Page 171 of Fielder's Choice

fifty-nine

Lane

Today’sgameisdragging,all thanks to the weather.

It was pouring this morning, so we started the game with a rain delay. The game began about an hour late because of that.

On theoneday I really need the game to not run over.

I amnotmissing my daughter’s recital.

We’re in the bottom of the eighth inning now, and since Josh and I batted in the last inning, we’re not batting again in this one unless the other guys bat really fucking well. So we’re just relaxing at the back of the dugout while we wait.

Well, he’s relaxing. I’m stressing.

“Take a breath, man,” Josh says. “Game’s almost over.”

“We’re only up by two runs. This game could easily head to extra innings with a two-run homer.”

“Lane,” Josh says emphatically, and I turn my head to face him. “Why are you so stressed about this? You’reneverthis stressed out.”

“I just… can’t miss her recital,” I breathe. “I already feel like I’m not around enough because of our chaotic schedule, and if I miss today, it’s going to show me that I can’t balance everythingas she gets older. I won’t miss out on the things she does because I’m playing baseball.”

He gives me a reassuring smile. “Half of the guys on the team have kids, Lane. They’re managing fine.”

I let out a breath and rest my head on the back wall. “They aren’t single dads, Josh.”

He looks at me, waiting for me to come to whatever conclusion he’s come to. When I just stare back at him, he sighs and continues on. “You’re not a single dad either.”

“I literally am.”

“Your nanny has always traveled with the team, and now Sage has amom.You’re not a single dad, Lane. Not anymore.”

Sage has been calling Olive her mom for weeks now, but I didn’t fully absorb what that meant until this moment.

I’ve always had my friends, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s just been Sage and me. I was raising her alone.

But that’s not true now. The woman of my fucking dreams came in and turned our lives upside down, and though she had no obligation to step into the mother role, she did, and she did it seamlessly. When Olive is with us, she takes care of Sage just as much as I do. She’ll help with meals, bath time, bedtime, playtime, and everything in between.

Josh is right. I’mnota single dad anymore.

I have Olive, Sage’s mom, and, if I have any say in it, my futurewife.

I don’t need to rush that, though. Not gonna pull a Cole and Rory and get married on a whim.

No, that can wait.

I already have everything I could ever want.

I must be smiling as I watch the game because Josh chuckles next to me. “Love looks good on you, man.”

“I don’t think I could hide it if I tried,” I laugh. “I’m so far gone for her.”

“Oh, we all knew that back when you met her. You literally texted us an SOS when you found out she was Sage’s teacher. The old you wouldn’t have cared and just moved on to the next woman. Olive was always different.”

“I guess she was.”

“For what it’s worth,” he adds as we both stand now that the bottom of the inning is over. “You seem to be good for her, too. You’re good together.”

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