Page 4 of Love in the Outfield

CADE

Iwatch the woman I stupidly walked away from two years ago sprint around the corner and down the snack aisle… away from me. Always was a natural beauty. Her mossy green eyes had flashed surprise followed by recrimination then hurt. That last one is a punch to my gut. Flushed cheeks… biting that full bottom lip like she always used to… so familiar yet untouchable now. Her embarrassed breathy laugh coupled with her Appalachian Kentucky drawl had sent a jolt down my spine. I desperately want to hear it again.

She looks the same yet different in subtle ways… more mature or womanly somehow… I don’t know… something I can’t quite put my finger on. I feel cheated, like I’ve missed out on something. I vividly recall how her long untamed hair felt against my bare chest as she leaned over me… her creamy soft skin. The best summer of my life. I’m standing here in the middle of the market, dumbstruck, holding spice bottles and looking like an idiot until the young clerk snaps me out of it.

“I’ll take those off your hands,” he says, reaching for the spices. In a daze, I turn them over. Shaking my head like a wetdog shaking off water, I smile. “Not sure what happened here.”That’s the understatement of the century.

“No problemo.” The kid shrugs. “Trust me I’ve seen a lot worse. I could tell you some stories. Geesh, pickle jars, ketchup, you name it, I’ve mopped it. This is nothing. I’ll take it from here, sir.” He rights the display and then begins picking up the remaining bottles.

“I’ll pay for any damages,” I offer. He waves me off and then gives me an odd look.

“You look an awful lot like Cade Jennings.”

I grin. “Do I?”

His face beams. “I’m right, aren’t I? You’re Cade, aren’t you?”

“Guilty as charged.”

“Dude! I am so glad the Kentucky Cutters picked you up! That home run the other night was epic, dude. And on your debut!”

“Thanks. Fingers crossed my luck continues,” I say.

“Wow, I can’t believe it. Cade Jennings! Can you do me a solid and sign this for my girl?” he asks, grabbing a pen tucked behind his ear and then handing me a scrap of paper from his pocket.

I look around as a few curious shoppers seem to have overheard our convo and are now openly staring. “Sure, and I’ll do you one better. I’ll see that you get a couple of tickets to Friday’s game.”

“Epic!”

“What’s your girl’s name?”

“Kelcey.” I scribble a note to Kelcey and sign my name.

“Wait till she sees this. You are literally her snack.”

I laugh out loud. “Snack huh? That’s a new one. Two tickets for Friday then. Write down your number.”

“Excellent!” he says, jotting down his info.

I take the paper from him. “Enjoy the game.”

“You’re gonna make the playoffs this year. I know it!” Whistling, he returns to restacking the spices on the cardboard shelf.

“That’s the plan.”

Ireplay the encounter with Georgia as I push my cart. Maybe I imagined that flare of heat I saw before the other emotions crashed the party. I was so shocked to see her that I’d tuned out everything else until that toddler broke the spell. Did he really call her mommy? Suddenly the spidey senses niggling the edge of my psyche break through my Georgia-addled brain. I ditch my cart and race for the exit. I run out the door in time to see her old Subaru wagon peel out of the lot.

I stand there raking my hands through my hair as I watch her disappear. I’d only caught a brief glimpse of a cherub face and curly dark hair but is it even possible that it could be a coincidence? I pull out my cell and call my big brother Quinn.

“Yo little brother, what’s up?”

“You’ll never guess who I just ran into.”

“I give.”

“Georgia.”

“Ouch!” After a long pause, he quietly says, “It’s been what… two years? Awkward.”

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