Page 86 of The One for Me
Austin looks over his shoulder, getting a closer look.
“That is my good luck person. She’s why I carry this photo.”
Austin squints and then his eyes lighten with awareness. “That’s Aunt Devney!”
“It is. We were all together that day, and this photo is all of the people I love most. They’re who are always there for me, make me play harder so I make them proud, and give me strength when I need it. So, they’re my lucky item, and even if I can’t have them at the game physically, they’re always with me.”
He looks over at Jasper and then at me. “My parents and Aunt Devney are mine.”
“We’re lucky to have people like that, right?”
His head bobs up and down. “Mom, Dad, and Aunt Devney are always there. They love me more than anything.”
Jasper puts his hand on Austin’s shoulder. “Your nana and pop, too.”
“But they don’t come to my games like you guys do.”
“True,” Jasper relents as Austin’s teammates call his name. After he’s out of range, Jasper turns to me. “Thanks for that.”
“For what?”
“Giving him something to hold on to. You know the ins and outs of this while I’m just fumbling along. I built cars when I was his age, sports were never my thing. Devney probably knows more about it than Hazel and I combined.”
Dev hated sports as a kid. I’m sure some part of her still does, but she was always with me and had to learn or be bored. “I’m just happy to be here for the kids. I know how hard it is at their age to have big dreams. If there’s anything I can do to help, I want to do it.”
“The trick you taught him with his arm, he’s been at it every day. He made me clean out a part of the barn so he could put a pitch-back in there, he does exactly what you told him, and he’s been at it for at least an hour a day.”
That’s the kind of spirit that will take him places. “He’s got a great shot at playing long-term if he keeps at it.”
“You can tell at his age?”
“He is playing at a level much higher than he should be. I know it’s hard to understand, but most kids can’t throw like he does or hit the ball as far. He has natural skill and ability. If he hones it, he’ll go far.”
Jasper smiles and then claps me on the back. “You’re a good man, Sean. Thank you.”
“Happy to do it.”
“However, if you hurt my sister, I’ll break your knees.”
I want to laugh, but I don’t doubt for a second that he wouldn’t make good on that threat. If God had given my mother a daughter, my brothers and I would’ve protected her, threatened any man who came near her, and would’ve done a lot worse if they’d hurt her. Devney was sort of our sister growing up, and I understand the point he’s making. He loves his sister, saw her hurt by a man before, and he doesn’t want to see her go through it again.
My back straightens, and I look him in the eyes. “I love her. I will never hurt her intentionally, and if by some stupidity, I do something to break her heart, you won’t have to find me to fulfill your promise.”
Jasper nods once. “Like I said, you’re a good man, and I hope that never happens.”
“I do too. She’s everything to me.”
He looks toward where Hazel and Devney are sitting. “She’s given me the world, and I owe her everything.”
I turn to him, trying to decipher if he’s talking about Devney or Hazel, but before I can ask, the game is called to start and baseball becomes everyone’s focus.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Devney
We’re heading toward the hotel after a huge argument about the road conditions. It isnotthat bad, but my boyfriend is taking no chances. Even though everyone but him wanted to head home, he called a place and got two rooms, insisting we stay the night.
“I know you’re pissed, but it’s not the end of the world.”
