Page 126 of Fielder's Choice

I’m falling harder every day, and there’s no end in sight.

Because I think I might maybe be a little bit in love with Olive Finch.

forty-five

Lane

Nothinglikeanightout at the Tipsy Turtle, mine and Cole’s favorite dive bar down here in Bradenton. It smells of beer and bad decisions. Most of those bad decisions came from me—I’m honestly lucky Sage doesn’t have a dozen half-siblings.

The six of us—Lucia decided to join us tonight—grab a large table toward the back of the bar and settle in. With our first round of drinks in front of us, we toast to the start of a new season.

“God, it feels good to be back,” Josh smiles. “I hate being away from Ella, but I love getting back to baseball.”

“I can’t stand being away from Sage for so long,” I breathe. “I love baseball, but I’m counting down the days until I can go back home.”

“You know you miss your girlfriend, too,” Lucia teases, taking a swig of her beer.

“Girlfriend?” Knox questions.

“Yeah,” I reply, rubbing the back of my neck. “Liv is my girlfriend. Officially.”

“Congrats, man,” Cole chimes, tipping his bottle in my direction.

“One step closer to getting Sage her new mom,” Ari laughs.

Lucia attempts to choke down a laugh. “I’m sorry, what?”

I groan. “Ari was with me when I met Olive, and when she left, he asked if I met Sage’s new mom. And since I’m cocky as hell, I said yes. Now he won’t let it go.”

“Oh, that doesn’t surprise me one bit.”

Ari rolls his eyes and scoffs. “Of course, you would know since you know mesowell.”

“I need a distraction if these two are going to bicker all night,” Josh sighs and turns to the bartender, shouting, “Can you turn on the Dragons game?”

“Hockey?” Knox asks.

Josh chuckles. “I grew up in Denver; there’s no escaping that city without becoming a hockey fan.”

“That’s the women’s team, isn’t it?” Cole asks. “Didn’t realize you watched them.”

“Everyone watches women’s sports,” Josh laughs. “Plus, have you guys seen Zhuri Hart on the ice? She’s unmatched.”

“I’m still pissed that the Tyrants traded Kovacic to Denver,” I add. “We don’t have a chance at playoffs now without Cam.”

“You didn’t have a chance at playoffs before that.” Josh takes a swig of his beer. “The Lizards are making a run for the Cup this year.”

“You have Morozov in goal. Nothing gets past him. You were running for the Cup before taking our best center.”

“I don’t know enough about hockey to follow this conversation,” Ari shakes his head.

“Lane can tell us about his girlfriend instead, then,” Knox chuckles.

I just sigh. “What do you want to know that you don’t already?”

“When did you actually start dating?” Cole asks. “Last you told us, you still didn’t have a label.”

“Friday,” I answer. “It’s only been a few days, honestly.”

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