Be My Game Changer: A Sports Romance(6)

“Did you do that?” I ask, trying to bite back a smile.

Finn’s grin answers as he looks up to me with his pleading puppy dog eyes. “Don’t tell Mom.”

“‘Don’t tell Mom’ what?” Tessa asks as she enters the kitchen, looking to her son in my arms.

“Nothing,” I say in unison with Rhett as he hides his arm from our oldest sister. Serious and no-nonsense, Tessa wouldn’t be pleased to find out her son dished out some well-deserved payback to his uncle.

“Yes. Very convincing.” Tessa joins Mom as she finishes fussing at Bodie for missing so many recent family gatherings.

Still holding the Nerf gun at his side, Rhett angles it upward with his wrist, firing a shot that strikes Bodie in the chest.

“What was that for?” Bodie rubs over the spot.

“For taking her to the game and not me. Really, bruh. Why?”

“She’s prettier than you,” Bodie retorts, shielding himself as Rhett takes aim and fires at him again. “And she doesn’t shoot at me.”

“Yeah, but I would’ve stayed awake during the game,” Rhett laughs.

Swinging my hand, I lightly slap Bodie on the chest. “You told him?” It had been embarrassing enough when it was just between me and my best friend, now I’ll have Rhett relentlessly teasing me about it for all eternity.

“No, I didn’t.” Bodie rubs his chest. “But y’all have your aim coordinated.”

“Really, Avery. Carter Barlowe’s return to the big league, and you read and nap the entire time?”

“Whatever.” I shake my head as Finn wiggles in my arms. Leaning over, I whisper in his ear, “He really deserved it,” before placing a smooch on his cheek and setting him down so he can take off running.

“This isn’t over!” Rhett shouts after Finn as I watch the little rascal disappear around a corner. On my right, from my peripheral vision, I register Bodie waving his hands and when my eyes cut to him, he halts, trying to play it off like the chump that he is.

“She doesn’t know,” Rhett hoots, bending over as he holds his stomach. “This is great.”

“What’s going on?” I ask Bodie, but he simply shrugs with the most unconvincing “innocent” expression I’ve ever seen. Eyes wide, eyebrows nearly at his hairline, mouth hanging slightly open. Idiot. I look back to my jokester brother and know whatever it is, I won’t share in on my little brother’s delight.

“Don’t worry, Avery, Bodie didn’t tell me. He didn’t have to.” Rhett gives Bodie a grin before turning back to me, not wanting to miss the opportunity to reveal whatever the hell is going on. “ESPN did.”

“What?” I shout louder than intended as everyone in the kitchen focuses on me. Whipping around, I turn to face Bodie. “What the hell is he talking about?”

“Don’t worry, sis. The picture of you reading wasn’t all that bad.” Rhett saunters over to drape his arm around my shoulder. “But that one of you drooling in your sleep while Carter Barlowe stood over you—classic.” Rhett holds up his phone, lo and behold, it’s a picture of me sleeping while the Coyotes pitcher hovers in front of me with his head cocked to the side, staring down at me. Shit.

Shoving the phone back at my brother, I round on little Mr. Innocent, who apparently knew but didn’t think it vital to inform me of this latest development. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was gonna … later.”

“Yeah. Much later.”

“Oh, calm down.” Presley waves me off as she folds her arms over her chest and glares at me. “It’s not even a big deal.”

“No, not to you because it’s not your face plastered all over a nationally televised program.”

“You can barely see your face in most of the other pictures … because the book is … blocking it.” Bodie’s explanation loses steam as I turn my death stare on him. “Not that that seems to be helpful to you. Really, it was a quick highlight in the game. They were just joking about you being Barlowe’s biggest fan. I’m sure it’ll all blow over soon. Probably already has. No one cares about this stuff.”

“Yeah. Only all of the local news stations and most of the major sports outlets,” Rhett adds.

“Damn it, dude. Shut up.” Bodie throws a hand up in the air, waving Rhett off. Not that he’s made much progress in calming me down, but he’s smart enough to know Rhett is an ass and will continue to rile me up.

“Yesterday was supposed to be a simple shopping trip with my best friend, and now I’m the joke of the week because I dared to read a damn book at a baseball game.”

“See, if Bodie had taken me instead, neither of you would be in this situation.” Rhett winks at Bodie who just shakes his head.

“Buttface should’ve been written across your forehead to give anyone who looks at you twice a fair warning.” My insult falls upon deaf ears since my buffoon of a brother is enjoying my humiliation way too much.

“I’m really sorry, Avery.” Bodie gives me a look that reminds me of Finn’s puppy dog eyes. He knows I’ll crack eventually, but it’ll be afterwards when my face is no longer a sports highlight, and he’s trying his best to make me feel better.