“I’ve got to head inside, but I’ll see you later tonight?”
“You sure will.”
There’s a giddy undertone to her words that I don’t know how to interpret. Maybe she plans on surprising me with her three-layer chocolate cake when I get home? My mouth waters automatically, anticipating diving into gooey deliciousness post-game. I’m usually strict with my sugar intake, but I will always make an exception for Kenzie’s cake.
After we hang up, I shoot off a quick email to the designer who helped decorate my house. It’s time to repurpose the remaining guest rooms. The largest one could easily be turned into a billiards/game room. A smile curves my mouth as I enter the stadium, thinking about getting crushed by Kenzie in a game of pool.
Then another thought jumbles forward—both surprising and soul-satiating—of a room decorated in soft pink elephants or calming blue tigers. My feet stop, imagining Kenzie with a swollen belly. Only the scent of the infield dirt brings me back to the present, reminding me to focus on now, on today’s impending game.
I’m getting way ahead of myself, but as I head toward the clubhouse, I can’t keep the grin off my lips.
Chapter 26
Kenzie
“What do you mean she can’t enter the ballpark?” Mallory all but screeches when we’re stopped by security as she tries to use one of her family tickets for me.
My glittery, homemadeChapman is The Mansign drops to the edge of my Waves jersey with Trevor’s last name and number on the back. Mallory spent the last hour getting me “camera ready,” insisting she come over to get me gussied up before driving us here. The jersey is styled open over a tank and my cutoff shorts. She’s also done my makeup with an expert hand and wrangled my rebellious waves into an effortless style befitting a baseball game. I feel ready for media speculation while still being true to myself.
“My apologies, Mrs. Sato, but she’s on the banned list.”
My friend sets her hands on her hips. “How is that even possible?”
“She jumped onto the dugout, violating the Fan Code of Conduct,” the man says, his tone flat.
I nearly slap my forehead. Of course Waves security wouldn’t want me back in the stadium after that stunt. They probably see me as a danger to their players, as laughable as that truly is.
“Also, Aaron Lawson personally asked that she be put on the list.”
“What?” The word punches out of me.
Not being allowed admission because I blatantly broke the rules is something I can understand, but Aaron banning me because…because why? Because I hurt his ego by not doing exactly what he wanted? What a self-involved, weasley, no good—
“Let me talk to Trevor Chapman.”
The man shakes his head. “Only the coaching staff can speak to the players until after the game. I’m sorry, ma’am, but you’ll have to leave.”
I stare at his outstretched hand, directing us back the way we came.
“But—”
It was my turn to show up for Trevor, to let him know that I’ll always be rooting for him. Earlier, when he’d been distracted by Jet’s antics, I’d snagged his unlocked phone and stole away to my room. A slightly off-key version of theMission Impossibletheme song left my humming lips as I quickly jotted down theinformation for his friend, Jacob. It might be a long shot, but I’m guessing if I offer Jacob and his mother, Trish, free use of the guest rooms in Trevor’s house, they’d be more than happy to visit and attend a few Waves games.
“This is unacceptable.” Mallory’s steely voice brings me back to our current situation.
The man simply shrugs like it’s out of his hands.
Mallory’s fingernails practically dig into my skin as she grabs my wrist and stomps toward the car. When we step onto the asphalt of the parking lot, the reality of the situation hits me like a cinderblock thrown from a balcony. I’m not going to be able to see Trevor tonight. Not until he walks into the house—much, much later.
My friend mutters, her vise grip unrelenting as her long legs drag me toward her sports car.
“Mallory, wait.” I pull out my phone with a steady hand, even though it feels like I’m freefalling three stories. “I’ll get an Uber home. If you take me back, you’ll miss watching Kai.”
“You’ll do no such thing.” She snatches my phone, gripping it as tightly as my wrist. At this point, I’m likely to have bruise marks.
“You don’t have to take me home,” I try again, frustration about the situation flushing my cheeks. “Let me take an Uber and—”
She stops us so suddenly thatI stumble.
