The Dugout(77)

Seriously . . . Cory Potter is about to share a pizza with me. The guys at the loft are going to shit themselves and yeah, I had zero chill and asked for a picture with the guy in front of the Brentwood dugout. He put his arm around me and he smelled like fresh spring. I wanted to stuff my head in his armpit, live there for years, and breathe in his scent, his manliness, and his talent.

Guy crush? Possibly, and I’m not even sorry about it. It’s Cory Fucking Potter. The dude just sticks his bat out over the plate and hits a home run.

“Get whatever you want, it’s on me,” Cory announces, as Sean and Rian both start surveying the pitchers of beers.

“Oh honey, you don’t have to buy,” Mrs. Potter says, a hand to her son’s forearm. “We can pay.”

“Mom,” Cory says with a get real look. That’s all it takes, because Mrs. Potter backs off. I admire Cory more than before. There’s no doubt he’s very generous with his money. It’s the same way I want to be when I make it to the big leagues. I used to say if, but I know I’ll get there. I’ve worked too damn hard not to make it, but only time will tell how long it will take me.

With Milly by my side though, I know I can make my dreams come true.

Mr. Potter orders a few pizzas for the table that everyone agrees on. I was asked at least five times if those choices were good. Little do they know if they cut up their shoes for pizza toppings, I would still eat it. Sean orders a few local brews and fills up a glass for all of us. I’ve never drank with adults before, so it feels a little weird. Dad doesn’t drink, says it’s a waste of money. The man is incredibly frugal.

Cory pins me with a stare and says, “So when did you first fall for my sister?”

“Cory,” Milly says, almost groaning out his name.

Sean and Rian both move closer and say, “We’d like to hear that answer too.”

“Yes, please.” Mrs. Potter claps her hands and then says, “Can I just say, you two would make the cutest babies.”

I hold back my snort while the rest of the table groans.

“What?” Mrs. Potter looks around, as if she doesn’t understand what she said. “They would.”

“Please, Mother. Don’t scare him away.”

“Nah.” Cory shakes his head, looking me dead in the eyes. “This guy isn’t going anywhere, I can tell.”

He’s damn right about that. I know our life moving forward is going to be hard, but I’m bound and determined to make it work, even if it means having a long-distance relationship, something we have yet to talk about, but something I feel confident Milly will work hard for, just like me.

Under the table, I squeeze Milly’s hand and say, “Well, the first time I ran into her was in the dining hall and that wasn’t a pleasant interaction on both accounts. But the first time I was introduced to her was in the weight room, and I was a bit of a douche to her. I was in a shitty mood and brushed off her help.”

“Is that right?” Cory asks, bringing his pint glass to his lips. I’ve seen this man play so many damn games of baseball, I’ve seen his lighthearted attitude, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen the seriousness that passes over his face when I talk about his sister. Something tells me if I fuck this up, he’ll have my balls ripped from my body and shelved in a glass case with the rest of his monumental memorabilia.

“For the record,” Milly steps in, easing her brother, “Jerry was being a dick and inadvertently told Carson how much he sucked and how I was the one person who could help him.”

Cory nods and motions for me to continue. Jesus, I feel like I’m being interviewed by the head of the mob. All we’re missing is some gold rings and a dead horse’s head . . . well, and I guess some serious weaponry. But the intimidation is there.

“Just wasn’t in the right headspace. Then after a game, Milly was still in the stands when I was walking back to the dugout. She told me I’d never hit the ball with the swing I was taking to the plate.”

The boys laugh as Cory says, “That’s my girl.”

“That was the moment.”

“Really?” she asks, turning toward me.

“Yeah. You might have been nervous and were stuttering, but you still had confidence in your knowledge and that to me was sexy.” Her face blushes, Mrs. Potter coos, and the boys all give me stern looks.

“Sexy?” Rian asks.

“Ehh, I mean . . . it was . . . uh . . . nice.”

“Better.”

“I can be sexy,” Milly says, defending herself, puffing her chest out. Yeah, she can be sexy . . . really sexy.

Rian and Sean cover their ears but Cory doesn’t seem to mind. “Damn right, sis.”

And fuck . . . I like him more with every second that passes. There are people in your life who help extract the power and confidence resting deep inside you, and Cory is one of those people for Milly.

Not to mention, she seems different right now. Like she’s at home, and looking around at her family members, I can see how the atmosphere they create would make her feel that way. There’s no competition among siblings, no animosity, just love. Shows me where Milly gets her kind and loving spirit . . . also her teasing attitude.

“She told me she wasn’t crushing on you, but you should have heard how much she talked about you on the phone.” Cory shakes his head and laughs. “I knew it was only a matter of time and if you were a smart man, which you are, I knew you’d make a move.”