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fifty-nine

Lane

Today’s game is dragging, all thanks to the weather.

It was pouring this morning, so we started the game with a rain delay. The game began about an hour late because of that.

On the one day I really need the game to not run over.

I am not missing my daughter’s recital.

We’re in the bottom of the eighth inning now, and since Josh and I batted in the last inning, we’re not batting again in this one unless the other guys bat really fucking well. So we’re just relaxing at the back of the dugout while we wait.

Well, he’s relaxing. I’m stressing.

“Take a breath, man,” Josh says. “Game’s almost over.”

“We’re only up by two runs. This game could easily head to extra innings with a two-run homer.”

“Lane,” Josh says emphatically, and I turn my head to face him. “Why are you so stressed about this? You’re never this stressed out.”

“I just… can’t miss her recital,” I breathe. “I already feel like I’m not around enough because of our chaotic schedule, and if I miss today, it’s going to show me that I can’t balance everything as she gets older. I won’t miss out on the things she does because I’m playing baseball.”

He gives me a reassuring smile. “Half of the guys on the team have kids, Lane. They’re managing fine.”

I let out a breath and rest my head on the back wall. “They aren’t single dads, Josh.”

He looks at me, waiting for me to come to whatever conclusion he’s come to. When I just stare back at him, he sighs and continues on. “You’re not a single dad either.”

“I literally am.”

“Your nanny has always traveled with the team, and now Sage has a mom. You’re not a single dad, Lane. Not anymore.”

Sage has been calling Olive her mom for weeks now, but I didn’t fully absorb what that meant until this moment.

I’ve always had my friends, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s just been Sage and me. I was raising her alone.

But that’s not true now. The woman of my fucking dreams came in and turned our lives upside down, and though she had no obligation to step into the mother role, she did, and she did it seamlessly.

When Olive is with us, she takes care of Sage just as much as I do.

She’ll help with meals, bath time, bedtime, playtime, and everything in between.

Josh is right. I’m not a single dad anymore.

I have Olive, Sage’s mom, and, if I have any say in it, my future wife.

I don’t need to rush that, though. Not gonna pull a Cole and Rory and get married on a whim.

No, that can wait.

I already have everything I could ever want.

I must be smiling as I watch the game because Josh chuckles next to me. “Love looks good on you, man.”

“I don’t think I could hide it if I tried,” I laugh. “I’m so far gone for her.”

“Oh, we all knew that back when you met her. You literally texted us an SOS when you found out she was Sage’s teacher. The old you wouldn’t have cared and just moved on to the next woman. Olive was always different.”

“I guess she was.”

“For what it’s worth,” he adds as we both stand now that the bottom of the inning is over. “You seem to be good for her, too. You’re good together.”

“No,” I state, fixing the cap on my head as I start to jog to my position in center field. “We’re fucking perfect together.”

When the Phoenix Sandstorms go three and out in the top of the ninth inning, we take the win five to three.

After the quickest shower of my life, I hightail it out of the stadium and head toward Finch Ballet Company, my friends—my family —following close behind. I make a quick pit stop to grab something for my girls, but we all arrive with just minutes to spare.

“There you are!” Rory says as we all enter the building.

“Sorry,” I huff, catching my breath after dashing through the doors. “Rain delay earlier.”

“Of all days.” She shakes her head.

“We haven’t missed her, right?” Harlow asks.

“No, you just made it,” Rory replies. “Sage and Liv are next.”

I let out a relaxed breath, and look around at everyone that showed up for my daughter.

Rory. Cole. Harlow. Knox. Ella. Josh. Ari. Lucia. Hell, even Paul is here.

I’m overwhelmed in the best way possible, surrounded by everybody I love.

I glance forward and find all the members of the Finch family in the front row, ready to watch their daughter/sister/sister-in-law with Sage. Her daughter.

That thought never fails to pull at my heartstrings.

The spotlights come on now, and the music starts playing. I recognize the song. It’s Olive’s favorite song to dance to— Romeo and Juliet . I’ve watched her dance to it around my penthouse, and now I can’t wait to see her dance to it with our daughter on stage.

When the curtains are drawn, Olive and Sage stand next to each other in center stage, smiles on their faces.

They’re wearing matching costumes, and since Liv is the best person I know, the costumes are purple.

Shimmery sleeveless tops with glittery, tulle skirts paired with light purple tights and their pointe shoes.

They both look breathtakingly beautiful.

I watch as my girls start moving around the stage, bending and spinning and leaping. Sage may only be three, but it’s clear she has a natural talent for this. Her moves aren’t perfect, but every time she finishes one, she watches as Olive beams at her, so proud of her student.

I can’t curb my emotions right now. Seeing the two of them together like this, so happy and carefree? I feel it deep in my soul, and I have to wipe the tears from the corners of my eyes.

My girlfriend and my daughter, the two loves of my life, sharing a perfect moment together on stage.

This right here is what I’ve always wanted.

Olive and Sage finish out their performance, and when Liv curtsies to end it, Sage instead claps excitedly and runs over to her, squeezing her leg as the audience laughs and awws.

The sweetest moment to close out the sweetest performance.

Since Olive and Sage were the last act, Eileen takes to the stage to end the recital, and everyone starts milling about. We’re still waiting in the back when Harvey walks up to us.

“Happy the game didn’t hold you up,” he smiles.

“Me too,” I chuckle. “We barely made it before their performance started thanks to that rain delay.”

“You did make it, though, and that’s what matters.” Harvey looks behind me and finally notices everyone else—namely, the five other New York Stars here with me. “Holy shit,” he whispers.

I laugh heartily before throwing my arm around his shoulder and walking him over to them. “Come here, Harv.”

Cole notices us first. “Who’s that, Brooks?”

“This is Olive’s brother, Harvey. He’s a massive Stars fan.”

“And very starstruck right now,” he laughs uneasily.

“Nice to meet you, man.” Cole turns to where the others are talking. “Paul, Knox, Josh, Ari. Get over here.”

Those four join in the conversation now, and I watch as Harvey gapes at them with stars in his eyes. Seems like it wasn’t just me he got starstruck over.

As long as I’m still his favorite player.

I hear giggles behind me, so I turn around and see my daughter sprinting at me. “Daddy!”

Sage leaps into my arms, and I scoop her up, pressing kisses all over her face. “Lovebug! You were so good!”

“She had a good teacher, huh?” Olive teases, coming to stand on my side.

“The best teacher,” I murmur, grasping the back of her head and pulling her in for a sweet kiss. “You were so incredible. Both of you.”

“In all the years I’ve done ballet, I’ve never had as much fun as I did today dancing around up there with Sage.”

I shoot her a soft smile before I reach behind me, coming back with the bouquets I purchased earlier. I hand one bouquet to Sage. “For my Lovebug.” Then I give the other to Olive. “And for my Ballerina.”

“Flowers!” Sage says happily. “Thanks, Daddy.”

“You’re so welcome,” I smile. “Love you, Sagie.”

“Love you, Daddy.”

I turn back to my girlfriend, gazing at her with nothing but love in my eyes. “Thank you for being so good to our girl, Liv.” I give her a gentle kiss. “I love you, baby.”

Olive smiles against my lips. “I love you, too, Hotshot.”

The conversations continue around us, but I pay them no mind. I’m so absorbed in this little bubble we’re in.

Just me, my Ballerina, and my Lovebug.

Just the way it’s always going to be.