Too Hot to Handle: A Boys of Summer Novel Read Online Free PDF Page B

that?”
    “Maybe because I like you?” One brow lifted as if daring her to contradict him.
    “I’m not buying the Brooklyn Bridge, either,” she said shrewdly. “Much as I’d enjoy continuing this conversation, I’ve got to get back to work.”
    Jake watched Nikki stride past him and signal to a photographer. As the team filed out onto the field, she made sure the man caught the picture of a freshly cleaned-up ball club. Chase jogged out to the mound, looking even more like the cover of
GQ
, while the rest of the team appeared neat and professional. Even some of the grumbles disappeared when the barber, finished for the day, stood beside Nikki and loudly extolled how handsome the team looked.
    Jake grinned. She had pulled off the seeming impossible, getting this rough-and-tumble team to do her bidding. And all it took was a blonde in a bikini. Nikki Case obviously knew how to get her way, and understood men. She’d won the first round, but she had a long road ahead.
    —
    The good humor resulting from the blond barber lasted about as long as the first inning. The players who were stuck with the long-sleeved shirts began grumbling first, followed by the others when the opposing team began ribbing them about their sparkling appearance. By the seventh-inning stretch, rumors had begun to circulate about the new PR rep for the Sonics. And by the end of the game when the Sonics lost, the frustrated team was more than happy to blame Nikki for just about everything, including the unbearable humidity.
    “Can’t wait for a drink.” Ryan tossed his shirt into his locker and slammed the door.
    “I hear that,” Jake agreed. “It’s sweltering out there today.”
    “This damned thing was pulling my arms all day,” Cody griped, tugging the soaked shirt away from his torso. “Swear that’s why I popped up in the ninth.”
    “Did you hear that reporter Chris Smith talking smack about our hair and uniforms?” Brian complained. “Every time I came to first he called us pretty boys.”
    “Beers at the tiki bar. I’m buying.” Sensing a revolt brewing, Jake tossed his jersey over his arm and headed toward the edge of the field. His teammates were right behind him as they gathered at the local watering hole, and Ryan gestured to the server. To their surprise, she shook her head and then went to talk to the manager. Jake and Ryan exchanged confused glances as the man nodded seriously, and then came to their table.
    “Sorry, guys,” he said, obviously chagrined as the server brought a tray containing a pitcher of lemonade. As Jake’s mouth fell open and the rest of the team stared incredulously, the manager continued. “Orders from the top. The only thing we’re allowed to serve you is ice water, lemonade, or iced tea.”
    “What the fuck!” Ryan put his hands on his hips and faced down the man. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
    “Wish I was.” The manager shook his head and indicated Nikki, who was standing at the edge of the field talking with Pete. “It was made very clear to me that I needed to follow their rules or deal with the repercussions. Apparently the thinking from your management is that this doesn’t look good for the team—drinking, fraternizing with the fans—when you’re supposed to be practicing and training.”
    “That’s it! This means war, if I have to go to Jeffrey myself!” Brian threw the contents of his glass on the dirt and then stormed out of the tiki bar. Most of the team followed. As Jake watched them go, he shrugged apologetically.
    “Don’t mean to take it out on you,” he said, glancing at the yellow puddle at the man’s feet.
    “No offense taken,” the manager said simply while the server gazed at Jake sympathetically. “Sounds like you boys got yourself a problem.”
    “You don’t know the half of it.” Jake grimaced in agreement.
    —
    She was, of course, still in the office when everyone else had gone. Jake stood outside the door, his jersey tossed over his