Page 24

"Well, well, well…"

A familiar voice drags me away from the park and back to the field.

I look down to find the ball I've been tossing back and forth with JJ, sitting in my glove. That familiar sting in my palm tells me that even though I went somewhere else in my mind, my body was still here, relying on muscle memory to keep warming up with my teammate and best friend.

My gaze snaps up from the leather to find Liam Montgomery walking toward me, his teenage daughter Ruthie at his side.

"Woah," I call out, louder than necessary. "Yo, yo yo! Everyone chill!"

A few other Gators snap to attention, some of the vets' heads turning slowly.

"We have a legend in our midst, boys."

Liam scoffs, shaking his head, and those who didn't notice him before erupt into a choir of Sunshines! and Montgomerys! There are a couple What's up, mans? and even some deep, drawn out Roos thrown into the mix for his kid.

My friend and past mentor tips his chin up to the outfielders as Ruthie waves to a couple of the guys she knows. Our pitcher, Javi, turns and knocks his fist against Liam's as he walks by. But then the field settles again as everyone eases back into their warm-ups.

"Always causing a scene," Montgomery says as he gets closer.

"Hey, someone's gotta keep things interesting around here," I quip, clapping my palm into his when he finally reaches me.

I hold my fist out to Ruthie, who drops hers on top. We switch next, mine landing on hers before we smack them together and snap at the end—tongues out, of course. Our three-year-old handshake.

"What's up, Roo?"

Ruthie shrugs, curling her upper lip. "Not much. I got an A on that presentation I was telling you about."

"No way. That's awesome," I throw back. "Good shi—"

Liam cocks one brow, and I clear my throat.

"Stuff," I finish unsteadily.

Ruthie laughs, and Liam rolls his eyes. "Who am I kidding? She's heard it all."

I shrug, turning back to Ruthie. "Dude, you're way smarter than me."

Her cheeks turn that rosy pink they often do when we chat, and she takes a vested interest in the dugout.

I chance a look at Liam, whose jaw is tight like it always is when he's reminded he's not his kid's favorite player. I bite back a smile as Ruthie fidgets in her stance.

"Alright," she says, switching subjects. "I'm gonna go find Brooke. Mom wants me to remind her about some workout class they have this weekend."

I chuckle, nodding, and Liam nudges her with his elbow as she darts away.

"Mom," I repeat under my breath. "Still so cool to hear."

Liam exhales heavily. "Yeah," he says in awe. "Imagine how we feel. Tess still tears up every time."

I look over at him, his eyes glazed. "And you definitely don't," I say with faux confidence.

He shoots me a look before glancing back into the distance.

The quiet sits between us as we watch Ruthie throw her arms around Brooke, our team's social media manager and her mom's best friend.

"Remember when Tess was your nanny, and you used to just like stare at her from the field?"

"Shut up," Montgomery shoots back.