Current Day

I flip my gloves into the locker. It’s not like I had a terrible game. I did manage to get a single, but I didn’t drive in any runs. I don’t want to blame it on the episode from last night, but it certainly broke my concentration.

I’m shrugging out of my shirt when a reporter comes to me.

“Congratulations. When were you going to make the official announcement?”

I rear back and glance at the reporter. “What are you talking about?”

“The announcement about being a dad.” The reporter leans closer with hunger in her eyes. The kind they get when the gossip is juicy, and they have first dibs. “Were you wanting to keep it a secret?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“A Miss Katrina Cattrell came forward today in Diva’s Disses stating you are the father of her baby.”

What the fuck is Diva’s Disses? “I can assure you if that woman is pregnant, I am not the father.”

“Do you deny that you’re the person in this picture.”

Ah, fuck. I maintain a straight face as I look straight into the reporter’s eyes. “I have nothing to say other than the fact I’m not the father of this woman’s baby.”

The reporter turns back to the camera. “In an interesting twist, Jax Carrigan, shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies, has denied paternity.”

I turn to grab my phone and catch Zach lowering his. He looks at me, and his face tells me I’m too late. She already knows. Every single eye, including the camera’s, is watching me. I have to pretend none of this bothers me, but I want to kick the shit out of something, anything. I grab my phone and walk out until I find an empty room. Son of a bitch, our relationship can never go smoothly. I can’t believe this shit is happening to me.

I chew my bottom lip while I wait for her to answer. Pick up. Of course, it goes straight to voicemail. Why am I not surprised? “Hey, it’s me. I wanted to reassure you it’s not what it looks…like. Please call me back. I’ll be back in my apartment in about an hour. I’ll call then. Please don’t read into this. I’d rather explain in person.” Shit. I don’t know how many times I’ve said that phrase to her. It’s not what it looks like. The one phrase she never wants to hear. I bang my hand against the wall before heading back to the locker room. A quick shower, and then I’m getting the fuck out of here.

“What the hell were you thinking, sleeping with that woman?” The hushed tone of Zach’s voice pisses me off. As if he’d believe some crazy ass story.

“I didn’t sleep with her, asshole. And thanks for the vote of confidence.” I check the parking lot for any signs of reporters or, God forbid, the paparazzi. The last thing I need making the papers is an argument with my best friend over this ordeal. I breathe out a sigh at the only person in sight—AJ jogging to catch up. I’m his ride home. The sooner he’s inside my truck, the sooner I can get the fuck home.

“You didn’t.”

“Hell, no. The bitch came home with AJ and sneaked into my room.”

Zach runs a hand through his hair and stares at me. “Sorry. I should’ve known. But regardless of what happened, or what I think, Lacey told me Jocelyn’s really upset. Then something to do with Carl.”

“That bitch posted pictures?”

“And claims she’s pregnant.” They both stare at me, and I hold my hands up defensively. “She’s not. Or at least not by me.”

“I knew we should’ve called the cops on her last night.” AJ punches the air as he rounds the truck.

I pile into the driver’s seat, but Zach catches the door before I close it.

“I don’t know what you plan on saying, but she knows it’s a current picture because you can see Trenna’s drawing.”

“I plan on telling her the truth. Which I was going to do after the game anyway.”

“Good luck. You’ll need it.”

“Thanks.” My dry tone makes him wince, but he backs away. Go figure, Carl got to her first. What does he have, some notification alert on his phone? A post about Jax Carrigan…ping.

The only thing that keeps me from breaking the sound barrier is the fact that AJ is in the cab with me. Although, if he apologizes one more time, I may put caution aside and not worry what happens to him.

“You don’t have to keep apologizing. You had no idea that woman was bat-shit crazy.”

“Yeah, but I fucked it up for you. I can talk to her if you need me to.”

We finally park, and I pull out my phone as we make our way to the apartment. “It’ll be fine. She’ll listen to reason.” I hope. I’d drop him off and head straight to Brooklyn if it wasn’t for the fact we have a day game tomorrow.

“I’ll grab a shower to give you privacy,” AJ says once we arrive at the apartment.

“Thanks, I’m going to call her now.” I waste no time dialing her number. She answers on the first ring.

“Hey.”

“I did not sleep with that woman.”

She releases a long breath of air. If any emotions could speak, sadness wins this battle. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything. Just hear me out. I’ll start at the beginning.”

I tell Jocelyn how I’m more convinced the woman spiked my drink back in Florida. It makes sense now that the photos came to light. Then I tell her about AJ bringing her back to the apartment. By the time the story’s told, I’m so sure she’ll understand I’m not prepared for her next words.

“I don’t want you to think I don’t believe you. But realize how crazy this woman is and the length she’s willing to go. She approached me in Florida, Jax. She actually got on a plane and flew down to Florida to be near you.”

“I wish you had told me at the time. I would’ve confronted her at the restaurant.”

“Yeah, well, I wish for a lot of things. Look, the first thing I need to do is think about my kids.”

“What are you saying?” There’s a pause, and it nearly kills me. “Jocelyn. You’re not breaking up with me over a phone call. I’ll be there Thursday.”

“I wasn’t going to break up with you, but I need time to sort things out. There’s more than me to think about.”

“I understand that but don’t exclude me from your decision. Let’s discuss this. I’ll be there Thursday.”

“Fine. I’ll take the day off.”

We exchange goodbyes, and although she isn’t ending things totally, her words are less than encouraging.