Chapter 44 Ethan
ETHAN
There are a few things in someone's life that I hear you get the honor of experiencing.
Marrying the love of your life.
Witnessing the birth of your child.
Watching your favorite MLB team win game seven of the World Series in extra innings with a walk-off home run, live in person.
And this is the most alive I’ve felt in years. I must have talked to every single person in that suite. I couldn’t stop myself, it was like my baseball brain took over and every time one of the Smashers did something I had a back up stat for it.
I spent a lot of time with Seamus and Christian, and surprisingly Christian knew a lot more about the sport in general than I expected.
I figured as the sponsor of the field, he would know a little bit about the team specifically, but I couldn’t hold in my excitement when he started spouting off unusual facts about baseball's history. I was on literal cloud nine.
“The probability of a pitch hitting a bird is microscopic. My father and I were in the stands and it was the craziest moment in baseball history,” Christian says with a smile that only a memory like that could bring out.
That’s what I love about this sport. Even if you aren’t a baseball fan, there’s something about going to a game, sitting anywhere in the stands, and talking with friends as you watch America’s favorite pastime.
“I’m so jealous you were at that game. I bet it was crazy to watch replays of that moment.” I take a sip of my beer, one that I’ve been enjoying a little too long that it’s a tad warm for my liking, but the conversations have been so good I haven’t had time to finish it.
“I think you know more about baseball than anyone I’ve ever met. Do you play?” Christian asks, just as Dane steps up next to us.
I confessed to Dane the last time we were here that I used to play but that was only because he forced me into it. This is the first time I feel like I just want to talk about it. My past and how much I loved it.
“I used to and you know, I wasn’t half bad,” I admit modestly as I hold up my hand, “but an injury prevented me from getting drafted.”
His lips pull back with a hiss as he looks at the scar on my hand. “Oh man, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Yeah, it wasn’t meant to be,” I say the words I begrudgingly tell myself, but this is the first time I actually feel okay with it. Maybe because I’ve had a taste of watching it again. Or maybe it’s the game seven World Series high I’m still riding.
I glance around and see Dane walking up to us. My eyes bounce around the room looking for Hannah but I don’t see her.
“Hey, where’s Hannah?” I turn, asking Dane because she was sitting on his lap for the last few innings.
“She went to the bathroom. Thank goodness because my leg was falling asleep and I would have never asked her to move. I’d rather amputate my leg than do that.” We both laugh because that’s probably a statistical fact.
Dane and I share a look and smile as Christian taps on the keyboard of his phone then glances up. “Alright, we’re all set to head over to Afterburn.”
“Well, Christian, it was great to chat with you.” I hold out my hand for a shake because that’s my queue, but he glances down at it before meeting my eyes.
“You’re coming too, right?” he asks, genuinely confused.
“He is. He just doesn’t know it yet,” Dane replies.
“Oh, Hannah and I should—”
“Great,” Christian interrupts me trying to excuse myself from this, patting me on the shoulder.
“Hudson will meet us there but our limo is downstairs. Grab Hannah and meet us at the back entrance.” He steps away toward the direction of his significant others, Jake and Elena, and I wish I had the guts to ask him about his situation. About how it works.
My gaze shifts to Dane who’s standing there still rubbing the surface of his quad. “Hudson will be there?” I ask.
He laughs. “Yes, come on.” He pulls me with him as Hannah comes into view and we all head down to the limo together.
“Dane,” I call out, getting his attention before stepping into the vehicle. “Um, Afterburn, I’ve…We’ve—” I gesture to Hannah.
“It’s not open to the public, we’re just going there for drinks and to hang out.” My body visibly relaxes.
“Oh.” I feel relieved. I think.
“Christian closed it tonight so the staff could attend the game but don’t worry,” he winks, “I’ll take you and Hannah another time.”
I hate that he reads my thoughts quicker than I can figure them out but as he turns and ducks into the limo, I can’t help but smile.
That is until a text message from my father pops up on my phone.
Edward: I have it on good authority you were at the game again tonight with Christian Ford and Dane Campbell. Why you decided to go with my future clients without informing me makes me think you’ve forgotten your obligations to me and my company.
Edward: It would be easy for me to divert everything owed back on her so she can be the one paying for your careless mistake.