Jaci Burton (39 page)

She’d reviewed his file. She knew his record. But hearing it from Manny gave her an understanding. “He’s never failed.”

Manny nodded. “At anything. He doesn’t know how. So having this injury threw him for a loop, ya know? The kid is one of the nicest people I’ve ever worked with, so don’t take his black moods to heart. He’ll get that kindness back once he finds his footing.”

She looked from Manny to Phil to Max. “Wait. I’m not fired?”

Max laughed. “No, Alicia. You’re not fired. Instead, we’re putting you in charge of Garrett Scott’s rehab.”

Again—oh, shit. That’s what she got for opening her mouth.

Phil and Max went over her new assignment. After they had left and Garrett came in a few minutes later, she stood, suddenly nervous. She’d always been a fan. The Rivers were, after all, her hometown team. And Garrett was nothing short of the most gorgeous
man she’d ever laid eyes on. Six-feet-four inches of dark-haired, dark-eyed intensity, with a leanly honed body that was a work of art.

She’d spent her adult life studying body mechanics. She loved sports and sports players, and Garrett was one of the best.

And now he was all hers. Talk about a huge responsibility.

“They told you?”

She swallowed. “Yes. My question is…why me?”

He shrugged. “Because you stood up to me. I need to work with someone who isn’t going to take shit from me. The rest of them tell me what they think I want to hear. They pacify me. I don’t think you’ll do that.”

She needed to relax. Think of him as a patient, not a hot man standing only inches away.

“No, I definitely won’t do that. I’m not going to take shit from you. And I’m going to work you until you beg me to stop. And when you beg me to stop, I’m not going to. I’m going to make you pitch again, Garrett. But it’s not going to be easy.”

“Okay. I cleared your schedule so you’re only working with me.”

She arched a brow. “You know, I can work with more than one player at a time.”

“Probably. But you’re only going to work with me.”

A little ego there. Understandable. She’d deal with it. “Fine.”

“Then let’s get started.”

“We will. On Monday. I’ll take a few days to familiarize myself with your treatment plan, then develop one of my own. Since today’s Friday, the weekend will give me the time I need.”

“Fine.” He whipped out his phone. “What’s your number?”

She gave it to him.

“Okay, good. I’ll call you on Sunday and we can get stuff set up. Does that work for you?”

“Sure.” He gave her his number and she pulled her phone out of her pocket to add it in.

He was punching info into his phone, then lifted his gaze to hers. “What’s your last name?”

“Riley.”

His lips lifted. “Any relation to Gavin?”

“Actually, he’s my cousin.”

He looked up. “No shit. Is that how you got this job?”

He wasn’t the first person to ask that question, and it always annoyed her. “No. I got this job because I’m good at sports medicine. I’m so good at sports medicine that you’ll be pitching opening day, Garrett. Which has nothing to do with my cousin, and everything to do with me.”

He laughed. “I like you, Alicia.”

She wasn’t sure how she felt about him. Jury was still out. She headed to the door. “You won’t like me when I start kicking your ass, Garrett.”