Page 107 of Bad Run

But she’s got a job to do and people to prove wrong, and I have a game to win.

Soon, I tell myself.

I sense her walls shaking, cracking. Beginning to crumble.

It would be nice if she could just read my mind and see I’m already there, waiting for her to catch up and fall with me.

“Finish your breakfast while I go change. Then I’ll drive us to the stadium.” Without giving her a chance to argue, I lean in and kiss her on the mouth, swiping my tongue over the smear of frosting coating her bottom lip.

“So fucking tasty,” I growl, leaving a flustered Gwen in the kitchen.

The buzz in the locker room is electric. We dominated tonight, beating Detroit 12–4. Our defense was on fire, shutting down every hit the Tigers made.

My game was on point. Best I’ve had in a while. I hit a single, a double, took a walk, and at my last at-bat, I hit a home run deep into center field. Pretty sure it had everything to do with knowing a certain woman with aqua eyes was watching me from the owner’s box.

“Alright, guys, what are we doing tonight?” Reed asks as he unbuttons his jersey.

“Depends,” Heath says, plopping down into the chair in front of his locker.

“Since all you fuckers are wifed up or close to it”—Reed points at Nico—“I was thinking I could call Tony.”

Tony owns a local bar and grill that the team likes to eat at after early home games.

Blake perks up. “Burgers and beers at The Clubhouse?”

The Clubhouse, aka the Evaders’ team bar, is a 1950s-style restaurant with an extensive amount of Evaders’ memorabilia covering the walls. One call, and Tony pushes fans out so the team can come in and eat without getting swarmed, but players have to promise to tip big and leave behind something autographed to be displayed.

“You know I’m in,” Blake says, rubbing his stomach. He has the stomach of a professional eater and the metabolism of a teenager. He can eat twenty-four-seven.

“Grace is in the family box tonight with Talia and Savannah, so I’ll text her and see if they want to go too.” Heath stares at his phone, his fingers tapping away.

“Go where?” Nico asks, bending over to take off his cleats.

“Clubhouse,” I answer.

“I could eat a burger,” Cam says, tossing his hat into his locker.

“The girls are in,” Heath says to Cam and Nico, who both nod in approval.

Shit. I should have made sure Gwen was with my teammates’ partners for the game. It’s easy to forget when she works here.

“See what I mean? All you married fuckers checking in. What about you, Lance, or do you need to check in with the ball and chain too?” Reed sneers in fake disgust. He acts like a dick, but the guy is a softy.

“Seeing as I’m not a huge douche, yes, I need to check in with”—I glance around, making sure unwanted ears are far away, before answering—“my wife.”

“So glad I’m not tied down,” Reed says, shaking his head.

“You’re just jealous,” Nico grumbles, taking off his chain and hanging it in the locker. I don’t know how he wears that heavy thing around his neck while he plays.

Reed rears back, clutching his invisible pearl necklace. “Jealous of your disgusting monogamous relationship? Definitely not.”

“I’m jealous.” Blake sighs. “I’m getting kind of tired of dating. Having someone to come home to sounds kind of nice.”

“Do you see what you’re doing?” Read points at Blake. “Your disgusting disease is spreading.”

The group of us burst out laughing.

“If you’re not careful, the disease is gonna get you.” Heath wiggles his fingers in the air.