Page 92 of Double Play

Dylan answers, “We are. We see Layton Lancaster sitting over there. Do you think he’d take a picture with us?”

I nod. “I know he would. Go over there and tell him thatsunshine said you need a picture with superstar. It’s a special code. And Andie, Layton iswaycuter than Butch McVey. I was only a little older than you when I had my first crush on a baseball player. Do you know who it was?”

The girls shake their heads.

I smile. “Layton Lancaster.”

The girls all gasp. Andie looks at me wide-eyed. “Butch could be my boyfriend one day.”

Beckett looks like he’s about to vomit. Through gritted teeth, he suggests we all take a few photos so that Bailey and I can get back to our team.

When we’re done, Dylan places her hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry. I won’t ask Layton Lancaster on a date while he’s your boyfriend. My mom told me it’s always bitches before bros.”

I can’t help but let out a laugh. Are these girls seven or seventeen? “I really appreciate that, Dylan, and I totally agree with your mom.”

We say goodbye and I see them walk over to Layton. They say something to him. He smiles as he finds me. I wink in return.

I watch him happily talk to the girls and take pictures with them for nearly fifteen minutes. I think I even see him record a video with them, which I assume is a TikTok. He’s such a good man. If possible, I fall just a little harder watching him interact with them.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

LAYTON

“Should I throw the yakker or stick with the heat? This chump is a Punch and Judy hitter.”

Arizona starts laughing. She loves Randy’s deep knowledge and use of baseball slang. A yakker is a curveball, and a Punch and Judy hitter is one without power.

I pat his head. “Why don’t you mix it up and work on a little bit of everything? We’re up big and it’s the last inning.”

“Yes, sir, Coach Layton. This batter is about to enjoy a golden sombrero.” A golden sombrero is when a player strikes out four times in a game.

He enthusiastically high-fives both Arizona and me and then runs out of the dugout onto the field to close out another victory for us.

Arizona shakes her head. “I freakin’ love that kid.”

“I know you do.” I look out to adorable Perry inrightfield. “I’m a little partial to Perry. He’s the underdog. He hasn’t made a catch all season.”

“It’s not for lack of your effort. You’ve hit him a million balls. He has a legitimate physical disability. He’d be great in a league specifically designed for kids with disabilities.”

She lifts her eyebrows making sure I understand the implication. She’s mentioned a few ideas about expanding league access for the kids on multiple occasions. It will be a big endeavor, but I’m thrilled that she seems passionate about it.

“I hear you. I asked my lawyer to start looking into creating a charity to help.”

She has a huge smile as she wraps her arms around me. “Really?”

“Really. Don’t get too excited. It’s going to take a lot of hard work to get it up and running. And we’ll need to raise funds to make sure it’s sustainable. I don’t want the kids to get something for a year only to have it taken away from them.”

She kisses my cheek. “Can’t wait to help.”

I point to the field. “In the meantime, we need to close out this game. Cinderella needs to get ready for the ball.”

Tonight is the bigSports Illustratedreveal party up in New York City. It worked out perfectly because neither of us have games so we can attend.

She narrows her eyes. “Are you calling me Cinderella?”

“No. I’m Cinderella.” I daintily pretend to fix my hair. “I need to make myself pretty for you. I’m not sure it gets prettier than this, but I plan to try.” I bat my eyelashes at her.

She snort-laughs. “I’m confident you’ll be the belle of the ball.”

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