“Well, yeah. Her husband’s home,” Ryan answers, as if that explainseverything. It does not explain a single thing.
“SO? That’s complete bullshit. She’s the best one on the team! Hell, she’s probably the best one in the whole damn league.”
He laughs at me. “She is most definitely the best. But she did say she would go home when her husband returned.”
“No. Nope. Fuck that. She loves this game. She’s not allowed to leave because ofa man.”
“Ew! She’s not changed her socks? Baseball players and their damn superstitions.” I turn to Ryan. “Do you have any?”
He smirks at me. “Some” is the only answer I get.
I snort a laugh. “I’ll pray for you like that before every game.” I try to pull off my best Tom Hanks impression. “May your balls be plentiful.” I break into a fit of giggles.
“Pretty sure we’d win every game if you did.”
“SHE’S BACK, OH THANK GOD. They need her to win. No offense to the rest of the girls.”
“Aw, look at Tom Hanks giving constructive criticism for once!”
“Mae’s such a bitch… I love her.”
“Oh my god. This is so dramatic.” I lean closer to the screen so I don’t miss a thing.
“God, I need someone to hype me up the way Doris hypes up Ellen Sue.”
“I’ll hype you up all day long, baby,” Ryan says with a wink.
“Ew, no. Don’t call me baby. I’m not your baby.”
“Oh my god. Kit’s up at bat. This is so intense.” I’m practically biting my nails as I watch her step up to the plate. My jaw drops on a thought as I turn to Fletch, shell-shocked. “Do I like baseball now?”
He looks at me with a solemn expression. “I hate to break it to you, firecracker, but I think you might.” A satisfied glimmer flickers in his eyes.
Ugh fine. I guess I like baseball now.
“Hah! I’m going to use that from now on.I’m so depressed I could eat a cow. Honestly same.”
I try to covertly wipe the tears from my eyes as the end credits start to roll.
“Admit it,” Ryan says from his end of the couch.
“Admit what?” I ask, pretending I don’t know what he’s asking me.
“Admit you loved the movie.”
I scoff. “You wish.”
“I do wish. But I also know. You loved it. You wouldn’t shut up through the entire thing.AndI distinctly recall seeing you tear up at least three times.” He shoots a pointed look at me.
“Ugh, fine. Yes, okay? I loved the movie. Those girls were strong badasses and they played a damn good game and deserved to be recognized for it. Okay? Jeez.”
A flare of pride crosses his features before he smothers it back down into an indifferent, but amused expression. “Glad to know I picked the right one. I always knew I could convert you to being a baseball fan.”
I roll my eyes at him but can’t hold back the smile. Annoyed, but amused. It’s my base setting whenever he’s around. “That’s not the only reason you made me watch it though. Is it?” I ask, already suspecting I know the answer.
He’s silent a moment, looking down at where his fingers are running along the hem of my leggings. “No, it’s not.”
“You picked it because it’s about women playing a men’s sport in the professional world. Women, in general, breaking down barriers made by men,” I push.
