Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Hayes
I’m jogging down the stairs of our condo building to catch an Uber so I can get to Leighton’s before Lake has to be at the party.
I’m behind because I was asked to be in the media room again, which is a good thing.
But it wasn’t ideal today when I don’t want to disappoint the one person who is used to being disappointed.
Definitely not a good way for me to get in Leighton’s good graces.
I don’t want Lake to have to call Leighton at work and ask her where the hell I am.
Plus, Leighton’s mom is watching the kids right now, and Leighton told me her mom has some big auction event with her friends tonight, so if I don’t get there ASAP, I’ll be on all the Sinclair women’s hit lists.
I open the security gate and run into Decker and Easton on the sidewalk.
Decker’s holding another cardboard sign that was left behind on the gate. “The Paddock?” He holds up the sign where I see girly script in black Sharpie spell out the word. There’re also a few phone numbers and lines like I’ll be the easiest home run you’ve swung at and hit me out of the park.
Easton grabs it from Decker and tears it in two. “We’re not a bunch of horses that can be caged up. We’re wild mustangs.” He walks over and drops the sign in the trash can.
Decker and I look at one another with raised eyebrows.
Is it annoying that we find these signs? Hell yeah. Does it suck more that they know where we live? For sure.
“You’re really taking this name thing to heart,” I say, looking down the street for my Uber and checking my phone.
“It’s just that there was The Den, then The Nest, and now we’re the fucking Barn or The Paddock? We need something cooler.”
“I don’t think it’s that heavy,” Decker says, and I agree.
Easton pats me on the stomach. “We’re heading over to Peeper’s. You want to come and boost your ego? The old guys are on our side after our win today.”
I scoff. The regulars who line the bar at Peeper’s always have an opinion on our game. They complain when we play shitty and still give us pointers when we win.
“You know they’re waiting to give you shit about not getting Tremble out in the fourth, right?” I pointedly look at Easton.
“I missed him by, like, an inch. Plus, he’s fucking lead off, he’s fast as shit. Give me a break.”
Easton. I love him when he makes excuses and acts as if nobody should be calling him out for anything. In truth, it was a hard play and shows off his amazing glove skills, but the old men like to pick apart everything.
“I gotta pass. I’ve got somewhere to be.” I look down the street again, tapping my foot on the concrete.
“The best friend again?” Easton shakes his head.
I haven’t told them much about what’s going on with Leighton, except that she’s now responsible for three kids. It’s not that I don’t trust them. After all, Decker is the twin brother of my best friend. Then again, I haven’t told Foster anything either.
I have no reason not to trust Easton and Decker. I should probably be straight with them. “Yeah, I’m the babysitter tonight.”
“Babysitting?” Decker scratches his chin. “Wow. Good luck. Hope you get paid more than I ever did when I babysat.”
“You were a babysitter?” I ask.
Easton and I cross our arms and stare him down. Not that I’m surprised—Decker has the patience to deal with kids, for sure.
“Didn’t everybody babysit?” Decker looks between Easton and me.
“Fuck no, I didn’t babysit,” Easton says with a scowl.
“I was the most requested babysitter in our area.” Decker puffs his chest out a little.
“The most requested—please stop.” Easton snorts, trying to hold back his laugh. “I had to watch enough of my cousins for free. No chance I was signing up for more even if I was being paid.”
“That’s because you come from one of those freakish families who have, like, nine kids,” I say.
“It’s not freakish. And I only have one sibling. It’s Dad who has eight. There’re no parties better than ours though. One day you’re coming up to Alaska with me.”
“And I’m sure you’re the entertainment at said parties.” I step closer to the curb, hoping my ride is close. “Anyway, it’s National Nail Day, so I gotta go deal with that.”
Easton puts his hand on my chest to stop me from walking to the curb and leans forward as if he didn’t hear me right. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Should’ve kept that one to yourself.” Decker shoves his hands into his pockets.
“The little girl is doing this National Days calendar thing, and today’s Nail Day, so I’m taking her to get her nails done.”
Easton looks like Vega just told him to play right field. “Fuck, tell me you’re at least sleeping with this best friend of your sister’s.”
“Here we go. Peeper’s, remember?” Decker thumbs in the direction of the bar.
I narrow my eyes, offended that Easton thinks I need to be getting laid to do something nice for a woman. “Why would you say that?”
“Because you’ve been totally preoccupied with this woman. You barely go out with us anymore. I’m assuming you’re doing all this to get in her pants.”
“Sorry, am I not showing you enough love? You’ll always have a place in my heart.” I cover my heart with my hand.
“I’d better. You were lucky to get me the first time. Second time you have to work for it.” Easton’s cocky grin is prominent.
Decker shakes his head at Easton. “I think it’s nice that you’re doing this for her.”
Of course he does, because Decker is known as the nice guy of baseball. He rarely talks shit about anyone, even though he’s probably got the most dirt. Since he’s so quiet, people feel comfortable saying shit in front of him.
“She’s my sister’s best friend. My sister asked me to help out.”
“Why didn’t you say so? I’d do it for Callie too.” Easton waggles his eyebrows.
“Would you stop? I’m not one of those brothers who’s gonna be pissed off if one of my friends date her, but I don’t really know if I want her dating you.”
“Shit, man, that hurts.” He puts a hand over his heart and stumbles back. “I’m just a baseball player looking for a girl to change me.”
Decker snickers.
“Callie’s not that girl,” I deadpan.
“Says who?” Decker and I both give Easton a look, and he scoffs. “All right, so maybe I’m not ready to settle down yet, but I don’t think I should be getting judgment from either one of you. I don’t see a ring on any of your fingers.”
He’s got me there.
“This has been fun, but my Uber’s here.” I walk over to the dark car pulling up to the curb.
My hand is on the door handle when Easton says, “Deck, we got nothing going on. Why don’t we go get our nails done?”
“Works for me.” Decker’s already at my back.
“This isn’t a group outing.” I don’t open the door, purposely keeping them out.
“That’s mean-girl behavior.” Easton looks around, baffled as to why nobody would want him in the car. “And my nails are hideous. What about you, Deck?”
“My cuticles are way overgrown,” he says.
I glance at my watch. I need to go. “Fucking hell—let’s go. But you’re not staying the whole time.”
“We’ll make sure to be gone when it’s time for Leighton to play with the nanny.” Decker slides in as soon as I open the door.
“The manny,” Easton jokes, going right after him.
“Shut up or we’re dropping you off at the next corner.” I slip in last, the three of us wedged in the back seat like sardines.
Once we’re driving and the driver confirms where we’re going, Easton tries to unwedge his shoulder to shift and look at me. “Tell me more about this National Days calendar. This seems like something I could be into.”
I give him the gist of Monroe’s goal for the year, and I honestly feel as though he’s going to print out a calendar and check off the items himself, because his interest is way too piqued. If he thinks I’m going to be doing cartwheels with him on the baseball field for Cartwheel Day, he’s wrong.
We pull up to the house, and I spot, Lillian, on the porch with her purse tucked over her shoulder, Monroe and Lincoln sitting on the front steps.
“Who’s the evil Mary Poppins?” Decker mumbles.