Chapter 27

CHAPTER

TWENTY-SEVEN

DANI

Trevor never lets me out of his sight. He leaves his scooter outside the locker room and grabs a pair of crutches from the training room. He’s just as comfortable here as Alexander.

The clubhouse is absolute pandemonium. The room is full of players and families, and shouts of congratulations ring throughout the room.

Chance and Julian surround Tripp, and when Trevor and I step up, he pulls us both in for a hug. I’m pulled away by Luis, who swings me around.

Trevor hits him with his crutch, and he puts me down. I give Trevor a disapproving look, and he laughs. I can’t have Trevor breaking the players with the biggest series of their lives coming up soon. Luis hugs Jenny, and his eyes eat her up as he takes in her cropped jersey top.

The celebration in the locker room is controlled chaos. Baseball players are in various stages of undress but at least have their pants on. Alexander is drenched, and his shirt clings to his chest, teasing me with what lies beneath. I’m not disappointed. He holds a bottle of champagne by the neck and takes a swig. And it’s got to be the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. He’s off to the side of the room, talking to the coaches and other non-uniformed people. I wonder who they all are when I notice a distinguished man who looks like an older version of Alexander and assume it’s his father. If that’s how he’ll look in twenty years or so, all I can say is, damn. That family has seriously fantastic genetics.

After a few minutes, I step back out of the way and watch the friends and family celebrate. Joey has Archie on his shoulders, and Casey is taking pictures. Cole is beaming at Matt and just randomly slaps his back in congratulations. It’s all surreal. I can’t believe I’m a witness to this moment in history.

“I’m headed over to Luis’s after he cleans up. Are you okay if I leave you?” Jenny looks at me, a conflict warring on her face.

“I’m great.” She watches Luis do a victory dance. “This is different, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, who would have thought we’d hang out in a baseball locker room after the big game?”

I was talking about this thing between her and Luis. She’s not as head-first with him as when she first dates someone. I hope he doesn’t break her heart, but when I catch him looking at her from across the room, I may have to worry more about his heart.

“We can get you home.” She’s still worrying about me.

“Do you think Alexander would let that happen?” I suspect he has other plans, and frankly, so do I. After that kiss, I’m open to round two.

“Let what happen?” Trevor asks. How did he show up over here in our corner? I’d hate to see him operating at full strength if he moves that fast with crutches.

“Jenny is going home with Luis. She’s my light rail buddy. You’re stuck with me until I can call an Uber.” Trevor’s face scrunches up and he looks at me like I’ve gone insane .

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen. Like it or not, you will not be getting in cars with strangers ever again. No ma’am. Not on our watch.” He gives an exaggerated shudder.

I arch an eyebrow and challenge his words. Our watch?

“Hey man, we’re headed out,” Chance and Julian say to Trevor. “What’s your deal?”

“Dani and I are going to wait for Xan. I’ll see you at home.”

Chance and Julian give me smiles that could make any girl melt. “We’ll see you soon,” Julian says. I’m not sure if he’s talking to me or Trevor because I’m distracted by Alexander’s father making his way over to us.

His blonde hair is slightly gray, giving him an extremely distinguished appearance. His blue eyes are the same shade as Alexander’s, and they study me like Alexander does, like I’m a puzzle he’s trying to solve. He’s dressed in slacks and a red Reaper’s golf shirt, casual but all business.

“Boys,” he says, greeting the group, clamping his hand on Julian’s shoulder. I look at these three hulking guys, and boys is the last word I would use to describe them. I can’t help it when a giggle slips through my lips.

“I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of meeting these charming women. I’m Sully Decker. If these boys give you one ounce of trouble, you let me know. I may only claim one by birth, but the others answer to me, too.” He extends his hand to me, and when I put mine out, he embraces it with both hands instead of shaking it. He smiles, and I am immediately under his spell.

“Dad, this is Dani Franklin and her friend Jenny Atkins,” Julian says. “They’re Alexander’s guests tonight.”

“Is that so?” His smile widens. “Dani Franklin? Why does your name sound familiar?”

My smile falters. Of course, he’s heard of me, but in a different context. I pull my hand away and drop my eyes. His smile dims, and he looks at me like he’s trying to place how he knows me. I’m the victim, I almost say .

“We met Dani and Jenny through a mutual acquaintance,” Trevor says. He puts his hand on my shoulder and squeezes. I peek up at Trevor to see his usual charming smile is gone, and he’s challenging Alexander’s father to drop it.

Mr. Decker takes the hint, and his smile is back. “Well, any friend of Alexander’s is always welcome here. I hope to see you both again in a more conversational setting.” He looks around the locker room slowly, shakes his head, and smiles. The chaos is slowing down to frat party level.

“That would be nice,” I say.

“Chance, glad you could be here tonight. Good luck this season.” He reaches up and grips Chance’s bicep.

“Thank you, sir. I’m ready.” Chance gives him a look that speaks of admiration and respect. The closeness of the relationships isn’t hard to see. The love they all have for one another speaks to family. Alexander’s family.

“We’ll walk out with you, Dad,” Julian says. “Make sure Luis behaves,” he says to Jenny as he gives her a light kiss on the cheek. He hugs me, and I’m caught a little off guard. “Be patient with him,” he whispers so only I can hear. I blush at his words. “See you around, Dani.”

“Bye, Dani,” Chance says. “Hope to see you soon.”

They walk out, and I wonder what Julian meant.

“Come on, ladies. This room is about to turn into a true locker room, and you aren’t ready for that. Hell, who am I kidding? I’m not ready for it. Jenny, I’ll show you where you can wait for Luis. Dani and I will wait for Xander. You okay?” Trevor looks at me, and his funny guy persona is gone. He’s in full bodyguard mode, and it’s very alpha-hot.

What will Alexander’s father say when he figures out I’m the victim his family needed to quiet for PR purposes? What will he think of me then?

“Fine,” I respond, lost in my spiraling thoughts.

“You sure?” he questions.

“Yeah, I’m just tired. It’s been a long day. ”

“Come on. I’ve got you.”

He takes me to a large room that looks like a private movie theater but with couches and recliners. This is how the other half lives, I guess. It’s beyond nice, but I’m too tired to give it much thought. I get comfortable in a recliner and yawn.

“Can we talk for a minute before Xander storms in here and accuses me of moving in on you?”

“He wouldn’t do that, would he?” Would he? Is Trevor letting me know about red flags I should pay attention to?

“Probably, but then he’d come to his senses, realize it’s me, and break my other leg as a warning.” I look at him in shock. I need to leave.

“Kidding, just kidding. I promise you’re safe with me. And him, for that matter.” He takes a seat next to me and wraps his hand around mine. He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. “I’ve known him all my adult life, and I just want you to know he’s a stand-up guy. A little grumpy and uptight, but that man has a heart of gold. And he’s a protector. He thinks I was out of it, but I heard him in my hospital room. He was a guard dog, making sure I got the best care. He was relentless, demanding updates, and getting second and third opinions. I’m sure the medical team thought he was an ass, but I also heard him crying and talking to me while in my drug-induced coma. He doesn’t love many, but when he does, it’s fierce.” He presses a button, and we both recline back.

“Why are you telling me this?” This is personal, and I just met him. Why is he confiding in me like this?

“Because Xander has a lot on his plate. The team. His family. Me, even though I tell him to quit mother henning me. But you see, that’s what he does. He protects us. It’s a huge burden none of us asked him to take on, but he does it anyway. I see the way he looks at you. I just, well, I wanted you to know. He may come on strong, and it’s intense. But I promise, he’s one of the good guys.”

“I know.” I yawn again, and my eyes get heavy. It’s a lot to take in. I c an see how the responsibility weighs on him. Why does he feel so responsible? I let my mind wander. Trevor says something, but it sounds far away.

I think he says, “Please don’t break him,” as I drift off. I just need a few minutes to rest my eyes.