Page 23 of The Yips

“Oh, this just keeps getting better. If I were a betting man, you’d be a goner. For what it’s worth, Avery thinks she’s genuine.” Avery was known for trusting her first impressions. The only time she had ever ignored them was with Chloe Cole, and she’d been right. I respected both Carlos’s and Avery’s opinions.

When I took the mound at the top of the first, I scanned the crowd for where I knew they would be. Crew was strapped into his carrier, and they both wore their Minutemen hats. I didn’t expect Kelsey to catch my eye and turn around so I could see her jersey read number nineteen. She gave me a giant smile and a thumbs up, and for the first time, I wanted to win the game not to pad my stats but to make her proud of me.

When I struck out the side, Carlos patted me on the back on the way to the dugout. “Are you trying to make history with back-to-back perfect games?”

“Nah, I don’t really care about history. She’s wearing my jersey.”

“Lots of women wear your jersey,” Carlos stated the obvious.

“I can’t explain it. It hits different.”

I didn’t pitch another perfect game, but watching her cheer as I broke Ramon’s home run streak and left the game in the seventh with a nice little lead was almost as good. I spent the rest of the game on the bench, trying to figure out how to get her to follow me everywhere. For the first time in a long time, I looked forward to life outside baseball. The sport was a means to a good life, but not my entire life.

With the All-Star break approaching and a week in Texas, I wanted to bring her with me, even though the game was more exhibition than real. I had this overwhelming need for her to meet my family. Josie would be at the game, and I’d see her while I was in town. During my post-game shower, I fine-tuned a proposal that would hopefully make Kelsey’s life a little bit easier while she traveled with me for the rest of the season.

CHAPTER 21

Kelsey

Iborrowed my Dad’s Drummond jersey before leaving for Minnesota, not thinking Sam would notice or care. When he locked eyes with me, I saw so many emotions. With all his success, I don’t think he ever felt someone was in his corner. I wrapped my arms around Crew and whispered in his ear, “You’re never going to question me, little man.”

My attempt to deny my physical attraction to him had failed. But emotionally? He was so much more complex than I would have imagined. This talented, strong, athletic man contained these layers of emotion that I wanted to peel open, expose, and protect. How could I protect anyone else? I was barely holding my head above water.

After the game, when I met Sam in the stadium, he approached me, eyes locked like no one else in the world existed.

“Can I take you out tonight?” he rushed out nervously.

I looked down at Crew, and then back up at him. I know Sam had said Crew was invited everywhere I was, but basedon his nerves, this seemed more like a date than a casual dinner.

“Would you trust Avery to watch him?”

So many things ran through my mind in mere seconds. I nodded my head. Yes, I trusted Avery. She had snuggled with him for half the game, and he loved her. She had claimed that he might get her to try for one more.

“Is this a date?” I whispered.

“Please, yes. I’m asking you on a date.” Sam leveled his green eyes on me as Crew continued to try to get both of our attention.

“Then, yes. I want to go on a date with you.” A smile erupted on his face. He swept a stray hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear, and cupped Crew’s tiny head with his massive hands. My heart squeezed painfully when he planted his lips on Crew’s head. His eyes closed, and I watched him inhale the baby’s scent.

“Did you just sniff his head?” I asked, laughing. I loved the scent, but I didn’t expect Sam to notice.

“I did. It caught me by surprise. I’d like to pick you up at 7:30. I can arrange for Avery to watch Crew. What time do you need her to be there?”

“Maybe 7:00/ 7:15 ish?”

“Ok, done.”

It wasn’t until I was in the hired car on my way back to the hotel that I realized I had nothing to wear. In a moment of panic, I texted Monica.

Me: How would I find something to wear for a real dinner? Tonight???

Monica: What size are you?

Me: Four.

Monica: Can you send me a selfie? I’d like to see your coloring.

I sent her a picture, and she replied that I’d have a selection sent to my suite within an hour. I’d tried everything on twice when I heard Avery’s knock on the suite door. Crew was on a play mat having tummy time while I panicked. I didn’t recognize the dress brands; these weren’t from H&M or Anthropologie, which I couldn’t afford to shop at anyway. She’d sent more than one pair of red-bottomed shoes, and while I knew the price tag would make me want to vomit, I loved what they did for my legs.

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