Page 52 of Love in the Outfield

“That’s for sure.” And we dive back in.

Iget home around eleven and Ava is asleep on my couch with the TV tuned in to Cade’s game. The Cutters are ahead by five runs. I silently pump my fist. I gently shake Ava and she opens her eyes sleepily. “How was your night?” she asks groggily.

“Real good. Made lots of tips.”

“How’s Eric?”

“He’s good.”

“Did you tell him I love him?” she says yawning.

“He’s too old for you,” I say.

“I’m too tired to argue.” She stretches and stands up. “Auggie went down around eight.”

“Okay. Thanks. You want to crash here tonight?”

“No, my own bed is calling me. I’ll be around tomorrow if you want to hang out.”

“Okay. Thanks again, sis.”

She leaves and I collapse onto the recliner. I’m exhausted. I calculate the time zone for California, a bad habit I know. He’s been playing for over an hour. I watch the game, anxious for a Cade fix. When he steps up to bat in the next inning, I’m on pins and needles as it goes to full count.

“Dang it, that was not a strike,” I yell at the television as the umpire calls it and Cade is struck out. I watch every movement Cade makes like I can drink him in to quench my unbearable thirst. He looks disappointed in the call but handles it like a good sport.

In the end, we win anyway, five to two. I’ve just crawled into bed and my phone rings. I swear I know what they mean by swoon. “Hello,” I say breathlessly.

“Hey you. How was work?”

“Busy. We busted our tails tonight.”

“Did you get to watch any of the game?”

“Ava had it on when I got home and I watched from the fourth inning on. That umpire was terrible.”

His soft laugh goes right through me. “Yeah, but at least he was consistent with both teams.”

“I reckon.” I’m still miffed at the bad calls.

“I know it’s late there; I just wanted to say goodnight.”

“Good night, Cade, glad you won.”

“I miss you.”

“Really?”

“More than you can imagine.”

“I miss you too and I don’t like it one little bit.”

He chuckles. “Wow, am I hearing things? Hey, we fly back after Sunday’s game. Can I see you on Monday?”

“Won’t you be too tired?”

“Never too tired to see you.”

“That would be nice.”

---