Page 76 of Undeniably Perfect

Chapter Thirty-One

Kent

It’s game day. I kiss Tabby goodbye as she sleeps in my bed. She looks perfect in it. Her butterfly tattoo peeks out from the sheets wrapped around her, and I kiss that too.

“You better get going,” she groans as she opens one eye.

“I know. Just enjoying the view for a moment.”

I slap her ass playfully and head downstairs. I’ve already stretched and warmed up in my gym, showered, and had my coffee. It’s time to get to the stadium.

I listen to my favorite playlist as I drive. It’s every song that has ever pumped me up in my entire life. By the time I roll into the parking garage, I’m feeling good, Zen-like, calm.

I look down and see the family chat blowing up with well-wishes.

Mother Hen: Kick some butt

Di: Crush ’em

Kyles: Go gangsta on their asses

C-Dog: Remember that “no one puts baby in the corner”

I shake my head.

Mothership: Good luck, sweetie

Dad: You got this

There’s a slew of texts from other family members and friends. After I quickly scan them, I head to the locker room.

Ward’s already there. He has his headphones on, and his eyes are closed as he lies on the massage table. Our physical therapist, Earl, massages his legs.

“You ready, KJ?” he asks me.

I nod. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.

Tabitha

I have never been so nervous in my entire life. I’m pretty certain that I have zero nails left because I’ve chewed them all down to nubs. I’m also tapping both legs. Di finally reaches out and places her hand on my knee.

“You need to calm the fuck down, for real.”

“I can’t…this is…too intense,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Well, you having a coronary isn’t gonna help things.”

“Shut it, Di. Let me remain in my ball of anxiety.”

It’s the top of the ninth, and it’s tied. They need to score here. Ward is up to bat with the bases loaded. I find myself praying to the baseball gods, OK, any god, Masters of the Universe, Pikachu, Yoda, whatever I can think of.

“What are you mumbling?” Di asks me, her hand now gripping mine. She and I are in the family seats and the rest of the family is up in a box.

“I’m just praying.”

“Praying…to Yoda?”

I shrug. “You missed all the other things I prayed to.”

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