Page 100 of Home Run

“Not long to go.”

“I know. Are you excited about the scan? Still want to find out what we’re having?”

She nodded, rubbing her belly. “I think we should. It’ll be easier to buy stuff, and easier for people to buy things for us. And easier for your mom?—”

“Oh yeah, my mom.” I winced. I could usually block it out because I’d had a lifetime of it, but perhaps I’d forgotten what my mom was like when she had a project. It took over everything, and right now Millie and the baby was her new project. “Sorry, Mills. I promise I’ll step in once the season is over. And she won’t be staying with us, she’ll stay with Holiday.”

“Hey, I’m happy that our baby will get two sets of awesome grandparents.”

“Even Doug?”

Her lips rolled together and she gave a small nod. “Even Doug.”

“Have you eaten yet?”

She shook her head. “No, I’m going to go and make some oatmeal.”

“I prepared extra smoothies for you while I’m away. They’re in the fridge, you just need to blend them,” I told her, right before sticking my toothbrush into my mouth.

“You did that for me?”

“Of course. For you and our little baby bell pepper.”

“Mmm. Bell pepper, that’s making me hungry.”

“Then you need to go eat.” I spat out the mouthful of toothpaste and rinsed. “I love you, Mama Bear. Have a good day.”

I watched Millie’s teeth sink into her bottom lip. From the way she was staring, I swear she was toying with how to respond. I was certain it was going to be something other than, “have a good game, Tan. Call me later, ’kay?”

I thought I’d be disappointed, but I wasn’t. We’d come so far in such a short period, and over FaceTime wasn’t where I wanted to hear about her feelings when she finally admitted them.

When that day came, I planned on kissing her until we needed oxygen.

“Count on it.”

Three long days.

Threelonggames. Some longer than others.

This one for example.

We were currently tied three runs each, bottom of the tenth inning. It was the final game we would play in San Francisco; we were tied two games each, and whoever won this would head to New York with the advantage. Which might be why it was taking so long to end.

It had been a while since I’d played a game going into double figures, and I’d forgotten how tedious it was. Neither us nor the Giants seemed to be able to concede a point.

We got one, then they got one.

And on it went.

“When is this game going to end?” grumbled Lux as we walked off the field together following our tenth inning.

“When you hit a home run in the next innings, and then we somehow manage to stop them from scoring.”

He huffed a laugh. “I’ll do my best.”

“Hey, it’s all I’m asking,” I replied, ducking into the dugout. “I want to go home with the advantage so we can win the final game in front of our guys.”

“Me too, bud. Me too.”

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