Page 66 of Double Play

I’m totally fucking gone for this girl. That was fast.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

LAYTON

My stats dipped during her absence. My current state of sadness isn’t even about my lackluster performance on the field. I just fucking missed her. How did I get so used to having her in my life that I’m gutted by her absence?

When Arizona Abbott is in a room, it’s full of color. But when she’s gone, everything turns gray.

She got back into town exactly thirty minutes before we had to board a plane to go on our long, two-week road trip. I had to hire a car service with a front seat partition to be at the airport just so we could get that time alone in the back before I had to jump on a plane. The poor guy didn’t even actually have to drive us anywhere. He just had to let us use the back of his car. I compensated him handsomely. I also made sure my body was covered in her before I left.

I marvel at the intense need I have for her. The feelingseems mutual. She practically sprinted to the car at the airport and then lunged for me when she got inside. It’s a passion and intimacy that I’ve never imagined possible.

This trip has been a time for me to reflect on how hard I’ve already fallen for her. It’s the first long road trip of my career where I’m not out on the prowl for women after games. With the exception of Quincy, all the guys assume it’s because I’m in a relationship with Arizona. Quincy thinks it’s because I’m living up to my end of the bargain in the fake relationship. He keeps goading me into going out with the single guys. I don’t understand why. It’s like he’s trying to get me to fuck up and break the terms of my contract.

I happily divert the attention of women to my teammates. I have no interest in them. Arizona is all I see. I now hang with the married players who we always made fun of for turning in early and never letting loose.

The good news is that the Anacondas play in the same city as us for our last three days on the road. I’ve genuinely been counting the seconds until I can see her again.

I’ve been trying to play it cool in front of Quincy, but Cheetah has been my roommate, and he notices how into Arizona I am. She and I spend hours on video calls every night as our schedules permit. I’ve never enjoyed simply talking to a woman the way I do her.

Tonight is our last night apart before they come to town. We had a twilight game but hers was later at night. As Trey and I sit at the hotel bar, I keep looking at my watch.

“You got a hot date, Lancaster?”

“Sorry. Arizona’s game ended and she’ll be back at herhotel in fifteen minutes. I want to see her face before I go to bed.”

His lips curl in amusement. “You’re so whipped. I told you this day would eventually come.”

“I’m not whipped.” I am. I know I am. “I just haven’t seen her in a while.”

“So you didn’t video chat with her last night? And every single night of this road trip?”

I mumble, “Fucking Cheetah and his big mouth.”

He bursts into laughter. “This is epic.” He places his hand on my shoulder as his face turns a bit more serious. “I’m happy for you. It’s not so bad, right? One woman?”

“No, it’s not. How did you know Gemma wastheone?”

His face softens as if he’s picturing her. “I knew the second I saw her. You know exactly what I went through to get Gemma. When it’s the right one, the rest just fade away. Nothing and no one else matters anymore.”

“Has it been hard all these years with long separations?”

“It’s not easy, but I don’t miss nights on the road at random bars, banging random chicks. Not even a little bit. I miss my wife, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.” He wiggles his eyebrows up and down. “And, honestly, when you reunite after a little break, it’s fucking hot.”

“Still?”

“Every damn time.”

“Your marriage is the only functional one I’ve ever witnessed. I thought it was an anomaly.”

“But now you don’t?”

“I’m just starting to see things differently. What you said about the others fading away perfectly describeshow I feel. I don’t see anyone else, and, frankly, it’s not hard at all. I simply don’t want anyone else.”

“Wow. You guys are progressing fast.” He doesn’t even know how fast it truly is. They think we’ve been dating for longer than we have, though I suppose in a way, we have been. We were spending time together before it turned physical. Most people would consider that dating.

Before I can respond, there’s a loud commotion at the entrance of the bar. Ezra is holding Quincy up. Shit, he’s trashed. We’re not supposed to drink on the road. We all do, but in moderation. We can’t be hungover for games. This is very unlike Quincy.

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