Page 174 of Fielder's Choice

“Sage is practically my granddaughter, Lane,” he says. “And she’s the only one I’ve got until those two,”— He gestures to Rory and Cole. —“decide to give me more.”

“You sure you want little Coles running around?” I tease.

“Yeah,” he grins. “Cole’s a good one. He makes Rory happy, and he’s so good to her. Wouldn’t mind some grandkids that take after him.”

“You’ve come a long way, Skip,” I chuckle.

He sighs. “I’m honestly lucky they speak to me at all.”

“Nah, they were always going to forgive you. They didn’t like it, but they knew your worries were coming from a place of love, not control. Once you apologized and stopped acting like a dick, they were past it.”

Skip levels me with a stern look. “I’m your manager. Don’t call me a dick.”

“You’re not my manager here,” I joke, shaking his shoulder. “You’re in my domain right now.”

“Liv must be a saint to put up with you,” he replies, shaking his head.

I smile brightly as I look across the room to see her spending time with her friends. “She is. She’s fucking incredible, Skip.”

“How the hell did I end up with a team full of lovesick fools?”

I can’t help but laugh. “You’ve still got one. Ari refuses to settle down.”

Skip looks at me in confusion. “I thought he had something going on with Lucia.”

I bark out a laugh at the suggestion. “Oh,pleasetell them that. I’m begging you.”

“I’m missing something,” he huffs.

“They can’tstandeach other, Skip. All they do is argue.”

“Why?”

“None of us know,” I shrug. “They refuse to tell anyone.” I glance around and spot Lucia by herself out on the balcony right now, and I have the urge to make sure she’s alright. “Thanks for coming, Skip. I’m gonna go talk to Lucia right now.”

“I’m gonna go rescue my first baseman then,” he chuckles, and we walk off in opposite directions.

I make my way through the small crowd until I reach the balcony door and swing it open, enjoying the nice spring breeze that blows by.

“What are you doing out here by yourself, Torres?” I ask, closing the door behind me and coming to lean against the rail beside her.

“Because the girls know to give me space when I’m upset.” She looks at me now. “You, though, don’t seem to have gotten that memo.” Her words are light, and I can tell she doesn’t actually mind me being here.

“I’m stubborn,” I grin. “Still upset about Matt?”

“I’m upset with the situation,” she replies quickly. “Not Matt. I don’t get upset over men.”

I let that slide because delving into that won’t help anything. “So what about the situation has you down right now?”

Lucia stares ahead for a few seconds before taking a deep breath. “Matt was fucking Anna, his coworker, for at least half of our relationship. He wasn’t with us for New Year’s Eve because he was apparently with her.”

“Shit, Luc,” I breathe. “I’m sorry.”

“Me too. Sorry I wasted my time on him.”

“It’s not wasted time,” I assure her. “You’re still young. You have plenty of time to find love if that’s what you want.”

“No, I don’t,” Lucia replies softly. “I’m turning thirty-one next month, Lane. Every guy I’ve met ends up being terrible. I’m no closer to finding love now than I was a decade ago. I’m gonnahave to freeze my damn eggs soon if I ever want kids in the future.”

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