Page 16 of Leave It On The Field (Grand Slam 3)
She takes my face into her hands. “Maybe it’s better that you sit in the suite. I worry about you. Madison sends me the mean tweets people post about you.”
“She shouldn’t be doing that,” I say as she leans her forehead against mine.
“You know how my daughter is. She’s the champion of anyone who’s being mistreated. She wants to find the meanies and beat them up.”
“I’d like to see that.” I try to pull back from her but she pulls me into a hug. “Adie, we should go outside before Jack and Ricky get into it too badly.”
“Okay,” she whispers, “but promise me you’ll take care of yourself. If anything happened to you, Seb wouldn’t be able to go on. He just wouldn’t survive it. None of us would.”
I grab her hand and pull her toward the door. “I promise I’ll be careful.”
When we walk outside, Stone and Paul are sitting at the table with Jack. Ricky’s lying on a lounge chair looking out at the bay. I hear him say my name just before Stone kicks his chair and he stops talking.
“Don’t let us interrupt,” Adie says, squeaking out a laugh, “unless Ricky’s still complaining about his totally free, prime location seat for the World Series. Then we’re happy to interrupt.”
“I’m not complaining,” Ricky says without looking back at us. “I just think our dates should be able to sit with us for the games.”
“I didn’t know you were even dating, Ricky. Anyone we know?” Adie’s voice gets a couple octaves higher when she’s trying to keep the peace.
“Yeah,” Ricky says, finally looking back. He stares right at me. “Kaitlyn Barr.”
Adie takes a sharp breath in and grabs my hand. “You’re dating Katie Barr? Well her last name is Houseman now, right?”
“She’s divorced,” Ricky says, grinning. “Well in the process of getting a divorce. Anyway, yeah, she’s here with me. I know she would like to sit as close as possible to see Seb play. All of our dates would.”
Stone grabs Jack’s arm as he starts to stand up. “First, Paul and I don’t have dates. We have wives. Second, our wives are thrilled to be sitting anywhere in the stadium to watch our friend play in the biggest games of his life.”
“Yeah, but,” Ricky says, lowering his sunglasses. He’s still looking right at me. “Seb’s the franchise player. Surely he can get more seats, especially for someone he loves as much as Katie.”
Adie squeaks when Jack jumps up and lunges toward Ricky’s chair. “Rick, I know you’re slow but we’ve covered this. There are six box seats available. That’s it. Seb decided who gets to sit there—me, Adie, you three, and Coach Adler. If you want to give up your seat, we would love to have our daughter sitting with us down by the field.”
“Your daughter but not your daughter-in-law?” Ricky nods his head toward me. “What? Is she too good to sit out in the stadium with the fans now?”
“Jesus, Ricky!” I yell. “You complain that your girlfriend doesn’t get one of the best seats, and then you complain that I don’t want to sit in those very seats because they’re not good enough. What the hell? Pick an argument. Your girlfriend and their wives are sitting with me in the suite. We’ll have fun. Get over it and try to enjoy yourself or at least try not to ruin the mood for everyone else.”
“What she said.” Stone kicks Ricky’s chair again. “Just chill out, man. Enjoy the moment.”
Ricky smiles as he stretches out again. “Oh, I’m going to enjoy everything so much. And Sophie, thank you for letting our dates sit with you. I think you’ll like meeting Kaitlyn—or Katie as Seb calls her. I’m sure he’s told you about her. They dated most of high school.”
“Shut up, Rick,” Paul says. “You’re so close to the edge. Just shut the fuck up.”
“We didn’t know he was bringing her, Soph,” Stone says. “I swear. Until she boarded the plane with him this morning.”
“It’s fine. Really. And no, Ricky, Seb’s never told me about her. We don’t talk much about the past. We live in the present and keep our eyes focused on what’s going to be a very happy future.” I turn to Jack. “I need to get ready for tonight. I’m leaving you in charge.”
Jack nods. “Since I’m in charge now, I think it’s time for you three to leave.”
“It definitely is,” Stone says, jumping up. “Thanks for the hospitality, Sophie.”
“Sure,” I say, turning quickly toward the house before the frustration tears that are welling up in my eyes burst out.
Adie runs to catch up with me. “I’m calling Seb and telling him to send her home.”
“Adie,” I say, grabbing her arm, “don’t call him. He needs to concentrate on playing. It’s not a big deal. Ricky’s just messing with me, as usual. Nothing or no one can get between Seb and me. All of this drama fades away when we’re alone. Please don’t call him.”
“Okay.” She nods as the guys walk past us into the house. “But I’m telling him everything after the series.”
“Will we see you at the party tonight, Adie?” Ricky asks.
“No, we’re hanging out with Sophie’s parents here tonight,” Adie says, glaring at him. “Alone. We’ll see you at the game tomorrow night.”
“You’ll see us tomorrow afternoon,” Ricky says, looking back at me. “We’re coming over here to use the pool before the game.”
“No, you’re not,” Jack says, pushing him toward the front door. “As long as I’m in charge, you’re not setting one foot back in this house.”
* * *
