Page 104 of Double Play

“You’re right. Things are so good between us. It’s almost like a fairytale. I just hate that it started with a lie. Let’s hope strong relationships can come from less-than-ideal beginnings.”

She’s quiet for a moment before asking, “Can you keep another secret?”

I nod my head. “I can.”

“Carter and I started off similarly. We staged a fake relationship for business purposes, and somewhere along the way, we fell in love. Hell, we went one step further. We faked anengagement. We weren’t intimate or even remotely dating until after we were publicly engaged. Our real engagement came much later than people think.”

“Holy shit. You would never know. You guys seem to have such a perfect marriage.”

“No marriage is perfect, but I know I have a great one. I’m thankful every day of my life that he came to me with the fake relationship proposal. If he hadn’t, I don’t know that we would have found each other, though I feel like things happen for a reason. He’s my soulmate in every way imaginable. He was in a bad motorcycle accident last year. When I didn’t know if he’d make it, I couldn’t even breathe. He’s my everything. I know exactly how you’re feeling right now, Arizona. His pain is your pain.”

“I do feel pain.” Tears sting my eyes. “This will probably end his career.”

She shrugs. “Maybe yes, maybe no. But we’ll honor his contract regardless. He’ll get paid for the next three years whether or not he plays. Maybe he could do some coaching.”

I nod. “He loves to coach. He coaches little kids in his free time.”

She looks surprised. “I didn’t know that.”

“He doesn’t like publicity for it. He doesn’t want the press or any fans hanging around the kids.”

“It sounds like there’s more to Layton Lancaster than just being a baseball player.”

I nod. “There is. So much more.”

“You’re in love with him.” She says it as a statement, not a question.

“I am. I just worry that things have been too perfect. Life isn’t perfect all the time.”

“You’re about to hit a less-than-perfect time. This injury will be hard for him. He’s going to lean on you. The realrelationships weather the storms. I truly hope it works out for you two.”

A little while later, we land in Philly. As we’re deboarding, she says, “Carter is picking me up, but I arranged for a car to take you straight to the hospital.”

I hug her. “Thanks, Reagan. I appreciate everything you’ve done.”

As we walk down the steps, I hear the roar of a motorcycle as it comes to a stop at the bottom of the stairs. The rider takes his helmet off and I see that it’s Carter. He smiles at Reagan. It’s not a sweet smile. It’s anI’m about to fuck your brains outkind of smile.

Damn, he’s hot.

She breathes, “I know.”

“Did I say that out loud?”

Giggling, she says, “No, but I knew what you were thinking. I was thinking it too. I’m just happy he’s all mine.” She places her hand on my shoulder. “I hope our talk helped.”

I nod. “It did. Thank you.”

“Give Layton our best. We’ll visit him tomorrow.”

She walks over toward Carter, and he grabs her face and kisses her hard before they both put on their respective helmets. She climbs on the bike behind him, wraps her arms around him, and they drive away.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

LAYTON

Iblink my eyes open to fluorescent lights and hear the subtle beeping of machines. It takes a moment for me to absorb my surroundings, but I quickly remember what happened and that I’m in the hospital. Before I went under, they said it was roughly a four-hour surgery. It must be the middle of the night.

I can’t move. Looking down, I see that my leg is in a giant Frankenstein-looking contraption from my ankle to the middle of my quad. My entire leg is lifted and immobilized in some type of sling device hanging from above. I couldn’t move it an inch if I wanted to. It’s swollen and bruised all over. It looks bad.Reallybad.

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