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Jane shook her head. “You didn’t do anything.”

The silence that settled between us was still awkward. “Vancouver is playing. Want to watch the game together?”

Watching the game seemed like a harmless activity that might make things feel more normal again. If nothing else, our mutual love of baseball gave us common ground.

“Good idea.” This time, Jane’s smile was genuine.

I stood and started clearing the table while Jane got the game set up on her TV.

We settled on opposite ends of the couch, with plenty of space between us. I wanted to break down this wall that had gone up between us, but I had to respect what Jane wanted. That didn’t stop me from noticing the way she curled up on her corner with her feet tucked under her, her stretchy pants skimming her curves. Curves I’d love to run my hands over . . . I looked away. Friends. I had to remember that, because lusting after my friend would only make this more awkward.

The game was underway, the score was tied at zero, and Vancouver was up to bat in the second inning. We watched as all three Vanquish batters struck out. Ouch. Not a good start to the game.

“Molino’s timing seems off,” Jane said as he walked back to the dugout. The cameras stayed on him as he snapped his bat and flung the pieces, then threw his helmet at the equipment manager.

Molino was Vancouver’s shortstop, and he’d swung at a couple of pitches and whiffed them completely. He was either struggling with his timing, or he had completely misread the pitches. Whatever it was, he was struggling, and his frustration was reaching a boiling point. It was only a few games into the season, but he was still looking for his first hit. Throwing a temper tantrum wouldn’t win him any fans, though.

“His stance is different from how I remember he played last year. Maybe he’s trying something new.” The entire time I’d been recovering, I stayed immersed in pro baseball, just to see what my competition was doing while I was away.

“It’s not working,” Jane said dryly. “He always had a reputation for having a bad temper, didn’t he?”

“I never played with him, but I heard from other players he was volatile.” I’d heard he was a major asshole, but those were only rumours. Until I actually played with him, I was going to give him the benefit of the doubt.

As the team from Philadelphia came up to bat, we both made predictions about what would happen. Jane cheered when one of her predictions came true, a home run by their left fielder.

“Watching the game was a good idea. You really miss playing, don’t you? You’ve been studying every play like you’re going to have a test.”

I paused, trying to explain why I cared so much. “While I was recovering from my accident, I missed playing and being part of a team. Being here in Red Rock, part of the Fliers, fills those gaps. But nothing feels like playing at the highest level. Playing with and against the best players in the world. Striving to prove that you and your team are better than everyone else. Yeah, I miss that.”

“If passion means anything, you’ll make it,” Jane said.

I would do everything in my power to prove her right.

Chapter 13

Jane

Early April

Opening day dawned warm and sunny, a perfect day for baseball. Springtime in southern Alberta was unpredictable, but a week of unseasonably warm weather had the grass bright green, and I was thrilled to see Fliers fans out in full force for this Friday-afternoon game. The Airfield would have a full house for the ballpark debut of Batter Up! The small knot of anxiety that had been building in my chest all week loosened, and I was finally able to take a deep breath.

The Fliers this season were a mix of former major leaguers trying to make it back to the show, and some green-as-grass minor league players who should probably still be playing in A or AA ball. I had worried all week that the scarcity of talent would keep the fans away, but Red Rock proved me wrong.

It had been a long week. After Carter and I talked, we had settled into a mostly comfortable routine—if trying not to imagine licking frosting off your friend’s abs could be considered comfortable. Who was I kidding? I might be attracted to him, but he was a lot younger, and anything between us was complicated by our past.

The renewal of our friendship had reminded me how much I had enjoyed having Carter live with us in Texas, with his fun-loving nature and down-to-earth attitude. I wanted Ethan to see that most pro ballplayers were not egotistical maniacs like his dad was, that he could excel at his sport and still remain a good person. Carter was living proof.

Most nights, he came home after practice and helped me prep dinner; then we would watch the Vancouver team’s game. Ethan would watch with us if he was home, but his own ball team was practicing more now. Half the time he was away with his team.

Chad had started showing up at Ethan’s practices, taking more of an interest for the first time in years. He was even volunteering with one of Ethan’s teams. I wasn’t optimistic that it would last, but for now Ethan was enjoying the attention.

Emily and I had spent our time focused on being ready for today. We had no way to predict sales numbers, so we took a guess and went with it. If we overestimated, we’d have to freeze some of it for later use. I didn’t want to do that. I took pride in all my baked goods being fresh.

With the smell of popcorn and fried foods surrounding us, and the buzz of the crowd making the park feel alive, Emily and I worked nonstop until it was time for the anthems. A local high school friend of Ethan’s had won this year’s competition to sing them for the first home game, and her voice rang true as she belted out both the “Star-Spangled Banner” and “O Canada.” When the final notes faded, I heard the ump yell “Play ball!”

Everything in me ached to go see the first few pitches, but I had work to do. That was the downside of winning this contract—I’d have to work every game and wouldn’t be able to watch many of them.

I’d love to see Carter play his first pro game since the accident, but Ethan could tell me about it on the trip home. If we were busy, all I would be able to do was sneak away for an inning, leaving Emily to handle our booth. I wanted to see Carter in action, see how well he had recovered from his accident. He was working so hard at getting back to top form.