Page 20 of The Foul Out

Lowering my focus to my hand, I shook my head.

“How about this: take two Advil every six hours, ice it regularly, and rest it.” She slipped a hand into her pocket and pulled out a white business card. “If it’s not any better in a couple of days, call me.”

Nodding, I tucked the card with the Boston Bolts logo into the side pocket of my leggings. I had no intention of making that call, but I’d entertain her for now.

When Rory released my hand, I checked on Piper again. Kyle had a hand cupped in front of him like he was holding something for Piper to inspect. My little girl held out a single finger, and with a grimace, she poked his palm. Quickly, she yanked her hand back and shuddered.

Rory cleared her throat, garnering my attention again. “Most people don’t know this because Kyle is really private about it. But he and Mason run a foundation for kids diagnosed with autism. They award grants that help families pay for therapies they couldn’t otherwise afford. They donate a lot of merch and tickets too, for fundraising.”

My breath caught in my lungs as I looked from her to Kyle and back again.

“Like I said, he’s really private about it.” She watched the man in question, a small smile lifting one side of her mouth.

A woman with a camera stood a few feet away from him and Piper, snapping candid shots.

“He finished his master’s degree in clinical psychology after he was drafted. He’s super smart. Rumor is that when he retires, he’s planning to practice ABA therapy.”

That rocked me. No wonder Kyle had told me to ask about his background.

“Oh.” I swallowed. Piper’s school had recommended applied behavior analysis therapy. Though she received some during the day, she needed more.

The problem was that private therapy was expensive. We already did occupational therapy with a sensory focus and swim therapy. Those barely fit into my budget as it was. I’d applied for a few grants, but I hadn’t heard back. Following up would be helpful, but between work, Piper’s needs, and life in general, I didn’t have the bandwidth.

Even so, therapy was important. And I had to make time for Sam. He deserved to have a life outside our little family unit. I had to start making these things happen.

“Yeah. Kyle…” She blew out a breath. “He comes across as an…” She cringed as she looked from him to me, but then she laughed. “An ass. There’s no better way to say it.”

I smirked. I couldn’t disagree.

“But Mason and I got together while I worked for the Revs. Our relationship could have gotten me into a lot of trouble. Kyle found out, but he kept our secret like it was his own. And he’s been a great friend to Mason. He’s ridiculously competitive and has a temper, but he’s got a lot of good qualities too. So don’t write him off yet.”

I didn’t know what she wanted me to say. But before I could respond, a white and black flash in my periphery caught my attention.

“Oh shit.” Rory screeched and jumped back, wide-eyed.

The world slowed around me as a flapping sound echoed in my ears. Rory took a step back, then another, her face a mask of terror.

The flapping got louder, and that’s when it finally hit me.

Oh no. My stomach dropped.

The bird.

I spun toward the sound, but my movements were halted when I was thumped on the head. At the pressure that remained, my heart skipped, and a shiver raced down my spine. Frozen, I panicked, my heart taking off.

“Is there a bird on my head?”

She gave me a wide-eyed nod as she slowly backed down the dugout steps.

Internally, I was freaking out. Screaming and jumping around, smacking myself on the head, trying not to pee my pants as I darted away from the creature. Outwardly, though, I was frozen. Iwantedto push the bird off, but my hand refused to move.

What if it bit me?

Did birds bite?

This one had a beak that looked like a huge orange lobster claw. I had no doubt it could take off my finger in a single chomp. And I needed my fingers.

My heart was pounding, and my lungs burned from a lack of oxygen. I was too afraid to inhale. But at the sharp poking sensation on my scalp, I sucked in a hard, whimpering breath. I had to be calm about this. If I freaked out, I’d scare Sam and Piper, who were probably watching me.

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