Paisley
Tonight’s our third home game stretch, and we’re off tomorrow for a rare day. When Willow found that out, she demanded that we have a girls’ night. Not that it mattered. I miss my best friend, so I readily agreed. Cameron, on the other hand, whined, but he gets it. Besides, he needs to hang out with his team. We’ve had drinks a handful of times after away games, but we always leave after one and head to my room. He needs to bond with them more than just on the field. There still isn’t any word on his future with the Blaze. I’ve stopped myself a dozen times from just picking up the phone or heading up to Uncle Drew’s office to ask him what’s going on. I’m trying to stay out of it. Well, as much as I can, being his girlfriend and all that.
It shouldn’t be a hardship since the guys are coming off another win. They’ve been kicking ass this season, and I couldn’t be prouder of them. All of them. Not just my man.
“You’re all set,” I tell Marty Harris, one of our power hitters. He took a ball to the shoulder during the game, and we worked it a little and added some ice. “Check back in tomorrow when we get to the field.”
“I’ll be fine,” he assures me.
“Probably. However, I want Dr. Thomas to take a look just to be sure.” I’d have him look now, but he had to rush out as today is his anniversary. Once the game ended and there were no threatening injuries, he bolted. Not that any of us blame him. This schedule is grueling and can strain the best of relationships. I witnessed that growing up. My parents are the most in love two people can be, and they even struggled at times. I’m fortunate that Cameron and I get to travel together with the same team. I don’t even want to think about what it will be like if that’s no longer possible.
I quickly clean up the area and sanitize the table he was on before grabbing my things and heading to wait outside the locker room exit for Cameron. When I push open the door, I hear a squeal, and then my best friend is there, hugging the life out of me.
“Wil, I can’t breathe,” I sputter with laughter.
“I’ve missed you,” she says, releasing me. “I can’t tell you how excited I am for tonight.”
“How was the game?” I ask.
“I got my fill of baseball asses, so it was good.”
“Please tell me that you behaved while you were around my little sisters,” I beg.
“Cross my heart.” She takes her hand and makes an X motion across her chest. “Besides, Parker is fifteen. She understands the greatness of baseball ass. My guess is even Peyton at twelve understands.”
“You’re probably right,” I agree. “However, I don’t want my bestie to be the one corrupting them.”
“Oh, you want that privilege all to yourself then? I mean, come on, P. Your dad played, your honorary uncles played, and you’re dating Cameron. They’re surrounded by baseball ass. They’re bound to discover the wonder that it is.”
“What am I going to do with you?”
“Hey, you know I’m right, missy. You are dating one of those baseball asses.”
“Who are you calling an ass?” Cameron asks as he wraps his arms around me from behind and presses a kiss on my cheek.
“Just discussing the glory of baseball pants and the asses that fill them,” Willow replies, not missing a beat.
“Do I want to know?” Cameron whispers in my ear.
“Probably not,” I tell him with a laugh.
“You change your mind about tonight?” he asks.
“Nope,” Willow answers for me. “Back off, Taylor. You get her all the time. It’s girls’ night,” she says, reaching for my hand, but he has me locked tight in his arms. I’m not going anywhere until he’s ready for me to.
“Where are you going?”
“Nope,” Willow says again. “We are not telling you so that you and your boys can crash girls’ night.”
“What if I have them wear their uniforms?”
Willow taps her chin, pretending to consider his offer. “No dice,” she finally tells him.
“Well, shit, Willow, I was sure that would sway you.”
“Do not underestimate the power of girls’ night, Taylor.” She points at him.
His deep throaty chuckle surrounds me. “I think we can make a run for it,” he tells me.