They left the workout room and headed into the kitchen. It was obvious Alicia wasn’t going to vanish in a puff of smoke and avoid this rather embarrassing moment, so she was just going to have to deal with it.
“So, how’s the workout going?” Victoria asked Garrett. “And even more importantly—how’s the arm?”
“My arm feels great. Alicia’s doing a fantastic job.”
“Yes,” Victoria said with a wry smile. “It certainly looked that way.”
Alicia cringed as she filled a tray with drinks. This was what she was afraid would happen if she got involved with Garrett. She had no idea if they could trust Victoria, but the last thing she needed was Phil or Max finding out she was sleeping with one of her clients.
Doomed. She was doomed. Doomed and fired and disgraced, and she’d never get another job again.
Pasting on a pleasant smile, she turned around. “The tea is unsweetened, so I’ve put regular and artificial sugars, and some lemon on the tray. You can fix it however you like. Why don’t we go into the living room?”
Alicia set the tray down then swiped her sweaty palms on her pants, nervous as hell about Garrett’s agent being here. And she’d found them fondling and kissing each other in the workout room. Talk about bad timing.
Alicia wanted to throw up.
Victoria fixed a glass of tea and sipped it, her gaze alternating between Garrett and Alicia, all the time not saying a word. But she was smiling, in an I-know-exactly-what-you-two-are-doing kind of way.
Kill me. Kill me now.
Alicia needed to regroup, put on her professional demeanor, and panic later.
“Garrett’s shoulder is showing definite signs of improvement,” Alicia said, unable to bear the awkward silence. “He’s even thrown some pitches. With no pain. I’m really excited about how well he’s performing.”
“Is he now?” Victoria arched a brow. “I assume the performance you’re referring to relates to his shoulder?”
“Tori.” Garrett’s tone came out as a warning.
Victoria laughed. “Come on, Garrett. I’m just teasing.”
“Alicia doesn’t know you like I do.”
“It’s okay.” Alicia hated people talking about her like she wasn’t there, and she couldn’t handle the suspense. “I’m sure if Victoria has something to say, she can just say it.”
“Oh, honey. Whatever you’re doing with Garrett outside of working on his shoulder is absolutely none of my business. Garrett and I go way back. I signed him when he was an annoying kid with more attitude than talent.”
“Hey,” Garrett said.
Victoria ignored him, her focus remaining on Alicia. “And we’ve been close ever since. Whatever you have going on is between the two of you. My only interest in Garrett is in how his injury is progressing. I need him back on that pitcher’s mound.”
Alicia relaxed a little. “My main goal is to get him there.”
Victoria nodded. “Good to know.” She turned to Garrett. “And you’re sure the arm is good?”
Garrett wound his arm around. “It feels great.”
He told her about the different types of therapy Alicia had employed since they’d started. “Some of it’s been pretty unusual, too, including rock climbing.”
Victoria arched a brow. “You got him to rock climb with an injured shoulder?”
Alicia nodded. “It’s good for stretching the tendons and muscles. Often someone with an injury will favor that area. My goal is to make him use the arm, and not just with the average therapeutic exercises and weight lifting. I like to do activities like golf, swimming, and even rock climbing. It’ll make Garrett use the arm without realizing it.”
Victoria actually nodded and looked impressed. “I’m in awe of your talents, Alicia. He’s needed someone to kick his ass a bit.”
“Just doing my job.”
“I hope you do it well. We need to get our guy pitching.”
“That’s my intention.”
“That’s all I care about, then.”
So why did Alicia still feel so tense? And defensive? And scared to death that everything was about to change? She needed to get a handle on this situation and get her head screwed on straight again.
“You’re here to see other clients, too, Victoria?” she asked.
She gave Alicia a smile. “Yes. I have several playing down here. Then I’m off to Arizona to check out a couple of more.”
“You must have quite the client base. How many play for the Rivers?”
“Just two. Garrett and new outfielder Raul Hermosa.”
“I’ve heard great things about him. He’s got amazing speed and a hell of a throwing arm.”
Victoria grinned. “And he’s all mine. Well, technically, he belongs to the Rivers now, too, but I nabbed him first.”
“He’s a good kid,” Garrett said. “Gavin said he has a rocket arm and a killer bat. I can’t wait to see him in action.”
“Then get your ass back on the mound,” Victoria said with a wry smile.
Garrett leaned back against the sofa. “I’ll be there. No doubt about it.”
“You’re singing a much different tune than the last time I saw you.”
“Am I?”