Out of Left Field

Out of Left Field
(Deadlines & Diamonds, #3)

Morgan Kearns

Copyright©MorganKearns2012

Kindle Edition

Praises for OUT OF LEFT FIELD:

“
The dialogue in this book is a perfect example

of what romance is all about.”

~Nichole Severn, author of
Bleed for Me

“…
a story that comes to life in the palm of your hand and characters that work their way into your heart…”

~Linda Boulanger, author of
To Dance with the Enemy

Praises for MORGAN KEARNS
:

“
I could read Morgan Kearns all day

and never tire of it.”

~Deena Remiel, author of
Trinity

“
Whatever Morgan puts in ink I will read.”

~Good Choice Reading

Praises for IN IT TO WIN IT
:

“
If sweet and romance had a baby,

this book would be the finished product.”

~Romance Novel Junkies

“…
a gigantic 10.”
~skyla11377 book reviews

Praises for FADE TO BLACK
:

“…
a rollercoaster ride full of sensations.”

~Coffee Time Romance

“…
an amazingly powerful love story…”

~Book Crazy

Available titles from Morgan Kearns

Deadlines & Diamonds

Out of Left Field

In It To Win It

Fade to Black

Bound by a Touch Novels

Heart Ache

Out of Left Field
is a work of fiction. The characters and events are the product of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any similarities to any persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright © 2012 Morgan Kearns

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means without the written consent of the author, except for brief quotations used in critical articles or reviews.

Cover art by Char Adles

www.romancenovelcenter.com/charadlesperger

www.morgankearns.com

ISBN:
1-4750-7583-9

EAN13:
978-1475075830

Visit www.MorganKearns.com to order additional copies.

Xavier leaned against the door jamb. That he leaned against his
left
shoulder didn’t escape her notice. He really was a good-looking guy with his dark hair still damp from the shower and the five o’clock shadow darkening his jaw line, offsetting his dark pink lips.

She shifted in her seat and blinked away the lustful thoughts, staring him right in the eye. “You ready to admit you’re not fine?”

Laugh lines appeared next to his hazel eyes moments before his chuckle sounded. “I’m good, Doc. You don’t have to worry about me.”

She raised a brow. “Will you let me look at it?”

He shook his head. “I didn’t come here to show off an injury that doesn’t exist.”

“
Then why did you darken my door, Xavier? I’m a busy girl.”

His gaze roamed over her, scorching her from head to Crocs. “I’m sure you’re a
very
busy girl.”

Her throat tightened, her skin tingled, but she managed a believable scoff. “Oh, please. Don’t try that crap on me. I’ve seen how women fall for your lines.”

To Xavier: When you stepped up to the plate, I had no idea you were such an amazing guy. I’ll happily wear “Xavier” on my back.

THANK-YOU’s

—
because I couldn’t do it without you!

Thank you to everyone who has ever picked up one of my books! You make what I do possible.

To my go-to reviewers; Wanda & Raquel: Thanks for reading my work and sharing your opinion.

For making sure all the I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed, thanks to Dawn, Dawn & Kristi.

To Natascha: Thanks for busting out your fine-toothed comb. I’m thankful for you!

To Siobhan: You have a knack for making me laugh when I need it. Thank you!

Because a book
is
judged by its cover, I must thank Jimmy & Char for giving me an awesome one!

Everybody needs cheerleaders. I’ve got four of the greatest out there … and they’ve never read my books! Thanks to my kids for eating lots of corn dogs. Mommy loves you!

Happiness really is being married to your best friend. To my husband; thanks for loving me, supporting me, and being my shoulder to cry on. I love you!

Out of Left Field

(Deadlines & Diamonds)

Morgan Kearns

1

Snap, crackle, pop.

Matthias Xavier enjoyed that particular combination of sound when it came from a cereal bowl, but coming from his shoulder … not so much.

He ground his teeth, closed his eyes, and pushed the weight bar toward the sky. Focusing on the burn in his pecs, he relished the subtle pain telling him the exercise accomplished something. The pain in his shoulder accomplished nothing, except an assload of ache he’d sure as hell pay for tonight.

He knew he wouldn’t be able to hide his weakness for much longer, but exposing himself meant … well, exposing himself. He learned a long time ago someone was always ready, willing, and able to use any vulnerability against him.

He blew a breath out through gritted teeth, making a half-whistle noise. He huffed and puffed, but not from exertion as he set the bar in the cradle. He groaned and barely won the battle to keep from rubbing his shoulder. “I think that’s enough for now.”

From his position at Xavier’s head, his coach and best friend, Grayson Pierce, lifted a dark brow. “You didn’t finish the rep. You okay?”

No.
“Totally.”

Skepticism shone in Grayson’s eyes, but he didn’t question further. Thank heaven. Xavier knew all about denial. His shoulder, though, yelled with all the bells and whistles of a freakin’ marching band.

“
You just takin’ a rest or you done for tonight?”

“
I’m done.”

“
Good deal.” Grayson grabbed a towel off one of the weight benches and scrubbed his face. Folding it around his neck, he held an end in each fist. “I’m gonna hit the showers and take off.”

There was no doubt where Grayson would go after his shower. Home. The photo adorning the definition of
family man
in the dictionary belonged to Grayson Pierce.

Xavier waited until the door closed before rubbing at the deep ache in his shoulder.

Yeah, this sucked.

He straddled the weight bench and considered his options. If he mentioned the injury to one of the trainers or the PT crew or, even worse, Doc, he’d be replaced until he healed. Not out of spite, just reality. Cold, hard, unforgiving reality. Santiago would step into left field and Xavier knew he might never evict the guy.

He also knew if he didn’t say something, he’d face another sleepless night.

He stood. Decision made. Who needed sleep? He’d sleep when he was dead.

As long as he didn’t move his arm, he was fine. So he tucked it against his side and headed for the locker room. When only the echo of dripping water answered the call of his footsteps, he smiled. Alone. Alone with his thoughts. Alone with his shoulder. Alone with his pain.

He ducked into the shower, using the cold tiled wall as a support to keep his shoulder elevated. He scrubbed his hair and washed his face. Given his status as an athlete, he really should have been more coordinated. But using his left hand to do things made him feel like an idiot. Like a child. Like a freakin’ invalid!

“
Xavier?”

“
Shit!” He cupped himself and turned off the water. The quick motion of his arm brought back the rat-a-tat-tat of the drum cadence.

“
I’m sorry to … um …” The blush on Doc’s face made her almost adorable. Almost. She whirled around and he addressed her back.

“
What the hell are you doing, bursting in here? Wasn’t the shower a dead giveaway I’d be naked?”

The short blond ponytail at the base of her neck wagged back and forth. “Sorry, X.”

He took the towel from the bar and rubbed at his hair and face. Left-handed. He was damned relieved she couldn’t see his struggle as he tried to secure it around his waist. After he’d tucked the edge against his hip, he stepped toward her.

“
You can turn around, Doc, I’m decent.”

Her cheeks still sported a tinge of pink as she faced him, but her expression translated into all business. “A little bird mentioned you might need to talk to me.”

“
Did this damn big stool pigeon look anything like Pierce?”

She rolled her eyes. “He only mentioned your shoulder might be bothering you. Is it?”

“
I’m fine.”

Again with the eye roll. “I didn’t ask about your overall wellbeing, X. I asked about your shoulder.”

She reached out and stepped toward him. He stepped back, his eyes narrowing and his lips tightening into a scowl. “I said. I’m. Fine.”

Instead of looking threatened or offended, the annoying woman had the audacity to smile. She actually
smiled
… and laughed. He had the sudden urge to shake her. Didn’t she know he was a force to be reckoned with when he got good and pissed off?

She slowly dropped her hand and slipped it into the pocket of her navy blue scrubs. She shook her head and murmured, “I can’t fix stupid.”

He was about ready to tell her where she could stick her attitude when she sighed.

“
I am here to help you, Xavier. If you have an issue with your shoulder, you know as well as I do it needs to be addressed. But if you’re too stupid to admit it, then I guess there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“
Like I said, I’m fine.”

“
You’ll let me know when you’re not fine?” Her tenderness and gentle tone pissed him off. Not because she patronized him. Doc didn’t patronize. She was completely genuine. The damned woman cared about him. Or about his physical wellbeing, rather. But only because she got paid big bucks to care.

Still … the way she cared, the way she checked on him, made him feel special in a way he hadn’t experienced in years. Feeling anything around Doc—around any woman—didn’t work for him. Especially when said woman made every guy on the team feel like the most important man in her life while she worked her magic.