She sighed. “Tucker. You’re having a fantastic year. Your pitching is phenomenal, and it’s gotten even better since you’ve been with the Rivers. My guess is you’re only going to improve. The Rivers would be morons to trade you, and trust me, that organization isn’t moronic, so relax. Your status with the team is fine.”
If only she knew. He smiled and nodded. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”
“I’m more than probably right. I know my players and my teams, and trust me when I tell you that you’re right where you’re supposed to be.”
“Okay.”
She studied him for a few seconds. “Unless you’re the one who’s not happy and this is your not-so-subtle way of telling me you want out.”
He leveled his gaze on her, making sure she knew where he stood. “That’s the last thing I want. I like where I am. I like this team.”
She nodded. “That’s what I thought. So focus your energies on your outstanding pitching, and you let me worry about the front office stuff, okay?”
He stood, and so did she. “Okay. And thanks for letting me vent a little.”
She patted his shoulder. “Anytime. That’s what I’m here for.”
He left Victoria’s office a little more clearheaded. But he still wasn’t sure what he was going to do.
He loved Aubry. But his career was everything to him.
And he still felt like a coward.
A coward with no answers.
AUBRY KNEW TUCKER HAD A DAY GAME TODAY. SHE also knew, like herself, that he’d been really busy the past week. They’d hardly spoken and he was getting ready to go out on a road trip again, so she wanted to see him before he left.
Fortunately, their schedules actually meshed for a change, and she had gotten off work right about the time his game ended. She dashed home to shower and change into very sexy underwear and a sundress, slipped into her sandals and drove over to his place. She’d sent him a text message right before she left telling him she’d meet him there.
When he opened the door, she threw herself against him, planting her lips on his for a kiss.
“I’ve missed you,” she said, tossing her purse on the table by the door as she walked in. “God, it feels like an eternity since we’ve been together. Or even talked.”
She fell onto his sofa and curled her legs underneath her, smiling up at him as he entered the room. “We should probably have sex first, don’t you think?”
He looked gorgeous in his jeans and T-shirt, said T-shirt hugging all his muscles oh so perfectly.
“Uh, actually, I had made plans to hang out with some of the guys from the team tonight. It’s one of the guy’s birthdays and he arranged a party at a bar. I’m sorry. I texted you back, but I guess you didn’t get my message.”
“Oh. You did?” She got up and grabbed her purse so she could pull out her phone. She read his message. “You sure did. I was so excited to see you and I figured you’d . . . Well, never mind.” Her cheeks heated. “I’m so sorry, Tucker. I didn’t know.”
“It’s okay. I’m the one who’s sorry. I should have called you when you didn’t reply to my message.”
“No, really. It’s on me. I just thought . . .”
She thought he’d want to see her. They’d barely spoken. She texted him and he’d text back, but she sensed a distance. And now . . .
She shouldn’t read too much into this. He was just busy. So was she.
She took a deep breath and headed to the door. “Okay, then. Well, you have fun with the guys tonight.”
“Really, Aubry. I’m sorry about this. It’s just that I said I’d go to this party for him. And it’s just all guys, otherwise I’d take you with me.”
“No you definitely should go hang out with the team. Have a great time.”
“Thanks. I’ll text you later, okay?”
“Sure. Bye, Tucker.”
He didn’t pull her against him for a kiss. He didn’t hug her. It was as if he didn’t want to get close to her.
She walked out and he shut the door.
Something was wrong. With him. With them. With their relationship.
When she got to her car, she palmed her stomach, feeling the ache of loss all the way down to her toes.
What the hell was going on?
TUCKER LEANED AGAINST THE FRONT DOOR, LISTENING to the sound of Aubry’s car starting up and pulling away.
He had no party to go to tonight. When she’d texted that she was coming over, he’d panicked and that was the first thing he’d thought of to tell her. Unfortunately, she’d showed up at his house looking gorgeous and smelling like candy and all he’d wanted to do was pull her into his arms and kiss her and make love to her and tell her he was in love with her.
Instead, he’d sent her away.
Coward.
He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath, then let it out.
He was hurting her. Hell, he was hurting himself. This wasn’t him. He didn’t act this way, didn’t skulk around avoiding a woman because he’d been threatened by her father. He’d always addressed uncomfortable issues head-on. Even that night in the wine cellar with Laura, he’d told her up front and honestly that he didn’t see their relationship continuing. He’d taken a knee to the balls for it, but he’d been honest with her.