Aubry leaned back in her chair, so not happy to be the topic of conversation. “I never figured you were the type to date a stripper.”
David flashed a glare at Rick.
Rick raised his hand. “Don’t look at me, man. I didn’t tell her.”
David shrugged. “She’s a nice girl. Working her way through college by dancing. And I burn off steam sometimes by going to strip clubs.”
“So is it serious?” Aubry asked.
David shook his head. “Nah. She’s busy with school and I’m busy with work. We’re just having some fun together.”
“Honey, we never judge,” Katie said. “I would totally date a stripper. Of the male variety, just to be clear. And I won’t keep it a secret should that ever happen. Not that anyone can keep a secret around the hospital. It’s like gossip central, especially at the main station.”
Aubry took a look swallow of her drink. “Speaking of gossip—Rick—word’s out about you and Felicia.”
Rick gave them all a blank stare. “What about me and Felicia?”
“You’re dating Felicia?” David asked. “How come I didn’t know that?”
“Probably because you spend all your time practicing medicine instead of listening to the gossip at the main station,” Aubry said.
David nodded. “That must be.” He turned to Rick. “Felicia, huh?”
Rick shrugged. “Maybe. I don’t know. It’s kind of touchy since she’s one of the nurses on shift. We’ll see how it goes.”
Aubry laid her hand on his arm. “She’s amazing. Sharp, funny, gorgeous.”
Rick’s lips curved as he took a drink of his beer. “Yeah, I know.”
“Our friend might be falling in love,” Katie said with a shake of her head.
“Hey now,” Rick said. “No one said anything about love. We’re just dating.”
Katie offered up a smug smile. “And now we have confirmation.”
Aubry laughed, glad the topic of conversation had turned to someone other than her. It gave her time to glance up at the television, hoping for another glimpse of Tucker.
The Rivers were still at home and were ahead by two runs. As Aubry took another glance at the TV, they panned over to the dugout again, and this time she caught sight of Tucker leaning against the rail, eating sunflower seeds while talking to his teammates, and looking sexier than any man had a right to.
Her sex clenched as she recalled all the different ways he’d touched her last night, and all the times she’d come. Tucker was very . . . thorough.
She picked up her phone and looked at the time. “I . . . have to go.”
“Got a hot date with the hot pitcher?” Katie asked.
She didn’t even bother to deny it. “Maybe.”
“Can you get me game tickets?” Rick asked.
She stood and grabbed her bag, then looked down at him. “Why? Are you thinking of taking Felicia to a game?”
He smiled up at her. “Maybe.”
“Then I’ll see what I can do.”
She left the bar and headed down to the ballpark, purposely avoiding the owner’s suite. She didn’t want to have to explain to her father what she was doing there twice in one week. It was already the top of the eighth inning anyway, so it wasn’t like she’d be staying long. With an all-access pass, she could pretty much sit anywhere there was an available seat.
She chose one along the third baseline above the visitor’s dugout. It was a cool night since it had rained earlier in the day. Glad she had brought her pullover jacket, she snuggled into it to watch the last two innings. And she also had a great view of the Rivers’ dugout from here, so she could see all the players.
And Tucker.
Not that she’d come just to ogle one hot man. She’d come because the game had looked really good, and since she could get into the ballpark for free, why not, right?
That was her rationalization and she was sticking with it.
Cincinnati was still down by two runs, but the meaty part of their order was up to bat in this inning. Segundo was still pitching and continued to look strong. He struck out the first batter, the second lined out to the shortstop, and he had the third in the hole with one ball and two strikes.
Until the batter hit a fastball between second and third for a base hit.
Well, crap. She bought a soda and settled in to see if Segundo would be able to pitch himself out. He walked the next batter, probably intentionally, though he didn’t make it look that way, but she knew enough about pitching to know an intentional walk, even if he did try to make it look unintentional. The next batter up hit several foul balls and Segundo finally worked him to two balls, two strikes when Segundo took a long breather, shook off several of Sanchez’s signals and wound up. He threw the ball and the batter swung.