Page 44 of Spotlight
“My family has season tickets.”
An unexpected but exciting development. And here I thought I’d have to pull off a miracle to get her to a game.
“So, you’ll be in the crowd cheering for me?”
Without answering, she steps back toward her SUV. “Bye, Flynn. Good luck.”
“What section are you in?” I call after her.
She wiggles her fingers in a wave and ducks into her vehicle.
I smile as she starts the engine and pulls away.
A new resolve washes over me. I don’t need luck. I have a steely determination for tomorrow to: a) prove my worth to the entire league, and b) win over Olivia.
10
OLIVIA
“Why are there so many people here?” Ruby asks as we walk to our seats in Fletcher Stadium where the Mustangs play.
“I have no idea,” I say, stepping past people in the narrow aisle and offering apologetic smiles as they shift and move to let us pass by. “Maybe they’re here for the other team.”
It’s the first spring training game for the Mustangs, and in my grandfather’s mind, a local holiday. But in reality, these games aren’t usually this well attended. It’s die-hard locals, mostly. Or snowbirds who are here for the winter, looking for something to do.
The weather is still too cool for people to be out simply enjoying the weather, and there isn’t the same pomp and excitement of a regular season game with all the flashy things that can make coming fun all on its own. Although Mischief, the Mustangs mascot, was at the gate when we walked in and made Greer’s whole day.
As we get to our seats, I scan the field. Players are warming up. Some have bats in their hands, others are playing catch. But my attention goes to the side where a couple of pitchers are warming up. It doesn’t take long for me to pick out Flynn. My body does most of the work if I’m honest. Goosebumps rise on my arms and my stomach flutters the instant I locate his broad shoulders and bulging biceps.
Ruby and I sit. Greer stands in front of the empty seat between us, leaning against the metal fence rails that box us in. We’ve had the same seats, looking out at first base, for as long as I can remember. We have a great view of the field, something I’m infinitely more grateful for in this moment.
Flynn looks good in a baseball uniform. I mean, yes, he always looks good, but damn. I’ve not let myself really admire him since I found out who he was, but with a little distance between us and his playful smile not aimed at me, it’s impossible to deny how attracted I am to him.
“Did you hear me?” Ruby leans over from her seat.
“Sorry. What?” I blink several times and look over at my sister.
“I said, she’s a whole vibe.” She tips her head toward Greer.
“I know,” I say with a small laugh as I admire my daughter’s fashion sense. She’s dressed in a Mustangs T-shirt with a pink tutu and tiara, beaded bracelets are looped around both wrists all the way up to her elbows. Since she was able to dress herself, she’s been adamant about wearing what she wants. It caused a few fights early on when I thought I needed to make her look a certain way or wanted her to wear a cute outfit I bought for her, but parenting is nothing if not humbling. And now, I love that she has her own style.
We fall into on and off conversation as we stare out at the field during warmups. It isn’t long before the players jog to their respective dugouts.
My stomach bottoms out and I pull down the bill of my baseball cap, shielding more of my face.
“Hey.” Ruby pinches me.
“Ow.” I pull my arm back instinctively. “What was that for?”
“I’m over here talking to myself. What is up with you? And why are you so jittery?”
“I’m not.” I absolutely am. I don’t even know why. It isn’t like I came for him. We do this every year. The entire family comes to the first spring training game.
Only this year there are two empty seats.
“It’s weird without them here,” I say to Ruby, looking past my sister to the vacant chairs on the other side of her.
Our phones ping at the same time and Ruby smiles at me knowingly. I check my phone as she does the same, and yep, it’s exactly who I expected. Mom checking in from somewhere in the Caribbean with a “Go Mustangs!” and a selfie of her and dad in matching Mustangs shirts. I’ve lost track of where they are or will be next because their schedule changes so often.
