Read Online Spring Training by Stacey Lynn Rhodes - Free Book Online

her again. “I’m not. C’mon. Let’s go have dinner.”
    “What? What about you?” Aaron protested, feeling guilty for having been on the receiving end without giving her pleasure as well.
    Teri just laughed. “Don’t worry. I wanted to do that. I enjoyed it too. And you can make it up to me later tonight.” She got out of the shower and dried off before wrapping up in a bath sheet for the trip to Emery’s room.
    “Tonight—definitely,” Aaron promised, already anticipating the next time in her arms. He couldn’t wait to spend the night holding her…
    He stopped short as he realized the unexpected direction his thoughts were taking. She wasn’t even from here, only visiting for a couple of days, not to mention he wouldn’t be around for much longer before he rejoined his team. So even if they did hit it off, where could it go?
    Problem was, his brain knew that, but his body already felt the tug of separation as she slipped out of his room to sneak down the hall.
    What the hell was he going to do when she went home?
     

Chapter Eight
     
     
     
    Dinner with the Sanduskys had been fun…and not. Teri had laid the foundation for a quick but wholesome meal, and Aaron enjoyed eating well without having to put the time into food prep after a full day of practice. The only thing he’d had to do was grill the steaks, and that was always more of a pleasure than a chore.
    He and Teri had found a lot to chat about, mostly about the prospects in spring training camp so far. She was an incredibly knowledgeable fan and Aaron couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such an enjoyable, in-depth conversation about his sport with anyone, much less a woman he was interested in.
    But sulking off to the side like a dark cloud, all through the prep, meal and cleanup, was her broody son. Aaron rolled his eyes mentally as Emery shrugged off yet another question. Was this what it was like being a parent? Emery wasn’t talking, and Teri let him be—for the most part. But Aaron knew there was a talking-to coming and tried to escape, only to be caught as he excused himself for a walk.
    “Nope. You’re doing this too.”
    “Why me?” Aaron was honestly puzzled by her desire for his participation. Unless, maybe she needed support?
    “I don’t see why Aaron needs to enjoy one of your wonderful lectures.” Emery finally spoke and his sarcasm immediately got Aaron’s back up. “It’s not like he’s my dad or anything.”
    And they’re off.
    Aaron watched Teri take a deep breath, expecting her to cut her son down to size. She was sitting next to Em on the couch, and the young man’s body language was definitely hostile. He braced himself for a cold scolding like the kind his own mother would have dished out, his chest tightening in anticipation.
    “Can you tell me how your practice went today?”
    Aaron let out a breath he hadn’t been aware he’d been holding. While Teri’s eyes were focused intently on Emery, her expression was far from irritated and her voice was calm.
    He wasn’t the only one caught off guard by her tactic. The calm tone and non-confrontational interest in his day seemed to surprise Emery and finally earned Teri a look in the eyes from her son. She looked steadily back at him, her love and pride shining through, plain to see. Aaron wasn’t even on the receiving end of that look and he was almost choked up. Aaron watched as Emery swallowed convulsively, throat working as he tried to maintain his poise.
    “Ma…” Emery’s voice broke. “Ah shit, Ma, I’m so sorry.” He made as if to reach for her, but she—deliberately it seemed—maintained her distance, not encouraging contact even as she waited for an answer to her question. Aaron could almost see the need in Emery to get a hug and reassurance from his mom.
    Emery gathered himself and continued. “Um, practice. It was good. I mean, I had a good day.” He shrugged.
    Aaron softened a little bit toward him. Cocky was one thing Emery