Page 54 of Off Pitch

“I have no idea if I can do that.”

“Don’t let it faze you, Lo,” Lucia adds. “You’re a woman who likes sex—own it.”

That I’m going to have to try to do.

The Stars played a damn good game tonight. They didn’t get the win, but Cole was part of a great 6-4-3 double play.

And all through the game, Knox kept looking at me, smiling every time he did. I couldn’t help but smile brightly in return.

We’ve been getting so much closer, to the point where I look forward to seeing him each day. And I think he does, too.

And I think I really,reallylike that.

Now that the game is over, I’m sitting on the floor outside of the away team clubhouse, Sage sitting right in front of me. Roryneeds to talk to her dad, so I’m watching Sage while we wait for Lane.

“There we go,” I say, fixing the small ponytail atop her head. “All set, Sagie.” She claps before she turns around and gives me a slobbery kiss on my cheek. “Aww, thank you, Lovebug.”

The clubhouse door opens, and Lane, Knox, Cole, and Josh step out. “Ah, there’s my baby girl,” Lane says as he leans down and scoops Sage off the ground.

“Dada!”

“Why are you still up, Sagie? You’re usually asleep by now.”

I stand up to join them. “Rory said she ended up taking a late nap today. We haven’t been able to get her back to sleep yet.”

“Well, that means we’re in for a long night, aren’t we, Sagie?” She giggles as Lane tickles her. “I’m heading back then. I gotta try to get Sage down for the night.”

“I’ll head back with you,” Josh says. “I want to talk to Ella before she falls asleep.”

“We’ll see the rest of you tomorrow, then,” Lane states as he, Sage, and Josh take off down the hall.

I look to Knox and Cole. “You had a good game today.”

“We lost, Lo,” Knox replies. “Not what I’d call a good game.”

I shrug. “You can’t win ’em all. But it’s not like you got the loss either, Knox. Stars were still in the lead when you came off.”

“There’s always tomorrow,” Cole adds. “We can still win the series.” He thinks for a moment. “Where’s Rory, Lo?”

“She had to talk to Skip about something. She’s probably still with him.”

“Ah, okay,” he replies, rubbing his neck. “Makes sense.”

I eye him. “Why are you being weird, Cole?”

“It’s weird to ask where my friends are now, is it? I don’t think that’s very weird.” He crosses his arms.

“That’s not weird,” I reply. “But you’re acting weird as hell.”

“She’s got a point, man,” Knox adds.

“I should’ve known this whole—“ he gestures between Knox and me, ”—thingwould’ve had you two ganging up on me.”

“Ooh, he’s getting testy now, Knox,” I say as I look at him. “What do we think he’s hiding?”

“I’m not sure,” he says with a smirk, “but I bet we can find out.”

Cole throws his bag over his shoulder and grumbles, “I’m getting out of here before either of you keep talking,” before he takes off down the hall away from us.

---