Throwing Love #3 (The Throwing Love Romance Series - Book #3) Read online

  TROWING LOVE #3

  By Nella Tyler

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2015 Nella Tyler

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  Chapter One

  “God, I still can't believe it's over, that you are finally free of that mess,” I said.

  Bennett put his arm around me and kissed me softly on the lips. “I know. I find it hard to believe myself. There was a period there where I really believed that I would never get to play baseball professionally – it turns my stomach just thinking about it.” It totally turned my stomach, as well, but I kept that thought to myself.

  We were all sitting on the couch in the living room, the movie all but forgotten. It remained on pause while the three of us talked together. It had been amazing to see Bennett at my door, heart in hand. I had been beginning to think that our relationship was truly over. Who could blame me? How much more could we survive being in the spotlight over and over again? Considering my articles certainly hadn't helped the situation, it was a miracle he showed up at my house at all.

  “I know, Bennett. It was really hard for both of us. I felt so helpless through it all. I wish there was more I could have done.” I moved in closer to him. I needed to feel close to him, I had missed him so much and that connection between us had been missing.

  “I'm sorry I made you feel that way. I should have focused more on you instead of the stress. It would have been pretty stupid if I had lost baseball and you. It's just hard for me...it's my dream. I thought I was losing everything I had worked so hard for.”

  Connie smiled, nodding her head.

  I was glad to have her there, as well. It was good for her to see that side of Bennett because she had only seen the bad side – the side she felt wasn't good enough for me. She had been trying to get me to back off from him for so long, and I almost did at one point. It was good for her to see him feeling bad about how he acted.

  “Well, maybe now you guys can finally get things back on track,” she said with a smile.

  I smiled. “That is my thought exactly. I can't wait to do exactly that.”

  Bennett smiled back at me. “I just knew it wasn't my ball, ya know. But there it was and suddenly I'm being accused of something that I never did. It was all just so crazy.”

  I put my hand on his knee. “It's pretty messed up – something that no one should have to experience ever.”

  “I'm not completely clear on all that happened. My coach was pretty vague about the details. I'm just glad I was proven innocent and all the haters can leave me alone for awhile.”

  “There will always be haters, Bennett,” I said with a laugh. “You just need to forget they exist and focus on yourself. That's life in the limelight, so you might as well get used to it.”

  “Very true and I would like to focus on you, as well.” He leaned in and kissed me on the mouth. I lingered in that kiss before I slipped my tongue into his mouth to meet his.

  Connie cleared her throat. “I think that's my cue to get up and get some more drinks. Would you like anything Bennett?”

  “Sure, I will have whatever you guys are having.”

  “Wine it is, then.” She left us on the couch and went to get another bottle of wine. Bennett leaned in and kissed me softly on the mouth again. My body hummed every time our lips touched. I wanted to cry I was so happy to have him there, in a good mood, all his worries gone. He was very lucky. It could have easily gone the other way and then what would he do with his life? Dreams can be crushed so easily, and there had been a lot of people out there trying to crush his.

  Connie returned with the bottle and an extra glass and filled all our glasses. We all silently took a drink, taking everything in. It was just amazing how quickly your life could change, and in Bennett's case, he had nothing to do with it and there had been little he could do to change it.

  Bennett turned to Connie. “I wanted to apologize to you, too, Connie.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “What for? I barely know you, what have you done to me?”

  “That's the whole point. I've been acting like an idiot lately, focusing on myself and pushing Emmi away in the meantime. You must have thought I was a real jerk. It's not who I am at all. I just have a hard time dealing with situations like that. I would never hurt Emmi, and I just want you to know that. You are a good friend to her, and I'm glad she has you.”

  She smiled. “Well, I really appreciate that, Bennett. You're a stand up guy.”

  “She really means that, too,” I said with a laugh. “She would totally tell you if she hated your guts.”

  “Good to know,” he said, laughing.

  “I'm not going to lie. I have told Emmi a few times to run the other way in regards to you. Your lifestyle isn't the easiest thing for anyone to have to deal with, especially a girlfriend. I think she's pretty amazing despite her baseball obsession, and she deserves the best. If you think you can't do that for her, then you need to step the other way.”

  “I agree and like I said, I'm sorry. I want to take very good care of her, and I'm hoping that it's smooth sailing from here on out.”

  “Amen to that,” I agreed.

  He turned to me. “I'm sorry if I hurt you, Emmi. That was never my intention. I'm a mess sometimes. I'm glad you stood by me, even though I didn't deserve it. I couldn't ask for a better girl.”

  I smiled and leaned in for another kiss. “You're forgiven. I would have done anything to help if I could. I hated having to write about you the whole time when you were going through that. It definitely didn't help our relationship at all.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  Connie spoke up, “I still can't believe the gall of your editor. She should have assigned that story to someone else. Rebecca was sure chomping on the bit for another chance. I wonder what she thinks of the announcement of your innocence. Having been wrong the whole time must be eating away at her.”

  I laughed, “Yeah, maybe. She's pretty ruthless, though. She's probably just on to the next thing.”

  “Yes, probably,” Connie said as she shook her head.

  “I'm glad you ladies are so understanding. There is no excuse for the way I acted, but I was just so frustrated, ya know? You have no idea what it's like to know you are innocent, but have people not believe in you.”

  “I always believed in you, Bennett.”

  He smiled and kissed me. “I know. I don't know what I would have done if you didn't.”

  “We totally understand why you went into jerk mode, Bennett,” Connie said while laughing.

  “Yeah, we totally understand. And even though I was in a mess with my editor and forced to write those articles about you, I never once doubted that you were innocent. I think everything is going to be okay now.”

  “I'm so glad I had you by my side, Emmi. It really means a lot to me.”

  “Anytime, player.” I giggled as I kissed him again.

  Chapter Two

  After we finished the bottle of wine, Connie laid out on the couch ready to go to sleep while finishing the movie we had abandoned earlier. Bennett and I retreated to my room, and I could hear the movie playing as we went d
own the hallway. We crawled onto my bed where I booted up my computer. I wanted to write the story before I got word from my editor or before she assigned it to someone else out of spite. I needed to get a move on writing it as soon as possible. I wasn't sure what was going through her head at the moment, but I wasn't going to take the chance that she would want me to put a negative spin on the article. I was writing this one my way, and she would have to deal with it.

  Once I logged in and got a Word document up, I looked to Bennett for guidance. He had something to say and now that he had been proven innocent, he should have the opportunity to tell his story. I was going to write the story from his perspective so that he could say what he needed to his fans.

  I typed away as he talked, getting in the moment. He was a skilled athlete at the top of his game. He had been steps away from being recruited to a number of teams and before he had the opportunity, scandal struck out of nowhere. He was unprepared for it and believed the city and the world would be behind him. He soon realized that things don't always work out like that. Although he claimed his innocence on numerous occasions, he felt like people had turned against him. H wasn't sure if the real story would ever come to light. He still fought tooth and nail for his innocence, and that hard work paid off. He had finally been proven innocent, and there was nothing anyone could do to change that.

  Bennett gave me plenty of quotes to work with, and I knew I would have the exclusive from him that no other paper would get. I guess there was more than one benefit to dating a sexy baseball player. I would be able to announce his innocence before anyone else got the scoop.

  The scandal would now turn on the real culprit who had put the tar on the ball, and he would now have to face a suspension of his own. He would also have to deal with the same kind of public scrutiny that Bennett had to deal with, except in his case, it wouldn't end. He would not be exonerated as Bennett had been. His career could very well be over. How tragic that he had not come forward in the beginning to save Bennett, instead he had let him take the fall for something he didn't do – not very honorable at all. That would be something he would be attacked for in the media. The next few weeks would not be easy for that guy.

  I needed to be able to back up my information; however, I wasn't about to do the same thing that Rebecca had done. Bennett helped me find the avenues I needed to get proof of his claims. It had been easier than I thought with Bennett's help, and I had everything I needed to make sure the article was accurate. It turned out I had more than I needed to write the best article I could.

  “What I didn't tell you is that they gave me an official letter that exonerates me. You can include it in the article and be that much more amazing.”

  I laughed. “That would do it. It’s great they gave that to you. No other paper will have that lead.”

  “I haven't even shown it to anyone; you will be the first to see it.” He pulled it out of his pocket and handed it to me. I slowly read it over and felt pride in what the administration had to say about Bennett and the regret they had about accusing him. I was honored I was the first person he showed it to. It really said a lot about what Bennett thought of me. I couldn't have been happier that I would be the one that got to break the news of his innocence before anyone else – especially since my articles since the scandal broke had been terrible and only focused on his allegations. What was better was that I had the inside scoop – I was telling the story from Bennett's perspective; just like the features I used to do. People would really know how he felt, and no other paper would get that vantage point. I couldn't ask for a better source.

  I was able to finish the article that night, and I submitted it immediately to my editor to ensure that it would be in the paper first thing in the morning. Despite my editor's opinion of Bennett, she would be thrilled to have a front page story and even better, be the first paper to print it. A copy of the letter was included, as well as an announcement that Bennett Thomas would be reinstated as the pitcher for the Long Island Stingrays in time to play the home game that following afternoon.

  I couldn't wait to see the paper.

  Chapter Three

  I rose that morning feeling a million times better than I had in a really long time. The past few weeks had been brutal on me, I could barely concentrate on school and my relationship had taken a nosedive.

  Now that Bennett had been exonerated, everything seemed to be right with the world once again. I couldn't have asked for anything better. I rolled over into an empty bed and missed him even though I had just seen him the night before. It wasn't all a dream, was it?

  I had wanted him to spend the night, but since he was playing the home game, he really needed to get his rest and we both knew he wouldn't if he stayed. I had been more than willing to ravish him for the entire night, but he needed to get his rest. Plus he wanted to get up early to practice since he had been off for a while. Not that he needed it; he was all talent, that one. A smile played on my lips at the thought of him walking out to the field. He would be so excited to be back in action and would probably be grinning from ear to ear as soon as he got there. He deserved it, and I was so happy for him.

  I got out of bed and went out to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. I was surprised to see Connie already up. She had propped herself up on pillows and was looking on her phone. I assumed she was checking out her social media. I had expected her to sleep in since neither of us had a lot going on that morning, plus she had drunk much more wine than I had.

  I yawned as I put water in the pot and poured it into the machine. I added a filter and poured a scoop of coffee into it. I turned it on and heard the sweet sounds of coffee being made.

  “Oh my God! Emmi!”

  Startled, I turned to Connie, who was staring at me wide-eyed. She had her phone in her hand, so I knew she had some real gossip.

  “What? It's a little early to be hearing that screeching, don't you think?”

  She laughed, “I don't screech.”

  “Sure you don't. What's up? Is Ryan Gosling finally single? Cause I'm telling you, I would do just about-”

  “Emmi, quit it. No, it's you. It's all about you.” Connie had this look of amazement on her face that was pretty priceless.

  I stared at her, confused. The smell of coffee was in the air and all I wanted was the have a cup. I wasn't sure why she was saying these things and not explaining herself.

  “I don't get it.”

  “Social media – no matter where I go, it's all about you.”

  “What? What are you talking about?” I wasn't sure if that was good news or bad news, and I didn't want any more bad news in my life.

  “Your article, it just blew up! People have been sharing it all over Twitter and Facebook.”

  My mouth fell open. “What? Already?” I hadn't expected to hear about the article quite so early. Could it really have spread so fast?

  Connie ran to me and held out her phone. I grabbed it from her and scrolled through her newsfeed. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. She was right – I was what everyone was talking about that morning. I stood there in awe as I read post after post. It was so embarrassing, but in a good way. I felt heat come to my face as I blushed deeply. Oh my God – it really was all about me. People loved my article and praising Bennett for being back in the game. I hadn't had the chance to look at my own phone that morning; I was so focused on coffee. I usually checked it after my first cup.

  “I haven't even looked at my phone yet. It must be ringing off the hook by now.”

  Connie giggled. “I would go get it if I was you. I’ll handle the coffee.”

  I ran to my room to grab the phone off my nightstand while Connie poured us some coffee. As I was walking down the hallway towards the kitchen, I saw I had 10 text messages from friends, my editor, and Bennett. They were all praising me on a job well done. Bennett was sending me kisses and telling me he couldn't wait to see me after the game. I also had two missed calls from my editor. She had left me a long voicemail message s
tating the surprise and joy she had felt to receive the article last night. She felt it was brilliant and couldn't wait to print it. The second stated that the article was an absolute success and the office had been fielding calls all day about it and how proud she was of me. Fielding calls about me? From who? I wondered about the papers that were interested in me. It was hard to believe I could become so popular over one damn article.

  “My phone blew up,” I said simply. I started laughing and shaking my head.

  Connie laughed. “I bet. Good for you, girl. People have definitely taken notice of you, and this can't help but be a great advantage to your career.”

  “Yeah, I guess you're right. Everyone knows my name, knows my work. Whether they like it or not, I'm everywhere.”

  Connie handed me a cup of coffee with cream and smiled. “It's amazing, girl. I'm very happy for you.”

  I took a sip of the hot liquid. I loved the taste of coffee – it was so inviting, especially first thing in the morning. Just then my phone rang. I expected it to be my editor again, but it wasn't.

  “Dad! Hi!”

  “Hey, sweetheart. How are you doing?”

  “I'm great, Dad. How have things been going? We need to get together again soon!”

  “Busy, as usual. Look you have been the buzz around the office all day and that's the reason for my call.”

  Uh-oh.

  “Oh. Why's that?” He had obviously heard all about me, whether that was a good or bad thing I was about to find out.

  “Well, this article that I read this morning is the talk of the entire office, and I have to say it's exceptionally well-written.”

  I blushed. “Dad, thank you.”

  “I can't tell you how proud I am of your talent as a writer. I know you are going to do so well as a broadcaster. Your article was very professional, as it should be. Whether you go into broadcasting or just writing, you would be phenomenal at both.”