Page 37 of The Double Play

“Don’t worry about it. Emmett will be back to his normal level of grouchiness tomorrow after a good night’s sleep. He had a rough go of it with the media after his divorce, so he’s more prone to anger when it comes to stuff like this.”

That makes sense. I’d be upset too if the media plastered my family drama all over TV screens and news articles.

“Thanks, Emerson,” I say with a small smile.

He tips his baseball cap. “Anytime.”

I sit back in my seat and draw in a deep breath.

“Miss Hazel?” June whispers, using thelibrary voiceI told her about when we first got on the plane.

“Yes, sweet pea?”

She stares up at me with trepidation in her gaze. Her pink headphones are down around her neck,Moanapaused on the tablet in her lap. “I need to go potty, but I don’t like walking on the plane. One time it started moving and I got scared.”

I give her a reassuring smile. “I’ll walk with you and we can hold hands. Would that help?”

She nods. “I think so. Thank you.”

I run a hand over her curls. “You’re welcome, honey.”

She sets her tablet aside along with her headphones and gingerly slides out of her seat. I stand up and hold out my hand. Her tiny one slides into mine.

Thankfully, the plane is quite large and we’re able to walk comfortably down the aisle, but I do occasionally have to dodge the protruding leg of a teammate or a staff member pushing a galley cart. We take our time walking. I smile at the occasional awake passenger. Two of the guys wave at June, which makes her smile. By the time we reach the bathroom, she already seems more relaxed.

“I’ll be right here if you need me,” I say to her and squeeze her hand. She squeezes back before going into the small plane bathroom and closing the door.

After a few minutes, she reappears.

“I washed my hands!”

I smile at her announcement. “Good job, sweet pea. Ready to go back to our seats?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

We join hands again and walk back. When we return, Emmett’s eyes are open and watching us. I smile at him, but I’m sure it looks awkward with how off things still feel between us. I hope this goes away soon. Until today, New York was an amazing trip. I loved hanging out with Jason and Willow, rooting for Emmett at the games, and having sleepovers with June. It was all perfect, and I went to sleep last night hoping there would be more trips like this in the months to come. After all the stress of dealing with my parents, it felt like a break from the harsh reality of my life.

June climbs into her seat as I fall back in mine. Emmett slides his headphones down.

“She needed to go to the bathroom,” I explain. He nods.

“Miss Hazel helped me because I don’t like walking on the plane,” June adds.

“You were very brave.”

She beams at me before launching herself over the armrest and into my arms.

“I love you, Miss Hazel!”

I hug her tight, breathing in the scent of the curl cream I put in her hair this morning. My eyes squeeze shut in an attempt to keep my composure.

“I love you too, sweet pea.”

I blink my eyes open and lock gazes with Emmett as a tear slides down my cheek. He stares at us, stoic and unmoving. There are two small lines in between his brows, as if he’s concerned but trying to mask it.

June pulls back and places her little hands on my face, wiping away my tears the way I’ve done for her before when she’s upset. This only creates another tidal wave of emotion.

“Are these happy tears?” she asks.

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