Page 6 of The Double Play

“I can’t believe y’all don’t think I’m strong enough to take a bear. What kind of friends are you?” Jason huffs.

“Realistic ones?” Miles offers.

“If I lost, it would be because my best friends didn’t believe in me.”

Brock snorts. “What are you, Tinkerbell? Our belief in you doesn’t change the fact that it’s abear. You’d be eaten alive and I’d have to lie to the tabloids so no one would think I managed an idiot who picks fights with wild animals.”

“I didn’t say I’dstartthe fight,” Jason clarifies as his video game character runs by me on the screen. “I just said I’d end it.”

“Yeah, by dying,” Miles says with a laugh.

I shake my head at their ridiculous topic choice. Jason and Willow are on vacation in the Smoky Mountains and they’ve seen a few bears. This, of course, led to Jason stating he believed he could fight one and survive.

“Emmett, have my back, please,” Jason begs. “If I were up against a bear in a fight, who would you bet on?”

I’m usually the last resort in these conversations. One of the guys gets into a conversational bind and calls on me to bail him out. I never understand why, since I always give my opinion whether or not it’s what they want to hear.

“I’d take the bear,” I answer.

The rest of the guys laugh. Jason groans in defeat.

“Please don’t go antagonizing the wildlife while you’re there,” Brock says once the laughter dies down. “You and Willow have a photoshoot the week you get back.”

“Why is it always about work with you, man?” Miles asks. “Don’t get me wrong, I love golf, but there’s more to life.”

“My life isn’t all about work,” Brock grumbles.

“To be fair, you didn’t start caring about things outside of golf until Ellie came around. Maybe that’s what Brock needs,” Shaw says.

I find myself shaking my head again. This conversation has been happening more and more as of late. The guys know better than to pester me, thankfully, but they’ve been trying to convince Brock to go out on a date for months now to no avail.

“I’m not talking about this tonight. I need to go to bed anyway. I did want to ask, did you end up hiring the nanny I recommended, Emmett?” Brock asks. I’m grateful he’s trying to change the subject, but I’m not sure how much help I’ll be.

“My mom has been conducting the interviews. I think she told me she found someone though,” I reply. “I’ll be meeting her tomorrow to make sure she’s the right person to watch over June.”

“Your mom can’t take care of her anymore?” Jason asks. “Is she okay?”

I sigh. I hate talking about my personal life, and yet, somehow, these guys manage to con me into it.

“She’s fine. She and my dad are going to Europe, so I need to hire someone before she goes.”

“Well, if you need anything, let me know. I’ve got time where I can come help out since it’s offseason,” Jason offers.

“I appreciate it, but it’s not necessary.”

“Tell us if that changes,” Miles chimes in. “You know we’re all here for you.”

I clear my throat. “Thanks.”

I’m still getting used to having friends who are soinvolved. My team is fairly tight-knit, but they’ve got nothing on these guys. It’s odd on many levels to be friends with them. They’re all in their early twenties. Meanwhile, I’m thirty-five. Three of them are in relationships, one is single, and I’m divorced. None of them have kids yet. We’re in totally different life stages, and yet they don’t treat me any differently because of it. So, as much as it’s difficult for me to share, I try a little harder with them since they do for me.

“Now, back to Brock,” Shaw says, and I can picture the maniacal grin he’s probably wearing. “How do you feel about a blind date?”

“Please be nice,” my mom says as it gets closer to the time the nanny is supposed to arrive.

June is off in her playroom. I plan on bringing her out to meet the woman if the interview goes well.

“Why would I be anything else?” I ask and she sighs.

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