Page 67 of Nailed at Home Plate

“Dude, it's been like two months.” Benson snapped back. “It’s stupid to think that–”

“No,” I said firmly. Between Martin and I, we were giving the guys’ necks a workout. “It's not stupid. Honestly,” I let out a laugh as I shook my head at the incredulousness of it all. “I knewweeksago.”

I swear to god Schmidt’s gaze turned into cartoony heart eyes. Like Martin, he was the only other married guy in the bunch. They had to have some knowledge of what I was feeling.

“Knew what?”Oh, poor, oblivious Tomas.

“That our guy is in looooovveee.” Truitt teased his fellow outfielder with his sing-song answer. More cheers followed and I felt myself break into a grin.

My entire body relaxed once I finally admitted it out loud. Now that the words were out in the open, and I was no longer stuffing my head so far up my ass in denial, everything felt right.

But, how to tell her?

“I can’t tell her this shit over the phone.”

“Hell no.” Benson agreed. “You need to do some grand gesture. Women love that sort of stuff.”

“How the hell do you know?” Arlow shot at him. Benson rolled his eyes as if the answer was obvious.

“I read those romance books that are all over the internet. Women rave about the guys doing all sorts of shit in those books.” The roster of the Sillys burst out laughing, save for me and Benson. “Look, if youguys weren’t such a bunch of heathens, you’d learn a thing or two from them.”

“Benson’s right. Cady likes to read.” I agreed as I glanced from Benson’s smug face to the rest of the guys’ faces who were growing more interested by the second. A few ideas started to percolate in my head. But I realized I would appreciate any feedback from the group of guys who’d known her the longest. “What do you think she would like?”

“You have to invite her to the game.” Camden offered.

I hesitated. “Do you think she would come?”

“Cady is the biggest fucking fan out of all of us. If she got a ticket to the game, there’s no way she’d ever say no. Plus we’re off tomorrow.” Kellan shot back. Fair point.

“What about a jersey? Would she wear one if I got her one of mine?” I asked, trying to keep my growing excitement at bay. That vision of Cady in my jersey still swam in my head ever since I told her about it. All the guys shared the same look.

“Having your girl wear your jersey is just about the biggest fucking turn-on ever. Pretty sure all the guys agree with me.” Martin added without hesitation. There was an encouraging rumble of agreement. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t fantasized about Cady wearing my jersey. While riding me. Reverse cowgirl style.

“A horse and carriage!” Tomas hollered before slowly slinking back as all of us turned to look at him. “What? I like fairy tales…” He admitted sheepishly. I chuckled.

“I’m not sure how easily I can get a horse and carriage down by the stadium.” Tomas did have agood point though. Game day travel and parking sucked. Cady needed an easy way to get to the game. “But what about a car service?” The guys all gave an encouraging nod. Now we were getting somewhere.

“But you have to keep it a surprise.” Roman insisted. “We threw Cadence a surprise party once and she still brings it up from time to time.” Considering he was the only guy on the Sillys to date Cady, I took his opinion with the highest regard.

“Got it. Thanks, Roman.” I gave him a curt nod. “So, game ticket, jersey, car service…” My eyes looked around at the guys. “Anything else?”

“After she gets all that, that’s when you tell her youloveher.” Benson insisted with a dramatic flair as if I was an idiot. And maybe I was. I couldn’t remember if I had ever told Vanessa that I loved her. Or any other woman for that matter. I hadn’t felt anything even remotely this powerful and so sure with anyone else. Just with Cady.

“How am I supposed to do that when I have to play? I can’t exactly take over the jumbotron.”

Truitt blew out a raspberry. “Professing your love on the big screen is so overdone and cliche. You need to keep it classy with Cadence. Classy and low key.” I knew that much about Cady. She liked her peace, just like me. Besides, I wasn’t overly fond of making a public spectacle of myself. Today excluded.

“Get her seats in the Diamond Club. Maybe by the dugout?” Arlow added.

“Yeah! Then you can talk to her!” Tomas cried out as he bounced on the balls of his feet.

Considering there was only a safety net there to protect the fans from any foul balls or wild pitches, that could work. Although having her soclose…wearing my jersey… I was already getting hard at the thought.

“Done.” I nodded in agreement. I felt good about this. This was all doable. Well, I was going to have to make a few phone calls first. “Thanks, guys!”

“Go get your girl.” Martin fist-bumped my shoulder as the other cheered me on. With an almost drunken grin, I spun on my heels and made a beeline for the door. Before I reached it, I turned around to address the guys one last time.

“If this works, the next home game you guys are off, box seats and beers on me!” A resounding chorus of cheers filled the bar. The fellow bar patrons chimed in, not knowing what they were cheering about. With a laugh, I slipped out the door as I dialed my agent.

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