Page 94 of Bad Run

I probably shouldn’t make such a promise. Our plan could backfire. I could lose my spot on the Evaders roster. And yet, I couldn’t give a fuck.

When I hold Gwen, I never want to let go. Nico was right; some things are more important than baseball. For me, that something just might be her.

She wraps her arms around my waist and drops her chin to my chest, melting into me. “Okay.”

I lean down and press a tender kiss to Gwen’s forehead, lingering for a second longer than I should, before we separate and get ready for work, where the real work begins.

thirty-one

Gwen

Present

Lance: Are you ready to go?

No. **Sad Face emoji** Got more work to do. Do you want to drive my car home?

I watch the little dots dance, waiting for Lance’s response.

The Evaders played a mid-afternoon game, so we drove to the stadium together this morning and then after the game we would go home together. It’s Lance’s last night at home before he leaves for a week of away games, and we were planning to have dinner and hang out.

But I blew that plan out of the water because, instead of working, I sat in the employee box and watched the entire game. The plan was to stay for an inning or two, but then Lance got a double, and I didn’t want to miss a thing.

Now I’m stuck finishing up some stuff for All-Star Weekend, with Maryse. This season the Evaders are hosting the event, which includes not just the game itself but also a young players-and-prospects game, a celebrity game, the MLB draft, and a variety of interactive fan events.

Lance: Nah. I’ll just hitch a ride with Cam.

Okay. See you at home.

Lance: See you at home.

Home.

I twist the two rings dangling from the chain around my neck. A hidden reminder of us because I’m too chicken to wear them on my finger.

I still haven’t wrapped my head around how drastically my life has changed in the last few weeks. I’m married, and I live with my new husband in his big, beautiful house.

How is this my life?

One minute, my bestie is encouraging me to marry our friend to fool my father, and the next, Lance is throwing his hat in the ring and begging me to marry him instead.

I thought our situation would be awkward, but it’s been surprisingly easy. Lance and I have fallen into an easy routine.

Every morning, I wake up, go outside, and watch him swim his morning laps. After, we get ready for work, eat breakfast at the counter, and then drive to the stadium together. We talk and tease each other like two friends. And every night before bed, he plants a soft kiss on my forehead and then falls asleep.

On his side of the bed. No touching, no cuddling. Nothing.

Following the rules as he promised.

Lance has been the perfect gentleman. Scratch that, husband.

He’s been the perfect husband. He makes me coffee every morning, using a different flavored syrup that he ordered just for me, buys me donuts for breakfast, and cooks me dinner every night.

I’m pretty sure all his sweetness is going to make my ovaries spontaneously combust.

“Earth to Gwen.” The snap of red-painted fingernails in my face pulls me from my thoughts.

I hastily shove my rings beneath my blouse and look up to find my boss, Maryse, grinning at me. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”