AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The boys are becoming men,” Jesse jokes.
“I’m already a man,” Aaron says, puffing out his chest. “I’ve got the beard, I’ve got a full-time job lined up, and I’m married.”
“Hey, I’m on my way there,” Joel says.
“Bet I can lap you,” Trevor teases.
“What does that even mean in this context?” Jesse asks.
I hold up my hand. “I’m having a kid first. I automatically win.”
“In that case, I think Nick and Braden won back in high school,” Trev says, and we all share a laugh at their expense.
Whatever the case, we’re all growing up. I’m not usually the nostalgic one. Leave it to Rae or Joel, but right now, it’s on my mind. The official days of baseball coming to end feels like it’s signifying the end of our youth. It’s crazy that I’ve had them all in my life for sixteen years.
The girls walk over, joining us on the field where a mini-party has broken out with pizza and drinks. The guys from the team are all here and some alumni and faculty, plus all our family and friends.
“You look good in the baseball pants,” Amelia says, checking out my butt.
“Thank you. You look good in my jersey.”
She smiles up at me, then looks around. She leans in closer, and opens her mouth, but before she can say anything, Aaron smacks my arm.
“Hey, can we borrow you for a second?”
I look down at Amelia and over at the guys.
“Go ahead,” Amelia says sweetly.
I kiss her cheek, then follow Aaron and Joel as they walk toward the pitcher’s mound. To my surprise, though, they don’t stop. They keep going until we’re all standing around home plate.
“Baseball is where it all started,” Aaron says, as we look out at the stadium. “The love three kids had for the game grew into a lifelong friendship. Even though regularly playing baseball ends here, our love of the game doesn’t. And our friendship never will.”
“Did you ever think we’d end up here, as close as we are now?” Joel asks.
I laugh at that. “Honestly? Not for a second. I love you guys, but I assumed once I went to elementary school, I’d see you guys at recess and on the weekends. Thank God I was wrong.”
“We’re weird, aren’t we?” Joel asks with a laugh.
“Awesome is more like it,” Aaron says. He holds his fist out and we both bump it, then take another moment to stare out at the stadium.
The party on the field is thinning out, and I can tell Amelia is getting tired. The parents, Jesse, and Dani all left about a half hour ago, as well as most of the faculty and alumni. A few coaches and other players are still here along with our friend group. I walk over to Amelia and wrap my arms around her.
“Thanks for being here with me. We can head back to the lake house now.”
She looks up at me. “I hate being so tired all the time.”
“Supposedly, it’ll get a little better in the second trimester.”
She laughs. “I think I might need to get used to not getting enough sleep… ever again. Anyway, I have a sort of cheesy request.”
“Hit me with it.”
“I’ve never been on a baseball field—or any sports field—before. At least not outside of gym class. Can we walk around?”
I wrap my hand around hers. “Absolutely.”
We stroll down the first base line to the outfield and walk across. When we get to center field, Amelia pauses and looks around. “I feel inordinately small standing here.”
