Page 109 of Fair Ball

I wrap my limbs around him. “I think a more-the-merrier policy will work well for us.”

Settling his weight more evenly over me, he breathes out contentedly. “You’re going to domesticate me, aren’t you? Turn me into a family man who has cookouts with his friends on the weekends and talks about mowers.”

“Mowers?”

“I always imagined what it would be like to have a normal father. I assumed he would talk a lot about mowing lawns.”

I close my eyes, picturing it. “That is exactly what I want for you. For us. Good friends, a close family, and you being relaxed enough to mow the lawn on weekends.”

A few seconds pass before he tucks his arms in closer around me. “Maybe I’ll make Yadi mow. If he’s going to be around all the time, might as well make him pull his weight.”

CHAPTER 32

MILLIE

I’ve never sat so close to the field before, only a few rows behind the Thunder’s dugout. I can even hear the players talking to one another, shouting instructions or encouragement. It’s the first round of divisional play-offs, best of five games, and while Atlanta hosted Philadelphia down there for the first two games, the Thunder pulled out the wins.

If they win tonight, on their home turf, they move on to the next round and are one step closer to the championship. It’s exhilarating. And nerve-racking.

Someone behind us joked that if this team goes on to win the whole Series, they should make a movie about them. Going from a losing team to taking the whole damn thing. A baseball miracle.

In reality, a lot of the team’s positive turnaround was due to Austin’s presence and perseverance. Of course, it’s a team effort, but his pitching in the last few weeks rocketed them up to their Wild Card position, and now he’s doing it again in this play-off game.

My knee hasn’t stopped shaking this whole time, and while Noah’s been scarfing down hot dogs, popcorn, and nachos, I haven’t been able to eat anything. Because I know how important this game is to the team, but especially to Austin since he’s pitching.

Against his brother.

Austin’s been playing like a man possessed tonight, but Brett has gotten a hit off him the last two at bats. Austin has kept his cool, though, has been ultrafocused, and when Brett steps up to the plate once again, Austin circles around so he’s not facing him as he readjusts his uniform and removes his hat to comb his fingers through his hair a few times.

None of this is irregular, but I suspect he’s avoiding anything that might throw him off his mental game.

And I couldn’t be prouder of him. I find myself standing up to shout, “I love you, Austin!”

He can’t hear me over the noise level, but it makes me feel better to say it anyway.

As the music cuts off in preparation for the throw, I fold my fingers together, rocking side to side, muttering “You got this” over and over.

I’m sure my mother is watching and praying right now. She promised she would as Noah and I headed out the door. We’re paying Lisa overtime to stay with her for a few hours, but she was happy to, especially when she found out how much her bonus would be.

Austin has literally spared no expense for us.

He didn’t have time to come over after our lunchtime rendezvous, but he made sure to FaceTime once he arrived in Atlanta the other day so he could speak to both Noah and my mother, who were over the moon to know we’re officially together and that it is serious.

Noah asked if we were getting married, when it would be, and what he should call Austin. Noah’s never had a father figure in his life, so the prospect of a man in the house was almost too much for him to comprehend. Austin patiently explained that we could all work out those details later, hopefully once the Thunder won the play-offs and then the championship, but he said Noah shouldn’t worry because, “You’re all a package deal. I don’t just love your mom, but I love you too. And your grandmother.” Then he focused on her as he said, “Thank you, Shannon, for your support and kindness. I don’t think I would be here talking with you now if I didn’t know that I had you in my corner. That I had a chance to turn it around.”

“I will always be in your corner, Austin. Welcome to the family, sweetheart.”

His eyes went a little red and watery, and I think it healed something in him to hear that. To be accepted so easily by us.

Now, I watch as he focuses on home plate. He follows his routine of setting his stance, winds up, and throws.

Strike one.

More people stand up around us, and I help Noah jump up onto the seat to see over their heads.

It’s the top of the seventh with two outs and bases loaded. I think half the people in the stadium are hoping Austin pulls out another, and the other half are expecting him to choke.

The crowd hushes for the second pitch, and it’s another rocket. Brett swings, but the ball sails wide, a foul tip.