Page 108 of Force Play
I stand up and stretch myself out before looking for the clothing I removed hastily earlier. I get myself dressed quickly as Lucia watches.
“I’m stealing a bottle of water,” I say, “and I’ll be on my way.”
“Thanks for the good sex,” she smiles.
“Let’s do it again sometime,” I tease, and Lucia throws her head back and laughs.
“Get out of here, Ari.”
“See you tomorrow, Spitfire.”
I leave Lucia’s room with the biggest smile on my face.
The sex tonight was incredible, but I think I liked just getting to see her again, too.
As for what that might mean?
I have no fucking idea.
thirty-three
Lucia
“I’msogladIfinally have my girls down here!” I chime, looking around my hotel room at all of my friends. “Spring Training is always such a sausage fest.”
Ella falls back on the bed in laughter. “The Stars really need to get some more vaginas on their staff.”
“I honestly have no idea how I’m the only woman,” I sigh. “Outside of Logan, I don’t feel like the culture is dismissive of women.”
Harlow shrugs. “Maybe it’s that not many women are applying for these positions. Sports are still largely male-dominated.”
“Women’s sports are on the rise, though,” I add. “And I don’t think anybody knows better than you, Lo, that women are gaining interest in sports at a rapid pace.”
Lo’s whole blog—Starred and Fast—is catered to women wanting to learn all about baseball. The blog has taken off over the past few years, and she now has hundreds of thousands of women regularly visiting the site.
“That blog was a godsend for me,” Olive laughs. “The only reason I know as much as I do right now is because of Lo.”
Harlow smiles in pride. “You’re right. Maybe there’s something you can do about this, Luc.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“Ooh!” Rory says excitedly. “You should work on outreach. I’m sure you could talk to Dr. Coltrain about speaking at some of the local universities. Women belong in sports, and I think you could be a massive influence on the ones who are too nervous to take that step.”
Ella claps loudly. “Oh my God, yes, Luc! That would looksogood, too, when you’re being considered for Head Trainer.”
“I never thought of that,” I admit, bracing my hands against the desk behind me. “Do you think I should try to do that?”
“You should!” Liv exclaims. “Luc, you’re probably thebestperson to do that. You’ve never let a man walk over you, and you could give other women some pointers.”
I don’t think I ever would have considered something like this, but there’s no denying that it’s an incredible idea.
It will look good for me, sure, but more importantly, I can help more women occupy the spaces that men have claimed since the dawn of time.
Women deserve a seat at the fucking table, and I’ll do whatever I can to help achieve that.
I can’t help but smile. “Yeah, I’ll talk to Dr. Coltrain.”
“That’s my girl! Ella shouts. “Dismantling the patriarchy one woman at a time.”
