Page 81 of The Double Play

My eyes widen.Thisis Brock Jones, Emmett’s agent? On the phone he sounded like a man who’s been in the industry for decades, not someone close to my age.

“Hey Junebug,” he says with a grin as he picks her up. “How you been, kid?”

“The bestest ever! Have you met Miss Hazel? She’s going to be my mommy but not yet because there’s grown-up stuff she and Daddy have to do first.”

“Is that so?” Brock asks, amusement lighting his brown eyes. They could use some light too, based on the heavy circles beneath them. He walks June over and takes her seat, letting her sit on his lap.

“Yeah, and that’s her sister Raven, but I call her Ray-ray. They’re going to live in my grandma and grandpa’s old house and we’re going to drive to school together every day!”

“Okay, sweet pea, I think you’ve told him enough,” I say with a nervous laugh.

Brock maneuvers around June to stick his hand out. “Nice to finally meet you in person.”

I shake his hand, then he stretches further toward Raven on my other side. She shakes it too, a blush staining her cheeks. I’msoteasing her about that later–afterI remind her that he’s way too old for her.

“I have to admit,” I say as he settles back into the seat, “you’re not what I expected.”

“I get that a lot.”

“My cotton candy fell,” June says before I can respond to Brock. Sure enough, her cotton candy cone is on the ground, the pink sticky fluff now covered in dirt.

Brock looks around, then puts his fingers between his lips and makes a sharp whistle sound. Nearby, one of the vendors turns our way. Brock gestures for him to come over.

“It doesn’t look like he sells cotton candy,” I say.

The vendor comes over, a basket with foil-wrapped hot dogs hung over his chest.

Brock pulls a leather wallet out of his suit pants–still confused on his choice in attire–and grabs a hundred dollar bill. I’m quite sure it’s one ofmanyin that wallet, based on how thick it is.

“Can you get a couple waters and a cotton candy from the concession stands for us?” He glances at me. “Want anything else?” I shake my head. “Keep the change.”

“Y-yes sir, thank you,” the hot dog guy stutters, then rushes off in the direction of the stairs.

“One cotton candy for the princess, coming right up,” Brock says while bouncing June on his knee.

She giggles. “Thanks, Uncle Brock!”

“You didn’t need to do that,” I feel obligated to tell him. “We could have snuck away to grab one.”

“Yeah, but then you’d miss your man striking this guy out,” Brock says, gesturing to the field right as Emmett throws the ball. Sure enough, it’s an out.

“Go, Daddy!” June yells, clapping her hands.

“Well, thanks,” I say, though it still feels strange for him to swoop in and pay a hundred dollars for cotton candy.

He shrugs like it’s no big deal.

“So, I didn’t know you were coming. I assume Emmett doesn’t either,” I say, but keep my eyes on the game. I don’t want to miss anything, but I’m also intrigued by Emmett’s mysterious agent showing up.

“I was in town meeting a potential new client, and figured I’d stop by the game. I try to support Emmett when I can.”

“Is that why you’re wearing dress pants?” I ask with a laugh.

“Not enough time to change. Had to buy this shirt on my way in, too.”

“Between merchandise and snacks, you’re going to have spent a lot on this game,” I comment.

I see him glance over at me in my peripheral vision.

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