Page 75 of Coastal Rewind

The chorus of “Good Day Sunshine” by The Beatles rang out, and the crowd absolutely ate it up. I turned around to look at Ryleigh who was hiding her wicked smile behind her hands. I pointed my bat at her and threw her a wink before walking up to the plate.

I held the bat up as I stepped into the box, pushing all distractions and the beautiful blonde woman with freckles out of my brain so I could focus. The pitcher snapped the first ball forward and I judged it as being outside.

Strike.

I nodded my head, getting a feel for where the umpire was calling it and mentally preparing to hug the plate a little more if he tries another outside pitch. The pitcher took a deep breath and looked in my direction. He wound up and snapped the ball toward me again. It was like it moved in slow motion as I swung at the perfect time.

The crack of my bat made power surge through my arms, and I immediately knew it was going out. I dropped the bat and started jogging toward first, watching as the ball sailed into the lower deck at the edge of the outfield. I raised my hands in the air as I jogged the bases. When I rounded third, my teammates were all huddled around home plate waiting for me but my gaze was locked on the beautiful woman jumping up and down in the stands behind them.

I clapped their hands as I reached home plate, but I bypassed them and ran right for my girl. Ryleigh leaned over the edge as I approached. I cupped her cheeks and kissed her right there in front of the entire city on national television.

I pulled back, not wanting to give the cameras too much. Ryleigh’s eyes sparkled as she whispered, “You’re insane, Superstar.”

“Only for you, Sunshine,” I shouted as I backed away toward the dugout.

I hadn’t been this happy in so long I couldn’t even remember a day that felt this good.

I slid my briefs on and grabbed my suit pants from the bench. I wasn’t in a rush, but I was so excited to go home tonight to spend some relaxing time with Ryleigh. We were off for two days before we left for the next away game and I was ready to soak up all the free time.

“Drinks tonight?” Zane asked as he approached his locker that was right next to mine.

“No can do.” I pulled my undershirt over my head and grabbed my button up shirt off the hanger.

“He’s gotta run home to his girlfriend,” Mack said with a smirk.

I shrugged. “You can admit you’re jealous. I don’t mind.”

Tucker scoffed as he buttoned up his shirt. “No way. You literally couldn’t pay me to have a girlfriend.”

Zane clapped me on the shoulder. “Don’t listen to him. We’re all happy for you.”

“Thanks, man.”

“We all were wondering how long your no casual hookups rule would last until you just got cuffed.” Mack chuckled.

The guys started talking about hitting the bar tonight and I couldn’t get out of dodge fast enough. I loved hanging out with them, but during the season we spent so much time together that by October I was ready to not speak to them for six months.

I threw my bag over my shoulder and waved as I walked into the hallway where other wives and girlfriends of my teammates waited for us after games. The moment I saw Ryleigh and MJ waiting for me, a pang hit my chest.

A few months ago, when I saw this same image in front of me, I was jealous of a life I never thought I could have. Now, my girl and my son were waiting for me so we could go home and have a quiet night as a family.

It was something I always wanted. Something I was afraid would slip right through my fingers.

I kissed Ryleigh’s cheek as MJ wrapped his little arms around my legs. The entire ride home MJ talked about how amazing the game was. Sometimes it was hysterical I was raising the most talkative kid on the planet because I wasn’t what most would describe as a talker.

I was quiet and broody most of the time, except when Ryleigh was around. She brought the life out of me.

When we walked into the house, I took MJ for our nighttime routine. Ryleigh always volunteered to help, but I insisted on this time with him when I could get it. She always respected that boundary so when we went into his bathroom to get his teeth brushed, she went into her room and closed the door.

MJ was out like a light when he finally got into bed. The kid loved going to games but it always took it out of him by the end of the night. I closed his door softly and walked into the living room in search of my girl.

When I saw her out on the patio with a glass in her hand, my lips quirked to the side. Ryleigh really adjusted to life here quickly. The very first night I found her reading out there, she tried to run away in fear she was bothering me. Now, we would hang out at night together while she read and I watched game highlights. It was a weird feeling to coexist with someone else so naturally.

The sliding door caused Ryleigh’s head to pop up from her book. She smiled at me and slid a second glass of amber liquid in my direction. I sank down next to her and poked at the book in her hands.

“What’s this one about?”

Something I learned about Ryleigh since she moved in was that she was always reading a romance. The first time I asked her what the story was about, she shyly told me it was a story about a girl who gets trapped in a small town because she found out she had a long-lost niece who she became the guardian of. She went on to explain that she fell in love with the broody local bar owner.