Page 83 of Pitcher Perfect
Doug slapped his knee. “I don’t like it.”
“Can we go back to the significance of Skylar letting me carry her, please?”
“Christ, needy pants. Fine.” Elton thought for a moment, then turned to lean back against the railing. “When she was twelve, we were all still getting used to our blended family. Dad and Vivica couldn’t make one of Sky’s games, so they made me take her. Cheer her on. And I went, but grudgingly. This was before she started with travel softball, so it was a baseball game.” His gaze softened. “That’s the day I claimed her as my sister. The guys were hard on her, but she kept her chin up. Kept pitching. But somewhere around the bottom of the sixth, she took a line drive to the stomach.”
Nausea pitched inside of Robbie at the unexpected turn in the story. “No.”
“Yeah. It took the wind out of her. Took her out of the game. And she was only twelve, but she still wouldn’t let the coach carry her. My sistercrawledinto the dugout. She doesn’t put aside her pride for anyone. Trust is even more sparing.” He waved his empty glass in Robbie’s direction. “She gave you both. Happy now?”
“No. Now I’m thinking about her almost drowningandwith a bruised stomach.”
“Oh yeah, it bruised. Eight shades of fuchsia.”
Robbie glared at Skylar’s brother.
“If Skylar has any doubts left, I’m sure she’ll come around, son,” Doug said, massaging the bridge of his nose. His hand dropped. “And Elton, the fact that Madden got pulled up before you is only encouraging. It gives you something to work for.”
“I know. I’m proud of him. I wish I wasn’t the kind of person that took someone else’s accomplishments and turned them into my own failures.”
“It’s probably my fault.” Doug dipped his chin. “I’m not as good of a father as I thought I was.”
“Yes, you are,” Elton and Robbie insisted.
Robbie reached over and clapped the older man on the shoulder. “Your adult children wouldn’t continue to come back for this psychotic-ass competition if they didn’t love and appreciate you.”
“Thanks,” Doug said dryly.
“You’re welcome, man. All true.”
“I think we all need another drink,” Elton announced.
“There’s nothing left,” Doug said, coming to his feet. “I’ll make a run into town.”
Elton sighed, thought for a beat. “Maybe we should just have a drinkintown? There’s the pub, a wine bar... or that divey karaoke place off Main.”
“Karaoke?” Doug’s eyes lit up. “Is there a prize for the best singer?”
“Nope. It’s done for pure enjoyment.”
Robbie put an arm around Doug’s shoulders and ushered him off the porch. “Come on. The lack of competition will be good for you.”
An hour later, it became obvious that Doug would not have won, either way.
Unless they were crowning the most enthusiastic bad singer.
In which case, Skylar’s dad was the champ.
But sitting in the dive bar, listening to a local sing “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” while getting better acquainted with the people who loved the womanheloved, Robbie definitely felt like he’d won.
Almost.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Skylar was already fast asleep when Robbie finally managed to drag Elton and Doug home. Standing in the doorway of her bedroom with the doorknob in his hand, he found himself savoring the moment. Coming home to Skylar. Having the freedom to walk into her room and see her in a hoodie and flannel shorts, snuggled up with a pillow, her dark hair pluming in various directions, lips slightly parted. She’d left the lamp on for him, but he turned it off right away and started undressing, shoes first, socks, his jeans and T-shirt.
Getting into bed with her felt like the right thing to do. The invitation had been given, hadn’t it? Still, sleeping in the same bed was couple shit and she might never want that with him. After this week ended, they might be nothing more than friends. If that was the result, he wouldn’t be able to live a happy life knowing what it felt like to hold her while she slept. For now, they were still technically friends.
Friends who went up in smoke when they kissed.
