Spring Training by Stacey Lynn Rhodes

them in the trunk of her car then headed upstairs without a word, leaving Teri and Aaron alone.
    Teri chanced a look at Aaron. The chastened look on his face hit home. Whether it was the sudden exhaustion from working all day, or her mental struggle over what to do with her son, she stupidly needed reassurance. She took a slow step toward him, then another. Suddenly they were moving into each other’s arms.
    “I’m sorry, babe.” Aaron held her tight. He ran his hand over her hair then toyed with her ponytail. “That was a really shitty thing to say, especially right then. Not exactly supportive. I shouldn’t have taken my frustration with Emery out on you. I felt horrible all day.”
    “No, you were actually right. Talking doesn’t seem to work with him,” Teri conceded. She sighed into his chest, enjoying the feeling of giving up her cares for the moment. “I just don’t know what to do.”
    “Well, Coach McCauley and Ron, one of the assistant coaches, had Emery in their office for a long time after practice today, that’s why we’re back so late.”
    She pulled back, though his arms remained lightly around her waist. “Oh no! What did they say?”
    Aaron grimaced and moved so they were strolling slowly toward the stairs, his hand riding lightly on her lower back. “He wouldn’t tell me, but Ron said Coach ripped him a new one. Said talent only goes so far and they didn’t have time to waste on prima donnas who disrespect their coaches and teammates like he has been.”
    Teri winced. “Ouch. No wonder he was so quiet.” Her heart ached for her baby boy. A dressing down like that from a respected authority figure, well-earned or not, had to have hurt.
    “I caught hell too, for not rounding him up earlier.”
    What? Teri stopped moving and stared at him. “That’s not fair. He’s an adult, he’s responsible for himself.” She thought about what she’d just said, gave a wry laugh and qualified, “Well, technically.” And she would do well to remember that he was a grown up. She wouldn’t do either one of them any favors by bailing him out of situations. He had to stand on his own two feet, even if that meant she sometimes had to watch him fall.
    It was still hard, though. Occasionally she thought that the hardest part of parenting was knowing when to stop.
    She was relieved when Aaron winked. “Don’t worry about it. Both my job here and my babysitting gig are voluntary on my part.” He turned them back toward the stairs, throwing an arm around her shoulders.
    “Ick, I’m all sweaty,” she protested, trying to pull away. The feel of his arm across her damp T-shirt forcibly brought back to her how disgusting she was. He refused to let go, and she acquiesced without a struggle, remembering his shoulder.
    “So am I,” he reminded her. “I showered up after my rehab session and weights, but didn’t take a second one after helping run outfield practice. I’d just as soon clean up at home.” He let her go as they entered the apartment door Emery had left ajar. The sounds of a shower running came down the hall.
    “Sounds like Emery beat you to it.”
    A warm shaft of desire shot through her as he suddenly cupped her ass in both hands and pulled her flush against him.
    “Wanna shower with me?”
    Teri’s eyes widened as the wet and wonderful possibilities flashed like an X-rated movie trailer in her head. She nibbled her lower lip as she found herself hard-pressed to say no.
    Looking like he’d just won the lottery, Aaron grinned wide. “Seriously? You’re considering it?” He abruptly let go of her ass then encircled one wrist as he turned away. She stumbled to keep up as he pulled her down the hall to his room, leading her inside and closing the door before she could protest.
    He yanked his damp shirt over his head, then tossed it toward a hamper by a door she assumed led to the en suite bathroom. When he hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his now-tented pants, she held up a