Page 135 of Curveball

She’s told me a handful of times in the past several months that they keep calling her about getting together. I haven’t been emotionally ready for it, but I think I am now.

Tears sting her eyes, but she nods. “Of course.”

The Cougars flewinto Philly after their night game, and Quincy arrived home in the middle of the night. I heard himopen my door, remove his clothes, check in on Kaya in her bassinet, give her a kiss, and then slide in behind me in bed.

I pretended to be asleep, but he pulled my body into his and kissed my back over and over, telling me how much he missed me and loves me. My mind is a complete and total mess over him. He’s never been this outwardly affectionate.

I think of what Arizona said about how happy Layton always is to see her. That’s certainly how Quincy is making me feel right now.

I keep replaying my mom’s words repeatedly in my head. But I’m afraid. Afraid of the hurt he’s inflicted on me in the past. Afraid this is too good to be true.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

RIPLEY

It’s finally Monday. I don’t know why I’m nervous. Perhaps it’s because Quincy and I have never been on a date before. All those years, and never once have we done something as simple and ordinary as going out for dinner, just the two of us.

I’m putting the final touches on my makeup when the doorbell rings. That’s odd. Quincy has a gate at the end of the long driveway. We always know if someone is coming, and no one called up to the house. It must be someone with the code.

I run down to open the door and see Quincy standing there in jeans, a white T-shirt, and a dark blazer, holding two bouquets of red roses.Fuck, he’s hot.

“Good evening, Ms. St. James. I’m here for our date.” He hands me one of the bouquets. “These are for you because…I’m a gentleman.”

I can’t help but smile as I take them. “Thank you. They’re beautiful.” I inhale the fragrant scent before nodding towardthe other bouquet. “Do you have another date later,gentleman?”

He shakes his head. “Nope. I’m a one-woman kind of man. I prefer redheaded pitchers. It’s my understanding that you have a beautiful daughter who might feel jealous of her mom getting flowers and not her. I didn’t want her to feel left out.”

“I’m sure she’ll be thrilled given that she’s not even three months old.”

“Nonetheless, I hear she’s a stunner like her mom.”

My mom appears out of nowhere and grabs the flowers. “I’ll take care of these. You two kids have fun. Stay out as late as you want. Kaya and I have our own date tonight.” She smiles down at my baby sleeping in her arms. “Don’t we, baby girl?”

Mom practically shoves me out the door. Quincy chuckles as he takes my hand, another thing he’s rarely done.

After opening the car door for me, we’re on our way. I turn to him. “You pitched well this past week considering you haven’t thrown in a while.”

He didn’t pitch many innings. He has to build back his stamina after not pitching much for the past few months.

He shrugs. “Three innings is a good start. My curve isn’t moving as much as it normally does, but that’s to be expected.”

“Your stride isn’t as long. Work on that. It will help with the spin.”

He smiles.

I look at him. “What?”

“I forgot how fun it is that you know the game so well. You’re exactly right. That’s what our pitching coach said to me. How’s it going for you? It must be nice to be throwing again.”

“My stomach was cut in half. I feel weak and my speed is down, but the muscle memory is still there. It’s nice working with my mom again. Despite some of her…shenanigans when I was a kid, she’s always been a great coach.”

“She’s a great mom too. She just took a leave from her teaching job and moved across the country to help us. That’s very special.”

“I know. You’re right. Did I tell you that she finally told me a little bit about my dad?”

He shakes his head. “No. What did you learn?”

“It wasn’t what I thought. He wasn’t just a nameless, faceless man in her sea of many. She loved him. He died before I was born, but they were in love. It made me happy to hear that.”