Page 19

19

GEORGIA

“ Y ou sure I look alright? I feel a little too glammed up for a ballgame,” I say to Ava as the limo glides along.

“You’re straight up slaying. Cade Jennings can eat his cold heart out.”

The limo ride is so smooth it’s like we’re floating on air. Country music streams quietly through the high-quality sound system. It feels so luxurious and foreign that it makes me even more nervous. The new car smell and leather is divine. It seems a waste that there are only three of us; there is so much unused space. The plush leather seats are soft against my bare thighs. There’s even a mini-bar with drinks and snacks for goodness’ sake. It’s like we’re in a movie or something. August is strapped into his car seat next to me and Ava is seated across from us. “I feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman ,” I comment.

“Don’t get seduced by the trappins’,” Ava warns.

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

Ava grins. “But seeing as the three of us are limo virgins we may as well make the most of it. I’m mixing myself a drink.” She opens the mini-fridge and scoops some small ice cubes into a glass then grabs a bottle of top-shelf gin and pours a generous shot. “Wow, they even have lemon wedges. Can you finish this Sprite? I only need a splash.”

“Sure.”

She hands me the can and then uses a cocktail straw to stir her drink. Sipping loudly, she smacks her lips, “Mm. Now that’s what I call a drink.”

Auggie makes car noises, concentrating on the toy I brought him to play with. Elly and Elmo have taken a back seat lately. But Elly is in the tote bag and when August gets sleepy that’s still his go-to. Me and Ava smile indulgently.

“Here Augs,” I say handing him a sippy cup with apple juice.

“He looks so dang precious in that ball uniform,” Ava says.

The jersey is royal blue with the number eight printed on the back, just like his daddy’s. The bottoms are white with blue pinstripes and his little Nikes are white and light blue with a royal blue logo.

“His little Nikes are so stinkin’ cute. He is not having that ball cap though,” I reply. “I’ll try again when we get there. Do you want a snack?’ I ask as I sort through the treat basket and grab the Lorna Doone biscuits for August.

“I’m good.”

“To tell you the truth I’m too nervous to eat. My stomach is tied in knots. You sure this outfit isn’t too much?” I ask.

“Positive. You look gorgeous. You’re twenty-nine, not eighty-nine. You’ve got a hot body, may as well be strutting your stuff. Besides, nothing trashy about that outfit. It screams big city which is hella better than Hicksville. I paid an arm and a leg for it at the Firefly Boutique. I’m going to have to consider giving it to you. It looks a lot better on you than it does on me.”

I have to admit I do feel pretty Vogue. I’ve layered a khaki spaghetti strapped leotard with an off-the-shoulder slim-fitting white tee then paired it with a loose khaki mini skirt that sits right on my hips. The wide brown belt I borrowed matches my cowboy boots, which, I might add, are all mine. They’re one of my few extravagant purchases it took me weeks to decide on. My hair is loose and thanks to the new conditioner Mama brought home from the salon, all soft and shiny.

“There’s going to be cameras and news people. This is a big deal,” I whine.

“I wouldn’t waste your worry. They don’t care about us. They’ll be focused on the players.”

“I can’t help it,” I say. “This is a far cry from my ordinary life.”

“I for one, don’t give a hooey what they think of me,” Ava declares.

“You look beautiful. You always do,” I say. And it’s true. She has the same color eyes and hair as me and Mama, you can definitely tell we’re kin. She’s tall and slightly curvy like me and not afraid to show it. She decided to wear a jersey from the opposing team, which I tried to talk her out of, and she tucked it into low-riding skinny jeans. She left the top buttons of her shirt undone enough to provide subtle glimpses of her sexy curves. Her hair is in two pigtails with tendrils framing her pretty face. The single guys in the locker room are about to have their world rocked.

A fter a thirty-minute drive and two stiff drinks for Ava, we arrive at the stadium and enter the parking garage. “Cade told me to text him when we get here,” I say. My hands are shaking as I shoot him a text.

Me: Just got here.

Cade: Great! See you in a nano.

The driver drops us off right at the elevators where Cade is already waiting. As I step out of the limo, I can’t help but feel like we’re making some kind of grand entrance. The driver holds the door as we pile out. Cade’s eyes go wide and he lets out a wolf whistle.

“Is it just me or did this parking garage just get hotter?” he jokes. “That outfit is giving! Nice shirt, Ava. San Diego, huh?”

Ava gives a slight sneer. “Thanks. I wore it just for you.”

“No doubt in my mind. Glad you could make it.”

“I didn’t have a choice,” she says, voice saccharine sweet.

I elbow her and hiss in her ear, “Be nice.”

“They might not let you in with that shirt on,” Cade says.

“Free country last time I checked,’ Ava snips.

Cade seems unfazed as he reaches into the limo to get August. “Hey buddy.”

“Da da,” he chirps. I hear Ava snort. I shoot her a look. I’m second-guessing my insistence that she come. She’s supposed to be here to support me, not antagonize Cade.

“Where’s his ball cap?” Cade asks over his shoulder.

“In the diaper bag.”

He opens the tote and pulls out the cap sitting right on top then plops it onto August’s head. Auggie grins happily and says, “Me hat.” Grrr. I’m beginning to detect a pattern.

“Yeah, see I have one exactly like it.” Cade touches his brim. His dark curls peek out from under his cap and my heart melts a little as he shares a playful smile with Auggie.

“Goodie for you,” Ava drawls. “Matchie matchie. Your little mini-me. Must do wonders for your ego.”

“Ava, can you give me a break?” Cade says. “I’d like to enjoy my son’s first game.”

She sighs dramatically. “I’ll try, for Auggie’s sake.”

“Thank you.”

I wring my hands nervously as we enter the elevator and descend. When the doors swish open, we step into a corridor lined with Cutter logos and memorabilia. Even the cement has painted Cutter logos like stepping stones.

Cade is bringing the heat in his fitted uniform that accentuates his physique. Tight behind, confident stride, he exudes an air of leadership. He points out things as we follow and I must admit he and August paint the cutest dang picture in matching outfits.

“I’ll give you a two-cent tour of the clubhouse then someone will take you to your seats,” Cade says. “Unfortunately, I don’t have enough time to do it myself. I have to hustle out to the field for warm-up.”

We follow him into the clubhouse which he informs us is adjacent to the locker room. It’s relativity empty with a few stragglers rushing about who do double-takes when they catch sight of Cade and August. A few people call out to Cade as they pass.

The clubhouse is large, with a kitchen and dining area as well as an entertainment center with televisions, games and comfortable seating.

“Here’s where the coach tells us off… we have meetings and strategize here and do the aftergame press conferences. We have a weight room and recovery area back there,” he waves to another entrance, “and showers and stuff are through the locker rooms.”

The centerfielder, Dean, rushes by in full uniform then comically stops on a dime retracing his steps backward. “Dude! This must be August. Wow, when you said he looked like you, you weren’t lying.”

“August, can you say hi to Dean?”

August grins at him revealing that adorable gap between his two front teeth. Cade takes Aug’s hand and waves it at Dean, making August giggle.

“Hey little dude,” Dean says then notices Ava and me standing behind Cade. His eyes widen appreciatively and he lets out a low whistle. “Goddesses! There outta be a law! Hey, Georgia. Remember me? We met at the charity event.”

“I remember. Nice to see you again.”

“And it’s obvious this is your sister. Hi, I’m Dean.”

“I’m Ava. Nice to meet you. Good luck tonight.”

“Thanks.” He looks at her speculatively. “I can’t believe they let you in here with that shirt on.”

She shrugs and flashes a mischievous grin. “Sorry, not sorry. As I was telling your friend,” she nods towards Cade, “free speech and all that.”

“The clubhouse is sacred. It’s excluded from the First Amendment when it comes to loyalty. I guess we’ll have to let it slide tonight since you didn’t know better but don’t let it happen again,” he says jovially. “I hope to see you guys after the game. Gotta go. Bruh, I hate to break up your family reunion but it’s past time.” He trots off and Cade reluctantly hands over August.

“I gotta go,” he says then yells over to an usher standing by the exit, apparently waiting for us. “Hey Joe, I’m heading to the field now, can you show them to their seats?” He turns to me. “If you want any snacks or drinks from the clubhouse before you get seated feel free to help yourselves.”

I shake my head. “We’re fine. We can find our way to the concession stands.”

He strokes Auggie’s cheek before he leaves, then he’s gone and it feels like the life got sucked out of the room. To my shock, August’s eyes well with tears and he reaches towards the door Cade disappeared through seconds ago.

“Well, I never,” Ava huffs, shaking her head in disbelief. Under her breath, she says “Little traitor.”

“Shh, if I can hear you so can he,” I grumble.

“Blame it on the gin,” she says smiling sweetly. “Let’s find our seats.”

“Follow me, ladies,” Joe says.

“ F or the life of me, I don’t know how he sleeps through all this racket,” I yell over the cheering crowd. My little lug is sound asleep in my arms. He didn’t even twitch when the entire stadium erupted over his daddy’s home run in the seventh and the fireworks exploded. The Cutters just won the game after torturing us until the very last inning to take the lead. It was a real nail-biter.

Ava says, “Cade’s head is going to be as big as the Great Pumpkin after that game.”

“If he doesn’t get MVP it’s rigged,” I reply. “He was incredible.” I know I sound like a fan girl but I can’t help myself. He made some plays that were the stuff of superheroes.

“I have to admit that catch he made was something for the history books. Looked like he jumped five feet off the ground. Robbed Jason King of a grand slam pure and simple,” Ava says.

We have prime seats right behind the dugout on the first base side. Cade waved to us several times before going up to bat. The people in neighboring seats had looked to see who he was waving at and immediately landed on August. I’m regretting not naming him Junior.

“I hope we can find our way back to the clubhouse,” I say. Since it’s Fireworks Friday, we’re staying in our seats till after the show.

“I’m sure Joe has his instructions,” Ava says dryly. “We’re VIPs after all.”

“That’s true enough. Pass me the popcorn,” I say. I shovel a handful into my mouth right as Cade slides into the seat next to me. Dang it. I try to swallow quickly and choke.

“You alright?” he asks. I nod, trying to stop coughing. His hair is still damp from his shower and he smells fresh, kind of woody and spicy mixed together. Any freshness I might have had disappeared by the third inning. Even though Ava and I traded off holding Augs my arms are aching after a three-hour game. I feel like a wilted mess.

“Want me to take August from you?”

“Please,” I say, gratefully. “How’d you get here so fast?”

“I begged off a post-game interview then hopped through the shower as fast as I could.”

Ava leans forward and says, “By the way, Mr. MVP, good game.”

Cade situates Auggie on his lap, then says, “Do I detect a thaw?”

“Just for today,” she replies. “Don’t get used to it.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it. Shouldn’t we wake him up for the fireworks?”

“Go ahead,” I say.

He shakes Auggie gently awake and says “Hey buddy, better wake up, the fireworks are about to start.” August blinks sleepily rubbing his eyes then sees Cade doing the talking and lights up like a Christmas tree. Yeah, there is most definitely a pattern here. I can’t say too much about it since I feel the same damn way. Down girl! Co-parenting is all this is.