Page 80 of The Double Play

“Miss Hazel, we’re matching!” June yells from behind Emmett.

“That would be why,” he says, making me laugh.

I step to the side of Emmett just in time for June to throw her arms around my waist in a hug. Sure enough, she’s in a jersey and shorts, as well as an adorable ball cap. I hug her tight, swaying a little side to side to make her giggle.

“I told Ray-ray she needs a jersey to match us. Can we get her one, Daddy?” June asks, looking up at Emmett with her signature puppy eyes.

She’s taken to calling Raven Ray-ray. Raven tried to get her to start calling me Hay-hay, like the chicken fromMoana, but June stated that I was going to be Miss Hazel until it was time to call me Mommy. I might have shed a few–or a lot of–tears at that.

“Sure,” he says, “if Raven wants one, she should get one.”

Earlier, Raven barely wanted to wear the Nashville Cowboys t-shirt I got her, but maybe she’ll change her mind once we’re there. I know that the transition from being at Mom’s to being with me full time has been hard on her even if she won’t admit it. There were things she got away with there due to Mom’s negligence that I won’t allow. So while I know she’s grateful to be with me, I also know that she’s a little sensitive to the new dynamic of our relationship. And dealing with teenage drama just adds to that mental load. Not to mention the fact that for the past week, we’ve been packing up my apartment. Hopefully the game and then staying at Emmett’s tonight will be a good break for her.

“Yay!” June lifts her arms up and spins in a circle. “Look what I can do. I learned it at school.” She stops mid-spin, puts her hands on the ground, and kicks her feet up in what’s either an unsuccessful handstand or a half-cartwheel. I somehow manage not to laugh at the display.

“Great job!” I encourage once she stands back up.

“Very good,” Emmett says, amusement in his voice. “Now, go get on your shoes so we won’t be late.”

She looks down as if she just realized she wasn’t wearing any. “Yes, sir!”

Her princess sock-clad feet slip and slide as she runs back in the direction she came.

“She’s got a lot of energy today,” Emmett comments.

“She has a lot of energy every day,” I laugh.

“Are you sure you’re okay taking a moody teenager and a hyper five-year-old to a packed stadium?” He brushes his thumb along my jaw. “I’d be okay if you stayed home.”

“I wouldn’t have said yes to coming if I didn’t think I’d be fine.”

He raises a brow.

“Okay,” I concede. “I would have pushed myself, but I promise I’m not. This will be fun for all of us, and we can always leave earlier if it gets to be too much.”

“As long as you’re sure.” He dips down to kiss me again. “Personally, I’m tempted to stay home every time I kiss you.”

“Then maybe you should stop kissing me,” I whisper.

“Impossible.”

We kiss until June comes running back shouting that we’re going to be late. I get in my car with flushed cheeks that have nothing to do with the Tennessee heat.

“The game is about to start!” I say and quickly sit down between Raven and June.

We got here early to watch warm-ups, but left to get Raven a jersey along with mandatory stadium snacks a little before game time. I pass a cotton candy to June and a tray of nachos to Raven. She smiles at me, and I’m glad to see the atmosphere lighten her mood.

“How about we take a quick photo together?” I ask as I pull my phone out of my pocket. I worry that Raven will roll her eyes, but she and June both agree. They lean in against me and we all grin for a selfie. I don’t let myself look at it for too long because I know I’ll start crying. And considering the fact that I tear up every time Emmett wins…I should probably hold back so I don’t end up on the jumbotron with mascara running down my face.

I put my phone away right as Emmett steps on the mound. His fingertips trace the brim of his hat, then he points up at us. I told Raven what to do before the game, so in unison, we all copy his movement. I blow him a kiss after, and I catch a hint of a smile beneath the shade of his ball cap before his expression turns focused and serious.

Those dark eyes of his lock on to the batter and he makes his first pitch. My breath catches as the batter hits the ball.

“Oh no,” I murmur. While I don’t know much, I know that the goal is to have themnothit. The batter starts to run, but one of the players throws to the first baseman who tags the base, getting the batter out.

A few minutes into the game, a shadow casts over us. I look up to find a tall, blond man that I feel like I’ve seen somewhere before. He’s wearing a Nashville Cowboys t-shirt with…suit pants?

“Uncle Brock!” June screeches over the noise of the crowd, hopping up from her seat to launch herself at the guy.

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