Page 52 of Wild Hit
There are matte, shiny, and etched rings in all sorts of designs—straight lines, swirls, chevrons, and more. Some are flat, empty cylinders. Some have curves. Others are bulkier than their slimmer neighbors. Some are a standard band and some are wavier. I try to think about what makes the most sense for Miguel.
I’m sure he’s not gonna wear it everyday, because it would be an obstacle for batting or lifting weights comfortably. It would even give him a new callus, and baseball players are very finicky about their hands in general. A slimmer profile might feel more manageable for him, and should definitely be cheaper than the chunkier rings.
He also strikes me as a pretty humble guy. For someone who sits on the slugger throne of the league right now, Miguel is so unassuming that if you don’t know who he is, you’d think he’s just an average Joe. That rules out all the etched options.
My eyes stop at a modest pair, classical shapes, but matte surface. Yes, I don’t think Miguel cares for shiny things. Some guys wear branded bling bling around their necks during games, and this is a guy who has probably been wearing the same gold link chain and crucifix around his neck all his life, to the point that all shine is gone if there was ever any.
“These ones,” I say, pointing at the two rings. “These are perfect.”
“You have very good taste,” Tonya offers with the sweetest sales woman smile. She carefully plucks out the two rings between gloved fingers, and offers me the smaller one. “Would you like to try it?”
“I, uh—yes.” My hand shakes a little. As I slide it into my left ring finger, I realize that I forgot to wear my pretend-engagement ring. If Tonya notices, she doesn’t say anything.
The ring is a touch tighter than I’d wear but I manage to slide it into place. The sight of it is a shock to the system, something like waking up one morning to a random tattoo on your skin.
In a reverent voice, Rose says, “That is absolutely beautiful.”
“I agree.” Hope covers her mouth, and her eyes look suspiciously shiny. “It’s like this was made for you.”
I don’t twitch. There’s no need to contradict them. It genuinely doesn’t matter if I think the ring is pretty or not. It’s just a tool for freedom, just like the marriage certificate will be.
“This is the one,” I announce, all serious and sure of myself. “Do you have other sizes in stock?”
“As a matter of fact, we do,” Tonya says, as if she wasn’t sealing my fate with those words.
After getting the proper sizes for Miguel and I, and casually tapping his credit card on the payment machine, I walk out of the jewelry store with my friends like I’m in a pool—both floating and underwater, light and heavy at the same time.
I pat my purse absentmindedly, needing frequent reminders that I do carry a box with wedding rings in it. That my life is going to change in just over twenty-four hours.
CHAPTER 20
MIGUEL
My agent is the very best, no discussion. Not only she has helped me negotiate my way into a career I can be proud of, but she also has the patience of a saint. When I called her with the news that I’m getting married to help a friend, an average manager would’ve flipped out.
Think about your career! This is going to tank your image. Your fans will hate you and sponsors will leave you when the truth comes out.
Also,have you lost your ever loving mind?
Those are all the things I would’ve gotten from anyone but Amelia Herrera—but she’s my cousin and she’s seen my entire trajectory from pee wee little shit, to hormonal teenager with an eye toward the big leagues, to single dad major leaguer, to All-Star and top jersey seller of any team I’m in. She knows that I’m as stubborn as I am anxious, extremely awkward deep down, and that I never give up no matter what—even despite myself.
“I’ll help you,” was the first thing she said. “If only so that I can control how bad the fall is gonna be.”
And that’s my cousin. She will aid and abet without judgement, but she’ll also make sure I don’t destroy myself.
She’s the one I’m texting as a limousine takes the group from the hotel to a night club. My thumbs fly across the screen in a hurry to get a full thought out.
Me
I haven’t got confirmation yet about the flower arrangements
The bride needs a bouquet to really be a bride
The bridesmaids do too
And it would be nice if we have little flowers for our lapels too
We won’t look like this is a hasty wedding that way
