Spring Training Read Online Free Page B

their table. Aaron envied their close relationship, so different from his upbringing.
    “This is Teri,” Emery introduced her to the guys joining them.
    “Very nice, Dusky. But she looks too classy for the likes of you.” Chet Brighton leaned across the table, reaching for Teri’s hand. “How about you forget about Emery here, and let me buy you a drink?”
    The sight of the player’s hand about to touch Teri’s set off a clamor of anger in Aaron, but before he could react, Teri withdrew her hand to a safe distance as Emery spoke up.
    “What the hell, Chet? She’s my freaking mom. Get your paws off her.”
    The other two guys were laughing hysterically as Chet backed off, scowling at Emery for a moment before turning the charm back on. “Fine by me. I like older women, and I’ll even forgive you for having this joker for a son. I’m sure you did all you could in raising him.” He sent a practiced, smoldering look her way that had Aaron rolling his eyes.
    Teri gave a sweet smile. “Nice to meet you, Chet. If I see any desperate older women, I’ll definitely send them your way.” She turned to Aaron and Emery. “Are you guys ready to head home?”
    Amused by her deft manner at putting the kid in his place, Aaron glanced from Teri to Emery.
    Mitch Williams protested, “Hey, it’s early. You guys aren’t calling it a night already? We’re on our way to The Billboard—they have a live DJ tonight.”
    “C’mon, Ma,” Emery encouraged. “You know you want to go dancing.” He nudged her playfully.
    Aaron and Teri locked gazes, and he shrugged, wanting to leave the decision up to her since he was their ride home. He really wasn’t up for a night of babysitting this motley crew, but had to admit the idea of seeing Teri moving on the dance floor held undeniable appeal. Her sparkling eyes searched his for a long moment before she turned to her son.
    “Okay, but remember I turn into a pumpkin at midnight.”
     
    * * * *
     
    The Billboard was warm and packed. Aaron wedged his way up to the bar while the other players disappeared into the crowd and Teri and Emery headed straight onto the dance floor. He ordered a bottle of water then took it to a vacant spot along the railing surrounding the dance area. With the height of the players, he was able to immediately spot Emery and, less visibly, Teri among the gyrating forms. He slid along the rail, trying for a better view.
    There.
    Teri was lost in the rhythm, swiveling and swaying with the music. Aaron’s mouth went dry as he ran his gaze down her slender back to those curvaceous, circling hips, effortlessly keeping the beat as she danced in front of Emery. They moved around, and now Aaron had a look at her joyous face, laughing up at her son.
    Suddenly, her eyes lowered from Emery’s face and locked on Aaron’s gaze from across the room. If anything, her smile got wider and his pulse leaped as she crooked her finger to beckon him. He was sure the gesture was meant to be convivial rather than sexual, but his increasingly interested body made its own interpretation. Without conscious thought, he set down his water and threaded his way through the crowd, receiving a few blatant touches and even more looks. Aaron disregarded them all, completely focused on Teri, and he began to dance as he reached the pair.
    Aaron loved to dance and it was easy to give himself over to the pounding music. If anything, Teri looked even smaller in the midst of the chaos on the dance floor, and Aaron glided closer, until there was barely air between them. Emery had turned away and had his arms wrapped around a tall blonde from behind, grinding into her. Aaron was left to partner with Teri, and they moved together well into the next song before he finally gave in to his rising need to touch her.
    The first contact was three fingers lightly resting on the waistband of her jeans, just above her hip. As she raised her arms above her head, her shirt lifted just enough so the tip of