Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
GEORGIA
“Have you ever been to a baseball game before?” Luke asks, slurping from his drink.
“I’ve been to a few of the Loggers’ games,” I say.
Luke snorts. “I don’t think these guys are as good as the Loggers.”
“My bar for even knowing what is good is very low for baseball.”
I follow him through the bleachers and find some space for the two of us. He spreads the blanket out and I set down the cushioned seat I brought with me.
At this point in my pregnancy, I want comfort over everything else. The bigger my belly gets, the harder of an adjustment it is.
“You’ll at least like watching Dad play,” Luke says.
It’s one of the last warm nights. Summer is hanging on by a thread. I opted for cut-off jeans shorts, a white T-shirt, and Grant’s Loggers jersey. Even though I can’t button it, it looks cute opened over my bump.
“Do you know which ones are the coaches your dad works with?” I ask Luke.
I pop a piece of popcorn in my mouth. Even though it’s a pickup league, the concession stand is open. It’s like they knew the pregnant lady was coming.
I’m now firmly in the hungry and horny stage of my pregnancy. I kept waiting for it to come, but now that Grant and I are seeing one another, it’s like I can’t get enough of him.
“I’m not sure. I haven’t met any of them,” he says, grabbing a handful of popcorn and chomping down.
“Maybe we’ll meet them tonight,” I say.
“I actually got invited to spend the night at Josh’s house,” Luke says, keeping his eyes fixed on the game.
“Really? That’s great.”
“You think Dad will let me go?”
I nod, grabbing my water bottle and sucking down a sip. “Of course he will. And if he doesn’t, I’ll let you go.”
Luke laughs. “Is this what it’s going to be like with the two of you and the baby? One of you says no and the other says yes?”
“Hanging out with friends is always approved. Did you meet him at school?”
“You’re sounding like Dad now.”
“Sorry.” I throw my hands up. “But if you are going, we at least need to know where.”
He smiles at me. He looks so much like Grant when his face lights up. “You’re starting to sound like a mom.”
“Good thing. This baby will be here before you know it.”
“Dad’s up next,” Luke says, pointing back to the game.
Grant is in the on-deck circle, swinging the bat. The baseball shirt clings to his biceps in the most delicious way. And somehow those pants make his ass look even better.
Get it together, Georgia.
“Let’s go, Grant!” I cheer, clapping as he steps up to home plate.
The pitcher takes his stance, lining up before throwing the ball. It cracks against the bat as it sails into the outfield. It keeps going, and going, and—
“Home run!” Luke shouts, jumping up and down next to me. “Way to go, Dad!”
“Woo!”
I’m high-fiving everyone around us, watching as Grant runs the bases. He gives us a nod, letting us know he sees us.
Damn. Watching him play baseball is hot. He said he didn’t have the athletic ability to keep going and moved into coaching, but he’s good.
Again, my bar for knowing what’s good is low, but Grant makes it look easy.
“Your dad is really good,” I say, retaking my seat as the next batter comes up.
“I know he wishes I loved it like he does, but eh.” He shrugs a shoulder.
“Anything you like more?”
“I like going riding with you,” he says.
“You do?”
“I mean, it’s cool.”
“I’m glad you enjoy it.”
I now know the feeling that Grant gets when he’s around Luke. He wants to encourage him when he likes something, but I don’t want to act too interested and make him hate it.
Is this what being a parent is really like?
I still have a lot of learning to do, but I like having Luke around. Even though he’s not my kid, he’ll always be a part of my life. Grant and I will always be linked through this baby.
He’s shown me what it’s like when someone shows up for you. When they care for you. When they love you.
As much as I don’t want to admit it, I’m falling in love with Grant. It still scares me, but I’m trying to get used to the idea.
Even from here, I can sense his gaze on me. It’s like he knows I’m thinking about him. Ever since I told him about my past, it’s become easier to open up to him. I don’t have any secrets from Grant. One of these days, I’ll confess how I feel.
Right now, things are good. I don’t want to go rocking any boats.
The inning ends and Grant’s team heads into the outfield. It’s harder to see him from here, but his team does a good job keeping the game close. They only allow one run before they’re up to bat again.
The back-and-forth keeps up, with Luke explaining different parts of the game to me.
It’s nice getting to spend some one-on-one time with him away from the barn.
It gives him the chance to teach me a few things.
I really can’t wait for him to be a big brother to this kid. He’s going to be great at it.
The game ends with one last run for Grant’s team, winning 9-5.
Everyone cheers as the teams gather in the dugouts. A few of the players are already cracking beers as Luke and I head over with the other family members to see the guys.
“Great game,” I say, running up to Grant and wrapping my arms around him.
“Thanks. Did you guys have fun?” he asks, giving me a quick kiss.
“We did.” I nod.
“Nice sweatshirt,” Grant tells Luke, who is slowly walking up behind us. “Where’d you get that?”
Luke looks down at his red Loggers hoodie. “Georgia found it for me.”
“Nice to see you in something other than black,” Grant says.
“Daaaad.”
“Sorry, sorry.” He throws up his hands. “I didn’t think you owned anything else.”
Luke rolls his eyes at him. “Josh said I could spend the night at his house and Georgia said it was okay.”
“That’s fine with me,” Grant agrees. “I’ll need their number though just in case.”
“Nothing is going to happen,” Luke says.
“Doesn’t matter. Get me their name and number and then you can go.”
“Fine. Are we ready to go?” Luke asks.
“Give me a minute. I’ll meet you at the truck.”
He takes off running, leaving the two of us alone.
Grant rests his bat behind his shoulder, looking down at me. “Does that mean you’re going to spend the night?”
I grab his hand, resting it on my belly. The baby is kicking up a storm, and I know he loves feeling him move. “That depends.”
“On what?”
“Are you going to make me dinner?”
“You know it’s well after dinnertime, right?” he asks.
“Does it matter? Baby is hungry, so I’m hungry.”
“Fine. What do you want?” He laughs.
“I’ll do a grilled cheese with jalapenos. And maybe some celery and peanut butter too.”
He laughs, shaking his head at me. “Okay.”
“Hey, don’t make fun of my cravings.”
“I know better than that.” He tips my chin up, kissing me.
It’s brief, but oh so sweet.
“I’ll get Luke dropped off at his friend’s house and hit the store on the way home. Why don’t I meet you at your place?”
“Sounds perfect.” I steal one last, long lingering kiss. “I’ll leave the door open for you.”