Long Ball(34)

“And if she asks why?”

“Tell her you want to cheer her up. Make up some story, any story.”

Kate hefts the card in her hands and squints at me. “Neither of us has this kind of money.”

I lean against the bench and shrug. “You strike me as good at stories. Make it a good one. Tell her it’s a gift from her parents. Or something.”

Before she can protest, I get up and call for Cora. She comes running for me, her innocent face so perfect and full of youthful excitement. “I have to ask you something. But it’s a secret, just one we have to keep for a little while. Is that okay?”

She nods very seriously.

“You and your mom are the most important girls in the entire world to me. I want to be with you every single day. Would it be okay if I could do that? Would you like it if I was able to read you stories every night and tuck you into bed?”

Cora claps her hands over her mouth before whispering, “You’d be like my daddy?”

Just hearing her say that word almost knocks me over. “If you want me to be. Would that be okay?”

Her eyes are wide, but she thinks very seriously before answering. “Are you going to go away?”

“Only if I have to play baseball somewhere else. Sometimes, I’ll have to go away for a little while. But I promise you, Cora, I will always come back.”

“Always always?” Her little voice wavers.

I kiss the top of her head. “Always always.”

She throws her arms around my neck and squeezes tight. “Can you start tonight?”

I laugh, because if I don’t laugh I’ll cry. “I wish, Cora. I wish. But very soon, if your mom will let me. Remember, though, we have to keep this a secret for just a little while. I want to surprise your mom with this, okay?”

“Deal!” She kisses me on the cheek and runs back to the playground, already yelling to her new friends about her new daddy. I have to wipe away the tears before I rejoin Kate.

Kate cuts me another look, but she smiles. “Tell you what. I’ll do this. I’ll invent some crazy story and take her shopping and get her hair done and everything. She’ll be there tomorrow, ready for you. Without knowing she’s ready for you. But in exchange, I want you to tell Reid to call me.”

“Edwards?” This is surprises me. I thought they’d hit it off. “I thought you two… you know.”

Kate shrugs. “He never really called after. So I want a date with a Royal. Either Reid, or another attractive young single thing.”

I laugh and scratch my face. I don’t like playing matchmaker with the guys in the clubhouse because the decent ones are all spoken for and the single ones are players. Okay, that’s maybe not fair. Kemp and I fared well, but we also had our moments.

Still, this is important and Kate doesn’t look like she’s going to budge on this. What’s one date, anyway? I can easily talk to Edwards. He can take her out, he owes me. For… something. I’ll make something up if I have to.

“Deal.” I hold out my hand and she shakes it. “Tomorrow night, six. Pick out something cute for Cora, too.”

“Sounds good, sir.” Kate shakes my hand. “You going to be okay with her?”

“Cora? Are you kidding? I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”

She smiles at me and shoulders her bag. “You’ve got it bad. You’ve both got it bad.”

Megan’s got it bad. I know she does, but it’s nice to hear it. “I really appreciate it, Kate.”

“She’s my best friend. Anything for her.”





11





Off days are always great, but today is extra special. Today is the start of a new chance, a new life. I can feel it in my bones. Add to it that I scored the winning run last night, and I’m on top of the goddamn world.

As long as everything goes to plan. And I’m nervous as hell.

I check my hair seventy-seven times and practice what I’m going to say twice as many times as that. This is worse than my first year in the draft, but better at the same time. That day, so many years ago, I thought it was the beginning of my life out on that field.

I was wrong. That day is today.

A bottle of Jack Daniels is calling me for liquid courage, and I almost, almost give in. But then I think about Shelbie, about our first night together in the club, how alcohol got us into this stupid mess, and I reshelf the bottle.

Kate promised Megan would be waiting for me. It’s all I can think about, regardless of the traffic and the absurd parking situation. She’s waiting for me. She may not know that’s who she’s waiting for, but she’ll be there. I just have to not screw it all up.

No pressure or anything.

I see her before I’m out of the car, and she’s stunning in her jeans and t-shirt. She was wrong, I don’t have a type that’s all heels and skin-tight dresses. My type is Megan; in whatever she’s wearing. Even today, just like this, she outshines everyone else around her. After a few deep breaths, and double checking my pocket for the millionth time, I grab the enormous bouquet of roses and begin my walk of penance.

Megan sees me almost immediately. She looks around, almost confused, as if she’s not the only person in the world I want to see. A few people take notice of what’s going on and they start pointing. Megan flushes bright red and she’s so beautiful. Embarrassed, angry, elated, it doesn’t matter how she’s feeling, she’s always as bright as the sun to me.