Page 59 of Strike Zone

“Because you don’t want to sleep with me? I’m sorry. It takes more than that to get rid of me.” He sets the bags on the countertop and strides over to where I stand, pulling me into his arms. “We’re friends. End of. Get used to the fact that you’re not alone in this, Diana.”

“Why are you being so nice to me?”

He pulls back, wiping the tears from my eyes with the pad of his thumbs. “Truth time. Sit down, grab a bagel, and I’ll tell you why I’m your new best friend.”

“Okay, Lincoln Nash, spill.” I do as he asks, expecting him to start joking around the second I probe him, but I’m shocked when he opens up.

“I have no idea who my dad is. My mom never told me, and I’m not sure if that’s because he left her pregnant and alone at nineteen or because the role of daddy was a multiple-choice question.”

“I had no idea.”

“Why would you? I don’t exactly share my private life with people. My mom wasn’t thrilled about my arrival, and she let me know every day until I left for college.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“It is what it is. I wasn’t part of her plan, and she saw me as the end of her chance to be somebody.”

“So I’m your pity case? I remind you of your mom who didn’t want you?” I say it with no malice in my voice, but it still comes out wrong.

“Not at all. I know you don’t need me around. You’re nothing like my mother, Diana. You’re an accomplished athlete with drive and determination. You also have the capacity to be kind and sweet.” I roll my eyes. “Okay, maybe not with me, but I’ve seen you with your sister.”

“I guess.”

“Not, I guess. It’s time to realize that you have friends and family who are going to be alongside you and support you.” He stops for a moment, visibly psyching himself up for whatever he’s about to say. “I haven’t thought to ask until now, but did you consider not having the baby?”

“I’d never get rid of it. Her. Him. I don’t know, but there’s a person growing inside me, and I want them. Surely, you understand that? If your mom had made a different decision, the world wouldn’t have a Yankees legend, and there’d be sexually unsatisfied women all over New York.” I try to make light of the moment because the reality is too heavy to bear.

“You’re right about the unsatisfied women, but I’m not under any illusions about the choice my mom made. She was very clear when I was a kid, abortion was a dirty word back then, and given the chance, she’d have taken the out. Her life would’ve been very different and probably for the better. I wouldn’t be here, but I wouldn’t know, would I? The Yankees would have some other star batter. Sure, he clearly wouldn’t possess my devilish charm and good looks, but the world keeps turning. You need to make the decision that’s best for you, whatever that may be.”

“Do you really think your mom would be happier without you?” I can’t imagine anyone feeling that their life would be better without Linc in it.

“Yes. She’d have finished college, gotten a great job, and had the standard house in the ‘burbs, two kids, a dog, and some guy she tolerated for the stability. An accountant or something equally as bland. I’d be that little blip she took care of and kept as a dirty little secret, never to be mentioned.”

“That breaks my heart. I don’t want my kid to think that when they get older.”

“They won’t. You’ll be a great mom. You’re nothing like the woman who raised me, Diana. Trust me, you will be amazing.”

“I’m not so sure. What do I know about babies? I’m a fighter.” I munch my way through four bagels while we chat back and forth. I seem to have become a nervous eater all of a sudden. This isn’t going to be fun an hour from now when I have to see the rewind.

“They eat, poop, and sleep. How hard can it be? As long as we figure out how to change a diaper and make a bottle, they’ll be fine.”

“We?”

“Yep. I’m going to be here whether you like it or not. I’m the dad. It falls under the job description.”

“You’re going to regret this when we have a screaming infant, and I haven’t showered in three days.”

“Why are we giving up on personal hygiene? That’s a deal-breaker. You forget that I’ve been here for days witnessing the puke, the morning breath, and the farts. I’m going to need you to shower at least every other day.”

“I hate you.”

“You love me.” His words hang in the air between us.

“You’re okay.”

“Progress! Now, I’ve told you my deep dark secret, so do I get any details about the ex who broke your heart?” He stares at his coffee cup, unable to meet my gaze.

“Why do you assume there’s an ex of significance?”

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