10. Chapter 10
Present Day
“Let’s go, Mustangs, let’s go.” I clap my hands twice along with the crowd.
None of my friends or family were able to make it to today’s game, so I’m alone in Austin’s box suite.
I love having people with me, but I also don’t mind being the only one here.
When you’re in a stadium filled with screaming fans, it’s like an instant community, and I’ll always show up for every home game I can to support Austin.
My heart rate picks up when I realize Austin is up to bat. I know how much pressure he puts on himself every game, and I hate that he has to be feeling the weight of his team and all the Mustangs fans on his shoulders.
My phone buzzes in my purse with an incoming text. I pull it out and see it’s from Rhett.
RHETT
Sorry I was MIA yesterday. My schedule in Charleston was jam-packed. How was your day?
ME
It was good! I had a full day of clients. How was your concert?
RHETT
See, I knew you were super talented at hair. Even despite the Kool-Aid snafu *winking face emoji*
The crowd was epic. The whole stadium felt electric!
The girl I brought on stage for the serenade cried the entire time. Like, full-on sobbed.
ME
Haha lucky for my clients I’ve moved on to salon-grade hair dye.
Does it freak you out when random fans cry?
RHETT
I can handle tears, but it’s a little difficult onstage.
It’s sweet that the song means that much to them, but it’s a little awkward.
ME
Totally understandable.
Wanna know a secret?
RHETT
I love secrets.
ME
“Somethin’” is still my favorite song of yours, and I love that you choose to bring someone onstage for it at every concert.
RHETT
Aw, thanks! That’s really kind. Picking a favorite song of mine feels a little like picking a favorite child.
But if I HAD to pick, I think it’d be my favorite, too.
It embodies everything I wanted my first single to be, and I think I’ve been chasing that feeling again ever since.
Can I tell you a secret?
ME
Always!
RHETT
I wish it had been you that I was serenading in that chair.
The crowd erupts into cheers. I frantically direct my attention to the field and watch the center fielder throw the ball to home plate just as Hayden slides in.
Everyone collectively holds their breath until the umpire finally motions that he’s safe.
The responding uproar in the stadium is so loud I can’t hear myself think.
I cheer along with them as my eyes search for Austin, who is safe on second base.
I can’t believe I missed the play.
For a text message.
One where Rhett is seemingly making his intentions very clear. He said he wishes he was serenading me with my favorite song of his in front of a cheering crowd. But all I can think about is how I just missed out on Austin’s game-winning hit.
He looks up, searching for me in the stands. I know the minute Austin spots me because his smile grows even wider. I raise both of my arms, cheering for him, and he responds by pumping a fist in the air.
Butterflies flutter in my stomach. It takes me right back to the night we met. When he lifted the invisible award I gave him above his head like it was a championship trophy.
I close my eyes, trying to wipe the memory from my brain.
I should be excited about Rhett’s text message.
I should be experiencing all the butterflies.
I should not be thinking back to when I met Austin like some kind of obsessed girl who can’t get over someone who made it very clear from day one that he only wanted to be friends.
All the Mustangs jog out of the dugout and celebrate their victory at home plate.
Watching Austin’s teammates clap him on the back and shoulders and ruffle his hair brings a smile to my face.
He looks happy, enjoying the praise for securing the win.
But I’m sure later he’ll say it was all a team effort. We love a humble king.
Well, not we as in me. I need to move past this unrequited crush. Especially now that I have Rhett to think about. A good, solid country man who seems to be enjoying getting to know me.
I’m just glad tonight’s game ended on a positive note for Austin.
My phone buzzes in my hand again.
RHETT
Sorry, that was probably too forward.
ME
No, you’re fine!
I’m at the Mustangs game! They just scored the winning run, so I got distracted.
RHETT
My poor Fireflies *loudly crying face emoji*
But I guess since you’re friends with the player who drove in the winning run, I should tell you good win. I’m not too much of a sore loser fan to admit that it was a great hit.
ME
You’re watching the game?
RHETT
Yeah, I try to watch the Fireflies games on the tour bus when I can.
Who do you think Austin was looking at after he got on base?
It was a total John Cusack moment.
My stomach drops. That moment was televised? At least if Rhett’s asking, that must mean the camera didn’t pan to where Austin was looking. Right at me.
But what are the odds that Rhett would describe that moment the same way I did three years ago? Apparently, one hundred percent.
Rhett and I are similar. We speak the same language. Talking to him is easy and fun. He’s attractive, generous, humble, and kind. But then why am I feeling butterflies from my best guy friend instead of from Rhett’s flirty text?
I blow out a long sigh, then type back.
ME
He’s too focused on baseball for a relationship.
RHETT
That wasn’t what it looked like! But I’ll trust you since you actually know the guy.
Got to go, almost at my next stop. I hope you have a great rest of the day! Call you tomorrow?
ME
It’s a date!
RHETT
It definitely is *smiling face emoji*
I react with a heart to his message, then slide my phone back in my purse. I step out of the box suite, heading to the waiting area for the players’ loved ones, when someone runs into me.
“Sorry about that.” The man’s voice is familiar and highly self-absorbed.
No. Not here. I know his family rents a box suite every year, but I haven’t seen Bradley or his parents here in the three seasons I’ve been coming to watch Austin. And I really wasn’t planning on breaking that streak today.
Bianca steps out from behind Bradley, wrapping her long, slender fingers around his bicep. “I didn’t know they allowed non-VIP members in the box suites.”
If I was being spicy, I’d say, “Good thing they do, or else you two wouldn’t be here.” But I bite my tongue and choose to be the bigger person.
“Nice to see you too, Bianca.” I look up and nod at my ex. “Bradley.”
My cousin wiggles her fingers slightly, making the large diamond she’s wearing sparkle in the sunlight.
It’s my first time seeing the ring up close.
It was probably his grandmother’s, or maybe even his great-great-grandmother’s, the kind of heirloom passed down for generations.
I thought seeing them together for the first time as an engaged couple would sting a little, but all I feel is relief that I escaped his overly involved, snooty family.
Between me and Bianca, I definitely won.
Bradley’s parents step forward, probably wondering who would dare get in their way.
His mother’s pinched expression looks like she’s perpetually sucking on a sour candy.
His father just looks bored. Many new wrinkles have found their home on his face since I last saw them.
I guess that’s what the life of a lawyer and being married to the most uptight woman on this side of the Mississippi will do to you.
I was always anxious around them, scared to have one hair out of place or say something that didn’t fit their ideal.
The Vanderbilts never took the time to get to know me when I was dating Bradley, and I’m sure they were thrilled when he ended things with me and started dating someone that was a better fit for their upper-class lifestyle than a hairstylist.
My hands begin to sweat at the thought of having to speak to them again. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt.”
I think Mrs. Vanderbilt attempts to raise an eyebrow when she notices me, but they remain in place, her forehead immovable. “Allison, we didn’t expect to see you here.”
“It’s Alyssa, actually.” This isn’t the first time I’ve had to remind her of that either. I think saying the wrong names for other women is her version of a power trip.
“Right, of course.” She looks me up and down, definitely judging my white shirt tucked into wide-leg jeans.
“I have an early tee time tomorrow,” Mr. Vanderbilt grumbles.
“We must be going then.” Mrs. Vanderbilt pats his arm before turning back to me. “But we’ll see you at the wedding. I heard you’re bringing a plus-one?”
My gaze moves back to Bianca and Bradley, who are looking at me with incredulous expressions, like they don’t truly believe someone would agree to be my date.
I nod. “That’s right.”
Bianca stares at the box suite behind me, then back at me. I see the light bulb go off in her eyes. “Wait, is Austin Bradford your plus-one?”
I press my lips into a thin line. Realistically, I don’t think I could ask someone I’ve been talking to for two weeks to come to a family wedding, so that takes Rhett out of the equation.
Which means I will be bringing Austin, though I still need to tell him.
And I’d been planning on leaving that little tidbit of information as a surprise just so I could see the shocked looks on their faces when I showed up with the man they saw me kiss three years ago, who also happens to be the starting shortstop for their favorite baseball team.
But it looks like the cat’s—or, should I say, Mustang’s—out of the bag.
“Yep, he sure is.” I smile, attempting to look confident.
I move past them before they can ask any questions about how long we’ve been together or why he hasn’t come to family functions.
“I gotta run, but we’ll see y’all there.
” I make sure to lean into my Southern accent more than usual since I know they hate it.
I walk as fast as my long legs will let me, thankful I paired my outfit with sneakers today rather than sandals. These are much more useful for a quick getaway. When I reach the entrance to the players’ loved ones’ area, I smile at Henry. “Isn’t it a beautiful night, Henry?”
I’m not exactly sure what his title is. He’s kind of a bodyguard, bouncer, and security all wrapped up in one very large, burly bow. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that he was a professional linebacker before this.
I lovingly call him Hank the Tank in my mind, though I’m not sure he’d appreciate me saying it out loud. I’ve made it my sole goal to get a smile out of him, but today he’s as stoic as ever.
“Your card, Ms. Cartwright?”
He still asks for it every time, even though he knows my name. I’m pretty sure he knows the names of everyone who goes through the doors behind him, but he’s a stickler for the rules.
I pull my VIP key card that Austin gives me every season out of my purse, and Hank the Tank scans it before opening the door for me.
“See you next game.” I shoot him my brightest smile, but the door closes behind me without so much as another word of acknowledgment from him. I’ll break him one of these days.
I wave to the few wives of players that I know as I walk through the tunnel. Whenever Austin’s team loses, he does press, showers, then heads straight to his car in the players’ parking lot. But on days where they’re coming off a win, he’s all about celebrating.
I lean against the wall in my usual spot and wait for him to finish his press and shower.
I’ve never felt out of place here before.
Since Austin’s family can’t travel to his games, I’m his person.
The one who supports him through the wins and losses, but now that I’m talking to Rhett, I can’t help but wonder if I’ll always be able to show up for Austin in this way.