Page 82 of Curveball

“Just to tell you that you’re magnificent. I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful than you are tonight.”

She gives me a soft smile. “Thank you. You’re very handsome too. Is…is that all you need?”

“I just couldn’t let another minute go by without telling you. I might have to stand behind you all night just to hide my boner.”

She giggles. “No problem.”

A noise coming from around the corner breaks our concentration. I poke my head around to see an attractive older couple laughing. His hands are all over her.Allover her. The woman smiles when she notices us.

I assume she’s going to say something to me, but it’s Ripley who has caught her attention. “Ripley St. James?”

Ripley graciously nods. “Yes.”

The brunette beauty holds out her hand. “I’m Darian Knight. My daughter is Reagan Daulton. I’m such a big fan of yours.”

Ripley smiles. “Thank you so much. What Reagan has created in such a short time is nothing short of a miracle.”

Darian nods. “I’m so proud of her.” She points to the tall, dark-haired man standing next to her. “This is my husband, Jackson. We’ve been to a lot of games. We’re excited for the playoffs.”

We all shake hands. Jackson eventually grabs Darian’s hand. “We’ll leave you to your conversation. Good luck to both of you in the playoffs. I need a minute of my wife’s time.”

He winks at me as he pulls her away with his hand on her ass.

Ripley and I smile at each other. She mumbles, “Jeez, I hope I’m still doing that at their age.”

“You’re more than welcome to do that tonight. With me.”

She sighs as she shakes her head in exasperation. “Let’s get back to the party.”

A few minutes later, I’m staring at the big screen, which is now displaying the cover for the upcomingSports Illustratedbody image issue. I lean over and whisper to Layton, “It’s a good thing I know about you two, because I’d certainly know now.”

It’sveryprovocative. Arizona is in lace panties and a barely there bra. Her legs are wrapped around him, and he’s in his boxer briefs. He’s got her pinned to the scoreboard with his head buried in her neck. She looks like she’s mid-orgasm. A sight I’d prefer to have never seen.

I can’t believe the cover is this explicit. Fucking hell. If every man in America wasn’t already pining after my sister, they will be now.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

RIPLEY

My chin all but drops to the floor. Without moving my eyes from the near-pornographic yet sexy as fuck cover image, I mumble to Arizona, “Holy shit. I think I just came from that picture.”

I turn and look at her. I’m not sure she heard me. She’s in shock. I think everyone is in shock except maybe Layton. He’s smiling like—

Before I can finish my thought, Kam leans over and whispers, “Layton is smiling like his dick is being sucked right now.”

I wordlessly nod. Exactly.

After a few minutes of madness, in which hordes of people congratulate them, Layton and Arizona disappear. Bailey approaches us with a very attractive older man next to her. He’s tall and has a beard. He’s got dark hair with a little gray mixed in.

Bailey smiles. “Ripley, Kamryn, this is TannerMontgomery. Tanner, this is Ripley St. James and my sister, Kamryn Hart.”

I see Bailey mouth to Kam, “Behave.”

Tanner smiles and shakes my hand.

“It’s nice to meet you, Ripley. I’ve been watching you pitch all season. I have a budding softball player myself. She idolizes you.” He looks around. “She idolizes all of you. The Anacondas are the best thing to ever happen to women’s sports in Philly.”

I return his smile. “Thank you. The support of this town has been amazing. I didn’t have this in Houston. The Daultons have done an incredible job promoting us.”

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