Fallon’s eyes widen a bit. She probably doesn’t want Harper knowing about her love life. She calmly offers, “I can always cancel my plans if you need me. It’s not a big deal.”
Bailey squeezes her hand. “Not necessary, but thank you. Harper has a big game tomorrow. We need to hit the cages hard tonight, right, sweet girl?” She smiles at Harper.
Harper nods enthusiastically. “Yes, my championship game is tomorrow.” She turns to me. “Bails and Kam coach my team. Do you know Kamryn Hart? She and Bails are twins, but they’re nothing alike, even though they look alike. Some people can’t tell them apart, but I can. Daddy says Bails is sweet as pie and that Kam is a pain in the A-S-S. But Kam is super funny. And now she lets me call her Aunt Kam. I play second base just like Bails. Sulley came to my championship game last year. Do you want to come to my championship game this year?”
The kid talks a mile a minute. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up.
Before I can process all that information, Fallon says, “Sweetie, I think Kennedy is busy tomorrow night. Maybe another time.”
“I’m not,” I happily announce. “I’d love to come, Harper.” It might be fun to see her in action.
Harper’s eyes widen. “For realz?”
I nod. “For realz.”
“Awesome,” she exclaims with a huge level of excitement. “Ican’t wait to tell Andie. She’s one of my two best friends and my teammate. She’s the shortstop. She?—”
Bailey clamps her hand over Harper’s mouth. “Miss Motor Mouth and I are going to head out.” She winks at Fallon with a small smile. “Have fun tonight. Call me in the morning with all the juicy details. Love you.”
Fallon sighs. “Love you too. Feel good. I’ll see you at your game tomorrow, Harper.”
Harper waves before Bailey removes her hand. “Bye, Mommy. Love you millions.”
Fallon smiles. “Love you billions.”
Harper responds, “Love you trillions,” before Bailey physically removes her from the room.
I look at Fallon. “I love your kid. She’s a riot.”
“Hmm,” she responds as she begins wiping down her equipment. “She’s something. You don’t have to come tomorrow. I’m sorry if you felt cornered.”
I shake my head. “Not at all. According to my pain in the ass physical therapist, I can’t do anything but sit anyway. I might as well sit and watch your little prodigy play ball.”
She giggles. “Fair enough. Thank you. She’ll be flipping over you being there. I appreciate it very much.”
I look out the door to make sure Bailey and Harper are gone. When it appears as though they are, I ask, “Knowing Bailey is married to your ex-husband doesn’t bother you? I can’t believe how well you two get along.”
She shrugs. “What’s the alternative? Should we hate each other because society tells us we’re supposed to? I happen to adore Bailey. She’s a wonderful person. Tanner and I have been divorced for nearly seven years. Bailey had nothing to do with it. They’re good together, and she loves Harper like she’s her own. What more could I ask for in a stepmother? At the end of the day, it’s about what’s best for my daughter. The three of us having a healthy co-parenting relationship is best for her. She’s happy and thriving. We’re doing something right.”
I absorb her words. “You’re so…mature.”
She lets out a laugh. “Oh, trust me, I have my moments of immaturity too. I’m constantly questioning my life decisions. Switching from my hospital job to this one was among the biggest. I still don’t know if I did the right thing, but I can tell you this job is more fun and certainly pays better.”
“Youdefinitelymade the right decision. Everyone on the team loves you. We hated your predecessor. No one would come see him and would instead let their injuries fester.”
She scrunches her face. “That’s no good.” She sighs. “Are you sure about tomorrow? Feel free to change your mind.”
“It’s fine,” I assure her as I pull out my phone. “I just need to cancel my plans.”
Daylen and I were supposed to work out, but I’m on Fallon-mandated rest anyway. It can wait. We’ll have to find another way to get in our two dates this week.
DAYLEN
“When strippers get money with jizz on it, they have to report it to the IRS. It’s reported as gross income,” I smirk as I announce that little tidbit at Tanner’s poker table.
All the guys start laughing. Tanner, Layton, Trey, and Vance are here. Cheetah texted that he’s running late, which is code for banging Kam.
“Speaking of jizz,” Vance announces, “D is having a bit of a dry spell. I haven’t seen him go home with a woman in weeks.” He looks at me with some uncharacteristic mischief in his eyes. “When was the last time you got laid, D?”
