Page 47 of Home Run

“Millie’s going to have to play it, so she’ll hear what you’re saying. You can record things for her too.”

“That’s very devious of you,” said Ace, his tone filled with admiration.

“Hey, we’re all wanting Tanner to find love. He’s the last one, and if I can give him a little boost thensobeit.” He shrugged. “It’s nothing he wouldn’t say to her face.”

My fingers drummed against my chin, this could be exactly what I needed to get Millie to take me seriously.

“You’re right. I can tell her everything I’ve always wanted to tell her.” I grabbed Ace’s phone again and held it in front of his face to unlock it, then hit Order. “Sorry, think you paid for that.”

“Hey, whatever I can do to help.” He grinned, only for it to die on his face as he jerked forward from Robson Barry pushing his chair out too far at the table behind. “Dude! Watch it.”

“Sorry, man,” he offered. “But Coach just walked out. We need to get our shit together before the bus leaves for practice.”

I glanced around. We’d been too busy buying baby headphones and reading up on pregnancy facts that wehadn’t noticed the bustle in the dining room as everyone made their way out.

I snatched up one last piece of toast, and the four of us pushed to standing, our chairs screeching across the floor, and followed the crowd.

It was our last day on the road. Out of five games we’d played so far, only one had been lost, and we fully intended to keep it that way. We we’re going to win tonight, and then we’d be flying out of Dallas and heading back to New York top of the standings for the National League East.

Life on the road was hard. For nine long months we traveled back and forth across the country, clocking up thousands and thousands of miles. It wasn’t something I’d thought much about, it was part of the job. It’s what we got paid millions for. Yet for the first time ever I couldn’t wait to get home.

Parker peered over Ace’s shoulder. “Hey, can you still have sex when you’re pregnant?”

“Of course you can, dumbass. Where do you think dimples come from?”

I didn’t want to ask him if that was true, instead I pulled my phone out as we waited for the next available elevator.

Tanner: Hey, what are you doing?

Millie: Putting books on the shelves

Tanner: Still? How many books do you have?

Millie: A lot. How’s life on the road? You played well last night

Tanner: Aww shucks, were you watching me? *blush emoji*

Millie: Radley was watching Lux. I happened to catch one particular moment when you were at bat as I walked past

Barking out a laugh, I stepped away from the boys and hit Dial. Millie picked up immediately, her bemused and partly flustered face filling the screen.

“There’s my beautiful baby mama.”

The smattering of freckles across her nose crinkled and her brows knitted together. “Don’t call me that.”

“Why not? You are beautiful.”

“I meant the other thing.”

“Baby mama? You’re that too.”

Millie’s big brown eyes rolled, but as she propped her phone on the table instead of hanging up on me, I took it as a good sign. Piles and piles of books surrounded her, more books than I’d seen outside of a bookstore. I thought Lux had a lot, but the girls had him beat. I didn’t even know where they’d all come from because there was no way her dorm room was big enough for them all.

In the corner of the frame I noticed one of the books I’d bought online—the one Ace had been reading this morning. I debated on telling her about the watermelon fact but thought better of it.

“So what else did you ‘happen to catch’ while Radley was watching Lux?”

She picked up another pile of books and turned to the shelf. She probably wouldn’t appreciate me telling her that her ass looked super peachy in those leggings.

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