Jessa thought about that. “I guess it would be easy to get lost if you didn’t know where you were going. And I’m not hiding.” She motioned to the papers spread across the desk. “I’m working.”
Amy waved her off. “Well, there are a lot of places to work around here then, too. Who knew this place was so big!”
“I grew up in stadiums like this, so I guess you could say I’m used to it.”
“Your father is rather hands-on, isn’t he? Not that I’m complaining, mind you. Miles loves playing for this team.”
Jessa smiled. It wasn’t the first time she’d been asked that question and it wouldn’t be the last. A lot of people thought it was strange, the amount of time TJ Montgomery spent with his beloved team. Some even criticized that he was a micro-manager, not able to give control to his coaches and managers. It was bullshit, but Jessa figured their record of four World Series wins in the last eight years could speak for itself.
TJ took an active interest in his players, not as a coach or a boss, but as a mentor and friend. He left the coaching to the coaches, the managing to the managers. Instead, he’d counseled on everything from dating and marriage proposals to children and the best school systems. He was there for them. Right or wrong, TJ considered the men family. Sons.
“He loves the game. He wanted me to love it too, I suppose, so he always brought me along. While tutors schooled me in math and science, Dad taught me everything there was to know about baseball.” She chuckled. “I always thought he’d wished I’d been a boy. Sometimes, I get a little sensitive about it.”
“I’m sure that’s not true. Your father must love you very much to include you in his life in such a way.”
Jessa shrugged. She knew her dad loved her. It had never been a question of that.
“Besides,” Amy continued, “he’s got all the boys he needs right out there and he doesn’t have to worry about them eating him out of house and home, smelling up the place with sweaty gym clothes, or burping at the dinner table. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Jessa really liked this woman.
“Ugh, forget about my dad. You’ve made me grateful for my breasts.”
Amy snickered and shot her a wink. “It’s always good to have perspective. I did search you out to say hi and visit for a bit, but truth be known, the real reason I came to find you was to let you know one of the players was hurt on — ”
“Is Garrett all right?” Jessa’s heart jumped as cold dread filled her system.
“— the field.” Amy finished over her interruption. Blue eyes narrowed in scrutiny.
“Garrett’s fine,” Amy said slowly. “It’s Tyler.”
Jessa cursed and squirmed under Amy’s intense stare. She could feel the woman reading her thoughts until all of her secrets were laid bare. Her only hope was that Amy would let it go.
“Tyler? What happened?” Please, please let it go.
“I’m not sure the extent. Shoot, I’m not exactly sure what happened.” Her cheeks blushed deep enough to match her hair. “I was goofing around on my phone and wasn’t watching. I did see him walk off the field, but his arm was curled into his chest. I figured since you were here, you’d want to know.”
“Shit. I should probably get over there.”
Jessa stood and started collecting her papers, shoving them into her bag with more force than necessary, chastising herself for her own stupidity. She hadn’t anticipated how hard it would be to act normal about her relationship with Garrett. She needed to be more careful.
“There’s no need to hurry. Tyler will more than likely be with the doctors. Nothing you can do for him right now, so you can stay and talk to me about what’s going on with you and Garrett.” Amy grinned knowingly.
Jessa fought to keep her expression calm. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, come on. I was there the other night. It was obvious he wasn’t happy about you dancing with Tyler. And girl, the way he took hold of you on that dance floor had me ready to jump my own husband.”
“I … I didn’t realize.” Jessa felt her cheeks burn.