Beyond the Bases

by Kaylee Ryan

  “Okay.” She skips back toward us and grabs his hand, then reaches for mine. That’s how we walk to the event tent that’s serving lunch. From the outside looking in, we look like a family, one that I know my little girl craves. Worry starts to ramp up again, but I push it back. He’s been nothing but great, and I have to trust in that.

  Easton takes charge and grabs two plates, making one for him and one for my daughter. She points out what she wants, and he adds it to her plate. I follow along behind them, watching and listening to their interaction. He sits us at a table with a group of guys who I recognize from that day in the restaurant. “Guys, you remember Larissa,” he says with a hint of pride in his voice. “And this is Paisley.”

  “I’m his princess,” she announces, climbing up in the chair he pulled out for her.

  “That you are.” Easton laughs it off, as if her statement is no big deal.

  “I hear you play ball,” Fisher says to her.

  “Yep. What do you do?” she asks them, just like the little adult she always seems to be.

  “We play professional baseball.”

  “You play with my East?” she asks innocently.

  Fisher’s eyes flick to Easton, as do mine, and he’s staring at my daughter like she lights up his world. “We do,” Fisher finally tells her. That seems to be answer enough for her as she picks up her hotdog and takes a big bite.

  “Where are your kids?” Paisley asks the group of guys sitting in front of us.

  Drew speaks up, “We don’t have kids. We’re just here to support the team.”

  She furrows her brow, thinking about what he said. “What about your mommy?”

  This causes all the guys to chuckle. “She doesn’t live close, but the Blaze, the entire team is our family,” he explains.

  Her eyes go wide. “That’s a big family. I just have my mommy, my grandma, Aunt Chloe, and my East.” She ticks off the names on her fingers. Something she started doing a few weeks ago.

  “P, you need to eat so we can go see the rest of the animals,” I tell her, changing the subject. I’m sure she’s giving them way more information than Easton would like.

  “Okay, Mommy.” She continues to eat, not realizing the heavy conversation she just started. I don’t look at the guys or Easton for that matter. I don’t want to see the pity in their eyes.

  The remainder of lunch breezes by with Paisley stealing the show. Luckily, nothing too heavy after our initial greetings. She rambles on about the exhibits she’s seen so far and even convinces the guys that they should play catch with her—of course, she asks Easton if he’ll be mad at her if she plays with them. By the time we’re finished, my daughter has charmed these big, burly guys. So much so that they all give her a fist bump with the promise of playing catch in the future.

  “I think she’s had enough,” I tell Easton a couple of hours later. Paisley is slowing down, and her excitement wains as exhaustion sets in.

  Without a word, he bends down and scoops her up in his arms. She lays her head on his shoulder and snuggles into him, completely trusting. He laces his fingers through mine, and we head toward the exit. Once we reach his truck, he releases my hand and opens the back door to put her in her seat.

  “You have fun today, princess?” he asks her.

  “Yeah,” she says softly. She’ll be asleep before we’re out of the lot. “East,” she calls out for him as he pulls his head out of the truck. Immediately he leans back in.

  “What’s up?” he asks her.

  “I love you,” she says, causing my heart to skip a beat.

  “Always speak from the heart.” His whispered words are husky. It’s obvious her words have affected him as well.

  “What’s that?” her tired voice asks.

  “My mom…” He stops. I can imagine him swallowing back his emotions. “My mom used to tell me that all the time when I was little. When you speak from your heart, your true feelings show. She used to tell me you should always be honest with yourself and follow your heart,” he tells her.

  “Do you—What did you say?” she asks him.

  “Speak from your heart.”

  “Do you speak from your heart?” she asks him.

  “I do. Always. I always try to stay true to myself. I don’t let what others think convince me to change my mind. I let my heart guide me.”

  “That’s why I love you,” she tells him. “And you play with me,” she adds, sounding more like the four- going on five-year-old that she is.

  There’s silence, and then he speaks. His voice is low, so I have to strain to hear him. “I love you too, princess.”

  I suck in a breath, my heart stilling in my chest. East pulls his head out of the truck and closes the door. His hands land on my hips, and he guides me until my back hits the bed of the truck, out of Paisley’s sight. His lips crash to mine. My hands find their way to his hair as I kiss him back with all that I have. There are a million different emotions rushing through me, and I can’t decipher which one is more prominent—Worry, fear, gratitude, and, dare I say, love. It’s too soon, but damn if my heart doesn’t seem to care.

  Easton slows the kiss and rests his forehead against mine. “You slay me, both of you. I hope that was okay. I just… she’s easy to love.”

  My heart kick-starts, swelling in my chest. “We should go,” I say, because what do I say to that? Tell him that I think if I let myself, I could fall in love with him too? Tell him that if I really sit down and think about it, that I’m already headed down that path? I’m too raw to expose those details just yet. It’s too soon. I’m not as open and brave as my daughter. One thing is for sure, if this ends, there are three hearts that will be broken. Of that I’m certain.

  After our day at the zoo, I flew out the next day for a three-game stretch on the road. We won two of the three. Last night’s game was a late one, but this morning’s flight is bright and early. Normally I would bitch about the time, but the sooner this plane lifts off, the sooner I can get back to my girls. That’s how I think of them now, as my girls. How can I not? They’re both becoming necessary, important people in my life.

  As soon as we’re off the plane, I fire off a text to Larissa.

  Me: We just landed. I’m missing my girls.

  Larissa: Mom is keeping P tonight. I have the early shift at the restaurant tomorrow and the daycare is closed, so Mom took a vacation day.

  Me: I could have watched her.

  Larissa: I couldn’t ask you to do that.

  Me: Next time check with me. A day with Princess Paisley sounds like a good time to me.

  Larissa: LOL. You say that now.

  Me: So what time are you taking her to your mom’s?

  Larissa: After her game.

  Me: She has a game tonight?

  Larissa: Yes.

  Larissa: You’re welcome to come.

  I read her message and know that inviting me was hard for her. She’s cautious when it comes to all things Paisley.

  Me: I’ll be home in an hour. I’ll send you my address. Come on over. We’ll swim and grill out before her game.

  Larissa: You’re sure?

  Me: Absolutely.

  It will be the first time that either of them have been there. I hold my breath, waiting for her reply, wanting them in my space more than I realized.

  Larissa: Okay. Let me get her ball stuff together and a change of clothes.

  Me: See you soon, baby.

  I’m barely on the road headed home when my phone rings. “Hey, Dad,” I answer after seeing his name come across the dash.

  “East, how are you, son?”

  “Good, just leaving the airport.”

  “That’s why I’m calling. You had three damn good games.”

  “Did Mark tell you that?” I tease. It’s a running joke in our family that Uncle Mark loves the game more than Dad. He could have gone pro but had a knee injury that kept him in the dugout.

  “Very funny, smartass.” He laughs good-naturedly. “So, what’s
up? Your mom mentioned she hasn’t talked to you much lately.”

  I don’t even hesitate to tell him. “I met someone.”

  “Tell me more.” I can imagine him sitting back in his chair, propping his legs up on his desk.

  “She’s gorgeous and sweet, and she has a little girl. She’s four.”

  “Have you met her?”

  “Yeah, we’ve hung out a few times. Great kid.”

  “Not that you need the reminder, but as your father, that’s my job. There are three hearts at stake here, Easton.”

  “I know that, Dad. Trust me, I do. I also know that my heart… it races anytime she’s near,” I confess.

  “This sounds all too familiar to me,” he says with a laugh.

  “When did you know?” I ask him. “When did it hit you that Mom and I were what you wanted?”

  “I knew the night I met her. I hadn’t met you yet, but you’re an extension of her, and I never stood a chance not to love either one of you.”

  “I’m in deep, Dad.”

  “Of course you are. You’re a Monroe. That’s how we do it, all-in. When do we get to meet them? And you need to call your mother,” he chastises.

  I laugh. “Soon, I hope. I’ll call Mom, I promise.”

  “Good. Take care, son.”

  “You too and, Dad…” I pause, giving my words the attention they need. “I love you.”

  “Love you too, son.” I can hear the emotion in his voice before the line goes dead. Jeff Monroe is the type of man I want to be. He loves us unconditionally, and that’s what I want to do for my girls. I want to take the worry from Larissa’s eyes and replace it with the carefree happiness I’ve only seen a glimpse of. I want to be at Paisley’s games and scare the shit out of her dates when they come to pick her up when she’s thirty. I can see our future, picture it in my mind. I just need Ris to catch up.

  When I pull into the driveway, her SUV is already there. I hit the button on the garage door and pull in, opening the second door as well. When I climb out of my truck, I motion for her to pull in.

  “Why?” she asks, rolling down her window.

  “Just humor me.”

  She rolls those big green eyes and shakes her head, but she pulls into the second bay. I head to the back to help Paisley out of her seat, but she beats me to it. “I didn’t think you would ever get here,” she says in a sassy yet cute way only she can pull off.

  “I know. I was gone forever,” I agree with her. I, too, feel as though it took me forever to get them here. To be home with them.

  “Your house is really big,” Paisley says, latching onto my hand.

  “You think so?” I ask her, and she nods.

  Larissa climbs out, and without thinking, I snake my free hand around her waist and pull her into me, placing a quick kiss to her lips. “I missed you,” I whisper.

  “What about me?” Paisley asks. “Did you miss me? I didn’t get a kiss,” she points out.

  Bending, I pick her up in my arms, settle her on my hip, and kiss her on the cheek. “I missed both of you.” I tickle her sides, causing her to laugh. “Come on, ladies, the pool is calling our name.”

  “I gots a game tonight, so I can’t get too tired, right, Mommy?” Paisley asks.

  “That’s right, sweetie. I say we swim and then maybe catch a nap?”

  “I don’t like naps,” Paisley grumbles.

  “Really?” I ask her, a schooled expression on my face. “I love naps. I would nap every single day if I could.”

  “You do?” Her eyes are wide.

  “Sure. Everyone loves naps.”

  “Will you take one with me?” she asks.

  “Of course I will. We can all take a nap after our swim. How does that sound?”

  “Really good,” she agrees. I smile over at Larissa, and she just shakes her head.

  About an hour of splashing around in the pool, and I can tell Princess Paisley is wearing down. “I’m tired,” I say, faking a yawn, covering my mouth.

  “Yeah, me too,” she says, mimicking me.

  “What do you say we take that nap?”

  “Yeah, Mommy, you ready for a nap?” she asks Larissa.

  “I think so.” Larissa stretches in her barely-there bikini. It’s really uncomfortable to be sporting wood and playing in the pool with a four-year-old. I had to keep my distance from her mother. That’s all I need to do is traumatize Paisley for life. Her mother on the other hand….

  “Y’all can change in my room. I’ll grab some clothes and change across the hall.” I rush up the stairs and grab some basketball shorts, underwear, and a T-shirt out of my dresser. “I’ll be done in a minute.” I change quickly, leaving my wet clothes hanging on the side of the tub.

  When I knock on my bedroom door, Paisley announces for me to come in. They’re sitting on the edge of the bed while Larissa braids her hair. “You ready for that nap?” I ask her.

  “Where are we sleeping?”

  “Here,” I tell her, finding Larissa’s eyes. Heat flares between us.

  “Is this your room?” Paisley asks.

  “Yeah, you think my bed is big enough for all three of us?”

  “Yes. It’s the most biggest bed I’ve ever seen. Mommy said I’m not allowed to jump on it.”

  “Did she?”

  “Yeah,” she says, dejected.

  “What if I told you that when you wake up from your nap, you can jump on my bed?”

  “I say it’s time for a nap.” She crawls from the foot of the bed to the top and pulls back my dark gray comforter. “This is gray like my name,” she informs us.

  “Wow, you’re super smart,” I tell her with a smile.

  “I know,” she replies, climbing under the covers, making me laugh and Larissa scold her about her manners.

  I move to stand behind Larissa. “Ready for your nap, baby?” I ask, trailing my index finger down her back.

  “Y-yes,” she sputters before climbing in and curling up beside Paisley. I take a minute to commit the scene before me to memory. If I have my say, there will be many, many more days just like this one, but in the event it doesn’t turn out that way, I never want to forget this moment.

  “East, you’re ’posta be napping,” Paisley reminds me.

  “Let me get the light.” I turn off the light and then walk to the windows and pull the blinds, blocking out the sun. When I climb into bed, Paisley grabs my hand and pulls me closer to them. She then grabs Larissa hand and places it in mine, settling our joined hands on her lap and resting hers on top of ours. “Night, night, family,” she says, closing her eyes.

  My eyes find Larissa’s, and I see her tears brimming. I want to pull her into my arms and kiss her soft lips. I want to tell her that I want to take naps like this every day. I want to tell her that I want to be their family. Instead, I give her hand a gentle squeeze. She closes her eyes and snuggles up to Paisley. We lie there in the quiet room, nothing but the sound of our even breathing. When her hand goes lax in mine, I know she’s asleep. When Paisley rolls over and snuggles up into her mom’s chest, I feel a pang of longing in mine. Careful not to wake them, I slide over and wrap my arms around both of them. Once I have them where they are meant to be, I’m able to fall asleep.

  I was a little worried about East being at Paisley’s game, but it worked out. The dads were eager to meet him, and the moms were eager to talk to him. All the while, he stood there with his hand in mine or his arm over my shoulders, and after they won the game, my daughter was in his arms. When a guy from the other team asked him for his autograph, he asked him to call the main office and he would get it to him, but today he was with his family.

  “I like being your family, East,” Paisley says before biting into her hot dog that he just grilled for her. We’re sitting on his back deck having dinner. Hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill.

  “You do?”

  “Yep.”

  “Well, I like it too,” he tells her.

  “Can I stay here instead of going
to Grandma’s?” she asks.

  “No, sweetie. Mommy has to be at work early tomorrow,” I answer.

  “I can stay with East.” She says this like we should have already figured out that was the best answer.

  “Sorry, princess. We have to listen to what Mommy says. I fly out on Tuesday, but I’ll be back Thursday afternoon. Maybe we can have dinner here?”

  “Where you going?”

  “I have a game in Chicago. Then I have two games here at home, one Friday and one Sunday. Maybe you and your mom can come and watch me play?”

  “Can we, Mommy?”

  He looks over at me, waiting for my answer. “We’ll see if we can get tickets to the game on Sunday.”

  “Babe, you don’t need to get tickets. I have that covered. You just need to tell me if you want to sit with the other wives and girlfriends or in the stands behind the dugout.”

  “Which one is closer to you?” Paisley asks. She has no idea that my heart is beating like a bass drum in my chest at him referring to me as his girlfriend.

  “The dugout.”

  “I wanna sit by you,” she tells him.

  “Ris?”

  “Dugout it is. You sure it’s okay?” I ask, chewing on my bottom lip.

  “Positive,” he replies, grinning wildly.

  “What’s the big grin for?” I ask. It’s causing a flurry of butterflies in my belly. Easton Monroe is gorgeous, but when he pulls out the big guns and you’re on the receiving end of one of his megawatt smiles, he’s breathtaking. That’s the only word I can think of to describe him.

  “My girls are coming to watch me play,” he says simply.

  We finish dinner, and I pack up Paisley’s things to take her to Mom’s. “Thank you for today,” I tell him.

  “You’re coming back, right?”

  “Uh, I…. Do you want me to?”

  “Ris,” he says, snaking an arm around my waist.

  I look into the kitchen where Paisley is sitting at the table playing on her tablet. “I wasn’t sure,” I confess.