Page 64 of Home Run

“I’m not talking to myself. I’m?—”

Jupiter’s brows shot under his ballcap. “You’re…what?”

“If you must know, I’m recording my voice,” I told him as a roar erupted from the crowds.

Lux’s ball flew through the air. The guys waiting out on the Hudson in their canoes would be catching this one. The cameras followed the ball; on the big screen you could see everyone lined up on the water waiting for it. A couple of fans had those big fishing nets, because they thought it gave them an edge, but in reality, they only knocked them off balance. Only the true pro fans ever attempted it.

More often than not, the boats capsized from thescrabble of everyone trying to get the ball first with far too much excitement.

“I’m probably going to regret asking this, butwhyare you recording your voice?”

Hmm. How to answer this question?

Millie had passed twelve weeks, she was feeling good. I was feeling good. We hadn’t officially discussed when we should start telling people, but now our parents knew I guess it was okay. I’d have to tell the club soon.

“It’s for my unborn child,” I replied.

I don’t think he was expecting that answer, given he was yet to blink. I focused back on the big screen. As predicted, two boats had toppled before Lux even made it to the dugout.

“Your what?”

I could feel a smile tugging at my mouth. I hadn’t said these words aloud enough for it to not still be a novelty. “I’m going to be a dad.”

“A dad? You?”

“Yes.” I beamed at him as an idea occurred to me. “Actually, you can help me with something?” I flicked on the microphone before Jupiter could respond and pointed it at him. “What’s your name?”

“You know what my name is.”

“I know I do, but I’m asking you to say it.”

“Why?”

“Just…argh. God, can you just do it?”

Another cheer went up from the crowds; Boomer Jones had made it to second.

Jupiter turned back to me, one of his thick dark browsarched in question, but he leaned into the microphone anyway. “My name is Jupiter Reeves.”

“And how long have we known each other?”

“I dunno, a couple of years.”

“Three seasons,” I corrected. “And how long have I loved Millie?”

“Who’s Millie?”

I stop recording,again. My editing skills weren’t good enough to go through this conversation.

“Millie. The mother of my child. The one I’m in love?—”

I froze.

I hadn’t said that out loud before.I am in love with Millie.I hadn’t told anyone before. I hadn’t even admitted it to myself, so what the fuck did I think I was doing blurting it to Jupiter Reeves?

It tripped off my tongue so naturally, I couldn’t be anythingbutin love with her.

Was I in love with Millie? Yes. Resoundingly yes.

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