Page 87 of Make My Heart Malt

My mouth goes dry. I’ve done this before, but this time it’s different. My fingers play with the belt loop on the back of her jeans. “What do you say we turn this casual into exclusive?”

Her fingers drop to my shoulders and freeze. “Is the Home Run Playboy asking me to be his girlfriend?”

What I really want to ask is for her to be my wife, but it might be too soon for that, so I nod so those words don’t accidentally tumble out instead.

She giggles. “Use your words. Ask me.”

The corners of my lips tip up in a smile. She used my own words against me. Again. I sit up straighter and pull her closer to me. “Dessa, will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?”

She tilts her head and taps her lips, pretending to contemplate her answer.

My heart jackhammers in my chest. The anticipation is killing me. I thought her answer would be yes, but as the seconds tick by without a word, I wonder if she actually has to think about it.

“I guess they’ll have to start calling you the Home Run Boyfriend.”

Heat radiates through my chest. “One correction.Dessa’sHome Run Boyfriend.” I tilt my head up and press my lips to hers. This is our story. But it’s only a matter of time until I change boyfriend to husband.

THIRTY-SEVEN

BECAUSE I HAVE YOU

Garrett

The following day, I arrive back in Minneapolis and stroll into the clubhouse with thirty minutes to spare. Fortunately for me, Skip will have to use actual balls instead of mine for the first pitch. Dessa followed me in her vehicle, and when we parted ways, I left her with Melanie and Tori until after the game.

After our pre-game warm-up, I’m in the locker room with Smokey, Joe, and the shortstop, Bishop, as we all change into our uniforms. Since last night with Dessa, I’ve thought a lot about the future and what I want it to look like. Without a doubt, I want Dessa by my side. But will the baseball life be too much for her? Is that something she’ll want for the long term? She’s gotten a glimpse of it over the last month, but half a year, every year, is a lot to ask of someone. Then what happens when we start a family?Growing up, Dessa’s always talked about wanting a big family since she’s an only child. She said it got lonely. I want to be the man who gives that to her. My locker door slams with a heavy clank, and I turn to Joe, who’s sitting on the bench tying his cleat.

“Is it hard starting a family while playing baseball?”

He peers up at me and freezes. “Starting a family? Where is this coming from? Is there something you’re not telling us?”

I rub the back of my neck. “You guys know Dessa?—”

“Shit. Did you put a ring on her finger?” Smokey asks.

“No.” I drop my hand. “Not yet anyway, but I know she’s the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. Eventually, that life will include kids.”

“I’ll be honest,” Joe says, “it’s not always the easiest since you’re gone half the year. Sometimes you’ll miss out on birthdays and other holidays.”

“Didn’t Ramirez miss the birth of his child?” Smokey adds.

“Oh yeah, his wife went into labor a month early. He was halfway across the country and couldn’t get there before his daughter was born,” Joe says.

Bishop chimes in, “I missed my son’s first steps and his first word. Luckily, Sara recorded a video to send to me. While it wasn’t the same, it was still exciting to see.”

“I know Tori was a little apprehensive when she got pregnant. She wasn’t sure how everything was going to go. But a lot of the other wives and girlfriends have been a great support system for her. They welcomed her with open arms. She’s told me their support has really eased her fears,” Randy says.

I nod. Not only do the players become like family, but so do everyone’s partners. It’s a baseball family. I know Dessa enjoys hanging out with Tori and Melanie whenevershe comes to a game. Maybe my own fears are getting in the way. If others can make it work, I can too. I know Smokey takes over parenting duties for Melanie after a game so she can have a break. It’s a true test of compromise. The post-game party scene isn’t me anymore, so I don’t have to worry about that. The hardest thing might be convincing Dessa to shift her life to follow my dream.

When I step out onto the illuminated field, the brim of my cap shields my eyes as I stare up into the stands and immediately spot Dessa wearing a dark blue number seven jersey. Cora sits on her lap giggling and kicking her feet as Dessa tickles her. The smiles on both their faces make my heart swell. One day, that could be Dessa and our daughter.

The start of the game begins like every other game. While in the dugout, I rub my thumb on one of the pennies Dessa gave me before tucking it into my back pocket.

Joe’s at bat first. He drops the ball behind the third baseman, giving him a single. I’m the second batter in the lineup, and when I’m at the plate, Joe steals second base. Like a ninja, the Minnesota pitcher catches him and throws to the second baseman, tagging him out. That was the start of our comedy of errors… for the entire night.

I manage to get on base with a single, but Ramirez hits the ball to the second baseman, forcing me out, who then throws the ball to first for a double play.

When we take the outfield, Minnesota hits a home run on the first pitch. Two more players get on base before Holloway, our pitcher, delivers the last strike.

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