Page 19 of Double Play

The next night’s game went even worse. A long fly ball soared to center field. Dwight ran all the way to the wall to field it and stuck his glove in the air. But somehow it wound up hitting him on the head andbouncinginto the stands for ahomerun.

Nina couldn’t believe her eyes. Never had she imagined a nightmare like this for Dwight’sdebut.

Maggie crawled to the TV screen on her knees and peered at the shot they were showing of Dwight getting booed. “Do you thinkhe’shurt?”

“I don’t know. Turn up thevolume.”

“I can’t bear to. They’re probably laughing at him. The announcers arehorrible.”

Nina folded her lips to keep from smiling. No matter what Maggie said, something had happened between her and Dwight. No doubtaboutit.

“Maybe he’ll make up for it with a homer in the next inning,” she saidgently.

But the next inning didn’t go quite like that. Dwight did get a hit—finally, his first hit in the majors! Maggie and Nina jumped up and down on the couch, shrieking with glee. But then he got picked off first, and he hadn’t even been trying to steal second. He’d just gotten distracted. Orsomething.

Nina sank back down on the couch cushions and glared at Maggie. “Did you know this was going tohappen?”

Maggie piled leftover packets of soy sauce onto her plate and avoided Nina’s gaze. “The model doesn’t predict exactly what’s going to happen. It just gives a general idea.” She picked up the paper plates and took them into thekitchen.

“Why didn’t you warn him? Or tell the Friars theyshouldwait?”

“Don’t blame me! The Friars didn’t ask me. They’re having me focus on the lower levels to see if my program works.” She dropped back onto the couch, looking so woebegone that Nina’s heart went outtoher.

“I’m sorry, Maggie. You’re learning rule number one of baseball right now,aren’tyou?”

“Rulenumberone?”

“Baseball will break yourheart.”

They both contemplated that statement for a moment, then Maggie looked over at Nina. “You’re wise beyond your years, aren’tyou,Nina?”

“I keep telling people that. A certain shortstop, for instance. He still thinks I’m tooyoung.”

“Well, you are only twenty-two. That’s prettyyoung.”

“No, it’s not! Not when you had to grow up really fast and watch your whole family fall apart around you. I know who I am and what I want, and some people don’t know that sort of thing until they’re…practicallydead!”

Maggie’s eyes had gone wide. “You’re right, Nina. Sorry, I didn’t intend tooffendyou.”

“I’m not offended.” Nina crossed her legs under her. “You know, you and me are opposites in some ways. I never had ambition like you, I never liked school or studying. I’ve had so many different jobs, like dog-grooming and cotton candy-vending. I just want a family of my own. A husband I love, children. Maybe that’s a boring goal in life, but Idon’tcare.”

“Of course it’s not boring. But are you saying Bieberman is the one you want to marry and have afamilywith?”

Nina let out a shriek; that name was like fingernails on a chalkboard to her. “Why does everyone have to call him that? He’s so much better than Justin Bieber in every possible way except maybe singing. He’s cuter, he’s nicer, he’ssmarter,he’s—”

“Okay, okay.” Maggie tossed a little pillow at her. “I get the point. I think you answered myquestion.”

Nina burst out laughing. “Maybe. I just…I really like him. The first time I saw him with the Catfish in Albuquerque, my eyes went right to him. He really throws himself into the game. He’s so energetic and fun when heplays.”

“He’s on fire lately. Have you seen his stats from theroadtrip?”

Nina smiled to herself. The fact that Jim had dedicated the road trip to her, and he’d gotten two hits in the first two games, turned her into a mushy puddle of happiness. Soon, the team would be back, and she was going to take the day off work so she could sit behind home plate and watch Jim Lieberman play—forher.

She sighed. What could be more romantic? Sure, baseball could break your heart. But it could also put it back together in a way you never sawcoming.

8

Something dazzling.Ever since Jim had made that promise to Nina, he’d been racking his brains for a unique way to fulfill it. On the road, he’d hit .500. That was pretty damn spectacular. But somehow it didn’t seem like enough. Nina’s brother was the legendary slugger Trevor Stark. Jim could never live up to his incrediblehitting.

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