Page 84 of Zero Divergence

“We didn’t gain anything from this interview,” Royce said.

“We didn’t lose any ground either,” Sawyer countered, smiling up at him. He glanced at his watch. “We have a ball game to get to.”

Royce smiled for the first time since leaving their house that morning. He couldn’t wait to introduce Sawyer to Candi and the kids. “We do.”

Marc’s game was ironically on the field named in Vic’s honor. Royce recalled seeing Sawyer wearing a baseball jersey with the name Ruiz embroidered on the back of it as he tossed the ceremonial first pitch. So much had changed between the first visit to Victor Ruiz Jr field and this one. Sawyer was the love of his life, not just a virtual stranger Royce was wildly attracted to but determined to resist. Instead of hiding from his feelings, Royce embraced them.

“Hey, guys,” Royce said cheerfully as they approached.

“Ro!” the boys cheered and ran over to him. He scooped them up even though Marc wearing his catcher’s gear made it awkward. Little Miss Bailey started to squirm in excitement. Royce hugged the boys, then set them down.

“Hey, I remember you,” Marc said, looking up at Sawyer. “You threw out the pitch on this field.”

“I sure did,” Sawyer said, extending his hand. “I’m Sawyer.” Marc shook it like a little man.

“Are you Uncle Ro’s boyfriend?” Daniel asked.

“I am,” Sawyer said. “You must be Daniel.”

“I am,” Daniel mimicked, shaking his hand too.

Bailey let out a bloodcurdling scream, reaching her chubby hands for Royce. He quickly took her from Candi before she made their ears bleed.

“How’s my princess?” Royce asked, kissing her cheek and making her giggle. Then he leaned down and kissed Candi’s cheek too. “How’s my Candi Cane?”

“Better,” she said. “So much better.” Royce felt a pang of guilt and second-guessed his decision to talk to her about Marcus’s confession tape. “You look great.” She did too. Candi had put some weight back on and no longer looked exhausted. For the first time in months, her smile reached her eyes. “Hello, Sawyer. It’s good to see you again.” She’d met him once at the precinct soon after he was hired, but this was the first time she was seeing Sawyer and Royce as a couple.

“You too,” Sawyer said when Candi hugged him. “We wanted to invite you and the kids over to grill out burgers and hot dogs after the game.”

“Sounds good to me. What do you say, guys?” Candi asked the boys.

“Yeah!” they cheered.

Royce ruffled Daniel’s hair. “Maybe Mommy can swing by your house to grab your swimming trunks because Sawyer has a pool.”

“Cool!” the boys said.

Bailey responded to their excitement by squealing and kicking her Fred Flintstone feet.

The coach hollered for Marc to join the team, so the rest of them sat on the bleachers.

“Are you sure you want us there that late on a work night?” Candi asked.

“Positive,” Royce said, hooking an arm around her.

Beside him, Sawyer started talking to Bailey, and it didn’t take her long to ditch Royce so she could wrap another man around her pinky finger.

“Shameless flirt,” Candi said, shaking her head.

The day had been a bizarre collision of the worst and best parts of Royce’s life. He couldn’t dwell about Humphries and obsess over what his next move would be, or he might not have noticed how right it felt when Sawyer slipped his arm around his lower back, or he could’ve missed seeing Marc tag out a runner at home plate. Royce had to accept the things that were out of his control and give his attention and time to the people he loved.

After the game, Candi swung by her house to get their swimming gear. By the time the crew arrived, Sawyer had a head start on the burgers and dogs.

“I’m starving,” Marc said.

“Me too,” Daniel chimed.

Royce went inside to pour glasses of lemonade but got caught up in watching Sawyer chat with the boys. Marc was gesturing wildly, and he could tell he was reliving his big play for Sawyer. Daniel mimicked and mocked his every move until Marc pushed him and Candi intervened. She made the boys have a time-out on patio chairs while she chatted with Sawyer. Whatever his guy said made her smile and laugh. Behind her back, the boys were making faces at each other, and Royce knew it wouldn’t be long before another fight broke out.