Page 86 of Double Play

“He’s floated retirement out to me a few times. He was hinting at it just before I met you and the ownership changed. You know they were planning to release me after the season. He asked me to consider retirement.”

I place my hand on his chest. “Where’s your heart in all this? What does it tell you?”

He tucks my hair behind my ear and rubs my face with his thumb. “That I want you naked on a beach under the stars in Thailand.”

I throw my arms around his neck. “And you called me the sex maniac?”

He softly kisses my lips and smiles into them. “Maybe we both are.”

Maybe it’s time for Layton Lancaster to hang up his cleats.

He breaks away and begins to clean the mess we made. “Maybe you should check to see if their plane landed.”

“Good idea. I left my phone in the bedroom. I’ll grab it.”

He nods his head toward the end of the table. “Mine is right there. You can check on that.”

I grab his phone, but it needs a password to unlock it. I start to hand it to him. “Punch in your password.”

He doesn’t move. Simply looking over his shoulder, he says, “It’s eight-eight-eight-eight.”

He encouraged me to use his phone and he gave me the password without giving it a second thought. It feels like a lightbulb goes off over my head. I’m realizing what Laytonand I have is already so much deeper than what I had I with Marc.

This is special. We’re special.

LAYTON

While the situation in which he found out wasn’t ideal, I’m relieved that Quincy now knows about us. I was getting more than sick of hiding my feelings, though if I’m being honest, I was never any good at it. I can’t keep my hands off her. She consumes my every thought.

I tried to sit down with him and tell him how much I genuinely care about her, but he’s mostly been ignoring me. I suppose I need to give him more time to cool down. Maybe if he sees us together, how happy we are, he’ll change his mind.

Arizona’s parents are flying into town for two days. Apparently, they don’t like to leave their store for longer than that. It works out for them to see both Arizona and Quincy play. I’m having lunch with them today and then I’ll sit with them at Arizona’s game tomorrow afternoon.

She and I are walking a few blocks to the chosen restaurant. I squeeze her hand. “Are you close with both of your parents?”

“Hmm. Obviously I love them, they’re amazing people, but they missed so much of our lives for that damn store. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the nice life we led, and we all get along really well, but they were slaves to that place. My father worked seven days a week,stopping only to eat and sleep. My mom was around in the evenings for us, but they never came to school plays or anything like that. She came to evening games, but he never could. It’s not what I want when I have a family. I understand finances often dictate that, but I hope to be in a position where I can enjoy my children and my husband. Quincy has made substantial money for over a dozen years. He’s offered to help them retire, which they declined. He even offered to simply pay for a store manager just so they could travel a bit and maybe even see their children play. How many parents have two kids who are professional athletes? But they won’t take anything, and they won’t take a step back. I’ve given up trying. I just appreciate them for who they are and try not to expect anything.”

“I’m sure they care about you.”

“They do. A lot. I never felt unloved, just…not prioritized. Aren’t you supposed to enjoy your kids? It bothers Quincy more than it bothers me. We’ve talked a lot about it throughout the years. I think it’s why he’s fucked up about relationships, though he doesn’t tell me anything. He’s super secretive.”

“I’m not sure he’s fucked up. Maybe he just hasn’t found the right person. It took me a long time too. It was worth the wait. You were worth the wait.”

She leans her head onto my shoulder. “You’re very sweet for someone with no boyfriend experience.”

“You make it easy. You’re a breath of fresh air in my life.” I kiss her head. “Do you talk to your parents much?” I’m fascinated by their dynamic.

She nods. “I talk to my mother once or twice a week. There’s no strain in our relationship. I didn’t mean to make it seem that way. My father isn’t really a telephoneguy. Birthdays and anniversaries. That’s about it. Though he’s a bit of a sarcastic jokester so he may bust your balls. He’ll definitely bust Quincy’s. It’s his favorite thing to do.”

“How bad is today going to be with Quincy? He still hasn’t spoken to me, and he throws elbows at me every time I pass by.”

She has an unimpressed look on her face. “Quincy is a child. When he respects me as an adult, capable of making decisions, then I’ll listen to what he has to say. Right now, I don’t care if he doesn’t like you. I do and it’s my life to lead.”

I need to make things right with Quincy. They’re close and I don’t want to come between them.

We arrive at the restaurant, and I take a deep breath. She grabs my face and brushes her lips over mine, whispering into them, “They’re going to love you. I promise.”

I nod and kiss her softly. She truly has a soothing presence over me. I don’t know how I’ve made it this long without her.

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