Chapter 51
fifty-one
“Where’s Daisy?”
The poor intern before me almost flies out of his shoes at my rough tone.
“Sh-she sent me down here to mic you guys up. Said she’d be supervising from one of the suites?” he rambles.
I nod, but before he tries to put his hand under my shirt, I take the microphone wire from him and set myself up quickly.
It’s second nature by now. It’s usually Daisy’s hands skimming down my collar and back, but it seems like the little minx has gone into hiding after our little sexcapades. Smart girl.
I look above the dugout to the suite that belongs to Nick and Luisa and spot her immediately.
Waving her dainty fingers my way with a secret smile.
I narrow my eyes slightly, letting her know I would have preferred to have her down here setting me up.
It was probably the right call, however, given how I can’t shake the visual of her spread over my desk and need to focus on the game.
Though I must say I’m shocked mostly by the person standing next to her, sipping on a beer.
My sister.
I never thought I’d see the day. I have too many questions I want to ask her, but the new guy before me seems to need my attention again.
“Channel one is Monarchs Live. The players are to switch to that one only if Daisy makes the call. They all know what channels to stay on in the meantime, and you’re channel seven.”
“And only Daisy has access to that channel, correct?”
He nods profusely. “Yes, sir. I mean Coach.”
I glance back up at Daisy with an unimpressed look, and I can’t tell from all the way down here, but I swear I see her mouth “be nice.”
I shake my head and say a quick thank you to the intern before sending him on his way.
I take a look out at the field. My guys are out there wrapping up their stretches, trying to contain that excited energy that comes along with games like this.
We may be barely into the first half of the season, but it feels like a championship game given what’s on the line. A chance to make history.
The crowds are eager and ready for a good game, talking trash among their seat neighbors while eating supersized snacks.
The energy is tangible, and I allow myself a moment to close my eyes and thank the universe for allowing me to find my way back to the sport I’ve loved since I was a child.
To be able to play and manage a team at this level is nothing short of a blessing.
Just like the woman who keeps dancing along to the Aventura song while wearing my hoodie as if she wasn’t the one putting in requests to the DJ responsible for our game tunes.
Her hair flies around her, only keeping out of her face due to the headset placed over her wild curls, smile wide and hips shaking.
My Daisy is free, and I’m itching for our next batch of off days so I can take her back up to the cabin so we can continue what we started up there. And I can show her the ideas that have been taking root in my mind. I just hope it doesn’t scare her off.
“Big game today. Promised my wife if I get a shot of you smiling, I’ll retire early.” Our team photographer, Tom, comes to stand by me, wiggling his camera by his side.
I chuckle to myself. The guy never gives up hope.
Luisa and Daisy have mentioned wanting Valentina to join the Monarchs staff as our new photographer, but I never gave it any thought. Now seeing her here, standing in the stadium I swore I’d never see her in, has me thinking Tom’s days may be numbered.
I tap him on the shoulder, then steady him when it seems like he might fall over. “Easy there, Tom. Wouldn’t want your wife to be mad at me for not letting you go home in one piece. Especially after you tell her you can retire after tonight.”
“Wait, what? Seriously? You’re going to give me the shot everyone’s been clamoring for?” His body shakes with excitement.
I’m called onto the field for the national anthem and simply nod as I pass him. “I’ll signal you when it’s time to come over. Hopefully it’s when our team takes the win.” I wink then turn back to line up with my team.
The anthems are sung, and before I know it, I’m back in my spot in the dugout. I’m busy talking to the pitching coach when an announcement snaps my attention back to the field, and I see red.
“And as a surprise to the Monarchs family, New York Senator Damien Fischer is here to throw the ceremonial first pitch.”