Out at Home Read Online Free PDF Page B

themselves.
    “ Tell me you’re not leaving already?” Alex asked. “Tabby would love to talk your ear off about journalism, I’m sure.”
    Taylor wondered if men who were good at baseball were born with some kind of gene that made them good-looking, too. Alex Miyerson's dark hair and sculpted looks were testament to that theory. But it was his brown eyes that appealed to Taylor - warm and friendly, urging her to stay.
    She smiled at him, her resolve weakening. “I met her already and we did talk shop.”
    “ Stick around,” Mark coaxed, moving closer. He wasn’t quite as tall as Brady or Alex, but Taylor still had to crane her head to look at him. “We’re getting ready to throw some burgers on the grill. And I promise we won’t let Alex cook.”
    Rolling his eyes, Alex gave Mark a friendly punch. "I'm going to get the grill going. I hope you'll stay, Taylor."
    He disappeared with Mark closely behind him.
    “ Come on, love,” Brady coaxed, studying her intently. “Stay for a bit then I’ll take you to your car. I promise to be on my best behavior.”
    He reminded her suddenly of a five year-old child begging his mother for one more bedtime story. Her resolve faltered.
    “ Fine,” she relented. “But stop calling me by that stupid nickname.”
     
     
    ***
     
    Tension hovered like a storm cloud as they drove back to the stadium where Taylor had left her car. Brady tried a few times to engage her in conversation but gave up when she refused to cooperate. He sighed repeatedly, smirking when she’d grunt in irritation.
    “ Come on, Taylor,” he whined. “Admit it, you had a good time. You got along with everyone and they seemed to really like you.”
    “ I’m surprised nice people like that crowd actually put up with you,” she retorted.
    He barked out a laugh. “What can I say? They find me charming.”
    She snorted. “As charming as a rabid Rottweiler.”
    “ Not everyone shares your opinion of me,” he said curtly.
    “ Not everyone has a reason,” she murmured, not caring if he heard her or not.
    He ran a hand through his thick, dark hair, causing it to spring up at odd angles. “I’m really sorry you feel that way.”
    When they finally turned into the stadium parking lot, she instructed him on where she'd parked her car. As soon as he pulled beside it, she didn’t say a word as she practically sprang from his car.
    “ Taylor, wait,” he called. He got out of his car and walked over to the passenger side of hers. She paused, hand on the door handle. “Come to the game tomorrow night. I’ll leave you a ticket at Will Call.”
    She narrowed her eyes at him. “Why, Brady? Why are you so insistent that I be in your life again? Didn’t you humiliate me enough?”
    He rested his arms on the roof of her car and shook his head. “No, Taylor. That’s not it at all.” Swallowing, he licked his lips. “I screwed up, okay? I want to make it up to you.”
    She laughed, the sound bitter in her ears. “So that’s it. You want to ease your guilty conscience. Let me spare you the trouble. I forgive you, okay? There. It’s over and done. Now move on with your life and leave me alone.”
    Just as she opened her door, scrambling to get in and away from him, he called to her once more. “Taylor, wait. You need to know the truth.”
    Stopping, she closed her eyes. She needed to get away from him quickly before she lost control. She didn’t want him to see her break.
    She straightened to face him, lifting a brow in question.
    “ I lost,” he whispered. “I lost the bet.”
    She froze, not expecting those words to come out of his mouth. Giving him a cold look, she narrowed her eyes. “Really? By a couple hours? Minutes? That must have really pissed you off, huh?"
    “ No damn it!” He smacked the roof of her car causing her to jump. “I didn’t tell. I didn’t tell anyone what happened.”
    She shook her head, refusing to register the words he'd shouted at her. “No. I don’t want to hear