Running sign-ups for new Thrusters- or Fireballs-sponsored adult sports leagues across a variety of sports.
Instead, I canceled my tee time for today, and now I’m standing at Duggan Field’s home plate, fully suited up in all of my hockey gear, right down to my helmet and gloves and freaking skates—blades covered, of course—surrounded by a full camera crew.
Plus a handful of my teammates and former teammates who still live in Copper Valley who were happy to come heckle me today. Couple of my friends on the Fireballs too.
A few rugby guys from the Pounders and some of the women’s soccer players from the Scorned.
And sweat.
I’m drowning in sweat.
It’s July. Of fucking course I’m drowning in sweat.
“Duncan, let’s start from the top. Go ahead and step up to the plate, and then Addie, you come in with your line,” the director yells.
“Is this the last take?” I’m so fucking hot that I’m almost cold. We’ve been out here for what feels like hours and I’ve said my lines probably three dozen times.
“If you do it right.”
Motherfucking fucker head.
He said that three takes ago.
“He won’t be doing it at all if he passes out from heat exhaustion,” Addie says.
She’s showing no signs of the hangover that had her a complete disaster yesterday morning. Her sling today matches her Fireballs uniform—black and orange with their mascot, Ash, a baby dragon who’s aged some over the past few years—waving at her elbow.
She’s in her Fireballs uniform and she gets to wear sunglasses to hide her eyes.
She’s also completely no-nonsense.
It’s a mask.
I know it’s a mask.
Just like I know she’s still off-kilter from having me thrust back into her life.
Wait until she realizes I’ll do whatever it takes to stay in her life.
If you hadn’t gotten attached, we could’ve been forever.
She cares. She likes me. She just doesn’t know how to admit it.
So I’ll be here until she realizes it.
“Then he better get it right this time,” the director yells. “Places, everyone.”
“Hey.” Addie holds up a hand to me. “You okay?”
“I’m good.”
She studies me too long. NotI want to jump your bonesstudying either. She’s staring at me the same way I’ve watched her stare at any number of her players. All business, that wrinkle forming on the bridge of her nose while her brows bunch.
“You’re sure?”
No, I’m not fucking sure. I’m hot and tired and I want to get out of my pads and uniform.
But I don’t mind the part at all where I’m with her.
