Page 22 of Nailed at Home Plate

I was raised in a strict Catholic family. While I didn’t believe in the whole “marriage before sex” thing, respect towards women, and others, was ingrained in me from the start. Even if a woman had treated me poorly, I never returned the favor.

Mom and Dad showed me what lasting love was supposed to be like. That love wasn’t all black and white. It was messy. It was stressful. Above all, they had a partner who loved and respected them all while managing to find the fun in life together. That was all I wanted. A love like theirs. But playing major league ball didn’t make it easy. And for once, there was a woman out there who understood that.

Cady had been given stupid excuses by stupid men. While I could understand the hesitation, especially with the notorious history of fellow ball players, Cady was faithful to a fault. In the short time I’d known her that was one of the first things I noticed about her. Her job and unwavering dedication to the team was her entire life. And all the men in her life had to be a fucking idiot to give up on such a passionate and beautiful woman.

Godfuckingdammit.

I’d be a lying Catholic in need of penance if I denied the fact that I wanted to be in Cadence’s presence as much as possible. Despite her early animosity towards me, she was…oddly enchanting. Especially in quiet moments like this.

“Same for me,” I added before I realized the words could be misconstrued. Cady’s brow soared straight up her forehead to almost collide with her hairline. I realized that maybe she thought I waspitching for the other team. “I mean, uh, my ex, ex-girlfriend, she…uh, broke up with me when I was traded. Apparently, I wasn’t worth moving across the country for. Which…fair. I suppose… It was a big move after all. And who knew if I’d be traded again and have to move once more.” Despite my babbling, her face softened. “Baseball doesn’t make a good bedfellow with those who don’t get the industry.”

That at least drew a laugh from her. A lovely, sparkling laugh. “Well…that’s certainly one way to put it.” Her words were still breathless from laughter as her mirth gently tapered off. Our dancing slowed as the song choice went a bit more mellow. We were talking with no animosity between us.

The words hurt to say them out loud. I hadn’t thought of women or love since I arrived in Philadelphia. But now? I couldn’t get a certain woman out of my thoughts. No matter how hard I tried, Cadence Andrews kept drawing me back to her. A very stubborn moth to an equally stubborn flame. A flame that could easily chew me up and spit me out if I crossed her in the wrong way.

The song drew to a close, but Cady and I kept dancing. It wasn’t until the roaring cheers of the crowd jolted us from whatever kind of moment we were having.

“Looks like line dancing is gearing up for another round. Ready to give it a try?” Her hopeful smile did me in.

“Put me in coach.”

Cady tossed her head back with a cascade of laughter before grabbing my hand and dragging me into the fray to attempt some line dancing.

What is this Feeling?

ARIANA GRANDE & CYNTHIA ERIVO

“Was it my imagination or did Jamie and I dance last night?” The sunlight was entirely too bright as I made my way out of the tunnel and onto the field. I was fairly certain I went easy on the alcohol, on account of the routine work I had planned for today. That was until Jamie actually showed up at the bar last night. After that, things got a little fuzzy.

My strained question drew a snort out of Tiffiny as she walked beside me.

“Had I not known the history between you two I would have said you did everythingbutdance.”

For fucks sake.

“Don’t you fucking dare…”

“Girl, that was the hottest fucking thing I’d ever seen two people do with clotheson.”

Groaning, I threw my hands up to my face. How much alcohol had I consumed? I thought everything that happened last night was all a dream. A glorious, steamy sort of dream. Or maybe I was stuck in an outright denial that we had comethis closeto kissing.

“That dancing was almostDancing with the Starsworthy. Or a porno. Except that was a hell of a lot better acting than any porno I’ve ever seen.” Sheoutright deserved an elbow jab to the ribs for that side note.

I vaguely remembered doing some heavy grinding against Jamie last night. “Jamie was payingraptattention to whatever you were saying to him.” I rolled my eyes. “And look. Mr. Hunky Pants seems to be eagerly awaiting you today too.”

My stomach did a funny topsy-turvy thing. Or maybe the alcohol was ready to make a reappearance? I glanced out towards the guys on the field and happened to catch Jamiemaybeglancing in my direction.

“You mean Mr.GrumpyPants. The man hates being here and hates what I make him do every damn day. It's like pulling teeth to even get him to smile.” I ignored the fact that I got Jamie to smile no less than seven times last night. But who was counting?

“I don’t know, he was doing some semblance of smiling last night with you.” Heat hit my cheeks. It felt like my best friend could read my thoughts. Tiffiny’s fingers danced along the brim of her ball cap as she adjusted it. “Maybe you just need to do some of thatmattress mambodance with him instead.” I gave her another swift elbow in the ribs to which she responded with a backhand against my shoulder.

“There’s no fucking way–”

“Cadence, for the last few years all I’ve heard from you is how hot Jamie’s butt is and how luscious his biceps are. Amongotherthings. Now’s your chance to finally see what he’s really like under the uniform.”

“Oh right.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure ownership would be thrilled if I went up to him andoffered, ‘Oh hey Jamie, wanna come back to my place for private dance lessons?’.”

“See? Now we’re on the same page.”

---