Chapter 11
“Now batting for the Utah Hawks is number forty-six, pitcher Jimmy Hall.” The announcer’s introduction echoed throughout the stadium. The home fans’ cheers and chants of “MVP” sounded loudly through the park. I finished rubbing pine tar on the handle of the bat and made my way to the plate.
We were up by one at the end of the sixth inning. I had a feeling Coach would be pulling me soon to save my arm for Saturday, so I needed to make this at-bat count and increase our lead. There were two outs. Remington had hit a triple and was on third, and Aaron had walked to get on first. Some ballplayers hated this scenario. I lived for it.
I stepped into the left-handed batter’s box, dug my cleats into the dirt, adjusted my grip on the bat, and locked eyes with the pitcher. As I would be, he looked laser-focused on his catcher’s mitt. The crowd buzzed, electrifying the air with their energy.
The pitcher wound up and delivered a two-seam curveball. I tracked the trajectory, noticing it move toward the outside corner. It smacked the catcher’s mitt, and the ump shouted, “Ball, outside.”
My eyes caught the signal from the third-base coach. The infield readied, the pitcher got into his stance, and I watched him go into his motion as he released my favorite, a high fastball. My muscles coiled like springs right before I swung. The bat met the ball with a thundering crack, sending it soaring into the sky.
I tossed the bat and ran like hell toward first. Our first-base coach’s arm waved at me to keep going, and that was when I saw their center fielder leap and the ball soar above his outstretched glove, over the wall, and into the bullpen.
Our fans erupted into cheers. I slowed my sprint to a quick jog, shaking the third-base coach’s hand on the way by. Remington and Aaron waited for me as I crossed home plate. We all high-fived and did a special handshake we each had, and then I retreated to the dugout. I looked up and caught Sommer with her phone aimed at me. Maybe it was the mood, thanks to that home run, but rather than give her the usual nod, I puckered my lips in a faux kiss and winked. She instantly lowered the phone and glowered. Smiling, I lifted my hand and motioned for her to do it again. She did, and I tipped my hat.
I don’t know what it was about that woman, but I loved riling her up. Granted, I’d rather do it in other ways, but she hadn’t asked for that yet. I thought maybe when I’d teased her at my place she would, but staying true to form, she’d shut me down ... again.
In the dugout, I sat on the bench, and despite the summer heat, I slid my jacket on. Coach gave me the sign that I could relax. Just as I thought, that was my last inning, but at least we had a solid four-run lead that we held on to until the end of the game.
We all shook hands and headed into the locker room, where I got a great surprise—my father was talking to Mr. Bennett. When he saw me, he smiled, walked over, and gave me a hug.
“Hi, son. You had a hell of a game. I’m so proud of you.”
It didn’t matter that I was a grown man; my heart swelled. I also hadn’t seen him in months. We had missed so much of each other’s lives that every minute with him was extremely special to me.
“Hey, thank you. I didn’t know you were coming to Utah. Is Mom here too?”
“Yes, they’re waiting in the back lot.”
“Riley’s here?”
“Do you think she’d let us come and see her big brother without her?”
I chuckled. “Nope.”
“Get cleaned up, and we’ll see you outside. Do you have plans, or can you go to dinner?”
“No plans.”
Dad shook a few players’ hands, my coach’s, and then, after we got our postgame speech, I showered quickly, skipped the food that was waiting for us, and headed out to the lot.
Sommer hurried up to me. “Great game.” She grabbed her phone. “I posted some pictures but wanted to talk to you about the gala.”
“How about we do it over dinner?” Per usual, her eyes widened. No sooner had I told her my family was here than Riley ran up to me and into my arms.
“Hey, kiddo!” I smashed my lips to her cheek. “You’re getting big.” She giggled, and I set her down. Mom was next to wrap her arms around me.
“Jimmy, I’m so proud of you.”
I kissed the top of her head. “Thanks, Mom.” Sommer stood, taking in our family dynamic. Breaking apart from my mom, I pointed to Sommer. “Mom, this is Sommer Bennett. She’s been helping with my PR.”
“It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve met your grandfather. He’s a wonderful man.”
“Thank you.”
“Sommer, you know my dad, and this is my sister Riley.”
Dad reached out and shook her hand. “It’s good to see you again, Sommer. Why don’t you join us for dinner?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t want to impose on family time.”
“Nonsense,” my mother said, and before she knew it, Sommer was on her way to have dinner with the Jamesons.
* * *
Sommer insisted on going home to change out of her shorts and into something a bit more modest—her words, not mine. If it were up to me, I’d ask her to wear those jean cutoff shorts every day. Her legs weren’t very long, but they were toned, and all I could picture was having them wrapped around my waist. Considering my present company, it probably had been a good idea that she changed her clothes.
My mother could double as a CIA agent when it came to how I felt about someone. I’d attribute it to our closeness because if I even looked at a woman a certain way, my mother would either already know or find out how I felt about her. So when Sommer walked into the restaurant in what looked like a long tank top that almost hit her ankles, my breath lodged in my throat.
Other than the slit in the light-purple fabric that exposed her left leg each time it stepped forward, the dress subtly showed off her curves. When she came to the round table, my father and I both stood.
Sommer smiled. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”
“Not at all,” my mother said before I could form a sentence.
I pulled out her chair, and she sat down between me and my father. She looked at me and gave me a close-lipped smile. “Thank you.”
In an instant, a server appeared and poured Sommer a glass of water, took her drink order, and walked away.
“I haven’t been here in a couple of years,” Sommer said, glancing around the restaurant. “Nino’s is one of my favorites.”
“Jimmy has always loved Italian food. When he was little, he always wanted sketti.”
Sommer laughed. “Sketti?”
“Spaghetti,” I offered as the explanation before looking at my mother. “Thank you for that.”
Everyone laughed. Riley looked up from the place mat she’d been doodling on. Like me, she loved to draw. “You’re pretty. Are you Jimmy’s girlfriend? Did you know he’s a professional baseball player? A lot of girls like him.” Her nose crinkled as though it was a horrid thought to her. “I don’t like boys. Well, except for one in my class, Collin. But he likes this other girl, Emily. So we’re just friends.”
“Excuse her, she’s eight going on sixteen,” I said to Sommer. “Wait, you like a boy?”
Riley rolled her eyes. “I’m nine,” she emphatically stated before returning to the conversation. “And just Collin. All the other boys are stupid.”
“Riley Elizabeth, we don’t say stupid.”
“Sorry, Mommy.” She brought her attention back to Sommer. “So, are you my brother’s girlfriend? Gretchen Olsen, she’s a girl in my class, said that her sister, Georganna, has pictures of Jimmy in her locker at school. So weird. I don’t have pictures and he’s my brother.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Ry, Sommer isn’t my girlfriend. We work together. Her grandfather owns the Hawks. But now that you mention it, I think you might be onto something.”
Sommer sucked in a breath, my mother’s eyes sprang open, and my dad shook his head. Their simultaneous reaction had me chuckling.
Oblivious, Riley said, “Mr. Bennett is nice. He bought me cotton candy today.”
After that, and as our dinner wore on, I couldn’t help myself from stealing glances at Sommer. Naturally, when I did, my mother’s eyes were on me. But I loved the way she effortlessly engaged in conversation with my parents and Riley.
Sommer told my parents about what her aspirations were. Both seemed impressed by her, as did I. It sucked that she was saddled cleaning up my mess, but in my defense, I had been nothing short of angelic since she took over. And she was reason number one for that. Not only did I not care about partying with other women, but I didn’t want to cause her any grief or stand in the way of her promotion. Even as she spoke about the team with my dad, I could hear the excitement of being in the top-tier office of the Hawks.
Sommer excused herself from the table. My gaze stayed focused on her as she casually strolled across the restaurant until she turned the corner toward the ladies’ room.
“I like her, Jimmy,” my mom said. “She’s so sweet. And she’s smart too. I can tell you like her. It’s written all over your face, not to mention your sly answer to Riley’s question. It’s clear she has been a good influence on you.”
Before Sommer had arrived tonight, my father told me that Mr. Bennett had been pleased with my turnaround. I hoped he knew that had more to do with his granddaughter than me. If not, I’d make sure he did. Credit should be given to where it was due.
“Hannah, sweetheart, give him a break.”
“Thanks, Dad. But she’s right. I do like her.”
Riley chimed in. “I like her too.”
“Speaking of liking, I think you’re too young to like boys.”
My sister rolled her eyes. “You sound like Daddy.”
“Good.”
“Whatever.”
The server came by, Dad paid the bill, and, unfortunately, he told me they had to leave early in the morning to return to Blossom Berry Falls.
Lavender caught my eyes as I spotted Sommer strolling back to us. Her hair draped over her bare shoulders, the ends landing just above her boobs. God, she looked gorgeous. I hadn’t been the only one to notice either. The waiter at the next table almost spilled a customer’s drink in his lap.
We all stood and said our goodbyes.
I asked Sommer, “Do you need a ride home?”
“No, I have my car, but thanks for the offer.” She said goodbye to my sister and mother, then turned to my father. “It was great seeing you again, Cash.”
He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “You too. Thanks for all you’ve done for Jimmy.”
Sommer smiled. “No thanks necessary. I’m just doing my job.”
“Oh, before I forget.” My mom reached into her purse, pulled out a check, and handed it to Sommer. “This is for the charity gala next week. We received the invite, but I’m teaching an art class and can’t get away. We still wanted to donate. Can you make sure it gets to the right people? Cash said the Hawks organization was a sponsor.”
“Yes, thank you very much. This is so kind. I’ll be sure to take care of it.”
I kissed my family goodbye and gave Sommer the chin-lift nod that all guys knew how to do. It was one that carried a lot of meanings, but in this case, it was my way of telling her I’d see her soon. She must have understood because before long, we were all in our cars, heading in different directions.