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“Fuck yeah. I’m in for that,” Trev says. “Tonight, live it up for me.”
I clap a hand on his shoulder. “You know we will. Tonight is the bookend of fifteen years of playing baseball together, it deserves nothing but the best.” I point at Trevor. “Make us sound good.”
“Don’t play like shit then,” he says with a wink. Then he shakes his head. “I know it should beGo, Sea Dogs,but right now, all I see are three Ida Warriors ready to kick some ass.”
“We still bleed Warrior red,” Aaron says.
“Always will,” Trev agrees. We stand together for a moment until Trevor claps his hands. “Get out there.”
Trev turns and walks out of the room, and Joel, Aaron, and I walk out of the clubhouse to the dugout one last time.
Amelia
“Are games always this intense?” I ask Mackenzie as we stand in line for the bathroom. This is my third time going and I’ve only been sipping on water. Pregnancy bladder can suck it. At least one of the girls has come with me each time I needed to go. I’m thankful for how they’ve welcomed me into their little tribe, even if I don’t totally feel like I fit yet. I got ready with them before the game and it was a lot of fun. Lots of laughter and giving each other shit. Even if it’s hard to keep up with at times. I was surprised to see Rae so emotional, but when she gave me the backstory on Aaron breaking his hand, my heart hurt for both of them.
I don’t consider myself judgmental necessarily, but I admit, I had the girls pegged as being more cheerleader-ish and popular girls—maybe even spoiled. Privileged, I guess. Sure, in some ways they are, but the more I hang out with them, it’s clear they’ve all been through it one way or another. It’s comforting, like I’ve found my home in a group of messy women who don’t have it all together but are trying their best.
“It depends on the game,” Mackie answers as we move forward in line. “The team they’re playing isn’t their biggest rival, but they’re good, which means the Sea Dogs have to put in the work to win this one. I hope they pull it off. Honestly, I think a lot of the guys would prefer this type of game over a guaranteed win. It’s harder, but it means more.”
“I guess that makes sense.” I got into the game a lot quicker than I was expecting to, especially considering my last sports ball event of any kind was homecoming my sophomore year of high school. Who knows? Maybe my game has secretly been baseball all this time. Though, I think of all the sports, it’s one of the easier ones to follow.
“How does it feel cheering Miles on?” she asks with a coy smile.
I’ve come to believe that Mackenzie has telepathic powers. Like no matter what you tell her—or yourself—she knows the truth you’re hiding inside. She definitely knows the truth I’m feeling—that I’m not cheering on Miles as his hook-up, friend, or the woman carrying his baby.
Miles wants more. I’ve known that from the start. I want more too. I’m getting closer to being ready for it now.
“When I watched him run for third on that… double?” I’m still working on the terminology.
Mackie smiles. “Yeah, double. That was their first baseman, Ricky.”
“Right. I seriously could not take my eyes off Miles, and I don’t think I’ve ever cheered louder in my life.”
“You’re so cute,” Mackie says. “Over here acting like you’re not head over heels for him.”
Seeing into the depths of my soul, party of one.
How does she do that?
“It’s all over your face.”
My mouth drops. “Can you teach me how to read minds? It seems like a cool party trick.”
I get what I’m learning is the signature Mackie grin. “Useful in lots of other ways, too.”
I elbow her in the ribs and she laughs. After a moment, I say, “This might sound silly, but thanks for letting me wear his jersey. I know that’s what he wanted, but I also know how much he means to you.”
She smiles softly. “He’ll always be my guy, and I’ll still be cheering him on.” She points to his number on her face—forty-one. “There’s no way seeing me in his jersey would make him as happy as seeingyouin his jersey. And I want him to be happy.” She stares at me for a moment, as if she’s trying to see if I can read her mind. I guess I sort of can, because I have a feeling I know what she’s going to say.
I roll my eyes. “Go ahead. Say it.”
To my surprise, though, she doesn’t make it a joke. “Please don’t hurt him. He’s never done this before because no one else has ever made himfeelbefore. He cares for you and puts you first. Even above us, and that speaks volumes. Don’t take that for granted.”
Nodding, I say the truth. “I won’t.” I don’t take a second of how Miles treats me for granted, and I never will. I spent so much time with no one to care for me, that the way he does touches my soul, and I want to give him the same in return.
“Good,” Mackie says as the stall door in front of us flies open. “You’re up, preggers.” She gestures to the stall door, and as I walk past, she smacks my butt. I look over my shoulder at her and laugh. It’s easy to see why she and Miles are perfect best friends. I’m glad he has her, and I’m grateful she’s welcomed me into her world as well.
“Deep breath, in and out. Stress isn’t healthy for the baby,” Dani says, somewhere between serious and teasing as she rubs my back. It’s the bottom of the seventh and the score is tied. Miles just came up to bat, and I am a ball of nerves. I know Miles wants a win tonight. He wants to go out on a high. What I wasn’t expecting was how much it means to their entire friend group. Baseball is rooted in the early days of their friendship, and tensions are high tonight.
