Page 116 of Wild Hit
“Since you’re married and with a child.” He laughs before leaving us to get on-deck.
“That guy’s never gonna be serious, is he?” I ask in awe, even though the answer is clear.
Logan just shakes his head, sighs, and heads over to the cubbies to get his batting gear. A heavy paw falls on my shoulder,and it’s from Cade Starr. He’s already done pitching for the night, but no one would fault him for wanting to watch the show from the front row.
“Personally,” he says while a grin creeps up on his face. “I think it’s a much nobler cause to play for love than for pizza, or revenge, or socks. But don’t tell the guys that I said that.”
The snort that comes out of my mouth transforms into an incredulous laugh. “Thanks?”
These guys are a rollercoaster, but somehow in just a few months they’ve had my back more than any other teammates before.
I don’t know if it’s something about the weather, the beware alligator signs that can be found in the most random places, or the no state tax, or simply that Rob Beau and the Orlando Wild organization have a great eye for choosing guys that will really become a unit. But for a change, I don’t feel like the whole game is on my shoulders, and that all of us are joined by one purpose.
“Get the girl, dawg,” one of the guys says as I make my way out of the dugout to stand on-deck.
“You got this.” This one pats my butt with his glove.
“We’re rooting for you.”
“Don’t forget to invite us to the real wedding.”
I can’t help but cracking a smile.
There’s always uncertainty in this game. The wind can blow too hard all of a sudden and carry a ball in the wrong direction. Someone may slide weird to base and break a toe that won’t let him run anymore. A pitcher may hit you on the damn ribs because too much sweat made the ball slip from his hand.
But there’s one thing I know. Even if I break my toes, my knees, my ribs, or have to do it in the middle of a hurricane… I’ll keep on playing for a chance with the woman of my dreams. And no one’s getting in my way.
When my walk up song starts playing, it’s no longer about one niña bonita who lives in my heart. Now there are two.
CHAPTER 43
AUDREY
My friend Camila, who works atSPORTY, texts me to say that she’ll come to Orlando in December for a conference. It’s going to be great to catch up, especially after so much has happened, but right now I can’t fathom the concept of tomorrow. Let alone two months away.
Game four of the World Series is tonight—Orlando Wild versus Denver Riders. And against all odds and predictions…
We’re about to win the whole show.
This is the single most important moment in our team history. We’d never made it farther into a season than we have this year. Hell, everyone had already written us off the second Spring Training started. But now, not only are we the new favorites to win it all, but we’re also the top trending sports team on the internet. People can’t stop talking about our dark horse race, about how our standout players have carried us through to this moment, or about the wild acquisition that turbo charged us during the season.
Yet, none of that matters to me right now becausethisis the single most important moment of my life. I just don’t know if that moment ends tonight or stretches for three more games.
I sure as shit hope that it’s tonight, if only so I can stop pretending like I’m strong and independent and mature, and just run into Miguel’s arms because there’s no longer any risk that I’ll throw him off his game.
Gosh, he’s got me so down bad.
My phone buzzes in my hand again, and I check right away, thinking that it’s another text from Camila. But no. I stare at the words on the screen with a block of ice sliding down my throat.
Father
Come to my office immediately
“What’s wrong?” Marty asks next to me, her hand deep in a caramel popcorn bucket. “You look like something’s wrong, so don’t lie.”
I expel the air in my lungs. “It’s just my dad.”
Her little face scrunches up. “He’s mean, isn’t he?” Once I nod, she adds, “Then ignore him.”
