Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Penelope
Hazel and I are pulling up to the curb of Riverside Park when my phone vibrates with an incoming call.
Elias. Leighton’s doctor friend, who has already canceled on me once. We’re supposed to meet for lunch tomorrow, but now I have a feeling that’s not going to happen.
I thank the Uber driver and usher Hazel out of the car onto the curb. Before I click on the voicemail, I tip my driver and leave him a review.
Grabbing Hazel’s hand, I lead her through the security gates of the park.
This place was a find I’m not sure I’ll ever top.
It’s secluded enough that we shouldn’t get too many passersby.
The event is only for season ticket holders and their families—a place to meet the team, bring everyone together outside of baseball, and support local food vendors.
I show my pass to security, and we walk in.
Since we’re the first to arrive, Hazel runs over to the bouncy house.
I decide I might as well hear what Elias’s excuse is for canceling our date. Watching Hazel through the mesh window, I press the voicemail button.
“Hey, Penelope, I’m so sorry, I need to cancel our lunch tomorrow.
The chairman of the hospital wants to do a tour, and I just found out.
I swear I am not trying to put you off, and I really hope you’ll give me at least one more chance to make this date happen.
Third time’s a charm, right? Leighton says a lot of good things about you.
Please call me when you get some time. Hope to hear from you soon. ”
I can’t really be mad at him, but it’s concerning how relieved I feel.
“Mommy, look!” Hazel jumps. “Look how high I can get.”
“You’re doing great, sweetie.”
Can I please go back to that carefree life where the only thing to be worried about was the hula hoop talent show? We’re still struggling to get a routine down. Which is hard when you can’t even get the hoop to swing around your waist. How is this a kid’s toy?
This is the second time Elias has canceled.
The first time a surgery ran long, which I understood completely and told him so.
What I didn’t fully think through when I said yes to Leighton setting us up was that trying to schedule a first date with an OB/GYN is apparently harder than booking a hair appointment with a stylist who just went viral.
The bigger problem is I’m not really disappointed. Sure, I need to move on. I want to move on. But it was easier before I got thrown into this whole Dugout Social Club planning thing with Decker.
All I’ve done is replay that phone conversation in my head. His voice. God, I miss that voice. The way he said slugger as if no time has passed and it’s still a running joke between us.
“Hazel!” Monroe shouts from the security entrance, running toward us.
I give a wave to Leighton and Hayes to let them know I have an eye on her.
Lake doesn’t look thrilled to be here, but she’s brought a friend. Lincoln starts tossing a ball with Hayes almost as soon as they’re inside the gates.
Monroe stops outside the bouncy house and bends down to untie her shoes. “Hi, Penelope. Today is going to be so fun! Can you hold this for me?”
“You guys are twins.” I hold up the bighorn sheep stuffie she’s passed me. “Hayes and my dad were clearly at the same gift shop.”
“I know. Did Hazel bring hers?” She asks the question, but runs into the bouncy house before I can answer.
Hazel’s stuffed animal collection is getting a little out of hand, but every time my dad brings one or two—depending on how long they’re gone—Hazel’s face lights up.
“Hey, this is awesome. I can see a future in event planning for you.” Leighton hugs me and takes the bighorn sheep stuffed animal from my grasp, shoving it in her bag. “I told her not to bring this. If she loses it, she’ll go berserk, and I’m not sure when they’ll be in Colorado again.”
“You’ll be hopping on the first plane to Colorado to put yourself out of that misery.”
We both laugh.
“Seriously, Penelope, this is great.” She looks around, taking in every detail.
White tents with tables are scattered around for all the families to enjoy the food from the food trucks. Red, blue, and white decorations are everywhere you look, and everything is Colts-related.
“It’s a generous budget, I’m not gonna lie. I almost had a hard time spending it. But Shane Whitaker is big on making this whole WAGs-but-not-WAGs club a success.”
“Seriously, I can help, you know.”
Leighton has offered a few times already.
Callie too, but I have this guilt. Because I don’t work outside the home, I feel like I should take it on solo.
Plus, my dad is the coach, and he doesn’t have a wife.
Maybe it’s just natural for me to step into that role.
How many times did I have to go to galas and things as my dad’s date through the years?
“Stop it. You’re raising three kids and working full-time as a nurse. I can’t imagine how busy your life is.”
She sips her coffee, which she must have stopped for on the way here. “I’m used to running on empty.” She nudges me with her elbow. “So, the big date is tomorrow, huh? Did Elias tell you where he’s taking you?”
“He’s not taking me anywhere. He’s got some chairman coming for a tour of the wing or something.”
Her head rocks back. “Oh, I heard something about that when I was leaving work yesterday, but I was so tired that I didn’t ask for any of the details. I’m not surprised Elias got roped into being the one to show off our wing. He has a charismatic personality. Everyone just loves him.”
“You talking about me?” Hayes kisses her cheek and wraps his arms around her waist, bringing her flush against him. “It’s sweet that you’re bragging about me.”
Jealousy crawls up my back like a spider—quick and unwelcome. Not because I want Hayes, but I do want someone to reach for me like that in public, as though it’s the most natural thing. I wish that was my normal.
“Gross. Can we go to the food trucks?” Lake asks when she approaches.
“Hi, Lake.” I give her a friendly wave.
“Hi, Penelope. This is my friend Kami.” She turns to Leighton. “Can we?”
“Fine, but you stay in this park. Understood?”
Lake rolls her eyes and stalks off with her friend at her side.
“She looks happy,” I say.
“Oh, Penelope, you just wait. These pre-teens are like a keg of dynamite—there’s always a risk of an explosion with one wrong move.” Hayes walks to the entrance of the bouncy house. “I’m coming in!” he shouts to all the kids inside and reaches in as though he’s going to grab them.
The girls squeal and huddle in a corner, but Hayes gets half his body in there.
“Lame, Haymaker.” Easton toes out of his shoes and slides through the opening.
“Good—fun Uncle Easton is here.” Hayes straightens and nods to someone behind us.
I’m not going to turn around and look because I have a feeling I already know who it is.
“You’re late,” Hayes says.
“You’re early for once in your life.”
Goose bumps race up my spine at Decker’s voice.
“Leighton has that effect on me. But I got three kids plus one out the door, and you couldn’t get your sorry single ass here on time.”
“Don’t forget, I’m responsible for Easton.” Decker’s deep chuckle has me wanting to press my thighs together.
“Stop throwing shade, Goldie!” Easton shouts, proving he’s never out of earshot.
Everyone laughs, but the man-child is in the bouncy house playing Marco Polo with the girls.
“Decker!” Lincoln shouts and tosses the football over before anyone is ready.
“Watch out, Pen.” Decker’s voice is tight.
I glance to my right and see a youth-size football coming right for me. When I go to step back, I run into a firm chest. Two arms extend around me above my head, grabbing the ball right before it can hit me square in the nose.
“I got you.” Decker’s whisper in my ear has me suppressing a shudder.
“Linc, you gotta wait until he’s ready.” Hayes jogs away, holding up his hands for Decker to throw him the ball.
Decker hasn’t moved away from me yet, and I greedily soak in his body heat, his scent. He’s everything I crave late at night. Especially when my vibrator makes an appearance.
“You good?” he asks.
I wordlessly nod like a teenage girl whose biggest crush just said hi to her in the school hallway.
He steps away from me and throws the ball to Hayes. The three of them form a triangle to play catch.
“Whoa, that was… should I tell you how hot that was?” Leighton sips her drink, fanning herself with her other hand.
“No need. I felt him everywhere.”
“I can imagine.”
“No gossip until I get there!” Callie calls, walking over to us with her own drink in hand.
“Reap!” Hayes shouts, but Foster points toward the carrier and puts his finger over his mouth.
Ellis is strapped to his chest, and the diaper bag is swung over his shoulder.
“Man, you sure have him trained.” Leighton chuckles.
“Oh no, I volunteered, but every day off, it’s him and Ellis time. He doesn’t want me to do anything.” She sips her drink. “I’m not complaining.”
“I don’t either. Hayes does the same.”
They look at one another like, aren’t we lucky, we found these gorgeous men who love us and our kids, and we’re living out our happily-ever-afters.
“I wonder what it would be like to wake up and not have to get Hazel ready for school by myself.” The words come out before I can stop them.
They both give me that look—the pitying one. Which is why I usually don’t tell anyone my feelings about being a single parent.
“Let’s talk some more about Decker’s move,” Leighton says with a grin.
“Decker’s here!” Monroe says to Hazel inside the bouncy house. “Let’s go!”
They scurry out, and Easton peeks his head out. “You’re leaving the fun uncle?” He lets his head hang down. “I could use a breather though.”
He slides out, puts his shoes back on, and shouts at Lincoln to throw him the ball. Which of course Lincoln does because he loves Easton.
“That guy is like the Energizer Bunny, I swear,” Callie says.
“Truth.” Leighton nods.
Foster lasts about fifteen minutes watching the guys turn a game of catch into two teams trying to play keep-away from each other.
Callie must notice something on Foster’s face because she reaches into the carrier and takes Ellis. “Go play with your friends.”
He smiles and kisses Ellis on the cheek. “This doesn’t mean Daddy doesn’t love you the mostest,” he says to his baby girl. “Thanks, Mommy.” He kisses Callie, lingering a little longer than is probably appropriate in public.
“Mommy? Is that some sort of role play?” I chuckle.
“No,” Callie deadpans and holds Ellis out, but Leighton takes her.
“I’ve got this shift.” Then Leighton walks away, bouncing the baby in her arms.
Callie and I smile at one another.
Hazel and Monroe are all over Decker, tugging on separate arms.
“You seem to like the view,” Callie says softly.
I shake my head.
“One day I hope you’ll tell me about your past with Decker.”
I turn to her. “I thought you knew… I mean…”
She entwines her arm through mine. “Foster told me his version. And it’s okay, I’m okay with whatever happened.
I had a life before Foster too. But there’s always another side of the story.
And from what little he told me, and from the tension I feel when you and Decker are both in the same room, I’d say your story is unfinished. ”
I shake my head. “It was over a long time ago. It’s just hard being around him again.”
“Especially when your daughter is so enamored with him.”
That’s a problem, but I don’t say anything. I just nod because it’s true.
“She’s worse than Hazel!” Monroe screeches.
Decker’s gaze lifts to find me as Monroe pleads her case, whatever it is, and Hazel stands next to her, biting her lip.
I don’t even want to know what those two are up to.