Page 57 of Safe at Home

I jumped up and was cheering as loud as I could. My husband looked over at me and gave me a nod and a smile. I was so proud of him and glad I got to see it in person.

“Damn, Williams, he is good,” a man behind us said. I turned in my seat and realized two men in suits with clipboards, briefcases, stop watches, and even radar guns were sitting a few rows behind us. I was so excited scouts were here to see Tyler’s amazing skills behind home plate! I couldn’t wait to tell him.

After winning the game 8-5, I couldn’t wait to hug my husband. We all went to the player entrance, and I was excited that Tyler was one of the first ones out the door. I ran into his arms and hugged him as tightly as my growing stomach allowed me to.

“You did so awesome!” I said and kissed his lips.

“I’m so glad you were here in the stands. I almost forgot how amazing it is to have you cheering for me in person.”

“Molly called it when that guy was trying to steal on you,” Penelope bragged about me.

“That’s my girl,” Tyler said and pulled me closer to him.

“Stone, don’t hog all the pretty girls. Who are these ladies?” a good-looking African American player asked. He was almost as tall as Tyler and had beautiful light brown eyes that kept checking out my best friends.

“Blevins, this is my wife, Molly. She wasn’t able to come to many Lightning games because of our twins here,” Tyler said as he rubbed my stomach. “Molls, this is Malachi Blevins. He was a starting pitcher for the Lightning but moved up with me.”

“Nice to meet you,” Malachi said with a big smile.

“Hi,” Emma said with a huge smile. “I’m Emma. I’m… uh…Molly’s brother’s sister.”

Malachi raised an eyebrow at all of us giggling girls. “I’m not sure what is so funny, but hello, Emma. It’s nice to meet you.”

“I’m Penelope, and this is Meadow,” Pen introduced them.

“Well, hello, Meadow!” another player said as he came over. I recognized this guy as the first baseman. He was about the same height as Malachi but had reddish brown hair sticking out from under his baseball cap. He had intense green eyes that were zeroed in on Meadow. “Did you know the name Meadow is worth seven points in scrabble?”

“Um, no, I had no idea,” Meadow said with a tilt of her head at the newest addition in our group.

“I know! It surprised me, too. Because you are definitely a ten!”

“Oh my god!” Tyler groaned, along with Malachi and a few other players around us. I laughed but saw a blush on Meadow’s face as she laughed with everyone else.

“That was horrible, Brody,” Malachi said. “This idiot here is our first baseman, Brody Shepard.”

“Thanks for the laugh,” Meadow said with a shake of her head.

“Are you ladies from around here?” Brody asked and then looked at Penelope. “Because my best friend is a relief pitcher, and we could double. He likes brunettes while I’m into blondes.”

“Thanks, but we’re good,” Pen answered for them both. “You guys are leaving for a road trip, and we’re heading back home.”

“You’ll have to come watch another game, and we’ll take you out then!” Brody said with a wink at Meadow. He was not backing down.

“Does that mean you’re leaving, too?” Malachi asked Emma.

“Yeah, but I’m sure I’ll have to bring Molly back to watch a game before the end of the season.”

“Can I get your number?” Malachi asked. “You’ll have to let me know when you come. Bluffton doesn’t seem like that great of a town, but I could show you around.”

Emma gladly handed him her phone and then sent him a text with her number.

“Can I get your number?” Brody asked Meadow.

“No, thanks. I live in New York, anyway, so I don’t think I’ll be back anytime soon.”

“Come on, gentlemen. We need to board the bus!” one of the coaches called out.

I looked up at Tyler and stood on my tip toes for a goodbye kiss. “I miss you already!” I said as the kiss ended.

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