“He won’t even see the ball,” the man boasted.
Jay watched it come toward him at speed, swung, and connected. He then took off running. Sawyer and Zoe made it home, which tied the game. Lynx and Jay were now on second and third, and it was Finch’s turn to bat.
“Who leads?”
“LEADERS!”
“Who levels?”
“LEVELERS!”
The spectators were roaring at each other, their choice of words depending on the team they supported.
“Let’s go, Finch!”
Finch ignored Nina’s shriek and focused on Noah Keller. He hit the second ball, and Lynx sprinted for home. Jay followed, sliding in to home plate.
The Leaders supporters roared, and the Levelers fans booed as the Leaderes were declared winners.
There were hugs and shouts and celebrations on the field, and when it had died down, Jay looked for Blue.
“She’s gone to the Circle Left for the aftermath because she needs to use the bathroom,” Nina said, coming to where Jay stood. “Hi, Finch.”
The man grunted something, and then walked by Nina.
“Okay, so he’s a lot ruder than I thought,” she said, watching the broad shoulders disappear into the crowds now milling on the field. “I don’t find that hot at all,” Nina said. “I may have to revise my opinion of that man.”
“Good call. So Blue’s at the Circle Left.”
“Yeah. Go on and get your girl, Jay Jay.” She waved him away.
He caught a ride with the Matildas, as they were pulling out when he reached the parking lot.
“Well now, isn’t this nice. You Leaders won, and Jay’s home again to look after Blue,” June said from the passenger seat.
“That girl is a good one, son. Don’t you let her get away,” Bart added.
“I won’t.”
“Babies need some stability, Jay. Single-parent family or double, it matters that the child is loved. It’ll get that here, of course,” June said. “We’ll build a community around Blue.”
“I’m staying, and I’m asking her to move in with me permanently.” The words sounded a bit desperate, but he’d felt a need to say them. “But I’d be grateful if you kept that to yourselves until I’ve talked to Blue.”
They said they would and then proceeded to lecture him the remainder of the—thankfully short—drive to the Circle Left about thinking as a unit now. If Blue decided she wanted to live with him, he couldn’t continue with his selfish ways. He hadn’t known he was selfish until that moment.
“Thanks for the ride and the lecture,” Jay said, getting out of the car so fast, he stumbled a few steps, once Bart had finally finished parking after several adjustments. “See you inside.”
The Circle Left always hosted the after function. It was one of the oldest buildings in Lyntacky and had once been a saloon. The interior paid homage to that.
He stepped inside and made his way through the milling people to the bar. The place was filling up fast, the noise level rising.
“Your girl’s outside on the deck,” Robyn Duke said, kissing his cheek. “Go get her.”
He wound his way through people and then through the doors onto the decking that ran along one side of the building. Blue was talking to someone. She lifted her eyes as he approached, but there was no answering smile. In fact, she looked shocked.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, reaching her side. Jay slid an arm around her waist and looked at the woman she was speaking to.
“Jay,” Blue said, her voice faint. “This is your sister, Hazel.”
