Page 118 of Home Field Advantage
Tucker clears his throat, as if he can read every thought like an open book. “I’m going to get the kids started on practice. Let’s toss this ball around, Sage.”
He leaves with Sage, and I’m left staring at Poppy.
“You’ve been doing your research, huh?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“So, have you learned any of the positions or what each one does?”
She shrugs. “I’ve learned the basics like the pitcher and catcher. I know a little bit about first, second, and third base, too. Outside of that, I have no clue yet.” She laughs.
“Do you have plans tomorrow night?” I ask quickly.
“Uh. No, I’m just planning to do my puzzle like I do every night before I go to sleep.”
I nod. “Good. I’m coming over.” She eyes me curiously, so I lean down, letting my lips graze the shell of her ear. “No more research on your own. If you’re going to learn, it’s going to be from me.”
She nods repeatedly, a blush painting her freckled cheeks. Just as she opens her mouth to say something else, tires screech to a halt on the main road. Loud music blasts from the speakers’ bass. We all snap our heads in the direction of the blacked-out Tahoe that matches mine.
It takes me a moment to register who owns that vehicle, but it’s clear when Tyler pops his head out of the sunroof in his team jersey with his fists in the air that I know exactly who is here for a visit. He points his finger in my direction and smiles widely. “There he is!”
“Don’t leave yet,” I tell Poppy and give her hand a light squeeze before jogging to where they parked.
Tyler jumps out of the passenger seat with more energy than I’ve ever seen from him, while Mitch takes his time getting out of the driver’s side.
“What the hell are you two doing here?” I ask just as Tyler wraps his arms around my neck in the tightest hug, patting my back aggressively. “Watch the shoulder, Ty.”
“I’m sorry, man. It’s just so good to see you. We thought we’d show up in this middle-of-nowhere town and see what has kept you so busy that you can’t talk to us anymore.”
Guilt pricks me, because he’s right. I’ve been the worst friendbecause I’ve been so preoccupied with everything. “I’m sorry. I’ve been doing a lot around here to keep busy.”
Mitch eyes the field. “I can see that. This all looks brand new.”
Tyler inhales deeply for exaggeration. “I can smell the fresh wood from the new dugout from here.”
“I worked on it over the weekend with a new friend here in town. I wanted the kids to have something.” I turn around, facing the field with my two best friends from back home. “Welcome to the barnyard.”
“Ahh. I get it. The field is right next to the ranch. Thebarnyard.” Tyler laughs, nodding his head in approval. “What’s happening here tonight?”
“This is my team.”
“Oh, that’s right,” Mitch says. “I completely forgot you were coaching kids here. Whoa.” He pauses, pointing to Archie deep in the outfield, who just threw it to home plate. “That kid’s got an arm on him.”
“I’m more so wondering whothatis over there by the dugout,” Tyler says, gesturing to where Poppy stands next to Nan. “She hasn’t stopped looking over here since I pulled up. Is she single? Do you know who she is?”
I smack his chest with the back of my hand. “Off-fucking-limits, Goodman.”
“Shut up! Is that her? Is that the girl you were telling us about?”
“Yeah.” I stare at her, smiling like a kid who just got told they can have the lollipop they just finished begging for. The woman who has shattered my sense of normal in the best ways possible. “That’s her.”
“No wonder you don’t talk to us anymore.” Tyler scoffs. “I’d be spending all my free time with her, too.”
“Ty. You’re my best friend, so I’m going to say this in the nicest way possible. But take your fucking eyes off of her.”
“What’s she like?” Mitch asks.
I pause, not knowing how to explain it. I stare at Poppy standing by the field. Sage has run up to her, handing her some type of weed she picked from the grass as if she just picked the most beautiful flower in the garden. They laugh, and Poppy gives her a hug.
