Page 106 of Mom Ball

“Some burger joint with pool and music. Remember Ace? He finds them in every town.”

“Vaguely.” I met Ace maybe twice when Nate moved to Atlanta. They started in the minors together.

I smile. “Before I forget, Timothy wants you to know they won by a run and that he did good.”

“Great.”

“And I wanted to say I—”

I hear another woman say his name. I catch my breath and listen intently as she asks him for an autograph. Slight relief washes over me, as it could’ve been much worse.

“Here you go,” I hear him say.

“Sorry, Brooke. What were you saying?”

“I just wanted to say I love you.” I say it loudly to make sure he can hear it above all his background noise.

“I love you too.” His voice is smooth and caring.

It carries over me like a warm blanket after a rainstorm. I shift my weight to get a better stance on the toilet.

“I’m glad they won. How was your day?”

“Good. I’m just tired.”

“Me too. I pitched some today, so after we finish eating, I’m going to ice my shoulder.”

“Please don’t overdo it and hurt yourself.”

“That’s the beauty of being hurt, the damage is already done.”

I sigh and shake my head. Classic Nate.

I hear someone announcing food and people claiming their plates. “I’ll let you eat. I probably need to get back to our table too.”

“Okay. Tell Timothy we can talk tomorrow during the day since he’s not at school.”

“I will.”

“I love you,” we say in unison.

Then we share a laugh.

“Bye.” I cut the call, but am still laughing when the bathroom door opens. A teenage girl stares at me like I have three heads. I jump down and squint through the crack in the door. Once she’s in the other stall, I make my escape back to crazy town with all the kids, Tami, and that annoying fish on the wall.

CHAPTER 22

Nate

I barely say “bye” before the phone cuts out. Brooke is in a bathroom, and I’m surrounded by loud talking and some cheesy cover band playing AC/DC. The noise and the crowdedness makes me miss her even more.

Some woman came by and asked for all our autographs on a napkin, then stuffed it in her bra. That’s the kind of crap that makes me stay away from places like this. I much prefer a little kid wanting me to sign his cap.

After eating low-key meals in Apple Cart, I’d almost forgotten how hard it is to eat a quiet meal. Unless I get takeout, which I normally do.

But Ace wanted me to come out with him. I refused his offers of clubbing and beach bars, so we settled on a pool hall. We used to splurge on burgers and play pool for cheap entertainment as rookies, and he knows I have a weakness for nostalgia. As well as bacon cheeseburgers.

I take another bite of my food and try to drown out the noise. Funny how that skill works for me on the mound, but not always anywhere.

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