Page 13 of Off Season

She has a look of confusion on her face. “He’s not gay.”

“Nothomosexual.Hobosexual. It’s a person who jumps from relationship to relationship so they have somewhere to live. He didn’t even pay rent, did he?”

She shakes her head.

“Yep, a hobosexual. Such an asshole move. Don’t take it personally. He’s basically a con artist.”

Bailey stares at me. “You do have a gift for making up words, but this one is dead-on accurate. What a great term.”

I take a bow. “Thank you, but I can’t take credit. That’s an Urban Dictionary term. I’m fluent in Urban Dictionary, arguably the greatest work of literature in the twenty-first century.” I look back to poor Amber, knowing I need to turn her frown upside down. “I bet I can put a smile on your face in under ten seconds.”

She whimpers, “Doubt it.”

“What does the receptionist at a sperm bank say when a man is walking out the door?”

“W…what?”

“Thank you. Come again soon.”

Amber lets out a giggle, as do Arizona and Ripley. Bailey rolls her eyes at me but knows I was doing what was necessary to snap Amber out of it.

It works.

We’re allin the dugout now just before our game is about to start. I keep an eye on Amber. She seems to be okay, smiling with the other young players on the team.

The franchise owner, Reagan Daulton, walks into the dugout. She’s in an Anacondas blue pantsuit with matching heels. She’s an imposingly attractive woman with perfectly blown-out blonde hair, blue eyes, and makeup that looks like it was professionally applied. What’s even more shocking is that she’s only a few years older than us.

She gives us a genuine smile and says to no one in particular, “Are you ready for the first-ever game of the Philly Anacondas?”

We all nod. Arizona answers, “Yes, ma’am.”

Mrs. Daulton scrunches her face. “Don’t call me ma’am. It makes me feel old. Reagan will be just fine. Anyway, I wanted to wish you luck. I know the stands are only half full today, but I’m confident I’ve assembled a team and a marketing plan that will fill them in no time. Don’t be discouraged.”

I wonder if she realizes that half-full stands are considered good in professional softball. Even during our playoffs, we don’t get many more fans than this. Softball doesn’t get the same attention that baseball does.

She motions to me. “Kamryn, can I speak with you for a moment?”

I nod. “Of course.”

We step aside, out of earshot of any of my teammates. She places her hand on my shoulder. “Coach Billie tells me that you’re the team leader.”

I can’t help but smile with pride. “It’s nice to hear that. I do what I can.”

“I have really high goals for this team, for you as individuals, and for women’s sports in general.”

I have no idea what that means, but I respond, “That all sounds good to me.”

She nods. “I know you have a background in modeling.”

“It’s been a hot minute, but yes. I dabble now and then. Nothing too serious. I take a few jobs here and there to make ends meet.”

I didn’t do any modeling for about a decade after we finally got to go to real school and do real activities, but I’ve done a little in the past few years to help pay the bills in the off-season. Always on my terms though. Bailey refuses to do any modeling. She usually finds nannying jobs both during and after our seasons. She loves little kids. As good as she is with them, that’s how bad I am with them. I honestly don’t know why she enjoys the little monsters as much as she does.

Reagan studies me carefully. I can almost see the wheels turning. “I’ve watched a few of your postgame interviews from over the past few years. There’s something extra about the way you conduct yourself. You’re quite witty. You have an outgoing personality and enjoy the limelight. What are your plans for life after softball?”

I haven’t told another living soul what I’m planning, and I’m certainly not going to start with Reagan Daulton. I shrug. “I’m not sure yet. For now, I’m focused on making this team a success and, hopefully, making the Olympic team in four years.”

She tilts her head to the side. She’s trying to read me, but I’m not giving anything away. No one has a better poker face than me. I don’t care how smart this woman is, she won’t get what she wants from me right now, and that’s information.

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