The Game Changer (The Perfect Game 2)

Who is that hot piece of ass sitting with you?

She’d attached a picture of Matteo leaning toward me. I typed back:

That’s Matteo. He’s our driver.

Holy hell. He can drive me anytime he wants!!!

Her response made me laugh out loud. Matteo peered over my shoulder at the text message. “Who said that?”

Embarrassed, I hid my screen and shoved my phone into my purse. “My best friend, Melissa. She’s crazy. ”

“So,” Trina asked softly. “What I miss last night?”

“Oh, just some fans giving me shit. And the wives sitting here doing nothing while it all happened. I hated that you weren’t here. ”

“I saw the paper. ” She frowned, an expression that looked unnatural on her face.

“Has that ever happened to you?” I hated the way hope coursed through me, but I desperately needed someone to relate to how my mind raced and my pride hurt.

“Of course. ” She placed her hand over her heart. “But I’m already in the public eye a lot for work, so it’s different. ”

“Different how?”

“I’m used to it. I’ve dealt with this kind of shoddy stuff for years. I feel bad for you because I know how uncomfortable it feels. ”

“That’s it! That’s the perfect word for it. ” I looked between Matteo and Trina. “It’s so freaking uncomfortable. ”

She placed her hand on top of mine. “I know. And I’m sorry you’re going through it, but you’ll be OK. Don’t let them get to you. ”

“I’m trying. It’s a lot easier when you’re here,” I said meaningfully.

“Hey! What am I, chopped liver?” Matteo interjected.

I answered “yes” as Trina answered “no” at the same time.

Cheers filled the stadium as the sound of a bat cracking echoed into the night air. I snapped my head toward the field in time to see the small white ball fly over the wall in center field and into the stands. The crowd screamed and hooted wildly, and the three of us clapped and high-fived each other like we’d just hit the ball.

“I miss a lot of the games for work. I’m sorry,” Trina shouted above the noise.

“Speaking of… apparently you know my boss, Nora? She loves you and said to tell you hello. ”

Trina’s face lit up at the mention of Nora’s name. “No way! I love Nora. She’s your boss? You are one lucky girl. She’s brilliant. ”

“I know. She’s really great. ”

“So that’s the magazine you work for! That’s smashing, Cassie. Truly. ”

“Thanks,” I said, reaching out to pat her shoulder.

Trina’s cell phone vibrated against the seat before she picked it up and looked at the screen. “Oh, excuse me. I need to take this. ”

I watched as she climbed over the row and into the aisle behind us before walking out of view.

“She’s beautiful,” Matteo said.

“I know. And she’s so nice. Her accent kills me. I want her to call me every night and read me a bedtime story,” I said with a laugh.

“I want in on that deal. Except I don’t want it to be on the phone. ”