Faye: You better! I want to hear all about your new team
The three ofus had spent the past forty-eight hours texting as much as possible and sneaking in phone calls whenever Faye wasn’t busy providing statements to the FBI or tied up in meetings with the Secret Service.
She still didn’t have a definite date for when she’d be able to come see us, which I understood, but I couldn’t wait to have her in my arms again. I knew Jase felt the same way.
We walked behind Chase toward the stadium's employee entrance, and my entire body tingled with adrenaline.
Jase bumped my shoulder as we stepped inside. “You good?”
“Yeah.”
He gave me a look like he didn’t believe me, but I was closer to being okay than I had been in the last couple of days.
Baseball was something I understood.
It was where everything made sense.
We’d barely taken three steps inside before someone clapped Jase on the back.
“Well, if it isn’t the newly acquired package deal.”
We turned and found Crew Stratton. His husband, Knox Singleton, was right there too, with a huge grin on his face.
“Welcome to Portland,” Knox said.
“Thanks.” Jase gave him a fist bump. “Still haven’t quite wrapped my head around playing here.”
Crew nodded. “I can imagine, but we’re happy to have you both on the team.”
I nodded. “Appreciate that. And happy anniversary.”
His expression softened as he glanced at his husband. “Can’t believe it’s been a year already.”
“Okay,” my new manager’s voice cut in. “As much as I love a reunion, we have a game to prepare for.” Aron Parker stood near the lockers, hands on his hips, wearing that expression that meant he was amused but pretending not to be. “Dylan. Jase.” He stepped forward and pulled us both into quick hugs. “Glad to have you on the team.”
“Good to see you, Skip,” Jase said.
Parker snorted. “Gotta say, it makes me feel a little old hearing you say that.” He turned to the rest of the team. “I’ve known this guy since he was barely taller than the equipment bags. And this one”—he gestured toward me—“for nearly as long.”
A few of the guys nearby laughed.
He continued, “All right, listen up for a sec. I know most of you already recognize these two, but for those who don’t, this is Dylan Statler and Jase Matthewson. They’re ours now. Treat them accordingly.”
Someone in the back muttered, “Poor bastards,” and the room burst out laughing.
Parker smiled. “Before we head out for BP, I’m giving you two the floor. If you’ve got a few words to say, now’s the time.”
Jase looked at me.
We’d talked about this—a lot. We’d talked about it with Faye too, since it was her story as well. This was the beginning of us owning our story and not caring what others had to say.
I stepped forward and took a deep breath. I could feel the weight of every pair of eyes on me.
Here goes nothing.
“You’ve probably already seen some speculation,” I started. “About Jase dating the president’s daughter.”
A couple of heads nodded. Someone let out a low whistle.
