Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
“Well, that was interesting,” she mutters.
A few minutes later, she pulls up to my gated community. I hand her the swipe card and then she drives through. When we pull up to the front of my place, she takes a deep breath and looks at me like she wants to say something but has no clue where to even begin.
After opening and closing her mouth several times, I chuckle and say, “I had a good time. Call me later.” Then, I turn to the kids. “I’ll see you tomorrow at camp.” I put my fist out to fist bump Hunter, who nods. “And I’ll see you Saturday to build your balance beam. Have your mom text me a picture of the pink you want.” I shoot her a playful wink and she beams. I may’ve only been around these kids for a minute, but they’re already growing on me—just like their mother.
“What do you mean you’re not sure you’re going to take the position? I thought this is what you wanted,” my brother says. We’re hanging out at his place, watching a baseball game on TV. Heather is out at some book club meeting, and Kaelyn is asleep, which leaves the two of us to watch the game and throw back a couple of beers.
“It is, but just because I don’t take the one in Boston doesn’t mean I can’t get one somewhere else.” When I got home from hanging out with Harper and everyone, I found out I was offered a broadcasting position by ESPN. The catch is it’s in Boston, which would’ve been great, if I wasn’t thinking about placing roots here.
“Like where?” Brian asks.
“Like here.” I take a sip of my beer. “I emailed the hiring director back and asked them to see what they can find for me in Providence.”
Brian gives me a curious look. “If this is about you feeling guilty for not being around the last several years…”
“No, it’s not,” I say. “It’s about Harper.”
“Harper?” His brows rise to his hairline. He knows all too well how I feel about Harper. She was the girl who got away. Every time we would have a heart-to-heart—especially when we were drunk—I would pour my heart out to him about my regrets. I loved playing baseball, but if I had known it would mean losing Harper, I wouldn’t have left. Not many ballplayers get that, but Brian does. He’s a family man through and through. He was offered a college ball coaching position and turned it down because he didn’t want to be away from his family.
“She’s back in my life,” I admit.
Brian groans. “Tell me you’re not having an affair.”
“Hell no,” I hiss. “Harper isn’t like that, and neither am I.” I give him an incredulous look. “She’s divorced and has two kids: Hunter and Ella.”
“Hunter?” he questions.
“Yep, the kid who attends your camp. Did you know he can pitch almost eighty miles an hour without even trying?”
“No shit? How do you know that?” The thing about the camp he runs is that it’s not competitive. It’s about learning new skills and honing in on your craft. Because of that, we haven’t clocked any of the kids pitching.
I get Brian caught up on everything that’s happened recently: being set up on a blind date and finding out it was with Harper, going to dinner and to the arcade with the kids, and finding out through Hunter beating me that he can pitch damn good.
“What school does he go to?” Brian asks. I can already see the cogs in his brain turning. He teaches at the only public school in their small town, and he wants Hunter on his team.
“Some private school.”
“Would you mind if I talked to Harper?” he asks. “There’s only one private school in this town and their team sucks. He’ll never be able to show off his skills if he plays there.”
“He’s only entering eighth grade, so you still have another year. I can mention it to her this weekend, though, when I see her.” Speaking of which… I pull my phone out and shoot an email to the Reds’ publicist, Val, asking to have some tickets sent to me in front of home plate for Sunday’s game since it’s at home.
“So, you guys are what, dating?” Brian questions.
“We’re taking it one day at a time.”
“And you’re okay taking on two kids?” he asks. “It’s hard enough raising one kid that’s mine. I can’t imagine raising two that aren’t.”
“They’re a part of her, man.”
“And a part of Richie…”
“Richie might be their dad, but they’re all Harper. They’re amazing.” I shrug and take a sip of my beer.
“Never thought I’d see the day you would settle down.”
“It’s Harper,” I say, knowing I don’t have to explain anything further. She’s the only girl I could ever see myself settling down with.