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Out of Left Field

Page 54

by Alexis Anne

A boy came in right behind her. “He had zero command over that fastball. I can’t believe Mr. Isaac left him in that long.”

A tall slender woman rolled her eyes and shook her head. “I can see it now. Twenty years from now you two will be the Mantas broadcast team. The Rosie and Linc Show.”

Rosie wrinkled her nose. “I’m not going to be on television. I’m going to be a pitcher like Chris.”

The boy—Linc—made a face. “Pitchers are on television. Duh.”

The older woman sighed. “Why don’t you want to be a pitcher like Uncle Everett?”

The attitude that came off Rosie almost made me laugh. It was the exact level of sass that screamed confidence without cockiness. “Because Uncle Ev is a reliever. And he’s a great reliever. But I’m going to be a starting pitcher.”

Both kids nodded once and then looked up at Eve expectantly. “Can I?” she asked the adults.

“Of course. Get the Mantas’ future pitcher some ice cream.”

Linc took the ice cream, looking up at Eve. “I’m going to be on television and tell everyone about every mistake she makes on the mound.”

Eve managed to keep in her laugh until Linc and Rosie settled into their seats facing the field. “Those two are a handful.”

“Just no more pool parties. I don’t think the world can handle Rosie and Linc joining forces with Max and Sam again.”

“You would be correct,” Eve agreed. Then she turned to me. “My daughters are also a handful. Kate, I’d like to introduce you to Isaac’s family. This is Megan,” she waved to the older woman, then to the kids, “Rosie is his daughter. Is John here?”

“Here!” A man who could easily be a slightly older and shorter brother, stepped inside. “I hear ice cream has arrived.”

Eve picked up another bowl. “John, this is Kate. She’s helping the team be a better team.”

“Oh! I like anyone who helps out my sons. Kate is it?”

I nodded, my heart beating wildly in my chest. I was meeting Isaac’s parents without Isaac and without them knowing I slept in Isaac’s bed the last two nights. I wasn’t normally awkward about my sex life, but this made me feel like a teenager all over again.

“I’ve gotten to know both your sons over the last few weeks. They are both fantastic individuals.”

John beamed. “I’m so happy to see them doing what they love. They’re both single you know?”

I choked. Silently. Like a lady.

“John!” Megan admonished. “You are not a matchmaker! I’m so sorry, Kate.”

“It’s fine,” I croaked.

“It’s not. It’s inappropriate.”

John shrugged. “What? I want my boys to find partners in life. What’s so wrong with that?”

Megan rolled her eyes. “It’s not a buffet. You don’t go up to everyone you meet and ask them if they’re single.”

“Why not?” John laughed. “I just asked a question. I didn’t shove Everett in her face.”

I looked to the ceiling. If only they knew the truth.

The other woman, the tall, slender woman, interrupted them both. “Why don’t you two check on the kids? I’m Olivia, by the way.”

“Olivia is married to Chris Kaine and Linc is her son,” Eve offered.

“Oh yes, I’ve heard about you all.” And then I snapped my mouth shut because I shouldn’t have said that much.

Olivia’s eyebrows arched up and Eve looked at me sideways.