Page 21 of Off Season

He likes to host a few of his local clients every month for a poker game full of good food, good drinks, bad smack talk, and the best of friends. He has a high-end man cave, complete with a poker table, pool table, and a full bar. It’s me, Layton, and Trey from the Cougars, as well as Vance McCaffrey and Daylen Humblecut from the Philadelphia Camels, the local professional football team. Vance is their quarterback, and Daylen is their tight end. Both are among the biggest stars in the league.

Vance is a little grumpy, and Daylen is a lot goofy, but they’re great guys, and I consider them friends. The two of them are the best of friends, even if a bit of an odd couple with their vastly different personalities. For some reason it works, and they’re inseparable.

Vance is from Montana and can often be seen at public events in a cowboy hat and cowboy boots, paying homage to his roots. He’s got dark hair, a little long but in style. Daylen, on the other hand, has wild blond hair that I don’t think I’ve ever seen cut or styled in the same manner two times in a row. He messes with it as much as he messes with his facial hair.

We’re headed out on a road trip tomorrow so I’m happy to be having a fun night with my friends, full of laughs and shit talk. It’s always plentiful during our poker nights. The Anacondas are on a road trip right now, which is why we’re meeting tonight. Layton hasn’t otherwise torn himself away from Arizona since they started dating. I’ve never seen him like this with a woman. They return late tonight. Layton has been counting the seconds.

Daylen is talking about their teammate, Presley, whose wife is newly pregnant. Presley apparently just made his first-ever trip to the OBGYN with her and was dumbfounded by it. Daylen chuckles. “He couldn’t get over the fact that the doctor literally stuck his hands into his wife. I guess it’s one of those things you sort of know about but don’t truly appreciate unless you witness it.”

Hmm. I’ve never thought about it. “Was the doctor younger or older?” I ask.

Daylen shrugs. “I don’t know.”

I nod. “I’ve heard that women prefer old OBGYNs.”

Daylen looks at me skeptically. “Why is that? More experience?”

I smirk as I wiggle my fingers. “Shaky hands.”

Everyone except Trey and Tanner laugh. Tanner simply rolls his eyes at us. He’s a single father with a seven-year-old daughter.

He sighs. “I went to Fallon’s appointments when she was pregnant with Harper. It’s very clinical.”

Trey nods his head. “Agreed. You morons are a sad group.”

Daylen responds, “Sad? We’re not sad. Sad is when a nymphomaniac sayslet’s just be friends.”

I chuckle as I toss my cards on the table and fold my hand. “I’m out. You fuckers are taking all my money tonight.”

Trey throws his cards on the table. “I’m out too. I think I’m going to head home.”

Tanner scoffs. “It’s been less than an hour. Why are you leaving so early?”

“Gemma made me come here. Said I needed a chill night with boys, but I want to get home before she goes to sleep.”

The guys all give him shit for being whipped, but if I had Gemma DePaul at home waiting for me, I’d feel the same.

I nod at him, and with a straight face say, “Tell my future wife that I said hello.”

He gives me the finger, and I smile. I do enjoy ruffling his feathers.

A few hours later,I’m tossing and turning in bed. It’s one of those nights where you wonder what you’re doing with your life. I’m a successful baseball player. That was my childhood dream, and I achieved it. I’ve made more money than I’ll ever need in my life. I live in a gorgeous condo with amazing city views. I have a great group of friends and a wonderful family that I love. Yet for the first time in my life, I feel like something is missing.

If I’m being honest, that feeling started a few years ago when Trey met Gemma, and I had a front-row seat to watch their love story unfold. While most of the guys on the teamare married, my inner circle isn’t. Layton is a thirty-four-year-old career bachelor. So are Vance and Daylen, for that matter. Ezra never dates. Our newest close friend, Quincy, goes home with a different woman every night. I saw the emotional toll Tanner’s divorce took on him. It’s made him swear away all relationships.

Trey was just like the rest of us, moving from woman to woman, until the second he laid eyes on Gemma. He was a goner from that point on. I joke about my crush on Gemma, but it’s their relationship I envy.

And then one gorgeous face pops into my mind.

KAMRYN

It’s the middle of the night and I’m awake, as always. I have a million things running through my head.

The first few weeks of our season have gone well, and we all seem to be acclimating to our new city. When neither of our teams are on the road, we tend to go out with the guys on the Cougars. They’re a fun group.

I’m sitting on my sofa typing away on my computer when I notice the screen on my phone light up. I pick it up to see that a text came through.

Unknown: It’s Cheetah. You awake?

---