Page 317 of Well Played

Walker knew he was in trouble when she hit the first ball.

When she’d finished her set, she smiled and said, “I probably shouldn’t count that one since I had it set to my sweet spot. It took me several months to figure out how I like my pitches. Would you like to go again? We can set it for random pitches. It’ll make it more of a challenge.”

“Why? You already won.”

She shrugged. “If I am going to publicly humiliate you, I want it to be an honest competition.”

They hit again and this time they were more evenly matched, but Walker came out ahead. She nodded. “Okay, looks like I am going to give you a public apology.”

Shaking his head, he took her hand in his. “No, just accept my apology and let me show you I’m not the asshole you think I am.”

“Fine.” She gripped his hand and shook it. “I’m Kaylee Wilson.”

He rubbed his thumb over her hand and looked into her eyes. “I’m Walker Jackson. It’s very nice to meet you.”

Kay blushed and withdrew her hand from his.

Kay withdrew her tingling hand. The sensation went all the way to her hoo-ha, and she was melting like chocolate frosting on Independence Day.

“Y’all looked really good in there,” Gracie said.

Jimmy gave them their stats, breaking down their hits according to pitches thrown.

Kay met Walker’s gaze, and they shared a smile.

Gracie looked up and glanced from one to the other. She elbowed Jimmy. “Let’s go get an ice cream. My treat.”

“Just because you buy me ice cream doesn’t mean I’m your boyfriend,” he said as they walked away.

Kay chuckled. “Gracie is putting Jimmy through his paces. I’ve never seen him so animated around other people.”

“She says he’s her best friend.” He looked over to where the two were buying ice cream at one of the local food trucks. “Um, I hesitate to ask since we’ve just started our truce, but you don’t think anything will happen between Jimmy and Grace, do you?”

Frowning, she returned her attention to the sexy baseball player. “Happen? Oh, you mean sex? I don’t think so, but I’m sure they’re both curious. We’ve had the talk with Jimmy, and mom and I stress treating others, especially girls, with respect. I only know of one other girl he liked, and he always chose her to be his partner when they were making crafts and stuff. I don’t even think they held hands.” She shrugged.

“He seems like a real gentleman. I just worry about Grace, especially since I’m a man trying to talk to her about all the important, growing up things.” He shook his head. “I did not like having to explain about menses.” He rolled his eyes.

Kay couldn’t stifle her smile. “I can’t imagine how uncomfortable that was for both of you.”

He snorted. “It didn’t seem to faze Grace. I guess she was just glad someone had the answers, and she wasn’t dying.” He sighed. “I thought I had time. I never expected her to start at twelve.”

Kay nodded. “Some of my friends started that early. Thankfully, I did not. I can’t imagine my dad having that conversation.”

“Yeah, well, I’d not planned to have it. I’d arranged to have a medical friend explain it to her, but like I said, I thought I had more time.”

“Has Grace ever had a boyfriend?” Kay asked.

“Not really. She’s had a few crushes and a couple of good friends, but she spent many years on the road with me.”

“That must have been difficult.”

“I hired a companion to be with her when I was playing ball. She was good about taking her to cultural places wherever we were and worked with her on basic life challenges, as well as her educational needs.” He sighed. “I don’t know how most single parents do this and without the resources I do.”

“I know how difficult things have been for my parents, even with me helping. Even my friends with healthy children and spouses don’t have it easy. Raising kids isn’t for the faint of heart, as my mom would say.”

He nodded. “When I found out about Mel’s death and her naming me as guardian for Grace, I was terrified of being responsible for another human being. Hell, I could barely take care of myself,” he admitted. “I’m ashamed to say I sent Grace to live with my parents, so my life didn’t have to change.” He sighed. “You had the right idea about me. I was selfish and self-centered.”

Kay looked at him, really seeing him for the first time. Jimmy had been right. She would have been nervous about taking on the responsibility of a child, especially one she didn’t know. “You were at the peak of your career.”

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