Billionaire's Contract Engagement (Kings of the Boardroom #3)(43)

Mysterious little wench. He’d make her pay later when he had her alone.

The rest of the game followed a similar pattern. Celia seemed to know every damn person on the team.

He began to have uncomfortable thoughts, like whether or not Celia was involved with Noah Hart. It would certainly explain how she’d been able to get him to agree to the endorsement deal.

But it also brought up a lot of questions. Like whether she was using Evan to further her career. He glanced sideways at her. No way. It would take someone pretty diabolical to have a man like Noah Hart on the line and then sleep with Evan to secure his business. Why would she even need it if she was involved with Hart? The man made a lot of money, even without the million-dollar endorsement deals. He was one of the highest-paid baseball players in the league.

Before he could get carried away with thoughts that would only enrage him, he made himself back down and quit speculating. He’d find out before the end of the day. One way or another. And then he’d decide what to do about Celia. And his account.

When the game ended after the visiting team failed to score the necessary runs to overtake the Tide in the ninth inning, Celia stood, her cheeks flush with excitement.

“We’re going to have an awesome season. I just know it!”

He stood beside her unsure of what would happen now. Nothing had gone the way he’d anticipated.

Sure enough, she grabbed his hand and began pulling him toward the exit. “Come on,” she said.

But they didn’t leave the stadium. Instead they went down to a restricted area, where Celia flashed a pass he hadn’t seen up to this point. He shouldn’t be surprised. But when they stopped outside the players’ locker room, he was.

They waited a good while. Several members of the press came and went. Finally one of the players stuck his head out the door, looked up and down and then his eyes brightened when he saw Celia. Evan was a little starstruck. It was the Tide’s catcher, Chris Davies. He was a veritable legend in baseball, and it was rumored this would be his last year before he retired.

“Cece! You should have just come on in. Noah got held up by an interview, but he wanted you to come on back.”

Celia walked over and gave the catcher a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Good game, Chris. You’re looking as awesome as ever.”

The big man actually blushed. He glanced up at Evan, and Evan was convinced the guy scowled at him.

“Oh, Chris, this is Evan Reese. Evan, this is Chris Davies, the Tide’s star catcher.”

“Yes, I’m well aware,” Evan said. “Great game. I’ve watched you a lot of years.”

“You Evan Reese who makes the sportswear?” Chris asked.

Evan nodded.

“Cool. You two come on back. Noah should be done by now.”

Despite his wealth and position, Evan couldn’t control the incredible rush of walking into the Tide’s

locker room. It was every little boy’s dream. It was why he’d gone into the business he had. He loved sports, and he was as in awe of the big dream as any other kid out there who loved sports.

Several players stopped Celia for a quick hug and a kiss. Some ruffled her hair and she gave them affectionate pats in return.

“Cece! There you are.”

Evan looked up to see Noah barreling his way through a crowd of people. The next thing he knew, he had Celia in a giant bear hug, swinging her around in a circle.

Evan watched, his irritation growing more with each passing second.

Finally Noah put her down.

“Hey, did you see? Fantastic hit, wasn’t it?”

Celia smiled broadly at the other man and her affection for him was obvious. A fact that made Evan even grumpier. Endorsement or not, he was ready to deck the star right in the jaw.

“I saw, of course. You were awesome as always.”

“Hey, I need to get a quick shower. You two can wait for me over there,” he said, gesturing toward a sitting area that was removed from the chaos of the open locker room. “I won’t be long.”

Celia kissed his cheek. “We’ll be there. Take your time.”

Noah ruffled her hair affectionately and loped off toward the showers.

Evan opened his mouth to ask but then shook his head. He’d wait. This had to be worth the price of admission.

Celia led him into the adjoining room and sat on one of the leather couches.

“This is usually reserved for coaches and their families,” she said when he sat down in one of the chairs across from her. “None of the press or players will come in here.”

“You know I have a hundred questions,Cece ,” he said drily.

She flushed a little guiltily. “Okay, so maybe I’m guilty of wanting to watch you experience everything firsthand. I mean I could have warned you but that wouldn’t have been any fun.”

He raised an eyebrow. “The only question I want answered right now is whether you’re involved with Noah Hart.”

He watched her eyes go wide in shock. Her mouth fell open, and he knew in that moment, whatever he might have assumed—even with good reason—he was dead wrong.

“It was a sensible assumption,” he defended before she could speak.

“Evan, Noah is my—”

They were interrupted when the three men Celia had gone to visit in the stands came through the door.