Page 3 of Play Like a Girl

I nodded and smiled.

“So far, so good.”

When we got involved, Penny was on a hiatus from softball, so for eleven months we lived together in our little love bubble. Her crazy schedule started up again five weeks ago and she’s been either on the road or training at the facility in Florida, so it’s been an adjustment.

Before we got involved, I’d done my best to ignore my attraction to her not only because she’s a player’s sister but also because she basically lives like a nomad. My last relationship ended up being long-distance and then just ended badly. I swore I wouldn’t date a woman who didn’t live nearby again, but Penny was too hard to resist.

At least we had almost a year to really get to know each other before she had to hit the road. Now we just have to figure out how to make it all work until we’re living in the same ZIP code again.

2

Penny

I walkeddown the steps toward the field, waving at my sister-in-law as I passed her row. She waved back with a big smile on her face and her cell phone glued to her ear, continuing to listen to whatever the person on the other end was saying.

Dale spotted me when I was three steps behind Jeremy and smiled. I put my hands on my nephew’s shoulders at the same time he swiveled his neck to see what had caught my brother’s attention.

“Penny!” Jeremy fully turned and gave me a hug. “I thought you weren’t coming until tomorrow night.”

“We got done early.”

I pulled away from him and reached over the wall to hug my brother. He wrapped his arms around my waist and squeezed me tight, pulling me onto my tiptoes.

Dale and I are super close. He’s always been a great guy, but ever since Karen and Jeremy entered his life, he has a certain softness that wasn’t there before and it really suits him.

He released me and I leaned my hip against the wall and looked at Jeremy.

“Hannah said your game was moved to Sunday.”

“Will you be able to come?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Awesome! I’m pitching.”

“It’s a good thing I’m here so I can help hold your mom’s hand.”

Karen is fine when Jeremy is batting or playing the field, but she’s a total wreck when he’s on the mound.

“She’s getting a little better,” he said.

Before I could comment, Jack Reagan and Dan McMullen approached and each gave me a quick hug.

“Are Sabrina and the kids coming tonight?” I asked Dan.

“No, Lexi has a game.”

“I’ll see them at Dale and Karen’s Saturday, right?” He nodded and I looked at Jack, my raised eyebrow asking the same question.

“Hannah and I will be there too,” he said with a wink.

I used to have the biggest crush on Jack. Thankfully I never shared that withanyonebecause it would be totally embarrassing now.

We chatted for a few minutes and I said, “I better let you guys get ready to play. I’ll see you after the game.”

Jeremy and I climbed the steps and walked down the row toward my sister-in-law. Karen stood and hugged me.

“What a great surprise.” She let go and sat back down. “Did your brother know you were coming and not tell me?”

---