Page 98 of Mom Ball

“Okay, I’m sure he’s practicing or eating.”

Timothy nods and jumps in the car.

I shake my head to clear any doubts that he’s with another woman. He was at our house this morning, kissing me.

Of course he’s not with anyone else.

* * *

Nate

Yesterday was jam packed with visits to the team physical therapist and doctor, as well as my coaches. They put me on a specific workout plan that will hopefully have my arm in pitching shape by start of the season.

I roll over and blink at the sun coming through my window. It’s odd looking out at palm trees instead of fruit and pine trees. And Mom’s trailer if you’re near the back of the house.

Spring training couldn’t be any farther from Apple Cart, and I’m not referring to distance. It really feels like a world away without Brooke.

I sit up and stretch. Every muscle in my back pops when I arch it. Then my shoulder twists and I lower my arms. That’s what I’ve got to work on.

Good thing I slept so long.

I stand and make my bed, then grab my phone from the nightstand. There’s a missed call and voicemail from Brooke.

I listen and smile as Timothy’s small voice comes across the line. He says they did good at practice and asks how the Braves are. I laugh.

The man who fathered him is missing out on a great kid. I hope he knows that.

I sit on the edge of the bed and call Brooke. She answers on the second ring.

“Hello?”

“Hey.”

“Hi, I’m at work so I only have a minute.”

“That’s fine. I just saw you called last night.”

She makes a cute noise that sounds a lot like a smile. “Timothy called. He said he left you a message.”

“Yeah, I heard it.” I chuckle. “To be honest, I really wanted to hear your voice.”

She sighs. “I wanted to hear yours too.”

Something sounds like metal clanking in the background.

“I better go check on that. We have an ornery person waiting in the X-ray room.

“Okay. I’ll call you tonight when I get a chance and talk to Timothy too.”

“That would be great.”

“I love you.”

She lets out a breath, then answers with, “I love you too.”

I fall back on my bed like a teenage girl rather than a grown man. That’s the first time she’s told me. Well, the first time since we’ve gotten back together.

The phone is silent. I hold it back to see the screen and realize she hung up after that. Who cares? That’s all I really wanted to hear.

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