XXX CHAPTER 14 XXX

"Why, Tammy Lutz, aren't you looking especially gorgeous tonight! Teal becomes you."

Tammy rolled her eyes. "Someone had to show a little team spirit."

Opening the passenger door for her, Emmett chuckled. "I keep telling them they need some cheerleaders. Nobody listens to the pitcher."

"Did you happen to tell them you wanted boys in tight pants?" she asked, buckling herself in.

"I did not." The image stuck with Emmett as he walked around his car to the driver's side. As if he needed further distractions on the field.

Tammy shifted to face him as they pulled onto Thistle. "So? What's new with your not-so-secret admirer?"

"You're not wasting any time, I see," he answered with a grin.

"I didn't really think you'd appreciate my asking in front of five hundred of your closest friends, and judging by that smile on your face, I'd say it's a good thing I didn't."

"Ugh, is it that bad?"

"Let's put it this way: if that smile were for me, we wouldn't be arriving at the gala before dessert."

He shook his head. "Do you ever think of anything besides sex?"

Tammy's face scrunched into an endearing scowl. "Please! Have you looked in a mirror tonight?"

"Just to tie my tie. Do you have any idea how hard these motherfuckers are to tie?"

"Maybe you need a partner to help get you dressed."

Oh, yes. Edward standing behind him at the mirror, reaching around and tying his bowtie. "That wouldn't have been my first fantasy, but it's not a bad visual."

"You're welcome," she said, rolling her eyes. "I have plenty more where that came from if you need any help."

Emmett barked out a sharp laugh. "Good to know, but so far, I've got this covered." He stared out at the road and let his mind finish the scene he'd started. Edward's hands on Emmett's shoulders, admiring his handiwork; Emmett spinning around, catching Edward by surprise with a kiss; fighting the urge to tear off each other's clothes again . . .

"Oh, good God," Tammy said, adding a groan for effect.

"When did you go to mind-reading school?"

"You're really not that much of a challenge lately."

Turning the car onto I-5, Emmett glanced over at his friend. What was it with the people in his life lately? Or had he just become completely transparent? "Edward and I had breakfast the other day."

Her jaw dropped. "As in, afterward?"

"No! Jeez! We're just getting to know each other as friends. I don't even know for sure he's gay, and I have no idea what the hell he thinks I am."

"He thinks you're perfect." Tammy fluttered her eyelids for effect.

Emmett chuffed. "We all know there's only one way to go from there."

"Okay, whatever. I know you pretty damn well, and I still think you're perfect."

"You're not normal."

"Clearly. So, what's he like?"

"He's smart, kind of quiet, but he's no pushover. When he has something to say, he says it."

"Oh yeah? What's he have to say?"

"Pshh, well for one thing, his father the doctor thinks I should stop dipping."

Tammy's face lit up with a smile. "Amen to that!"

A grin crossed his lips as he remembered their conversation. "He suggested yoga instead."

Tammy covered her mouth with a cupped hand.

"Right. As if." Emmett shook his head. "Pain in the ass."

"Uh huh. So, when are you seeing him again?"

A sigh bubbled up. "We're running together tomorrow morning."

"Nice."

"I guess." He was looking forward to that run more than he cared to admit to either of them.

"You gonna tell me what this guy looks like, or do I need to show up at the beach in my sneakers tomorrow?"

"Ha! Now that's funny!" Emmett wriggled in his seat until he could reach his phone, pulled it out, and handed it to Tammy. "Here. Special sauce, upper case 'L.'"

"Cute." She typed in his password, twisting toward the window in her seat as if he might change his mind and take back the offer. "He's not your screensaver?"

"Not just yet." Emmett rolled his eyes. "The pictures are in the text messages."

"Edward Cullen?" The name rolled off her tongue with a teasing lilt.

"That's him." Emmett couldn't help the jolt he felt as Tammy scrolled through and feasted on the pictures. The urge to peek at the screen was nearly overpowering, but by now, Emmett had enough of a visual in his mind's eye to sustain him until he could look at the pictures without being mocked.

"He's really cute." She had enlarged the one of the two of them facing each other. "Uh, Em . . . I don't think you need to wonder if he wants you."

Try as he might, Emmett could not contain his smile. "Yeah?"

"Trust me. I'm somewhat of an expert on this topic."

"Okay, Tam."

Tammy reached out and rubbed his arm. "Hey," she said softly, "is it time for us to break up?"

Perfect timing; they were just pulling up to the valet drop-off. Emmett turned to face her, taking her hand in his as she handed him back his phone. "You know that is always up to you, Tammy. As far as I'm concerned, nothing's really changed—especially in the public's eye."

"Why don't we see how things go?"

XXX

"Hottie at three o'clock," Tammy whispered as Emmett took the last bite of his salad.

He played along, but the sense of excitement was quite obviously missing, not to mention broad and brawny was more Tammy's type than his. "Pass," he said quietly. "Plus, he looks extremely straight."

"He's coming over here," she said. "Be charming, please."

Emmett wiped his mouth with the linen napkin. "When am I not charming?"

The stranger approached, already apologizing as Emmett stood. "I'm so sorry to interrupt your dinner. You guys probably go home starving from these things."

"No problem; they'll give me a doggy bag. Emmett McCarty. Nice to meet you . . .?"

"James Carson. Pitching for the Generals this year. We met at spring training?"

"Oh, sure, yeah," Emmett said. "Your team's doing well this year."

Tammy cleared her throat, and Carson's gaze moved directly to her cleavage.

"This is my girlfriend, Tammy Lutz. She's a big fan of pitchers."

Tammy whacked Emmett's leg under the table as she stood to shake hands with the man. James drew her hand to his lips instead and left a kiss on her knuckles. Seriously, dude? I just introduced her as my girlfriend!

"Well, have a good night, James." Emmett snaked his arm around Tammy's shoulders and pulled her into his side until Carson took the hint and buzzed off.

"What'd you do that for?" Tammy asked.

"I just remembered meeting him. He was chasing anything and everything with boobs. Plus, he'll never get called up to the majors. He's not good enough for you."

Tammy's scowl turned into a smirk. "Aw, you do care."

"Of course I care!" Emmett nudged his nose behind her ear. "I'm not letting you end up with some second-rate, womanizing hack."

Tammy let out a long-suffering sigh. "Face it, Em. No baseball player is ever going to be good enough for me in your eyes."

"Nobody I know, that's for damn sure!" Emmett huffed as he sliced off a piece of his tenderloin. "You eating your meat?"

She stabbed her filet and transferred it to Emmett's plate while surveying the room for other options. "Okay, fine. What do you think of that photographer who works for SI?"

Emmett hardly slowed the forkful of au gratin potatoes headed to his mouth. "Which one?"

"That guy," Tammy said, pointing her chin to a man seated at the next table. "Jacob Black. I met him on opening day. I like his work."

After giving him a good, long stare, Emmett shrugged. "He doesn't repulse me."

"I'll take it," Tammy replied. "You mind if I go say hi?"

"Have at it, Tam. Do you want those potatoes?"

"Nope. Take whatever you like."

As Tammy stood up and dropped her napkin in the seat behind her, Emmett grabbed her wrist. "You too, Tammy. I mean that."

Rolling her eyes, she answered, "I'm going to say hello, not give him a lap dance."

"You know what I'm saying."

"Yes," she said, leaning down to give him a peck on the cheek. "Thank you."

Emmett watched Tammy make her way over to the next table, politely shaking hands until she reached her target. He must've asked about Emmett, because Tammy turned around and waved to him. Emmett smiled and waved back, and the photographer gave him a respectful nod. Tammy was buttering the guy up, telling him how much she admired his work, no doubt. They shook hands again, and Tammy returned to Emmett's side with Black's eyes on her the whole trip back.

"I'd say you have the man's attention," Emmett said.

Tammy blushed and downed half her water. "He's ridiculously hot."

Emmett gave her an amused grin. "I'm pretty sure he's thinking the same thing about you. Don't look!"

She glanced down at her plate and stabbed at one of the yellow carrots. "You don't look either!"

"But he's so ridiculously hot!" Emmett parroted in Tammy's voice, fanning himself with his napkin. "Oh, this is beautiful. What did you tell him about us?"

"I didn't tell him anything. He knows we're together."

"Hmm, did you get an 'I know they're together, so I'll just give up' sense, or was it more of an 'I'm gonna win her over and steal her away from the rat bastard' kind of feeling?"

"I doubt he thought anything beyond, 'Some chick likes my pictures.'"

Emmett glanced over at Black once more. He had angled his body toward Tammy though he seemed fully absorbed by the conversation at his table. "He's thinking about you."

"Stop looking!" Tammy scolded him through clenched teeth, which made Emmett chuckle.

"Wait till he sees you dance. He's gonna lose his mind."

"You hate dancing," Tammy said, but her grin gave her away.

"I love you more than I hate dancing." Emmett gave her an adoring look entirely for Black's benefit.

"I love you too, Emmett." As Tammy ate the last of her carrots, a contented smile settled on her face.

He would do right by her, Emmett promised himself. Despite what he lacked the courage to take for himself, Emmett would make sure Tammy found her happiness.

Author's Note: Get it, TAM!

Now, I know a few of you (many of you?) were hoping Edward was going to show up looking great in a tux and Emmett wasn't going to be able to resist and maybe there would be at least some *eyes* made across the crowded room ...or perhaps a sexy slow dance resulting in hot, dance floor humping ... To you lovely perverts, I'd like to say God bless your fantasies. Keep 'em coming. But when all your readers know the ending to your story, the journey better be a little challenging. *SMILES*

I wanted to post today's update notice with a picture (or five) of hot male cheerleaders, but SHOCKINGLY (truly), most of the pictures I found were more humorous than hot (or trying to be, anyway). SO, open invitation, folks...if you've got 'em, hit me up in the Patch! See you there? See you here in this little box below? Either way, LOVE YOU GUYS! :*
XXX ~BOH