I found Kelsey with Lindy Griffen, both laughing hysterically about something, stopping only when I approached.
“What’s so funny?”
“I was just telling her about the school drop-off line. Ella refused to get out of the car, and the rule is that if your child can’t make it out of the car on their own, you’ve gotta walk them in—I was wearing dinosaur Santa pajamas.”
“Sounds like material for the podcast.” Lindy’s podcast had taken off. Her social media presence had driven tons of listeners to her weekly show. Kelsey had joined her several shows, and the response had been great so far.
I set off to find my parents, and on the way up to the roof, Tucker caught me in the stairwell. Caught off guard, my family’s home had always been a safe space for me.
“I wondered if I’d be seeing you tonight.”
My entire body froze, and I took a long breath, clenching my fists as I fought not to scream.
“You would be better off if you ignored my existence.”
“Eh, I don’t feel like it. I know I told you I was done with you once before. But the more I think about it, we’ve still got a few more rounds in us, don’t you think?”
“How did you get here?” Kelsey’s voice shouted from the end of the hallway.
“Your husband invited me.”
Right then, Sam joined us, almost as if he could sense Kelsey was in distress. Without knowing what was going on, Sam immediately separated Tucker from us.
“What’s going on?” Sam asked.
“I asked Tucker to leave.” Kelsey said, crossing her arms over her chest. Sam didn’t hesitate, if Kelsey said someone had to go, he’d make it happen.
“Tuck, why thefuckis my wife asking you to leave?”
“No clue. This is the first time I’ve met her.”
Sam’s attention slipped to me. “Is he bothering you?”
“Oh, come on, man. Are you gonna go after me now? Just because of your wife’s whore sisters?”
I never thought such a big man could move that fast. Sam had Tucker pressed against the wall, no questions asked. “Yeah, you insult my family, I don’t give a fuck that we’re teammates.”
“Break it up.” The call came from Austin Monroe, our center fielder.
“Yeah, yeah. I was leaving anyway.”
Sam backed away, giving Tucker room to leave. The fuck dared to wink at me on the way out.
After he left, Austin patted Sam on the back. “That fucker isn’t worth an injury.”
“How’s Ashley?” Sam asked.
“Good. She was downstairs with Avery and Chloe last I saw. I should go find her.”
Rumor had it that when Tucker hit on Ashley Monroe, Austin’s wife, she was receptive. Austin was well known for his devotion to his wife, one she didn’t fully return. The rumors also included a few affairs on her part. To his credit, Austin hardly ever joined his teammates on the road for post-game celebrations and instead spent those nights in his hotel room.
“Congratulations, you two,” I said to Sam and Kelsey once we were alone.
Sam and Kelsey shared a sweet smile; my brother-in-law radiated love toward his wife. Kelsey had found out that morning that she was expecting; it would be her secondbaby, and Sam’s first. You would never know that Sam was Crew’s stepfather. He loved my nephew fiercely, and I had no doubt that he would always see him as his son, no matter how many babies they had together.
“We’re telling people?” he asked.
“My sisters.”
