“Does she write the story or the code forCroaking Creatures?”
“No.”
“So you’re willing to just use her name to threaten a very nice man who made a large donation to charity while knowing he’d appreciate this experience more than the other guy who was twice my age and had—what did you call it, Duncan?”
“Nefarious intentions,” I supply.
All of the players and their significant others look at me.
I fold my hands together on the table and let them.
Now that I know why they’re here, I’m honestly enjoying this. It’s good for Addie to see how much her players care about her.
Calling hermommight’ve crossed a line, but their objective in being here seems to be respectable.
“Do you have nefarious intentions?” Luca asks me.
“Have youmetDuncan?” Addie replies for me. “He’s incapable of having nefarious intentions.”
“Aww, thank you,” I murmur.
She blushes. “It’s the truth.”
“You never know what’s in the darkest corners of people’s souls, Coach,” Robinson says.
“What’s in the darkest corner of your soul?” his date whispers.
“I can’t tell you here,” he whispers back.
“So what are your intentions?” Brooks asks me.
I grin. “Itwasto kick Addie’s ass inCroaking Creaturesthis afternoon, but now it’s to kick all of your asses.”
“That’sCoach Addieto you,” one of the pitchers says.
“Are you all up on the game or not?” Addie asks.
“We’re up,” another of the pitchers says.
“Almost all of us,” another agrees. “We’re only missing Luca and Brooks. And you and Lavoie.”
Addie looks at the last two, who are at tables next to each other. “Are you in?”
The two men share a look. Their significant others share a more amused look.
“Yeah, we’re in.” Luca shifts his attention to me. “But I can see your feet from here. No footsie.”
“Or handsy,” Brooks adds.
“Or kissy-kissy,” Diego says.
Addie looks at the ceiling and blows out a breath. “Are you all twelve today?”
“If you’re our mom, that would be about right,” Robinson says.
Everyone cracks up.
Even Addie after a beat.
