When we enter the room, flashbulbs flicker like a manic lightning storm. I’m immediately grateful this isn’t a hallway interview where the reporters and cameras are inches from you, making you feel trapped in a sea of bodies and recording equipment. Kenzie’s shoulders pitch forward, and she tucks her chin against her chest like she’s protecting herself from a hailstorm.
I place my hand over the small of her back, staying close as I steer her behind the table with two microphones. The murmur of voices sounds louder than an F/A-18 Hornet, but I ignore it. I ignore everything but Kenzie, sliding my thumb back and forth over her tank in a reassuring way. My hands are still dirty from the game, and she’s still wearing her scary-accurate aging makeup.
Once Kenzie is tucked into her chair, I drag the second chair as close as physically possible and sit down beside her. The urgeto wrap an arm around her is a palpable thing, but I settle for resting my hand on her thigh beneath the table where the reporters can’t see it. My other hand reaches forward to cover the microphone between us.
“Are you okay?” I whisper, my lips a hair’s breadth from the shell of her ear.
Kenzie bites the corner of her mouth. “I’m trying to be, but this is a lot.”
“I know.” I barely resist the impulse to kiss her temple. “If you want to leave at any time, just squeeze my knee twice, and we’re out of here.”
She nods with a shaky exhale. “Okay.”
I take one lingering sweep of her face before turning toward the awaiting crowd and dropping my hand from the mic. A Waves staff member sets orange Gatorade bottles in front of us while another person repositions the second microphone so Kenzie and I each have our own. Once they both step out of the shot, I set the smile on my face that won me the moniker “Friendliest Guy in Baseball” early in my career.
“I know you’re all here because I threw out Wade Hensley trying to steal second and for no other reason.”
The group chuckles, and I feel some of the tension leaving Kenzie’s body.
I give her leg a little squeeze and continue, “I’m always open to questions, you know that, but I expect everyone to berespectful tonight. As you know, it’s my job to protect the plate, but it’s also my job to protect her.”
Murmurs go through the group at the thinly veiled threat. Their confusion is warranted. I’ve never been anything but abundantly cordial over the last fifteen years. Though I tried to land the end of that second sentence softly, it came out with a gritty bite.
Dana Whitmore raises her hand, and I nod to her. “Who exactly is she?”
I glance at Kenzie, letting my emotions free in public for the first time. No masking. No keeping everything bottled up. There’s no doubt that every camera is catching the hearts in my eyes.
“This is Kenzie Rogers. My girlfriend.”
Kenzie smiles back at me, her fingers sliding over mine beneath the table.
Questions pepper us from all directions.
“When did you start dating?”
“How’d you meet?”
“Why did you come to the game dressed as an old man?”
“Kenzie Rogers? Aren’t you Aaron Lawson’s former fiancée?”
“Didn’t you jump off the dugout at the season opener?”
A flush pinks Kenzie’s cheeks, and while I usually love that slight blush, it’s making me reconsider doing this without a planin place. I should make our excuses, tug her from the room, and let the Waves media team handle this tomorrow.
“May I?” she murmurs in my direction.
I give her another supportive squeeze before Kenzie leans into the mic.
“It must be confusing, considering how I’m dressed, and the fact that Ididfall off the dugout into Trevor’s arms months ago.” A grin curves her mouth as she glances at me. “Still one of your best catches.”
The smile overtaking my face almost hurts my cheeks.
Kenzie’s focus returns to our audience. “Clearly, I’m not what you’d envision as a pro-baseball player’s girlfriend. For one, I’m an accountant. I prefer to stay home and garden than be in the limelight. Up until recently, my best friend was a cat. The truth is…”
Her face grows serious as she pauses just long enough for my stomach to pitch. “I am Iron Man.”
When the group gives each other puzzled looks, Kenzie laughs into the mic.
