Page 49 of Fastball Fever
"Damn, Braddock," she murmurs against my collarbone."If you played baseball like you fuck, you would've won every World Series in the past thirty years."
I chuckle."Maybe that's what I've been missing—a good woman who knows how to fuck.Should we add this to my training regimen, Coach?"
Amy lifts her head, and her tousled hair makes her even more appealing."I'd say it has potential.Definitely improves your stamina."
I sweep a lock of hair from her face, abruptly struck by how beautiful she is in this state.Flushed and disheveled, completely satisfied.Vulnerable in a way I've never seen before.Yes, I want to spend the rest of my life with this woman.
"What's wrong?"she asks."You look so…blissful."
"It's nothing."As soon as I spoke those words, I realized I needed to correct myself."Actually, it isn't nothing.You're just…beautiful.So damn beautiful."
A hint of color rises in her cheeks that has nothing to do with our recent exertion.She looks away, and I see the coach I know beginning to resurface—the woman who keeps her walls up, who never lets anyone see her sweat.
I nuzzle her cheek with my nose, and suddenly, I need to blurt out something that I've been thinking about for quite a while."Amy, would you like to meet my family?We have a couple days off this week."
"Wanna show off your girlfriend, huh?"
"Yeah, maybe."I give her a quick kiss."I love you, Amy, and I know my family will love you too."
"Sounds great."She hesitates, then bows her head."Would you, um, mind if I invited my mom to the get-together?"
"Of course I don't mind.Can't wait to meet her."I wiggle my eyebrows."She might be my mother-in-law pretty soon."
Amy gives my chest a playful push."Don't get ahead of yourself, Braddock."
Damn, I really do love this woman.
Chapter Twenty-Five
When Families Meet
Two whole days off.It isn't often that I get this kind of opportunity—not simply a brief respite, but also the chance for Amy and me to blend our families.I want to marry that woman.But I should probably wait until after the multi-family gathering before I pop the question.
Right now, I'm all alone in Braddockville.Amy took off to Cooperstown to retrieve her mom.Okay, maybe I'm not totally alone, and maybe the Braddocks don't have our own town.Worrying about the impending collision of families might've made me a tiny bit anxious.
No, that's dumb.I amnotanxious.That would be pathetic.
Everyone is gathered in the living room waiting for our guests to arrive.
"Chill out, Charlie," my sister Kaitlyn says, rolling her eyes at me."Your girl will be here soon."
Lauren chimes in too."That's right.Sit down and shut up, little brother."
Sydney just shakes her head, staying out of the fracas as usual.
Then the doorbell rings, and I leap out of my chair.I race to the door before anybody can tell me not to do it and swing the door wide open.But it's not Amy standing there.No, it's Alicia—and that guy I'd seen her with a while back.
My ex-wife smiles almost shyly.That's not like her at all.
Alicia grins at me."Hi Charlie.Surprise!"
I gape at her, my mouth suddenly dry.Alicia's wearing jeans and a flowy white top—casual but still immaculate, just like she always is.Her companion stands slightly behind her, his hand hovering near the small of her back without quite touching it.
"What are you doing here?"I finally ask.
"I heard about the family gathering.Your mom invited me."She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, a nervous gesture I remember all too well."This is Teddy, by the way."
Teddy Whoever extends his hand."Nice to finally meet you, Charlie.Heard a lot about you.I'm Theodore Freeman, but you can call me Teddy."
