Page 55 of Passed Ball

How do I explain this without doing more damage?

"The vineyard breathed air into them, even before they fell in love, but it suffocated me."

She nods like she understands, but I don't think she does, not really. I let her go, returning to my seat before drawing the attention of the entire restaurant.

"You won't hurt him, will you," she asks.

Ouch, that stings. But she's holding back tears in a restaurant and it's all my fault so I'd say I deserve it.

"No, we agreed to rules. He doesn't want a relationship any more than I do. What we have is physical--convenient."

"I don't think this is a good idea. He was supposed to be . . ." She slams her lips shut, biting it nervously. Before I can ask her what she was going to say, the server brings our food and my niece quickly changes the subject, schooling her expression like the last five minutes never happened and don't have it in my heart to rehash it.

"There's a home game coming up next weekend that I want to take Holland to. It's Saturday afternoon. I thought Xavier might enjoy having her there, but I was going to see if you would go with me. I'd be more comfortable having backup, but I get it if that's weird now."

Hell would have to freeze over for me to say no to her right now, and I'm pretty sure she knows that.

Chapter 25

Vivienne

Before working at Double Play, I'd never been to a baseball game. I grew up in a football family--my brothers played and my dad raised us all to be die-hard Miners fans. To this day, he's still a season ticket holder.

Back then, he claimed the tickets were to entertain business partners, but over the years he's taken my brothers and nephews more than he's ever taken potential distributors or clients.

Since starting this job three years ago, I've been to dozens of Bandits games, but this is the first time I'm going in an unofficial capacity and my stomach is twisted like the pretzels they sell in the concession stands.

Tight knots of nerves and excitement have my stomach flipping and I might vomit all over the peanut-covered concrete. In the days since my emotional dinner with Tenley, I've prioritized time with her, only calling and texting Xavier when she wasn't around. His schedule of back-to-back home games has made it impossible for us to see each other anyway. All his free time has rightfully been spent with his daughter before he goes back on the road.

Tonight, I'll get to see him and even if it's only from the stands while he plays, I can't deny it has me absolutely giddy. Tenley arranged for us to sit with the other Bandits families behind the dugout. Normally the wives sit in the outfield, but with Holland coming, we're sitting behind the protection of the net, and close to her dad.

"It's really early. We should have waited." Tenley nervously chews on her lip, focusing on the field where the players are taking batting practice.

"This is perfect." I pat the seat next to me, coaxing her to sit. My eyes drop to Holland, who's strapped to her chest. "Let's take her out while she's awake so she doesn't get too hot."

Reaching into my small belt bag I grab the surprise I brought.

"Stop! That's adorable. You got her that?" Tenley's excitement is written all over her smug face.

"Just shut up, will you?" I laugh. God, she's impossible. I wanted to do something nice for Xavier. Without his ex in the picture, he doesn't have someone to make moments like this special and, well, he deserves this. "It doesn't mean anything."

"Yeah, of course. Seems legit."

I clutch the tiny teal jersey to my chest, looking around frantically. "Oh screw off, Ten." When I'm sure no one who matters is watching, I set it across my lap, fingers brushing over the tiny letters that spell out Kingsley.

My gaze snags on the number seven and then does a sweep of the field, looking for the other number seven, but I don't find him. My neck prickles with embarrassment when I ask, "Is it too much? Should I just--" I unzip my purse, ready to shove it back inside, when Tenley's hand covers my arm, stopping me.

"It's perfect. He's gonna love it."

Chewing my lips, I check the field again. "Okay, let's change her before he comes out to stretch."

Tenley nods in agreement, quickly unstrapping the baby carrier and laying Holland across her lap so I can slip her tiny arms through the jersey and pull it over the light denim romper she's wearing.

"Oh my god," Poppy says when she catches sight of us, leading the rest of the women down the stairs. "Quick, someone cover Lilah's eyes. This is so cute it might make her spontaneously produce a twin."

I look and find all four of them watching in delight.

"I hate you," Indie says, her lashes glittering with unshed tears. "I'm going to fucking cry when he sees her and I'm absolutely going to blame the egg retrieval hormones."

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