Page 16 of Payoff Pitch
“Yes. She’s not in camp this summer and my nanny unexpectedly quit.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. As you may know, I’m in season right now. My free time is subject to my softball schedule. When the season is over, I’ll have much more availability.”
“I understand. I’d love to figure out a way to make this work. Harper is freaking out at the prospect of having you here. She’s a huge fan of the Anacondas. I’ll take whatever free time you can give me until your season is over, and then we can figure out something more consistent for your off-season. She’ll be in school by then. Why don’t you come by tomorrow to meet with both of us? I’m hopeful we can discuss logistics and find a way to make this happen.”
A big smile finds my lips. I love working with kids and miss it. “We’re on our way out of town for a short road trip. Can we meet when I get back?”
“No problem.”
We set up a time for me to come by on the afternoon of a day off we have later this week. Arizona has her bigSports Illustratedphoto shoot all day, and I think Kam mentioned that she has plans that day. I’ll be free.
We get to the airport and I’m on cloud nine. I hated saying goodbye to the families I worked for in Chicago. I miss the kids. This is exactly what I need to feel fulfilled.
I’m in a bit of a dreamy state as I begin to go through airport security. My carry-on bag gets flagged, and I’m pulled aside. The TSA agent, a young burly man, says, “Ma’am, according to our x-ray machines, you have a water bottle in your bag. I’m going to have to open the bag and remove it.”
A water bottle? That’s odd. Maybe he’s mistaken. I shrug. “Umm, okay. I don’t remember putting one in there, but maybe it was left in there by accident.”
I hear Kam giggling as she pulls out her phone to start recording. I narrow my eyes at her. “What did you do?”
She gives me her mischievous smile. “I was a good little sister and helped you pack. You can thank me later.”
The TSA agent unzips my bag, lifts the flap, and sucks in a breath. Everyone on the team starts laughing. They’re obviously in on whatever my sister is doing to me.
I begrudgingly peek over the flap. Oh. My. God.
Right next to a big water bottle, clearly planted by my sister, is a giant, and I mean giant, brand-new vibrator in a box, also clearly planted by my sister.
I can feel my face turning red with embarrassment. I close my eyes and grit out, “Kamryn Sarah Hart, I’m going to kill you.”
I can hear her hyperventilating in laughter.
I reopen them to see her still smiling and still recording this. “But the TikTok I’m making will go viral.”
I ball my fists at my sides. “Donotpost this.”
Arizona throws her arm around me and smiles. “That’s a giant vibrator. You like the big boys, don’t you, Bails?”
I grit out, “It’s not mine.”
Kam nods. “It is now, sis. You’re welcome.”
Ripley makes a sound of disgust. “Ugh, I’m Bailey’s roommate for this trip. Wait until I’m in the shower before you use it.”
She winks. She’s messing with me.
I shake my head. “How are you all my best friends?”
They’re all still laughing. I feel like everyone in the airport is staring at me.
My sister is officiallya lunatic.
Later that night,Ripley and I are in our hotel room, about to go to bed, when I see her on her phone, typing away like she’s in a text conversation. She’s smiling goofily.
“Who are you texting with the big ol’ smile on your face, Rip?”
She looks up like she’s been caught doing something bad. “Oh, sorry. Just this guy I met at the gym. The one I mentioned to you before. He’s been asking me out and I finally said yes. We’re going to dinner later this week after we get back. I’m kind of excited about it.”
“That’s great. Tell me about him.”