Page 92 of Wild Pitch
I nodded and waited for him to lay into me for my stupidity.
“How?”
“Skylar lied. She was never actually trying to conceive. I stupidly assumed that I was the problem. Kylie and I had a broken condom, but to be completely honest, I thought nothing of it.”
Jake shook his head and swallowed half of his beer.
“That fucking bitch.”
“You’re telling me.”
“I’m assuming you saw Kylie. How did that go?”
I sighed, “I’ve got work to do. She’s not ready to forgive and forget.”
“If anyone can get her back, you can. Do you have a plan to be involved with the baby?”
“Yeah, her next appointment was scheduled during a game. She’s going to change it to a time that works for us both.”
“I know how much you wanted this. Just wish it had happened when you were in a better place with your relationship.”
“Yeah, the relationship I torched.”
“If it’s worth it, you’ll both find a way to fix it.”
“She said she can’t trust me right now. Any idea how I can change her feelings?”
I waited as Jake thought. He might not talk a lot, but his advice was always spot on when he switched into his big brother mode. I was desperate for his guidance, because I’d fucked this up completely.
“Think about the people you trust. What have they done to make you trust them?”
“Well, that’s you, Molly, and Kylie. And it’s because you’ve never once done anything to betray that trust.”
“You broke up with Kylie abruptly, never telling her why. The only way you fix this is with time. Keep showing up, make her understand that she’s the priority.”
“I fucked up.”
“Yeah, you keep saying that; now fix it.”
Jake finished the beer and helped himself to a second.
“Did Mom and Molly confirm whether they’ll be at the opener?” I asked.
“Yes, and Mom even agreed to sit with Molly this time. I guess she’s realized it’s not Molly’s fault she exists.”
“Uh, well, hate to break it to you, but I gave Mom an ultimatum. I said that if she didn’t grow up and make nice with our sister, she would no longer be welcome at our events.”
“Nicely played. Now, if Molly doesn’t run out of there crying, you get the points for that one. Are you going to tell them about the baby?”
What a mind-fuck. I had woken up this morning so sure that Kylie had moved on—no part of me thought the baby could be mine.
“If I had it my way, I would introduce them to Kylie and make the announcement. That decision is Kylie’s.”
“I’m assuming her family will be at the game?”
“Likely. Sam is targeted for the start, so I imagine they will all be there.”
Sam, not Jake, was the organization’s first choice, despite Jake’s experience. He knew that would be the case when he signed the contract, and I think it was a relief. He could keep playing baseball and also pass the baton to the younger generation.
