Page 119 of Force At Third

Crossing home, I look up and see Gwendolyn Locke with two arms in the air, and I feel just like I did in high school. Except I’m not getting laid for that one. After week thirty, Sophie told us no more sex. Sperm can weaken the cervix, and our little one was starting to turn, which was expected. It’s a precaution. Gwen has more of an issue with it than I do. Not the intercourse part, but the part where I refused a blow job and told her that I wasn’t getting off until she could. We’ve done a lot of puzzles.

In the eighth inning, I look up from third, and she isn’t there; neither are the girls, nor Deb and Annie. Dad’s giving me a thumbs-up, and Mom has her nose buried in her phone.

As the batter steps out of the box, I run up to Bennett.

“Do me a favor, and end this. One, two, three, and they’re out.”

His eyes shift to the stands, and he nods.

Fucking kid’s amazing, because he does just that.

Running in, Zandor Steel meets me before I get to the dugout and hands me his phone.

“Gwendolyn, you okay?”

“I am. I love you, and you have to promise me that you’ll win this.”

“Gwen—”

“You’re up by two. Hold them at that. Marks and your parents will meet you right outside the locker room doors. Cyrus is going to make sure you get out with no delay. Sophie wants to be sure?—”

“Phili or Trenton?” I ask, heading toward the tunnel.

“Listen to me very carefully. I am in good hands and in good spirits. You leave that game, I’m going to be so pissed at you.” Her voice breaks. “Promise me?—”

“Okay,” I agree, but only because she’s going to be pissed when I refuse to play if she has our child. “I love you, Mrs. Locke. Where am I heading?”

“I know you do. I’ll keep my legs crossed, player. Love you.”

My eyes turn to fire, knowing she didn’t answer because she doesn’t fucking know.

I look around, seeing my team is not fucking around. Bennett’s already heading to bat.

Zandor comes and stands beside me, and Pope takes the other side.

“Your call, Locke.”

“She told me to stay and win. I don’t want to fucking be here.”

Zandor nods to Amias then heads to Coach, who receives whatever message he’s getting and is not too happy about it.

“Strike three. You’re out!”

“Fuck,” I grumble as Bennett walks away.

I see Sr. stop him and know he’s asking him what he’s doing, because I’ve never seen his go out like that. Hell, I didn’t even see the first two strikes.

Bennett Jr. shakes his head and walks away.

AJ is next, and he strikes out, too, and that’s when I realize what they’re doing.

“No, we win this or Mrs. Locke’s going to have my ass.”

Bennett walks over as Nour stands at the plate. “We’re winning by two. It’ll stay that way.”

“Lot of pressure to put on yourself. She’ll be pissed, Blaze.”

He says nothing as he walks away.

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