Page 40 of Big Daddy to Go

14

Kane

My softball team is warming up on the baseball diamond at Central Park. As I toss the ball with Joey, the first baseman, I’m keeping an eye out for Lexi, hoping she’ll show up. She was less than confident about us actually spending time together outside of the bedroom.

I understand her qualms about dating since I have similar doubts. But I sense she’s been burned recently and badly. The thought that someone broke Lexi’s heart makes me angry.

“Amy and Michelle are here,” Joey says, nodding at the two girls walking toward the dugout.

“Great,” I sigh.

Joey laughs, “You had fun with Amy once upon a time.”

I toss the ball to Joey and laugh.

“Who hasn’t had fun with Amy? Besides, I didn’t even sleep with her. We had a drunken kiss that she initiated, and she’s been trying to get more out of me ever since.”

My softball team isn’t exactly in a beer league. We’re a corporate league made up of teams owned by big businesses. The groupies who hang around our games are after more than a man who looks good in a uniform.

I catch Joey’s throw just as I notice Lexi walking onto the field. The sun shines through her curly hair as it frames her face. Sunglasses cover her eyes, and she’s wearing a casual navy t-shirt dress with sneakers. I wave to her before tossing the ball back to Joey.

“Be right back,” I tell him before I jog over to Lexi. “You’re here.”

She smiles. “Did you think I’d stand you up?”

“I hoped you wouldn’t.”

“And miss seeing you in a baseball uniform?” she murmurs as her eyes look me over.

I tug the bottom of her dress, pulling her toward me and pecking her on the lips. As we pull apart, I see Lexi’s eyes wander behind me. I look over my shoulder to see Amy and Michelle staring.

“Who’s your friend?” Amy asks, strutting over with her belly button piercing exposed and her daisy dukes riding up her thighs.

“This is Lexi,” I reluctantly introduce her. “Lexi, this is Amy and her sister Michelle.”

“Kane and I go way back,” Amy smirks.

Lexi folds her arms under her chest and nods as if she’s interested in what Amy has to say.

“Kane!” Mike calls out to me. “Come on!”

I look back at Lexi.

“Are you going to be okay?” I whisper.

Lexi nods, but she doesn’t look too happy about Amy and Michelle. They keep staring at us, but when I turn around, they pretend to be cheering on the team.

After greeting the other team, we’re up first. I head for the dugout and see Lexi sitting alone in the bleachers. I suddenly feel bad for asking her here. It isn’t exactly the kind of quality time I want to spend with her. And I’m sure it’s boring for her to sit by herself.

Normally, some of the other team members’ girlfriends or wives are here. With the game being on a weekday, though, I guess it was too hectic for them to come. I’ve always wanted to have someone cheering me on in the stands, but looking at Lexi, I can tell she feels out of place.

“So, is that who you were with Friday night?” Mike asks as he swings his bat to warm up.

I laugh. “Maybe.”

“She’s definitely not the type you meet at Marquee,” he comments understandingly. “I’m happy for you, buddy,” he says as he pats my back.

“It’s still new,” I brush it off. “She’s fun.”