“Wow. It was nice of Trey to think of his employees like that.” Maybe I misjudged him from our first meeting. Is it possible he’s not as big of an asshole as I thought?
Finn snaps his head in my direction. “It wasn’t Trey’s decision. It was a company decision.” My eyes widen at his firm response. When he realizes his answer was harder than he intended, his face softens again. “It was a smart decision. As you know rent is expensive in the city. This way the company gives some employees a cheaper option and they are close to work. It’s win-win."
“It looks beautiful. I can’t wait to see the inside once it’s done. Will you live there?” Finn’s been waiting on his place to be finished, so it makes sense it’s this building he’s waiting for.
“Yeah. I have a place on the top floor. Soon I won’t have to leave my apartment to go to work.” Finn taps his knuckles on the window and turns back to me. A phone dings and he retrieves it from a pocket in his jeans. He scowls down at the screen and puts it away without replying. “You never told me. What did you think of Dragons Reborn?”
Time to break out my best lying face. “It was okay.” I feign disinterest and watch more buildings pass by the windows. I absolutely will not tell Finn I played for over five hours after work Friday and another few minutes here and there yesterday. In fact, I've been playing on and off whenever I can.
“Well, maybe we can play more this week. It might grow on you.”
My reply is cut off when the cab stops again. This time we’re in front of the large sign for AT&T Park, the Giants baseball stadium. Tall brick columns flank the opening for the Willie Mays Gate, the name written on the sign above the entrance, and palm trees grow out front.
I get out of the cab and am busy enjoying the view when my brother rushes to my side and throws me into a big Ben hug.
“Ben!” I squeal as he swings me from side to side.
“What are you, a tourist? Standing there gaping at the buildings. You’ve seen a baseball stadium before.”
I don’t explain to him that the first time I saw this particular stadium was the night Finn and I peeked through the fence and watched a few minutes of the game. My visits to Ben’s were limited while I was in college. The city is still new for me. I want to enjoy all the cool places before they become part of the scenery.
Rebecca, with her blonde hair swept back in a ponytail, strides up to us and Ben sets me back on the ground. Her belly protrudes from her waist making our hug a little more awkward. Finn pulls out tickets from the envelope he picked up at the office and passes them around our small group.
I jump to my tippy toes and give him a sweet kiss on the lips that might linger a little too long when your brother is nearby. “Thanks, Finn.”
He actually blushes a bit at my excitement over the surprise game. “We’re in the company suite, but it comes with actual seats as well, so it’s up to you where we want to watch the game.”
“If there’s a suite available, we’re sitting in the suite,” Ben answers for all of us as we approach the gate.
I loop my arm with Finn’s. “How did you get a box?”
“Every employee has the option of using the seats when there is a home game. Trey and I use them often.” Finn rattles off an answer without looking in my direction. Boys.
The area where we’ll watch the game is basic, but screams Giants. The stools are simple but colored bright orange. They line a long bar at the back of our suite. Team memorabilia hangs on the walls. Framed newspaper clippings, yellowed with time, highlight the team’s achievements.
“It’s a great view of the field, Finn.” My brother stops to stare out the window. A massive coke bottle and glove formed from large metal beams and lights are visible across the field. The huge statues are impressive.
In front of the large window looking out on the field are two big tan leather couches. I take the one to the right and set up my base for prime game viewing.
“If I sit on this couch, someone is going to help me out, right?” Rebecca stops near me but on the other couch. “Finn, you look familiar, but I'm not sure from where. Have you purchased any real estate lately?”
Finn’s head is craned down toward his phone. His face is in a tight scowl, but he looks up at Rebecca’s question.
“Um, no not really.” He looks to his phone again and I swear his face pales. It can’t be at Rebecca’s simple question. I hope it’s not more work issues. I’d hate for him to have to leave and miss the game. “I must have one of those faces."
I stand and walk to his side sensing how tense he is. “Is everything all right?”
He puts the phone in his back pocket and reassures me with a kiss on my temple. I start to question him more since it isn’t an answer, but a knock at the door has him letting out the breath he was holding. The big oak door swings open and a young woman decked out in Giants orange from head to toe wheels a cart covered by a white cloth into the room.
“Here is your order, Mr. McRyan,” she speaks before she’s completely in the room. The cart stops in front of the door and her head lifts. "Oh. None of the boys today?”
“No. It’s um…” He turns and surveys the room. “It's a family game.”
I have no idea why, but when Finn calls this a family game the words plow through my heart. He has a family. They even live close by. Ben and Rebecca are all the people I have in the world. To think Finn wants to be included in our small clan delights me.
“Well, here is the merchandise you ordered. Mikey will bring up your food in about thirty minutes. I hope you have a great game.” She takes the cloth with her on the way out.
On the cart sit four black ball caps with bright orange San Francisco logos in the front. White jerseys are folded underneath each hat with a name card propped against every pile.
