Playing Hardball: Part 5

by Sharon Cummin

  “I'm sure you're exaggerating, Scott,” I said with a roll of my eyes.

  He picked his phone up from the table and handed it to me.

  “See for yourself,” he said. “Look in the call log for his number. Every single one of those calls was about you working.”

  My eyes widened. He wasn't kidding. It really was every single day.

  “I'm sorry,” I said. “I didn't realize it was that important to him.”

  “It was,” he said. “He said it was your decision to make. He wanted you to stay home because you wanted to not because he fought for it. He knew you had to do it for you.”

  “I am,” I said. “I'm not willing to give up that time with them.”

  “Remember that,” Scott said with a grin.

  “What does that mean?” I asked.

  “Nothing,” he said. “Now take your girl and go home. Don't distract my employees.”

  We both burst into laughter. I took Sammie from him and left the building before I did change my mind. I stopped by the store on the way home. When Sammie went down for her nap, I got to work.

  I heard his car beep. I loved that sound. It meant my man was home. I swung the door open and wrapped my arms around his neck before he even got the key in the lock. When I pulled back, he had a huge smile on his face. I knew it mirrored the one on my own.

  “I like this,” he said.

  “Oh yeah?” I asked.

  “For sure,” he said, as he covered my mouth with his.

  “Get used to it,” I said, as I grabbed his bag from his hand and walked into the house.

  He stood still and I heard him sniff.

  “That smells so good. I'm so damn hungry. I wanted to get straight home, so I skipped out on dinner. Please tell me that is not out of a box,” he said.

  “Nope,” I said. “Not out of a box.”

  I walked back over, took his hand, and pulled him toward the couch.

  “Sit down,” I said. “I want to talk to you about something.”

  “Fuck,” he whispered, as his ass hit the seat and his hands ran through his hair.

  “What?” I asked.

  “I don't want to argue, Firecracker,” he said, as he let his head fall back against the back of the couch and his eyes closed. “It's been a rough few days. I haven't seen you or the baby. When you opened that door, I was so excited. Then you tell me you made dinner. I am begging you to let me enjoy whatever it is you made with you and hold my girl before you drop whatever bomb it is you have to drop on me. I don't think I can handle it right now. The words talk to you about something make me nervous. Can we discuss it after I bury myself deep inside of you?”

  I could tell he was exhausted. Then I'd added worried to that. While I wouldn't have minded fucking with him, I knew it wasn't the time. I wanted him to enjoy his time at home, not run away. So, I made the sacrifice and put him out of his misery.

  “I quit my job today,” I said.

  It took a few seconds before his eyes opened. Then he turned his head to look at me.

  “I am begging you, Lucy, do not fuck with me right now,” he said.

  “I'm not,” I said. “You were right. Better write that down. I can't be away from Sammie, and I don't want to be working while you're home. I want to give her every bit of love I can. I want to cook for my man on the days he's home and take care of him at night. I don't want to be thinking about work while I'm with my family. You have given me the ability to be home, and I want to take it. So, would it be okay if I stayed home and didn't work?”

  “You said you already quit,” he said. “What if I said no?”

  I gave him the win, and he was fucking me with me. I even admitted he was right. I let out a huff and pushed off the couch, but he was faster than I was. His hand came out, snatched my arm, and pulled me onto his lap.

  “I'm sorry,” he said. “You have no idea how happy you've just made me. You even said I was right. I'm going to remember that forever. I want nothing more than for you to be home. It has nothing to do with you cooking for me, Lucy. Don't get me wrong, I love that you do that. I'm just saying that I want you home so Sammie has you. It's bad enough that I'm gone. She needs her mommy with her to care for and take care of her when daddy can't. Thank you very much for quitting your job and allowing me to take care of things. I love you so much, Firecracker.”

  “I love you too, Hotshot,” I said, as I leaned forward and kissed him.

  “Thank you for not fucking with me about it,” he said. “I know that was hard for you.”

  “Sure was,” I said, as I pushed off of him and stood up.

  I reached out for his hand.

  “Come eat,” I said. “I made lasagna.”

  “I can taste it now,” he said. “You have no idea how happy that makes me.”

  I stopped and looked down at him.

  “I have a piece I made just for you,” I said, as I pulled my hand from his.

  He reached out and smacked my ass so hard I yelped.

  “Not funny, woman,” he said. “I'll be home more very soon. You sure you're ready to deal with me all the time.

  “Oh, I'm more than ready,” I said. “I just hope you're ready to deal with all of this.”

  I moved my hand down and back up my body.

  “I'm ready right now if you want to wait on dinner,” he said as I walked toward the kitchen.

  I wanted to take him up on his offer, but I knew he'd missed dinner just to be home. There was no way I wanted him rushing what I had planned for the evening. Was that selfish? It sure was.

  “We can eat first,” I said. “I'd rather be dessert.”

  I planned on being dessert all night long. Setting down a plate with a huge piece of delicious looking lasagna in front of my man made me happier than I ever thought possible. I hoped he knew how much I loved him, because there weren't enough words to tell him.

  Chapter 17

  Lance

  Five Months Later

  I stood on the mound more nervous than I had ever been in my life. More nervous than even the most important game had ever made me. I looked around the crowd that was filling the seats. It was the first game of the season, and shit was about to get real. It had nothing to do with what you're thinking.

  Those last few months had flown by. There was no joking about it. I think time seriously flew. I'd been home with my girls so much more than before, but it was time to get back into the swing of things. I was about to be gone a lot and was not looking forward to leaving them. I'd made a decision without talking to Lucy about it, and I was so damn nervous about her finding out. I wasn't sure if she was going to be mad, worried, happy, or honestly not even want me when she found out. That wasn't what had me ready to pass the fuck out though.

  I'd gone to the cemetery the week before that day to have a heart to heart with Brad. Lucy knew nothing about it. I wasn't sure how she would feel, but it was something I had to do for me and out of respect for him. He'd been very important in her life, probably the most important person ever. He'd been there and loved her when she felt nobody else had. Then she'd lost him. If he were still alive, I definitely wouldn't have been standing on that mound feeling the way I was. I needed him to know I was going to take care of his girl. I needed to know what I was doing was okay. When I left that cemetery, I knew my life was changing for the better, if that were even possible. I also knew I wouldn't have it any other way. Brad would want her to be happy, and I was the one that was going to make sure she was happy every single day for the rest of her life.

  I wiped my hand across my forehead and then brushed it off on my pants. Why did seconds feel like hours, I wondered? Where the fuck were they? Everything needed to be perfect. It had to be. Nothing could mess it up.

  When I looked up, my heart began to race and my hands began to shake. Right in front of me, just at the edge of the field, stood Lucy with Sammie, Carrie with Cassie, Scott with James, and Carrie's parents. I saw her expression change the moment she looked up and o
ur eyes connected. My woman was about to lose her shit. Part of me wanted to do a little dance that she hadn't figured me out. The other part of me was so damn scared my love was going to crush me. I had no idea what was going to happen if she did, but it was a chance I had to take.

  There was confusion in her eyes, and I wanted her to know everything was okay. Everything was quiet around the field. I swear I felt like I would have heard a pin drop if someone would have dropped it. It was incredible. I held up two fingers toward her so she knew I was looking at her and the baby. Sammie was already almost seven months old, and she was already so big. Then I hooked my fingers toward me to let her know she needed to keep our girl in her arms and move forward. She shook her head no, and I nodded mine. I could see Scott behind her. He gave her a little nudge on the back to get moving. When she finally took that first step toward me, a smile spread across my face. I wanted to run to her, but I knew I needed her out there with me. I waited patiently for her to finally make it to the one place I spent so much of my time. Then I took a deep breath and took the baby from her arms. Please do not crush my heart, I thought, as I kissed my spot on Sammie's forehead. Every little girl dreams of a magical proposal, I thought in my mind. Then I went down on one knee hoping Lucy was about to make me the happiest man alive.

  Chapter 18

  Lucy

  Those months of having Lance home were awesome. I wasn't looking forward to him being gone so much again, but I put a smile on my face every time we talked about it. Sammie was going to miss him so much too. She was always with her daddy. He wanted to spend as much time with her as he could. She had grown so much and looked just like him. It was unreal just how much.

  I was talking to the woman that Lance had given the baby stuff to at least once a week. We'd even met up for lunch. She had a little boy and named him after his daddy. We were actually becoming good friends. I think we both needed someone to talk to, and it was really nice getting to know her.

  Carrie, Scott, the kids, and Carrie's parents were all in town to watch Lance play the first home game of the season. He asked me to go. I was so nervous. After the last time I'd gone, I wasn't sure I'd ever want to go again. I tried to use Sammie as an excuse to stay home, but he wasn't having it. He wanted us both there. He promised I wouldn't be running into anyone he had been with. I'd actually come to terms with his past. We both had one, and we both had to get over that. I finally agreed to go, but I was so nervous. We would be sitting with the teams families. I was so worried the wives would all be dressed to kill. I wasn't sure if any of them would even like me. He told me a million times I had nothing to worry about, but that didn't really help me any. The only reason I agreed to go was because of Carrie and her family. Scott promised he'd show me around the player only areas too.

  He'd already walked us around everywhere. Then we came to an area that had security. When we walked by them, I grabbed Scott.

  “Are you sure we're supposed to be back here?” I asked. “I don't want to get kicked out.”

  “We're fine,” he said.

  “We've been walking around forever. Let's go back to our seats. I don't want to miss his first pitch.”

  “You won't,” he said.

  “Scott,” I snapped. “I'm serious. I don't want to miss my man pitch.”

  Just as I said the word pitch, the dark area turned bright. We walked out on the dirt before hitting grass.

  “We are going to get in so much trouble,” I snapped. “I'm going back.”

  “You are not,” he snapped back.

  Then I looked up and seriously thought I was going to lose my shit. My eyes connected with Lance's. He was standing on the mound. We were on the damn field. He held up two fingers toward me and Sammie and hooked them for me to come forward. I shook my head like a crazy person. He just nodded. Scott nudged me from behind.

  “Go ahead,” he said.

  “I can't,” I squeaked out.

  “You can,” he said.

  I took that first step and the biggest smiled crossed my man's face. Then I took one after the other until I was in front of him. I loved him so much, but I was going to kick his ass for that shit. When I looked around, I could see people everywhere. The place was full. I couldn't believe how quiet it was. He looked nervous, but I wasn't sure why. He took Sammie from my arms. Then he turned her to face me. She had the biggest smile on her face. When Lance went down on one knee, I seriously couldn't breathe. My hand moved to cover my mouth. What the hell was he doing, I wondered? Shit! There were so many people. Then he spoke, and I jumped. I could hear his voice loud and clear. It was coming from all around me. What was happening was being heard by everyone. My eyes widened bigger than I thought possible.

  “Lance,” I whispered.

  My hands were shaking, and I couldn't believe my legs were still holding me up.

  “Lucy,” he began. “You're my firecracker. You're the love of my life. When I first spoke to you that day at that photo shoot, I knew there was something about you. I wasn't sure if it was good or bad. I just knew that you were treating me as I had never been treated before. You were mouthy and beautiful. You challenged me that day and have been challenging me every single day since. I never thought I'd want love. I never thought I'd want family. This was the place I belonged, right here on this mound. This team was my family. It was my life. You walked in and knocked my world into a spin that day. You treated me like you would treat anyone else. I was nobody special to you. I couldn't decide what I wanted that day. I wanted to kiss you so hard and throw you over my shoulder at the same time. You're something else, Lucy Stone. I tried to fight my feelings for you, I really did. No matter how hard I tried, it didn't work. As soon as I knew about our little one, I was over the moon. I knew I was going to be the best dad to our baby. Then something happened that changed my life. I got a call and had to make a decision that could have changed my career, the only thing I'd lived for before then. Without a second thought, I took that risk. Our daughter was born, and she was perfect with all of her tiny toes and fingers. I thought we were good. Then all heck broke loose. I will never forget that day. I've never cried like I did as they shoved me out of the room. I thought I was losing you, the woman I loved. I prayed so hard for you to be okay. I offered up my own life. I loved you, and I hadn't even told you. My life will never be the same again. I will never let a day go by without telling you I love you. You're it for me, babe. You're mine. I thank you more than you will ever know for giving me the greatest gift in the world, our beautiful baby girl. You are such an amazing mom. Thank you for giving us a chance. I love you more than you will ever know, Firecracker. Will you make me complete by standing by me every day for the rest of my life. I promise to always be there. I promise to care for you and keep you safe. I promise to always love you. Most of all, I promise that with me by your side you will never be alone. What do you say, babe? Will you marry me? Will you be my forever?”

  I looked down at him and our baby as tears flowed down my cheeks. Then I nodded my head. When he pulled the box from his pocket and opened it, I cried even harder. He stood up, slid the ring on my finger, and pulled me in to hug them. Then he held me by his side and looked around the crowd.

  “I'd like to introduce my fiance Lucy and our baby girl Sammie,” he yelled into the microphone.

  The crowd cheered, and I pulled his face in to kiss him.

  “You're something else, Hotshot,” I said through my tears. “You're my Hotshot.”

  The smile on his face made me smile. He brushed away my tears and hugged me again. Then he kissed our daughter and handed her to me. I walked back to where Carrie and her family were standing. Her mom pulled me and Sammie into a hug and was congratulating me.

  “I have one more announcement to make,” Lance said into the microphone, and I turned quickly back to face him. “This is the first home game of the season. Thank you all for being here to support all of us. It means more than you will ever know. I'd also like to thank you all for being a part of
my amazing career. Baseball has been my life since I was a little boy. It gave me a family when I really needed one. I will always be grateful for that. This team is my family. It will always be a huge part of my life. I will never forget any of them. I would like to announce that this will be my last season with the Pirates. It is going to be an amazing season. Thank you all for taking this ride with me. You're not getting rid of me completely though. I will be at every home game next season, but I won't be on the field. I'll have my wife and little girl next to me. This will always be my team. I still love the game as much as I always have, but I want to be with my family now. Thank you all for letting me be a part of such a great family. You mean the world to me.”

  I could tell he was getting choked up. He looked over at me, and I shook my head. Again he nodded. Then he winked at me. I had no idea he was even considering leaving. That was his career and his life. We would definitely be discussing it later.

  When I turned back to Scott, he looked a bit nervous.

  “You knew,” I said.

  “I did,” he said.

  “Who else?” I asked, as I looked around at the rest of them.

  “Just me,” Scott said. “He came to talk several times. It was not a decision he made lightly, Lucy. He doesn't want to be away from the two of you. Remember when you told me that very same thing.”

  “Shit,” I said. “You knew then?”

  “Yes,” he said. “There was no changing his mind.”

  “He loves his career,” I said. “Do you remember all of that? He said he'd never let anything get in the way of it. It was his life. It was his everything.”

  “Things have changed since he first said that to you,” Scott said. “You don't feel the way you did then either. You and Sammie are what matter to him now. He loves you.”

  We stood long enough to see Lance throw the first pitch. Then we headed to the family area. All of the wives congratulated me and passed Sammie around. I'd never met them before, but they pulled me right into their family. They weren't dressed to kill, and they didn't judge me. I honestly felt like one of them. I looked down at my ring and then out at my man. He really was special. All those times I'd given him shit for thinking he was special. He was right the whole time. There was no way I'd ever tell him that. That man's head was big enough.