But this version I haven’t yet had the pleasure of knowing—Penelope as a mom, her expression carrying the same nervous energy she had for me when I stepped into the box with college coaches watching from the bleachers.
“Would you let me try to help her?”
What I’m asking is huge. Not only are we already thrown together for the Dugout Social Club but helping Hazel will inevitably mean time alone with not just Hazel, but Penelope.
“Decker, you have enough going on. You do not need to worry about a kid’s talent show.”
She crosses her arms, and I hate myself for the quick glance I take at her chest. She’s wearing shorts and a V-neck Colts T-shirt I really wish had my name and number on the back.
“I want to help.”
She inhales and exhales roughly. “Why?”
I shrug. “Because she reminds me a little of myself at that age. Because she’s yours. Because I want to see both of you happy.”
“Decker.” She says my name as though my words pain her, and I brace myself for her to push back. She has an expression that says she’s weighing whatever this will cost her against what Hazel needs. “Fine, okay.”
“Really?” I can’t hide my surprise.
“Yes. Thank you for doing this for her. But I can’t let you do it without doing something in exchange—I’m going to cook for you.”
“I can cook for myself.”
“Would you rather I give you pointers on your fielding?”
She would too. Being a coach’s daughter, she probably has more baseball knowledge than some people in the league.
“Based on how it’s going lately, I should take you up on that over cooking.”
She waves off my comment. “It’s just a little blip in your career. You’ll get past it.”
I run a hand through my hair. “I’m not so sure, but it’s nice that you have faith in me.”
“I always did.”
I nod, emotion clogging my throat. When I can speak again, I say, “We have a day game tomorrow. Mind if I come over after?”
“Oh, so soon…”
“I don’t have to?—”
“No. The sooner the better. Hazel was doing better just now, and I don’t want her to lose any momentum. Come by after. I’ll text you my address.”
“Perfect.”
Lincoln runs over and tells us we’re needed at the picture area, and we both fall into step together, walking side by side. My fingers brush hers. It’s barely a graze, but I feel it from my hand to the center of my body. Every rule I’ve ever made for myself says don’t do this. But I’ve been breaking it since I was eleven years old, and I’ve never once managed to make it stick.
Chapter
Twenty
Dr. Nora Bell
* * *
There’s a different energy in the room today.
I noticed it before they sat down. I happened to see them through my window, getting out of the same Uber, walking into my office side by side with no deliberate distance between them. In my line of work, you read body language the way a sailor reads the wind. They weren’t just walking together. They’re no longer putting in the effort to stay apart.
