Page 97 of Curveball
So, I am not the only one who doesn’t trust the guy.
“He does have one condition,” Flynn says.
“Of course, he does,” Palmer murmurs, and her eyes are drawn, as though she knows she’s not going to like it.
“I didn’t see any condition in his letter,” I say.
“You won’t find it in that letter from him; it’s in the instructions from his attorney,” Flynn says, and then, he tells us what it is.
“You’ve got to be kidding!” Palmer shouts, after we’re given the news.
But I just laugh.
There’snothing like being back in our home stadium after a long series of away games. It’s top of the fifth and we’re ahead by two. The Madison Badgers have a runner on first, but Diesel is keeping him honest. The batter at the plate’s got a full count, and one more strike will shut this down and bring out our hitters.
The crowd is alive tonight, andloud, the bleachers full with fans wearing their favorite player’s number. The WAGS section behind the dugout is packed, the families glad to have us back, including mine. Palmer stands to cheer when I send a curveball for the third strike, and she’s wearing my jersey—the white one with black trim, and my name and number fourteen big on her back.
I trot in toward the dugout, tagging gloves with Diesel and Thorne along the way.
Palmer has assimilated into that group well over the period of time I’ve known her, the same way she’s made herself an important part of my life—with humor and kindness, and without guile. But now that we’ve taken care of the Alejandro Lopez problem, is she thinking of retiring from our team?
Because I need her in our starting lineup.
When I talked to Declan earlier in the day about an announcement for the media, we put our heads together and concocted a plan for analternativetype of statement. One that goes to the fans first, since they’re the ones who are here every day, supporting our players and our team. I’m all for it.
The presser after the game is going to be a crowd pleaser; we’ll make sure of it. Having Declan as a co-conspirator is just smart. It makes it easier to communicate with the tech crew, too. He catches my eye and he gives me the nod.
Palmer’s still standing, clapping as we clear the field, and I veer off to the side, waving her down to the iron rail where we were first caught on camera. She’s laughing as she trots downthe shallow steps, her curls bouncing as she makes her way over to me.
“Max, what are you doing?” she shouts over the noise of the crowd.
“Kissing my wife,” I say, and then lock my arms around her and crash my lips to hers. The crowd erupts with applause. Palmer pulls away, looking confused and a little dazed as she glances around to see what’s happening. I turn her in my arms until she spots the Jumbotron and us captured on-screen, encircled by a big pink heart and huge white lettering.
CONGRATULATIONS MR AND MRS MURPHY!
I kiss her again, and the crowd goes wild.
Chapter 32
Palmer
It’s been ten days since we announced our marriage to the Terrors fans—and to the world, which is absolutely crazy. The support has been tremendous from the players, the team office, and the league. We’ve also been getting so many messages of congratulations through the team’s social media. I’m afraid we didn’t consider how our announcement would add to their load.
The summer term at school is thankfully short, and I finished it on Thursday while Max was still gone in Texas. While I was clearing out my classroom, Bryan Grady stopped by to say goodbye and offer his well wishes. He also made it clear that he wouldn’t turn down complimentary tickets, since he’s the one who introduced us. I might have mentioned I would see what I could do. Then mutteredas ifto his back as he left.
Attendees dressed in glamourous gowns and elegant tuxedos have been arriving to Max’s foundation gala for several minutes. Valets and ushers welcome everyone and direct them out back, so the crowds are getting thick. I’m enjoying a last few minutes of quiet before tonight’s activities really heat up.
“There you are, gorgeous,” Max says as he comes up to me in the yard. “You hiding?”
I smile and take the hand he stretches out to me. My dress is long and red, with a full skirt that makes me feel like a fairy princess. Priya had such fun picking it out for me. Max’s thumb plays over the stone of my wedding ring, a habit he’s developed over the weeks, since he first slid it on my finger.
“Not at all. I was hoping if I was gone long enough you’d come looking for me, so I can molest your beautiful body in that striking tux. Much nicer than Samson’s brocade smoking jacket and velvet pants.”
I’m going to have to hook him up with Priya, but then, not everyone wears a suit as well as Max. He really does look yummy, all tall and muscular, with his broad chest and wide shoulders. His curls are tamed with product for the occasion, but that one over his forehead always seems to go astray. But I like it like that. It gives me an excuse to run my hands through his thick hair.
“In T minus four hours, you may commence the molesting. In the meantime, have you taken a look at the silent auction items?”
“I may have pledged a bit of your money, yes.”
