Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

RIPLEY – AGE 28 {QUINCY – AGE 33}

T hree weeks ago, I was signed by the Philadelphia Anacondas, as were Arizona, Kamryn, and Bailey. It's a dream come true. I get to live and play with Arizona again. It's been six long years apart. We'll get to finish the last few years of our careers just as we started them. Together. And we can practice as we try to make the Olympic team in four years. I'm busting with excitement.

We all moved across the country. Arizona and I rented an apartment together in Philly. Kamryn and Bailey rented the apartment next door. It's like being in college again.

I have mixed emotions over being in the same town as Quincy. He moved here nearly eight months ago, and we hadn't spoken since the aftermath of Arizona's wedding that never was. I saw him when we all went out a few nights ago. It was awkward, but I think we masked it well. It's both painful and soothing to see him. Painful in that I loved him, soothing in that I've missed him. He was my friend in addition to being my lover. I miss all aspects of Quincy in my life.

I worked hard to get over him. It took a long time before I could go on any dates, but I eventually did. His leaving Houston was the best thing for me. I no longer ran the risk of running into him. It was the time I needed to heal. I think I have.

As for Arizona, she's definitely not healed after having her heart broken. I know she's better off without him, but everything that happened has extinguished the light inside my best friend. Admittedly, I was on the fence about moving here because of Quincy, but I know Arizona needs me, and this opportunity was too good to pass on.

Our first two weeks here have been a little crazy. The Cougars were sold to a group of billionaires. The Daulton, Windsor, and Bouvier families are now the owners. They also own our new team, the Anacondas.

In what might be the craziest thing I've ever heard, the new owners asked Arizona to pretend to date Layton Lancaster for public relations reasons. Yes, that Layton Lancaster. The same one she pined after as a teen. They think Layton's notoriety will be good for our team.

Arizona was flipping out when they asked but eventually realized that it might genuinely help our team and sport flourish. She's sworn off the possibility of it being anything more, but I know my best friend. She's wanted him for as long as I can remember, and he seems awfully into her. Most men are.

We have a short practice this morning ahead of our opening game tonight. Our coach just wanted to talk about things and do an abbreviated warm-up.

We're on the field practicing, but I'm off to the side pitching to Arizona when I see Coach Billie walking my way. Wilhelmina "Billie" Kramer is a little ball of fire. She's got lighter hair and pretty blue eyes. She had a nice softball career herself about fifteen to twenty years ago.

She approaches me. "How are you feeling?"

"Great, Coach Billie. Arizona caught for me for the first seventeen years that I played, all the way through college. Throwing to her again is like coming home. She spoiled me. I had the best in the business for so long. I'm just happy to have her back."

Arizona rolls her eyes as she approaches. "I just catch the ball. You're the one who throws the unhittable pitches."

Coach Billie slowly nods. "You guys have chemistry, don't you?"

I nod enthusiastically. "We sure do. You can't manufacture what we have together."

Her eyes toggle between us. "I'm not an ego coach, and I'm not a control freak. I know almost all coaches call pitch signals, but I doubt there's anyone who could call your games better than Arizona."

I shrug. "Yep. No one knows my game better than her and my mom."

She smiles. "Right. You're June St. James's daughter. I watched your mom play. She was one of the best ever and then she kind of fell off the map after the Olympics. What happened to her?"

"I happened."

She lets out a laugh. "I suppose pitching and pregnancy don't mix."

"Nope. She coached us for a long time and still coaches at our old high school. I learned everything I know from her."

"I bet." She turns to Arizona. "I'm going to let you call her games."

Arizona's face lights up. Every catcher in the world wants to call pitches, but few are ever given that vote of confidence by their coaches. You have to have a special mind for the game to be able to do that. It's the right decision given our history together, but most coaches wouldn't give up that control.

Arizona pumps her fist. "Thanks, Coach Billie."

"We'll see how it goes."

"I won't let you down."

Coach Billie walks away. Arizona and I practically jump up and down in excitement. "Rip, can you believe this?"

Before I can answer, one of the team owners, Reagan Daulton, approaches us. She's dressed like a fancy businesswoman in a navy-blue pantsuit and expensive shoes, though she doesn't let it bother her as she walks through the dusty field.

Arizona has already met her, but I haven't. She smiles at Arizona. "How are practices going?"

Arizona responds, "Great. Have you met Ripley St. James?"

She shakes her head and holds out her hand with a genuine smile on her pretty face. "I'm Reagan Daulton. Welcome to Philly. We're ecstatic to have you here."

I hesitate, looking at my dirty hand, but she grabs it anyway. "I'm not prissy. I don't mind getting my hands a little dirty." She winks at me.

"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Daulton—"

"Reagan."

"It's nice to meet you, Reagan. Thank you for the opportunity." I'm not only playing with my besties, but she's paying me double my previous salary.

"It's me who should thank you. You're the best pitcher around, and we're lucky to have you here." She turns to Arizona. "Can we chat for a minute?"

Arizona nods in my direction. "I know I wasn't supposed to tell anyone, but Ripley knows about my PR relationship with Layton. She's been my ride-or-die since we were five years old. You can trust her."

I make a show of zipping my lips and throwing away the key.

Reagan sighs. "We can't let this get out. A PR dream can turn into a PR nightmare faster than my ex-boyfriend's premature ejaculation."

Arizona and I giggle.

Nodding, I assure her, "I understand. No one will hear it from me. For what it's worth, I know my best friend. She's a sister to me. I would have figured it out."

She nods in understanding before turning back to Arizona. "You and Layton are doing a great job being seen in public. Is everything okay between you two?"

Arizona blushes, and I think Reagan catches it. I knew she'd be into him. Who wouldn't be? He's gorgeous, and she's always had a thing for him.

"It's fine. We've gone on a few dates and have been photographed. Honestly, Layton has been a perfect gentleman. It's not as bad as I thought it was going to be."

Reagan nods. I can see her wheels turning. "I'm glad to hear it. I'll let you two get back to work. I'm excited for your first game."

I smile. "Us too."

She walks away. I look at Arizona. "She's gorgeous. You two could be sisters." Both have blonde hair, blue eyes, and are tall.

She lets out a laugh. "You should see her husband. He's so hot. He's got a beard you want to sit on and never get up. Layton and I were with them at that party in New York last week. They couldn't keep their hands or eyes off each other. "

I blow out a long breath. "I haven't had sex in months. I miss intimacy."

She lifts her eyebrow. "I don't want to hear it. I haven't had sex in over a year."

"You're dating sex on legs. You should fuck him."

"Not happening. No more baseball players. Ever."

She'll be fucking him within a month. I'd bet on it.

It's opening night. The stands are about half full. That's not terrible for a new team. Philly isn't a softball town. Yet.

The fans all cheer for Layton as he walks out onto the field in an Anacondas jersey with Arizona's number. It reads Arizona's Admirer on the back.

He turns and shows it to her as she laughs. She's already gone for this guy. She just doesn't realize it yet. I'm pretty sure he's gone for her too.

He throws out the ceremonial first-ever pitch for the Philadelphia Anacondas. I'll be throwing the real first pitch. It's exciting to be pitching the franchise's first game—hopefully the first of many.

The game is about to start when we hear a huge ruckus in the stands. We all step out of the dugout and look up to see Quincy, Cheetah, and Ezra all making their way to join Layton in the stands. It's sweet of them to be here.

The fans are eating up, taking selfies and asking for autographs. Having them here will help our future attendance.

Cheetah lost a bet with Kam the other night so now he's dancing topless with her name written across his chest, per the terms of their bet. We all laugh at that vision.

I can't help but look at Quincy as he laughs at Cheetah's antics. He's so handsome and looks so happy. I see my number on the front of his Anacondas jersey. I get choked up that he's wearing my jersey and not his sister's.

He cares. I know he does. But it's not enough. It never will be.

In between innings, I sit next to Arizona in the dugout. I nudge her shoulder. "Did you see Layton's jersey?"

She smiles. "I did."

"Is that what you guys are wearing to the Sports Illustrated shoot?"

Reagan Daulton arranged for Layton and Arizona to be in the body image issue of Sports Illustrated . I remember the last time that issue was published. The athletes were practically naked.

She shrugs. "I have no idea what we're wearing. I'm nervous about being half-naked with him all day."

"Nervous or excited?"

"Definitely nervous."

"I think it's awesome. I doubt I could ever do something like that, especially with a man. You're so brave."

She blows out a breath. "Or stupid."

"No, babe, you're going to be awesome. It's going to be hot as hell, guaranteed."