Page 9 of Love in the Outfield

“You had the seafood, right?” she asks me.

“Yepper. Thanks.” She sets my plate down.

“Welcome.”

She places Dean’s roast beef and mashed potatoes smothered in gravy in front of him and he pats his belly smiling. “Glad we worked out today, Cadester.” Her eyes dart towards me then quickly away.

“I’ll admit I’m having a bit of order envy,” I say.

Georgia finally smiles and says, “The fish is excellent. You’ll like it.”

I feel my heart beat a little faster from the attention, then remember that it’s damn likely she’s been lying to me for twoyears about a son I never knew I had. She’s not going to charm me out of my rightful anger.

“Does your son like fish?” I drawl and immediately regret it when the color drains from her face. I’m a real asshole. Low blow. I’m sure she feels threatened.

“Um, well, um… yes he does.” She serves the remaining plate to Max “Chill” McCallister, our third baseman, then hastily makes her exit.

“A kid huh?” Dean says watching me intently.

“Yep.”

“Is that why you left her?”

“Thanks for your character endorsement. What kind of jerk do you think I am?” I snap.

“Whoa! I just meant raising someone else’s kid can be complicated. Raising any kid really. Baseball means a lot of sacrifice and flexibility for the family.”

“I’ll vouch for that,” Max pipes in. “I don’t know how Ginny puts up with me. It gets lonely on the road sometimes and I miss her and the kids a lot. Gotta be a real baller to stay focused on the game. It’s all worth it though, not complaining.”

We’re all quiet as we dig into our entrees. She’s right. The fish is excellent. After I finish, I stand up and find my way to the kitchen. Poking my head in the door I search the room but don’t see her.

“Are you lost?” I recognize one of the servers and smile.

“Looking for Georgia,” I say.

Her eyes widen then she studies me appraisingly. “She’s taking a quick break.”

“Is she outside then?” I ask.

She waves towards the emergency exit. “Out there.”

I smile. “Thanks.”

“Good luck tomorrow night. Glad the Cutters picked you up.”

“Well, thank you,” I say before sprinting to the door. I push out into the warm summer night. It’s approaching dusk and the earlier humidity has dissipated some. I turn and there she is… leaning against the brick wall, watching me as if she’s been waiting.

I step tentatively toward her not sure what I’m going to say. I haven’t worked that part out yet. When I reach her, her big green eyes are filled with tears. I tip her chin up forcing her to meet my gaze. Dammit!

“He’s mine, isn’t he?” I ask softly.

She nods then begins to cry. I pull her into my chest and rest my chin on the top of her head, patting her back while her body shudders against me. I murmur soothing nonsense and inhale her delicious scent.

“Shh. It’s okay Gigi.” She stiffens as her old nickname slips out of me like there aren’t two years standing like a brick wall between us.

She pulls away and wipes her eyes with shaky hands. I feel empty. It’s all I can do to keep from hauling her back in my arms. That would be a boner move.

Her breath hitches. “I can’t do this right now. I’m at work,” she says.

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