AllFreeNovel
Share Us
ChapterOne
TACKETT
It’s Opening Day of Major League Baseball, and I’m in a green pinstriped uniform withChicagosplayed across my chest. I’m a freaking Kodiak, even if it’s just for a day. The new President of the Sarasota Sharks, Megan Prince, made this day possible, and I owe her one hell of a wedding gift for this.
Today, she’s marrying Archer Chatham, heir to the Chicago Kodiaks, former Sharks President, and my current agent. He worked a deal with his soon-to-be wife so I could be here for their wedding and make my lifelong dream of wearing the uniform of an MLB team come to fruition.
A chain of fortunate events took place in order for me to be here today. All-Star Wilson Shepherd arranged a trade where he would rehabilitate here in Sarasota. When he was called up from Sharks to the Kodiaks, he let me live in his house—well, mansion—on the beach. My butt has been parked there for a year.Me. Tackett Towles living in a mansion on the beach.
“Tackett, are you ready?”
My eyes are glazed over, surveying the Chicago field. “I’m ready. Thanks Boss.”
“I’m not your boss anymore. I’m your agent. Technically, you’remyboss.” Archer places his large palm on my shoulder then glances around the field. “It’s magical. Isn’t it?”
“It is. Thanks for all you’ve done for me and for trusting me to set up your proposal. Hard to believe that was ten days ago.”
Archer guides me to the first baseline. Technically, I’m not in the wedding but I’ll be the first Kodiak player on the line next to the wedding party. Wilson and Patrick, my former Sharks teammates, and now current All-Stars for the Kodiaks, as well as Archer’s brothers make up the groomsmen.
The game begins in three hours, so there’s a pregame regimen that every team goes through. But the owner of the Kodiaks, George Chatham, doesn’t care because he’s walking his son’s bride down the aisle today. All of the players line up on the first baseline, the groundcrew fill in between first and second base, followed by the office personnel taking up from second to third base. It’s perfect that the two people so significant to this organization want to pronounce their love in dirt at home plate.
There are dividers in front of both dugouts where the wedding parties wait for their cue. The resounding notes of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” fill the stadium. My skin hums in anticipation for today’s events. The guys walk out, placing themselves at home plate. Archer’s wearing a charcoal gray tuxedo while the groomsmen are in black. More than five thousand fans are here to see Archer and Megan tie the knot.
The bridesmaids begin walking down the third base line. They walk by in a blur of green chiffon, and I’m sure they all look beautiful.
I wouldn’t know—I can’t take my eyes off Megan’s sister, Talynn. Damn, she belongs inSports Enthusiast—the swimsuit edition—with those long legs of hers. I need to thank Megan for the short dresses.
The music stops as Archer’s dad stands at third base, waiting for Megan as she slowly loops her arm in his. The crowd lets out a collective “Aahhh.” The bride is beautiful. Her gown is fitted through her hips before flaring out at the bottom, the layers of tulle creating a short train as she walks toward her groom. It has a plunging neckline that shows off her assets, but it’s the wide, white smile plastered across her face that catches my attention.
They march down the aisle to the famous baseball song, then Mr. Chatham kisses her cheek and hands her off to his son. As Talynn takes her bouquet, I watch her bend down to tuck her nose into the bright wildflower bouquet. Talynn’s eyes close as she inhales, and because I have so much extra energy, it hits me where it shouldn’t. Clasping my hands together in front of my groin, I do my best to conceal my overeager friend. I hope I have a chance to speak with her tonight. I haven’t seen her since I drove her to Megan’s apartment the night of Archer’s proposal.
Soon, thousands of people are cheering for the new prince and princess of baseball. Megan’s face glistens with tears of joy as Archer wipes her tears away with his thumbs. Talynn returns the bouquet to Megan and the officiant pronounces Megan and Archer husband and wife. She raises her bouquet to monumental applause. Archer and Megan walk the bases hugging every person as they score an inside the park home run.
I guess they’re saving the best for last because they start with the player to the side of me and go all the way around. It’s been nearly a half hour since they said “I do.” I’m not upset because Talynn is the best eye candy in her bright green dress, her hair clasped in a low ponytail hanging over her bare, lightly tanned shoulder.
I’m staring at Talynn when Megan, my new boss, clears her throat. “See something you like Towles?”
“Sorry, I was just—”
I shake Archer’s hand then Megan pulls me in for a hug. “Who were you looking at, Talynn or Harper?”
“Umm…I plead the fifth because I don’t want to get my ass kicked by either of you,” I say since both of them are sisters of the bride and groom.
Nothing could ruin this day for Archer and Megan because they were made for each other. I can’t believe no one but me figured out they were secretly dating. It was definitely an on-again, off-again relationship, but no one really knows why—aside from the non-fraternization policy. The first day of Megan’s reign as president, she changed the policy. Now employees have to disclose any sexual relationship and sign paperwork that protects the organization.
Archer speaks, breaking up my thoughts. “Megan, do you want to give Mr. Towles our wedding present?”
Megan looks at Archer adoringly. I’ve never had a girlfriend, but wow, what I would give to have a girl look at me like she’s looking at Archer.
My brows shoot up. “Shouldn’t I be giving you the gift?”
Megan reaches for my hand and squeezes. “Tackett, you’re the starting right fielder for the Chicago Kodiaks tonight.”
Is she delusional? I’m here for the day, just an extra in the dugout. My eyes dart between them and they nod their head in agreement. “What?” I ask, not believing the words I’m hearing.
Archer grabs me and slaps me on my back. “We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you helping me. We told my dad that this is what we wanted for our wedding present. You’ll be in the starting lineup.”
I hug Archer first, but then my arms find Megan and surround her as I lift her up to twirl her around. She laughs, loud and melodic, and the fans are loving it. Cameras flash behind us before I let her down and scream, “Who has the best boss? I do. I do. Megan Chatham is the best boss in history.”
