Samantha raises one eyebrow and whispers in my direction, “Just a friend?” as she walks back to her seat, making me blush some more.
Mike is standing with the boys, so India turns to John and Samantha first.
“How about I get you two, then pan over here”—she points to where the boys are standing—“and finish with you and the kids?”
“Sounds good,” Samantha says, smoothing down her hair to prepare for the interview.
“Nolan,” I say, motioning for him to join me.
“It’s okay.” Samantha stops me by placing her hand on my arm. “Let him be in the video. You know he’ll be excited to do so.”
Not sure what to think about the entire situation, I agree and sit back, trying to act as normal as possible even though I feel very out of place at the moment.
India and the camera guy decide on the angle, and I notice I’m in their shot so I go to move, but she stops me.
“You don’t have to move. It’s better actually to have people in the background—you know, so the stands look fuller. Nobody likes to see an empty seat,” India jokes.
“You’re fine just where you are,” Samantha reassures me.
I grin and pretend to watch the game, trying not to be a part of their interview.
“And we’re rolling in three, two, one …” she says in a quiet voice, then changes her tone to a bubbly one. “I’m here with Evan Parker’s sister, Samantha, and his father, John. So, John, can you tell me what Evan getting that first hit felt like to you?”
John and Samantha both tell Evan’s story about his mom’s passing, his playing days, and the sacrifices he put in to be here right now. Samantha cries while John wraps his arm around her, showing how proud they are of their precious little boy, who’s not so little anymore.
“And it’s not just Evan’s dad and sister we have here.” India stands once their story is finished. She waves for the cameraman to follow her. “Over here, we have Samantha’s husband, Mike, and Evan’s nephews, who have been cheering for him all game.”
Mike waves as India squats down to hold the microphone up to the little boys.
“Tell me your names.”
“I’m Tyler!” He jumps up and down.
“And I’m Liam.” He waves, not to be forgotten.
Nolan doesn’t miss a beat, introducing himself, too, even though he’s not his nephew. “And I’m Nolan!” he says proudly.
India stands with a laugh and looks back into the camera. “Well, that proves right there how baseball-related this family is. Maybe we have the next Nolan Ryan in the making right here,” she teases. “Until then, I’m India Baker, signing off forThe Den.”
“And we’re out,” the cameraman says as he moves the camera from over his shoulder.
“Thanks again, you guys,” India says as she waves goodbye. “Enjoy the rest of the game.”
Nolan comes running toward me and jumps on my lap. “I’m going to be on TV!”
His joy overshadows any concerns I had about him being in the shot, so I let it all go and hug him tightly.
“You sure are!”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Evan
Chase makes the last out at third, and we cheer for the win of our first game.
Before I gather my things, I sit in the dugout and take it all in.
Jake hits my arm as he walks by. “Congrats on your first game.”
