Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Easton
Before a home game, Decker and I always go to the net to say hello to the families, but now Decker has his own family to say hello to. I go along for Monroe and Lincoln. Lake doesn’t really care anymore.
Tonight, though, Hadley is here with Tanner, his little blue headphones protecting his ears.
Foster gives Callie crap all the time about how he’d prefer her in a suite, and she refuses.
But for me, I want them front and center.
I’m not even standing here to play it up for the media.
I want to see both of them before stepping onto the field to play.
“Come down.” I wave her over.
“Hey, guys.” Decker talks to the other kids, fist bumping them and asking if they’re getting a slushie or ice cream tonight.
Hadley slides between the kids, whom I happily fist bump and give a hello to.
“I don’t want to take up your time,” she says.
Tanner reaches out, and I grip his small hand, kissing it. “You’re with me.”
Something crosses Hadley’s face, but I can’t name the expression. She’s probably thinking that she isn’t mine. But according to a very important piece of paper and the public, she is. And I’ve been enjoying that fact, probably a little too much.
“Ready to see Daddy play?” I ask Tanner.
I’m never nervous for a game. At least, not this early in the season. The nerves usually come closer to playoffs, but there’s something about playing for Tanner and Hadley. Even if Tanner will never remember this game.
“He’s been really happy today, so I think he says yes.” She holds him close to her, and Tanner smacks his hand on her face. She gently grabs his wrist and kisses the inside of his palm. “No hitting.”
Is it wrong to get off on seeing a woman with your kid? Not even when she’s loving on him, but when she disciplines him as if he were hers?
I keep racking my brain on who Tanner’s mother could be, even going back in my phone calendar to try to see where I was and who I was with.
I have a lead from the Cabo trip from my cousin, who had a friend who was friends with the woman I hooked up with there.
Maybe that lead will pan out. No matter what, I’ve started a list.
Hayes walks out of the bullpen with Baker, which means the game is close to starting.
“Easton, do you think Baker is as good as they say he is?” Lincoln peeks his head in front of me.
“Definitely. I saw him in a bullpen the other day, and it was lights out.”
Baker is a great pitcher, but he’s young and just got called up. Tonight’s game will be a good test for him.
“Hayes said he throws a nasty curve.” Lincoln jumps up. “Hayes!”
“I gotta go,” I say to Hadley, pushing my face through the netting and kissing Tanner. “See you after the game. Follow the others to the family area.”
Hadley nods. “Good luck.” She goes to step away.
“Hey, Hadley…”
She turns back around.
“You’re missing something.”
Her questioning look is honestly adorable. I crook my finger through the netting, and she nods, her lips drawing closer between the opening of the net.
“Not too much PDA in front of your son,” she says.
“Hey, we have to be convincing,” I murmur, my lips meeting hers again.
And fuck, it’s like my dick knows these lips. They’re used to what they usually get when I kiss her.
I slip my tongue in just enough, unable to stop myself, but I don’t go too long or too deep, not wanting her to be overwhelmed. But if she were mine in real life, I’m not a peck-on-the-cheek kind of guy. I wouldn’t be holding back.
Hadley pulls back, and her cheeks are red. It’s a good look on her.
“Troublemaker.” She shakes her head at me.
“Enjoy watching your man. I’ve heard my ass looks really good in the pants.” I wink.
Hadley laughs under her breath. “Eh, it’s all right.”
“That’s not what you said a few months ago when your hands were—”
“Kids!” she says loudly.
I laugh and put my hand up for Tanner. Hadley helps him slap my palm.
“Good luck.”
“I don’t need luck.” I walk away, glancing over my shoulder at her one more time before I head into the dugout.
“Just a suggestion, but don’t maul the wife,” Hayes says.
“I’m selling us,” I whisper.
“You’re embarrassing yourself.” He jogs out to behind the plate.
I run out to shortstop, my lips still tingling, my cheeks still warm. I could get used to kissing Hadley all the time.
It’s a quick three up, three down, and I’m in the dugout before I’ve fully come down from my high.
I get my helmet and bat, ready to head up to the on-deck circle, glancing into the stands again.
Is Hayes right? Was it embarrassing?
Nah, I don’t really care what Hayes says. I’m not against PDA, as long as Hadley is okay with it. I’m not gonna strip her down, but a little tongue action isn’t too much.
Camden gets walked.
“All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled plays as I step into the batter’s box.
I crack my neck. I circle my bat. I twist my torso. I have my rituals that I always do before I step into the box.
I twist my waist one more time and see Hadley pointing at me, saying something to Tanner. I push the pressure to perform for them out of my head.
This is just another at bat. That’s all.
I get in my stance and wait for the pitch to come in.
Someone is looking out for me because the first pitch floats over home plate a little on the outside. It’s my kinda pitch, and I swing, the ball hitting off my bat. The crowd goes crazy, and I run, rounding first to second with Camden right in front of me.
A wall-banger against the right field wall, giving me a double and getting Camden to third.
I take another glance at the stands and find Hadley clapping. Hayes’s mom has Tanner in her arms. I forgot what it was like to have a cheering section.
Sure, my parents try to come to as many games as they can, but while the other guys have their wives and fiancées and kids at every home game, I don’t have anyone.
It feels really nice to be able to look up there and see someone here just for me.
Torres is next up, and I take my lead off second base.
It’s a little distracting knowing they’re there, so I try to push it out of my head and do my job.
My willpower wanes in the second.
Again in the fourth.
Then in the sixth.
In the seventh, I peek three times, seeing Tanner asleep in the baby carrier strapped to Hadley’s chest.
At the end of the ninth, I’m grateful to win, but also because it feels like being put out of my misery.
I can’t figure out if it’s Tanner or Hadley or both of them that has me excited for the game to be over and hoping I don’t get called into the media room.
It’s Tanner. It has to be. Yeah, for sure. It’s Tanner, not Hadley.
That’s what I’m going with at least.