Rookie Mistake: A Sports Romance Novel (The Beasts of Baseball Book 1) by Alice Ward

almost like he felt bad, but quickly turned to his crooked smile.
    “I didn’t think that one was ever gonna leave,” he said coolly. “She was cramping my style.” His head rolled around his shoulders like he was soothing a sore neck. “See ya on the field, kid.”
    My fists clenched, and my shoulders tensed and tightened at his indifference for not only Holly’s feelings but my own. I was the one who had to listen to Whitney whine over the mess he was about to make, and kid, hot shot, really? Who did he think he was?
    “What’s got you all wound up?” Marty asked, stopping me from taking a swing at something.
    I shook it off, pulled myself together, deciding to take out my frustration on the batters about to face me. I patted Marty on the back and gave his shoulder a quick squeeze. “Nothing. See ya out there.” I rushed him off so I could finish getting dressed and stretch my arm.
    The scrimmage was brutal. We were up against the Yankees, who I might add, were none too happy to have a new team step onto their turf. My focus was gone, my pitches flying without my usual control, leaving opportunities one after another for the Yankees to score.
    I was glad when it was over, relieved that I didn’t have to stand on that mound and continue the humiliation not only for myself but for my entire team. Coach was obviously pissed as I walked past him towards the locker room, his eyes glaring at me with more than just a little disappointment.
    “Where was your head today?” he yelled directly at me once we were all packed in the central meeting area. “Obviously not in the game!” His ebony skin turned an odd shade of pale from the strain.
    “We all have bad days,” Marty offered some comforting words as he patted me on the ass. He knew all about bad days. Hell, his last season was full of bad days.
    Ace glared at me, and I ignored him. A part of me wanted to go over there and punch him in his smug face. He was the reason I wasn’t focused, his little tryst with Holly had created stress at home, and now on the field.
    “Let’s go get a drink,” Marty said. “Shake it off.”
    “Yeah, I could use a drink,” I admitted, realizing I didn’t want to go home, at least not yet. Whitney had enough on her mind. She didn’t need to worry about me as well. But, I’d be smart this time and call first and not stay out late.
    “Good, I’ll meet you out front,” he said and left me to finish getting undressed.
    Shit. Ace was already in the shower, and I chose one on the other side of the large room, ignoring him completely. One problem. Ace Newman wasn’t a man you could ignore, ever.
    “Hey, hot shot!” he yelled loud enough to echo through the fucking stadium.
    I exhaled and opened my eyes in time to watch him wrap a towel around his waist and head my way.
    “What was going on with you today?” he asked. “Your little lady giving you shit?” His smile was smug, and the hollow laugh that sounded like it rolled directly out of his chest was condescending. “I told ya, never a good idea for a rookie to have a girl, always gets in the way,” he continued without any provoking. “Guess I’ll see you at Sunoco soon. I take premium unleaded, by the way.”
    I closed my eyes, continued rinsing the soap from my hair and let his words roll down my back with the warm streams of water. Let it go, Calvin, he’s not worth it!
    His laughter trailed behind him as he left the room, and I opened my eyes, shut off the water and grabbed my towel. I didn’t take much time to get dressed and left to meet Marty with my hair still wet.
    “C’mon, I’ll buy you a beer,” Marty said as he climbed into the passenger seat of my Porsche. The car roared to life, and I spun my tires for the hell of it just as Ace walked towards his car.
    Marty offered plenty words of wisdom, empathy, and advice, but I wasn’t sure how many I actually heard. He was a good guy, not a womanizer, not a heavy drinker, and certainly not an asshole