Page 9 of Payoff Pitch
Fallon wraps an arm around her and squeezes her lovingly. “You were great. I’m so proud of you.”
My father gives her a playful jab to the shoulder. “You look just like your dad used to at your age. He wasn’t only a pitcher. He played shortstop too.”
Harper has a huge grin on her adorable face. “I know. That’s why I like to play shortstop. I get to be like Daddy.” She looks up at me with hopeful eyes. “Can we get ice cream with Andie? She said her mommy needs two scoops every day.”
Beckett lets out a laugh while Amanda elbows him in the gut and scrunches her nose. “Noteveryday.”
Andie lifts an eyebrow and then giggles. “It’s every day, Mommy. Sometimes twice a day.”
Beckett pulls Amanda close. “I’ll buy you ten gallons a day if it puts a smile on your beautiful face. The place near here has cherry ice cream, your favorite.” He wiggles his eyebrows at her.
She gives him a dreamy look as she nestles into his much bigger body. Their love practically radiates. Even better, Andie is grinning from ear to ear at their interaction.
My poor kid will never see that. At least not from me. I hope Fallon finds someone just so Harper can see a lovingrelationship.
I interrupt their moment. “I could go for some ice cream.”
I immediately notice Fallon shuffle uncomfortably. “Umm, okay, it’s your night with Harper. I guess I’ll head out. You guys have fun.”
I shake my head. “Nonsense. You’re more than welcome. I know the place nearby has excellent rum raisin, your favorite.”
She breaks out into a huge smile and rubs my arm. “Thank you.”
Amanda moans, “Ooh. Yum. Now I need two scoops of rum raisin…on top of the cherry ice cream.”
Beckett lifts Andie over his shoulder as she squeals in delight. “Double scoops for everyone. My treat.”
CHAPTER TWO
BAILEY
We’ve been in Philly for a few weeks now. I’m enjoying this town and being reunited with our friends. Our new team seems great. We’re contenders for the league title this year.
Kam and I hit back-to-back home runs at our game tonight. The press in Philly have dubbed us the slugger sisters. Despite the Anacondas being a new team, the city has already warmed to us. Attendance rises every single game. In part due to some of the local baseball players being regulars.
Arizona’s brother, Quincy, plays for the local professional baseball team, the Philly Cougars. Somehow Arizona is already dating one of the biggest baseball players on the planet, Layton Lancaster. It’s not that surprising. Arizona has model-worthy good looks and is one of the best people I know. When they don’t have a game of their own, they come to ours, along with their teammates Cruz “Cheetah” Gonzales, Ezra Decker, and occasionally Trey DePaul joins them too.
If both teams have home games, we all usually go out late at night when we’re all done playing. Tonight we’re going to Screwballs with the guys. It’s a local bar that has a chill vibe withgood drinks, good food, and local bands. The owner treats us like celebrities, and we end up going there at least a few times a week.
I don’t know if Trey’s wife, Gemma, will be there since they have a baby at home. We’ve only met her once, but we all like her a lot. She’s different from us in that she’s an impeccably dressed lawyer, but she’s very down-to-earth and funny. All the guys on the team seem to have a sisterly bond with her.
I’m in Ripley’s bedroom with her while she applies a little makeup even though none of us dressed up for the evening.
I sigh. “I still can’t believe Arizona is dating Layton Lancaster. She didn’t seem impressed when she met him right after we moved here. In fact, she was kind of rude to him.”
He hit on her, and she rejected him in glorious fashion.
Ripley shrugs. “They had to go to that PR event, and I guess they hit it off. They decided to make a go of things. Wouldn’t you date Layton Lancaster if you had the chance?”
I nod enthusiastically. “Hell yes. Leave it to Arizona to bag the hottest guy in town within a week of moving here. What about you, Rip, have you been dating?”
She shrugs. “A little bit. I’m open to meeting someone. There was a guy at the gym who asked for my number and then texted me. I think I’ll text back. What about you? I assume you’re not with that older guy anymore, are you?”
“No way. He ended up being a dick. I guess I’m open to meeting someone too.”
Kam walks in and says, “Damn straight you are. Me too. I’m hoping to find a hottie willing to give my waterbed a little wave action tonight. He or she is in for the ride of their life.”
Kam is bisexual. She’ll happily spend time with both men and women, not remotely favoring one over the other. She’s also all about casual sex, bringing home new people all the time. I’m the exact opposite. I need an emotional connection with a man before I consider something physical.