Page 15 of Double Play

They all start firing questions at me about softball. I can’t make them out. My head is spinning at all the attention. This is nuts. I know for a fact that my brother doesn’t garner this type of attention.

Layton gently guides me down the red carpet, stopping every few seconds for us to pose for the cameras. At some point, a reporter asks him if he’s a softball fan.

He smiles down at me. “I am now. Whenever it doesn’t interfere with my Cougars obligations, you’ll find me cheering on Arizona at all the Anacondas games this season. Be sure to come out. We’ve got the best pitching and catching in the league. My girl can hit too. It’s going to be quite a show.”

I look up at him. Without losing my smile for the cameras, I manage to channel my inner ventriloquist and ask, “Did you do a little softball homework this afternoon, superstar?”

He looks down at me. “I studied up on softball. I knoweverythingnow. And I know you’re the best catcher in the league and Ripley is the best pitcher. I know the twins play shortstop and second base. Reagan Daulton knew what she was doing when she created this team. You guys are immediate contenders. I also know that the distance to the pitcher’s mound and between the bases is shorter than in baseball. I know that pitchers throw underhand from a flat mound, not overhand from a raised mound like in baseball. I know a full game is seven innings, not nine like ours. And your fences aren’t as deep as ours.”

I stare at him in shock. I wonder what his contract had in it that made him study so hard. That he suddenly seems all in. Iknow it’s a facade, but I’m still impressed. They sent me a copy; I didn’t have time to read it yet. I need to do that right away.

He moves his lips to my ear, whispering, “Be careful about calling me superstar. I know you think you’re pushing my buttons, but it really just makes my dick dance in delight.”

I’m speechless as he smiles innocently, intertwines his fingers with mine, and walks us through the door of the venue.

As if he didn’t just mention his dancing dick, which I’m now staring at, he asks, “Did you study me too? I mean things on the internet, not what’s happening below my belt.”

My eyes snap back up to his, which are twinkling with amusement at having caught me staring. I take a moment to compose myself before answering, “I already know everything, Layton Eugene Lancaster.”

He scrunches his face. “Ugh. No amount of money can scrub my middle name from search engines.”

I giggle. “Your middle name suits you.” I squeeze his hand. “I know you’re a natural lefty, which is why you bat left-handed, but baseball isn’t as forgiving of us lefties as in softball, so you learned to catch right-handed.”

“You’re a lefty too?”

I hold up my right arm so he can see my watch on my wrist. “I am.”

He nods. “Us both being lefties could create a logistical problem for us in bed, but don’t worry, we’ll overcome it.”

I’m about to kick him in the balls when I realize he’s just messing with me. “I hope you remember what Auburn said. You can’t date for the next three months. That left hand of yours is going to be getting a workout.” I make a jerking motion with my left hand. I then do the same with my right, as I say, “You can switch it up sometimes and go righty. Maybe it will feel like you’re with a new person. I suppose if you canhandle one ball right-handed, you should be able to handle two. You do have two balls, right, Layton?”

He lets out a deep laugh. “You’re funny. I like you. How about we become friends? I think the next three months will be a lot easier if we get along. You’ve made it clear that you don’t want anything physical with me. Message received. I’m admittedly attracted to you, but I know deep down that it would be a mistake to start things with you given what we’re supposed to be doing.”

He looks down for a moment before looking me in the eyes. “I imagine you were a bit surprised today when they mentioned that I was going to be released after the season if the Greenes held onto the team. I only learned that fact yesterday. This is a second chance for me. I don’t want to leave Philadelphia. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to hold up my end of the bargain. I’m only asking you to do the same.” He holds out his left hand for me to shake. “How about a lefty shake on friendship?”

I pretend to think about his seemingly sincere statement. “Umm. I don’t have any lefty friends. I suppose I could use one. To be clear, I’m only using you for yourleftiness. Nothing else about you is appealing.”

He smiles. “I understand completely. Thank you for your honesty.” He intertwines his fingers through mine again. “Let’s find the bar, friend. What do you like to drink?”

“I drink beer, like every other ballplayer.” I scrunch my face. “Sometimes tequila shots like last night, but usually beer.”

“I think I’m in love with you.”

I shake my head. “You’re already breaking the rules of our budding friendship. You took a lefty oath. I take that shit seriously.”

“I’ve just never met a woman who drinks beer. Oh wait, I know one. Gemma DePaul. She likes fancy drinksandbeer.”

“Is that Trey DePaul’s wife?” Trey is the Cougars’ third baseman. I remember seeing something about them in the news a few years ago.

He nods. “It is. She’s the best. You would like her. She’s down to earth and normal. They’re the most in love married couple I’ve ever been around in my life. They just had their first baby, so I don’t know if she’ll be at many games. Maybe we can go out with them on one of our fake dates.”

“Let’s see how tonight goes. You might not get a second date, superst…Layton.”

He winks as he turns to order our drinks.

We enjoy our beers while I get to meet some of the most famous baseball players in the world, both past and present. I’m trying to remain calm while seeing so many of the idols I’ve had over the years.

At some point I see the Daultons walking over toward us. They’re a ridiculously attractive couple. They look like Barbie and Ken. Well, if Ken swallowed another Ken doll. Carter is huge. He’s built like Nick Bosa. He’s got a beard, and his tux looks like it was painted on. They’re holding hands, smiling at each other, obviously in love. How nice that must be.

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