My phone goes off in my pocket, and my hand flies to it, thinking it might be her.
It's not.
Holloway
Hey man, got any time today to help me with that swing we never talked about?
I blow a heavy breath through my lips, forcing my mind to stop reeling about Tess long enough to read the message. My eyes float over the words and suddenly, I'm blanketed in a strange sense of pride that a week ago would have been annoyance instead.
The one off day I decide not to take completely… off, and Holloway actually asks me for help. Apparently, there are a lot of changes happening today.
Sorry, Rook. Hanging with my kid.
I chuckle at the irony as I hit send, and Ruthie looks over at me from the other side of the island. "What's so funny?" she asks, knocking down the cardboard.
"Nothing," I say. "It's Jace."
"You guys text now?" Her face is draped in surprise as her eyes flit back and forth between me and her bowl.
"No," I answer honestly. "That's part of why it's funny. He just wanted me to help him with his swing today, but I told him that I'm hanging with—"
"Ooh, can we?" She cuts in with an excitement I didn't expect.
"Can we what?"
Her eyes roll light-heartedly. "Can we help him?"
Now I'm the one surprised. That is until suspicion creeps in. "Why…" I question, my eyes narrow.
Ruthie's cheeks flush the same bright pink as the note I can't stop thinking about. "I don't know," she lies. "Aren't you supposed to do that? Help him learn stuff?"
I roll my tongue over my teeth. "Mhmm… and when did that become awething?"
She swallows hard enough that I notice, then a false attitude settles into her expression. "Fine," she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She moves her spoon around, pretending to search for the perfect bite. "Whatever, I don't care. I was just saying."
I stifle a smile—and the wave of nausea that comes with realizing my little girl has the hots for my future replacement. "You really want to do that? I was gonna say we could spend the day together."
She perks up, and just the clang of her spoon hitting porcelain is all the answer I need. "Yeah," she blurts, solidifying my thoughts. "We'll still be spending the day together."
My mouth hangs open as I stare at her blankly, contemplating saying no just on principle. I've decided I like Jace. Hell, I might even like helping him improve before he takes my spot. But between his name written across Tessa's back, and now my daughter's obvious crush, I'm starting to see a pattern I don't necessarily love. One where Jace Holloway comes between me and my girls.
In my mind, at least.
"Fine," I concede, typing out another message. "But we're bringing the dog, and you two are playing in the field while we hit."I don't need either of them drooling near my teammate.
Ruthie pulls back, one brow arched. "Sammy's not allowed on the field, Dad… not after last time."
"I know," I nod, my eyes on the screen. "That's why we're not going to the stadium."
Change of plans. I'm good. But meet me at Three Strikes Cages in an hour.
"Not exactly what I expected, learning from the best," Jace says, stepping out of his Range, a batting bag tossed over his shoulder. He slams the door shut and walks to us as I resist Sammy's attempt to barrel toward him.
"Speak for yourself." I lock my truck, hike my bag higher on my shoulder, and hand the leash to Ruthie. The dog immediately settles, moving to sniff at the patch of grass above the parking spots. "This place made me the player I am."
"So… are we bonding or batting then?" he asks, a lazy smile on his face.
Ruthie catches up, jogging between us as Sammy walks perfectly by her side.Damn dog.
