all around,” I reply, catching Jenna’s eyes as she shifts in the seat to face me. “Just like helping you come to Pittsburgh.”

“For sure,” Jenna agrees. “But the care he has for you is extra. Surely you can feel it.”

I nod. “Yeah… I feel it.”

Emory and Jenna exchange knowing looks, and I don’t bother to correct them that there could be something between Baden and me. I know it’s possible. I just don’t know what it is and if it’s the same type of caring.

When we exit the car and show our pass to security at the players’ entrance, more surprises abound as an arena staff person is waiting there for us. “Ladies, Mr. Carlson has asked you to join him this evening in the owner’s box.”

“Awesome,” Emory drawls as we follow the man wearing a blue jacket with the Vengeance logo on the pocket.

Jenna leans in and whispers to me, “Quite sure this is Baden’s doing too.”

Yeah… I could absolutely be falling for him.

I’m jittery when we’re ushered into the owner’s box because I’m actually now shaking hands with Dominik Carlson, owner of the championship Vengeance team.

“It’s great to meet you,” he says warmly. “Baden speaks very highly of you.”

Baden has talked to him about me?

I’m so awed, I can barely speak. Luckily, Dominik’s wife Willow steps forward and introduces herself, and then extricates me with an arm looped through mine.

Teasing, she says, “We made a special exception to allow you in this box.”

I stare at her blankly, because I knew Baden was going overboard trying to make this special for me.

Willow laughs and nods at my jersey. “Because you’re wearing a Titans jersey.”

“Oh,” I reply, then laugh. “Well, in that case… thank you very, very much. I promise not to be too obnoxious when I root for my guys.”

“She should take the jersey off,” Dominik yells back at us, and his teasing puts me more at ease.

It ends up being a good game, but unfortunately, my Titans lose badly. Regardless, Willow, Emory, and Jenna sat with me in the front row of the owner’s box and let me yell and scream to my heart’s content. In between plays, during TV timeouts and intermissions, we grazed on a catered buffet, and I was introduced to some of Dominik’s business associates also in the box.