Page 28 of Double Play

The Fury takes the field first, and almost immediately, it’s a fight. For every player Riggs strikes out, another gets a big hit, and by the middle of the first, it’s two to zero. As the players jog to the dugout, I can tell that Jacks is frustrated, but he reaches into his jersey, pulls out the chain I gave him, and wraps his fingers tightly around it. I have yet to ask him why he still wears it, but the sight of him holding onto the gold rope makes my heart beat wildly in my chest. It may just be a superstition, but part of me wonders if he kept it because it reminded him of me.

Dante Cole steps up to the plate, waiting for the first pitch to go by before he readies himself for the next. It’s right down the middle of the strike zone, and he swings, sending a pop-fly directly into the left fielder’s glove. The crowd claps in an attempt to keep the team in the game, but it continues to go downhill as the second batter strikes out in just three pitches.

Ace steps out of the dugout as Candy Girl by New Edition blares through the speakers. The fans, who had looked a bit deflated moments ago, stand from their seats, singing and dancing along. He puts on a show for the entire stadium, pointing directly at his fiancée as he does. Lark laughs loudly, catcalling her man until he blows her a kiss, takes his bat from the batboy, and heads to the plate as the song fades.

“That was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” I say as she presses her hands to her heated cheeks, smiling sheepishly. You can tell how in love they are, despite what Jackson told me about their age difference and how they come from totally different worlds. They’re going against what society says is normal, and that gives me hope that maybe someday, I can do the same.

The rest of the game is a knock-down, drag-out fight, but unfortunately, the Fury falls just short of the win. Although they only lose by a single run, I know the guys won’t see it that way. A loss is a loss—one that ended a very promising season—and I’m sure it’ll take a while for them to shake this one off. I don’t blame them if that’s the case since I know what it’s like to get so close to achieving your dreams and missing by the smallest amount.

“Well, that sucks,” Monroe says, turning toward us. “I doubt the guys will be going out tonight, so if you all want to swing by, our coolers are stocked with beer and wine. If anything, we can get them drunk, so they don’t beat themselves up over this. Plus, we’re all in the same building, which means everyone will be able to get home safely and not have to call for a ride.”

“That’s a great idea,” Lark replies, looking at me. “Think you can talk your boys into it?”

My boys.I’ve said the words in my own head a few times, even before everything went down with Jackson. But hearing them from someone else’s mouth? I kind of love it.

I shrug. “Probably. I think we could all use a night of fun. I don’t have practice until noon tomorrow, so I’m sure we’d be able to stop by for a bit.”

We say our goodbyes—the girls heading to wait outside the locker rooms, while I drive myself back to our condo. Hawk and Jackson made sure my name was on the list to go down there, but I didn’t think it was a good idea, especially after the way they lost. I’d want to hug and comfort them. Then I’d probably want to kiss them. We can’t do that in public—at least not right now.

Just as I’m pulling into my parking spot, my phone vibrates. I take it out and swipe up to find a text from Jackson.

JACKS:

Where’d you go? We came out from our post-game interviews hoping to find you waiting for us.

ME:

I just thought I should let you guys process things alone. Are you okay?

JACKS:

It sucks, but there’s always next year.

ME:

You gave it your all. Be proud of yourselves for that.

Monroe asked if we wanted to go to their place for a bit. We don’t have to if you’re not feeling up to it, but I didn’t want to be rude. Or I can go alone.

JACKS:

It’s fine. Riggs mentioned it too. Should we just meet you there?

ME:

Yeah. I’m about to go up now. I’ll see you soon.

JACKS:

Sounds good, Princess.

My stomach flips with excitement, knowing they’re on their way to me. As much as I want to spend more time getting to know the girls, I’ll be counting down the minutes until I can be alone with them again…and fantasizing about all the filthy things I want them to do to me.

TWENTY-THREE

JACKSON

“Okay, hear me out,”Ace says with a hiccup, downing what’s left of his third beer. The dude is a total lightweight for his size. “What if the entire Tide team fails a PED test at the same time and gets disqualified? They’d have no choice but to send us to the division series, right? Or,” he continues, waving his hand animatedly in the air, “what if the highway caves in and swallows their whole bus on the way to the airport? And they were just…poof! Gone.” His eyes go wide as he considers his own ridiculous question.

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