Page 39 of Leave It On The Field (Grand Slam 3)
ChapterTwelve
SEB
October 30, 2022
We won the first game of the series 4-0. I went three for four with two RBIs. Manny pitched a three-hitter. Alex went two for four, scored two runs, and made a few highlight-reel plays at short stop.
As we come out of the dugout tunnel, I immediately see Sophie. She’s standing just to the left of the other wives. Her eyes are glued to the tunnel exit. When she sees me, an enormous grin breaks out over her face. She sprints over, leaps into my body, and starts placing little kisses all over my face.
“You played great, baby. I’m so proud of you.”
“I played great because I knew I got to see you immediately after the game. You’re my motivation.”
“Was I the first person you saw?” She beams up at me as I lower her to the floor. “I tried to separate myself from the group a little so you would have an unobstructed sight line. Maybe I should start wearing neon colors or something.”
“You glow just fine without them,” I say, leaning down for a kiss.
“Hey,” she says when I finally stop trying to inhale her. “We’re out in the open. I thought you didn’t like everyone getting pictures of our intimate time.”
I brush my lips over hers again. “I don’t care what they get pictures of. I just want to kiss you.”
She pushes the sweaty hair off my face. “God, you look so sexy right now.”
“Right back at you,” I whisper. “Maybe we can sneak some alone time when we get back to the hotel.”
“I don’t know.” She peeks under my arm. “Drew’s glaring at us right now. He’ll probably post his minions outside your room tonight.”
I glance over my shoulder. Drew’s standing at the entrance to the clubhouse—shifting from foot to foot. His eyes are fixed on me.
“Drew can fuck off,” I say, turning back to her. “I swear I think he’s losing it.”
“Right? His control issues are almost getting creepy. I went into the press box with Dottie during the game. She had an interview with the local radio. When she was in the booth, he pulled me aside and told me that I needed to stay in my lane.”
“What does that mean?” I glare back at Drew. This time he looks away.
“I don’t know—like maybe he didn’t want me in the press box or something. He’s so wound up. He should be basking in the glow of the World Series. Dottie barely talks to him. She called him an ‘a-hole’ tonight. You know how much she must hate him if she even uses a hybrid cuss word.”
“I think that’s why he’s wound up. He thinks he’s going to lose his job. Has Dottie said anything about firing him?”
“No,” she says, shaking her head—her long blonde ponytail whipping back and forth. “We don’t talk about team stuff except what’s pertinent to her interviews.”
Joe walks over and taps my shoulder. “Seb, almost everyone’s off the field. You need to get into the clubhouse.”
“Okay.” I kiss the top of Sophie’s head and inhale slowly. Her hair always smells so good—like a mix of flowers and oranges. It’s like scent therapy for me. “Don’t worry about Drew. I’ll take care of him. I’ll text you when we’re headed back to the hotel.”
“Can you join us for a drink when you get back?”
“Who’s ‘us’?” I ask as I back up toward the clubhouse.
“Our families and the Blitzen crew. Roman reserved the private dining room for a postgame party. Will you stop by?”
“I’d prefer to be alone with you, but yeah, I’ll be there. Save me a seat by you, okay?”
“Always.” She tilts her head and smiles—the green flecks in her light brown eyes shimmering.
“You know what that look does to me. I won’t be able to concentrate on anything the media says in the post press conference.” I raise my eyebrows. “And speaking of things that distract me, I still have something that belongs to you.”
“Yeah, I’ll have to get those back from you sometime.” She smiles and blows me a kiss.
