I have to bite my tongue from saying just how familiar she is to me. I’ve seen her photos in Kai’s college dorm room and his current apartment plenty of times. I’ve heard him talk about her lovingly. Heck, I’ve even been in the room when they’d have phone calls years ago.
I just shrug. “Maybe I’ve got one of those faces.”
Instead of letting it go, Evie’s eyes widen. “Oh my God. Wait. Kai has a picture of the two of you on his dresser, doesn’t he? It’s a strip of photos, actually. Like from a photo booth. I remember seeing it one time when I was grabbing a hoodie to borrow.” She leans back, folding her arms over her chest, and eyes me. “You two looked a lot more than friendly in those photos. I tried asking him about them, but he just gave me shit for snooping.”
Crap. I look away, out at the guys on the field. My mouth goes dry. What the hell do I say? Pretending we were just friends is one thing, but outright denying the truth when I’m called out on it feels so much worse.
“Were you and my brother, like, together?” Evie leans in, her voice dropping lower.
I force myself to turn and face her. The crowd around us fades away as I nod. I can’t read her reaction. And that’s more than a little worrisome.
Until she breaks into a huge grin. “That’s so crazy! Wait, why does everyone think you two were just friends?”
“Because we worried it would be weird with my mom now married to his coach,” I say, glancing around, praying no one is listening in. Thankfully, the other girls and the people behind us seem absorbed in their own conversations. “Can we not talk about it here? Please?” I try to plead with my eyes, hoping she understands the importance of what I’m asking and why.
Given her quick nod, she does. And I breathe a sigh of relief, sinking back in my seat.
“But later, I want to know everything.” Evie leans in close, then snorts with a small laugh. “Okay, maybe not everything. I’m starting to understand why he gets weirded out by Rhett and me. Because thinking about my brother with you that way is kinda gross. I like you, but…” She shudders, then smiles. “Your secret’s safe with me. Promise.”
I give her a grateful look just as the announcer asks everyone to stand for the singing of the national anthems.
It’s a very unique experience watching a professional baseball game from the front row, surrounded by the wives and girlfriends of the home team.
Very unique.
The guys keep flashing their smiles or waving at their respective partners, the cheers are even louder than I’m used to, and the good-natured heckling is hilarious. I can definitely see myself hanging out with Willow, Lark, Sadie, and Evie when I come to visit Mom in the future.
But then my damn brain has to betray me and point out the fact that someday, there will be someone else in my seat. Kai’s partner will befriend these women, and when I come to visit,I’ll just be…me. The head coach’s stepdaughter and Kai’s college friend.
When the game ends, with the Tridents winning by two runs, we all stay seated as the crowd around us leaves. Apparently, this is what they always do when the women watch from the stands. Once everyone’s gone, security will open the gate, and we can go through the dugout to find the guys.
I have to give Willow credit, she’s got exceptional hearing. And exceptional patience. Because it isn’t until the last person around us has gone that she leans forward and gives me a penetrating stare.
“So. You and Yami. I knew there was more to that story.”
Evie, maybe sensing my floundering or maybe just being protective of her brother, jumps in. “Willow, shh. No one can know. And how the heck did you hear that?”
Willow just smiles. “I’m the head of media relations. It’s my job to listen to everything when it comes to the team. And you weren’t all that quiet, Evangeline Yamaki. But I don’t think anyone else was paying attention, just me.”
“And me,” Sadie pipes up, flashing an apologetic look. “Sorry, Isabelle. I know you said it needed to be a secret, so I won’t say anything, but it was hard not to overhear.”
I cringe, suddenly panicking if the strangers behind us heard. Once again reading my reaction, Evie pats my arm. “It’s impossible to hear what’s being said in front of you, trust me. I’m sure no one else heard.”
“I didn’t, so could someone fill me in, please?” Lark leans over. “Isabelle and Yami?”
“Dated in college,” Evie replies. “I’ve already made her promise to share all the stories. Well, all the ones that are acceptable for a younger sister to hear.”
The women all laugh, and I force myself to relax. No one’s upset, and I have to trust Willow and Evie’s judgment when they say they aren’t worried about anyone overhearing.
“Please, just, don’t let it get back to Tony?” I ask, looking at them each in turn. “I don’t want it to be weird for Kai. Or my mom. Or Tony.” I wince. “I’ve got to live with them until I go back to Italy.”
Lark crosses her heart, well, as best she can over the baby carrier, and gives me a solemn nod. “We won’t say a word.”
The others all express their agreement just as a security guard comes over to open the gate onto the field. “Alright ladies, you ready?”
We file onto the field and immediately turn to take the steps down into the dugout and through to the hallway outside of the locker room. The sounds of the team filter through: laughter and upbeat conversation, as well as some very peculiar, yet somewhat familiar-sounding music.
“Who let Dan be in charge of the postgame tunes?” Lark groans. “He’s going through this very weird obsession with 1980s remixes.”
