Page 34 of Curve Ball
“And she kind of ghosted me for, like, four months, and when I saw her at the gender reveal, you know, when I chased after her. She told me she’s pregnant. So we made up and are together now and we found out not only are we having a baby, but two babies. Identical twin boys.”
The clubhouse falls silent for a moment as my teammates process the news. Kai’s eyes widen in shock, and then a huge grin spreads across his face. “Dude, that’s amazing! Congrats, man! Oh, shit! We’re about to be dads together.”
Jackson lets out a whoop of excitement, high-fiving me. “Just adding more to the Coyotes family! Fuck yeah!”
Andres, usually the quiet one, just stands there with his mouth open, shock written all over his face. “Twins? Really?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Yeah, twins.”
Kai pulls me into a bro hug, clapping me on the back. “That’s insane, man. I’m so happy for you.”
Jackson chimes in, “So, when’s the big day? When are you popping the question because I know you’re already planning on asking her to marry you, right?”
I run a hand through my hair, a nervous energy coursing through me. “Soon, I hope. I want to ask Adriana to marry me as soon as possible. I just need to find the right moment.”
Kai’s expression turns serious. “Why didn’t youtell me sooner, though? I’m your best friend, and you kept this from me?”
I sigh, remembering the whirlwind of emotions Adriana and I have been through. “She found out she was pregnant when she was about nine or ten weeks along, but she was already dodging me. Then, finding that out, she thought I wouldn’t want her or the baby. Can you believe that?”
Kai’s brow furrows in confusion. “Why would she think that?”
I shrug, a pang of sadness hitting me. “She has her reasons. Her ex was a real piece of work from the little bits she’s told me. I’ve been trying to wrap my head around it all since then.”
Kai pulls me aside as we head out to the field, his expression thoughtful. “You know, Isla and Adriana are due pretty close to each other. Our kids are gonna be so close in age. They’ll grow up together; fuck, that’s gonna be so awesome.”
I nod, a warmth spreading through me at the thought. “Yeah, it’s gonna be crazy. But in the best way possible.”
He hugs me tightly, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m so happy for you, man. You deserve this.”
I hug him back, feeling a lump form in my throat. “Thanks, man. It means a lot.”
As we pull apart, Kai’s expression turns serious again. “Does Isla know yet?”
I shake my head. “Adriana was supposed to tell her today, so don’t worry about keeping it a secret.”
Kai lets out a sigh of relief. “Good, because I’m a shit liar when it comes to my wife. All she has to do is look at me, and the truth just comes out.”
I laugh, clapping him on the back. “I get it, man. I’m the same way with Adriana. I can’t lie for shit.”
We join the rest of the team on the field, and batting practice begins. My mind is a million miles away, though, thinkingabout Adriana and our babies. I can’t believe I’m gonna be a dad. Twins, no less. It’s surreal, but in the best possible way.
I step up to the plate, and I can feel the eyes of my teammates on me. They’re excited, proud, and maybe a little envious. I grin, adjusting my grip on the bat. “Let’s see that fastball, Brooks. I’ve got some pent-up energy to work off.”
Brooks grins back, winding up and throwing a blazing fastball right down the middle. I swing, connecting with a crisp crack, and watch as the ball soars through the air, disappearing over the outfield wall.
“That’s what I want to see at the game, Mendoza!” Coach shouts.
Kai pulls me out of my reverie, a mischievous glint in his eye. “You know, we should have a double baby shower. For Isla and Adriana.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Yeah, that sounds like a plan. You know how to throw a baby shower?’
“Nope. What about you?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know shit about baby showers.”
Jackson butts in. “Guess that means Dre and I are gonna have to do it.”
Kai and I look at each other and crack up, bent over laughing because Jackson and Andres doing anything other than fucking is a nightmare.
