Chapter 2

Knowing full well Jackson would want to go check up on Frank, Levi asked Ryder if he'd want to come over as they picked their way over the gravel lot to their cars.

"I'm just going to hang the rest of the day," he said as they threw their gear in their trunks.

Ryder assented, then, with a gimlet eye on Levi, smirked at Ro, who'd stowed her own gear and was opening her car door. "Wanna join?"

She smiled, amused, but paused. "Not if you're just going to sit around and play video games."

"Hey, video games are a great way to relax after a long day, and simultaneously let off some steam," Ryder told her.

"I don't doubt it. But I suck at video games."

He couldn't argue with that. "This is true."

"You could watch."

Ro's brow quirked as she tilted her head at Levi. "And do what, cheer you on? Giggle and squeal when you kick Ry's ass?"

"Hey!" Ryder objected.

"You don't strike me as the giggle-and-squeal type."

"Oh? And what type am I?"

Ryder rolled his eyes. "If you guys are gonna flirt, can you at least do it when I'm not present?"

He noted the faint blush creeping into Ro's cheeks even as she frowned.

"Told you man, no guarantees." Levi's tone was light, but suggested he knew exactly what he was doing, causing Ryder to lift a brow. "Besides, we're not flirting; I'm just teasing."

Ryder turned the brow on Farrow.

"I don't flirt," she deadpanned, her voice and expression indicating there was no hell in which she would stoop to that level of social interaction.

They weren't prevaricating, Ryder supposed; either they were both in denial, or they were both totally oblivious. Yes, Levi often teased, and Ro would rather eat pig's feet than flirt. But he was close enough to both of them to notice how they each paid more attention when he talked about them to each other over the years, to know how aware they'd been of each other when she'd come to watch their games in college.

And to note the glances they'd been sending each other since Ro had appeared at the fence.

Yet they both hedged around what appeared to him to be genuine interest instead of acting on that interest.

Curiouser and curiouser.

But he let it go—for now. The harder he teased Ro, the more she'd shut down, and Levi would never admit to something he didn't want to, or wasn't ready for. Levi wasn't as good at hiding his feelings as he thought, though; Ryder watched him watch Farrow as she bid them goodbye, climbed into her car, and drove away.

His friend was interested Ro, whether he knew it or not.

"Oh, fuck off!"

Grinning wickedly, Levi watched his character, Yoshi, travel via golden pipe to the space with the star, and Levi bought it. Ryder continued to curse when he saw how far away the next star moved from his character, Luigi.

"You're killing me. You're killing me, Smalls."

"Are you really that surprised?" asked Tina.

Cristina Lucado, Levi's best friend since first grade, merely shook her head at Ryder, pure amusement lighting her face.

The three of them were ensconced on the black velvet couch—which had seen better days, but which was remarkably comfortable, and thus, made them reluctant to replace it—in Levi and Jackson's apartment, playing a rather rousing game of Mario Party. The game had been Cristina's suggestion—and Ryder had agreed—even though they both knew the chances Levi would kick their butts was relatively high.

"No," Ryder grumbled as Tina took her turn, and they watched as Princess Daisy punched a five from her dice. "But it doesn't change the fact that our boy here is evil."

"Aw, pobrecito," Tina pouted her lower lip, her tone still amused and containing zero sympathy.

Ryder shot her an indignant glare and continued, "What kind of sick bastard steals a star from under someone's nose just as they're about to reach it?"

"Pretty much anyone who's ever played Mario Party," Tina reminded him. "Including you."

"Yeah, yeah." Ryder only grumbled more when Levi gave him a smug look. "One of these days, someone is going to own you, Levi."

"Maybe." Levi only shrugged. "But not today."

After Ryder's turn gave them a mini game, he decided a change of subject was in order, especially if it was one he knew would rattle Levi.

Keeping his voice casual, he said, "So what do you think now that you've finally met Farrow in person?"

Levi flinched a little, and Tina whipped her head around to stare at them, her soft brown eyes widening a little from under her jet black bangs before zoning in on Levi. "You met Farrow? When? Why didn't you say anything?"

Levi heard the unspoken why didn't you tell me and winced a little. Cristina had heard Ryder talk about his cousin several times, and so was just as curious as Levi had been; but as his closest friend, she was also the one with whom Levi had shared his unidentified feelings—such as the odd connection he felt to Ro, despite never having met her. Now that he had met her, his feelings were even more jumbled, and he didn't like it.

Farrow Darcy sparked something in him, but he had yet to determine what, and he wasn't entirely sure he could explain that to Tina, especially in front of Ryder.

Fortunately, Ryder answered for him.

"At practice today. She stopped by and ended up practicing with us," he explained, and Levi mused that it wasn't technically untrue—he hadn't actually met her until practice. Besides, Ryder would only write off Ro's rudeness with some excuse, and he didn't want to make it a big deal, so he decided to take inspiration from Tina and exercise some diplomacy.

As they wrapped up their game, Ryder told Tina about Frank's accident, the events of their practice, and Levi's suggestion Ro take Frank's place.

At this, Tina turned a speculative eye on Levi, and he hunched a little under her discerning gaze. Why he was suddenly uncomfortable he couldn't say, but nothing about Farrow's arrival had been comfortable, so perhaps it was just a side effect.

"Well I hope she decides to join," Tina said. "It sounds like you could use her."

"Boy could we," Ryder agreed.

"But you didn't say what she's doing in town," Tina pointed out.

Ryder set down his controller, excitement lighting his features. "Her friend Bree bought this old BB, and they're going to fix it up and reopen it."

"The Netherfield Inn?" Tina guessed, watching Levi carefully.

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

Levi answered before she could. "That's the inn my family was looking at."

"Oh." Ryder's excitement dimmed. "Damn it, I didn't think…they probably learned about the place from me. Sorry, man."

"It's okay," Levi assured him, not meeting either of his friends' eyes. "Bree hired Bennet Family Contractors to do the renovations, so we've still got a hand in it."

Though he felt Cristina's attention was still on him, she asked Ryder, "If Bree bought the inn, what is Farrow doing here?"

"To help Bree out, mostly. You already know Ro's family owns a chain of boutique hotels, so she's got the expertise to guide Bree in the hospitality industry," Ryder explained. "And Bree's a brilliant interior designer, so I don't doubt she's got great plans for the place."

"She does," Levi confirmed. "Jax and I met her this morning, and we did a walkthrough with her. She's already drawn up her ideas."

Ryder's eyebrows shot up. "You met her, too? What'd you think?"

"She's super nice." Levi relaxed, as he had genuinely like Bree. "And very pretty. She's personable, and I get the impression she makes friends easily; and even just based on our one meeting, I think she clearly knows what she's doing with the reno. A lot of her ideas aligned with what we had in mind for the place. Jax and I were thoroughly impressed. I liked her."

Tina arched a brow. "I take it Jackson liked her, too?"

Levi gave an affirming nod. "He did, and the feeling appears to be mutual. Her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree when she saw him."

Tina chuckled knowingly. Jackson's good looks drew a lot of attention, whether he wanted it or not.

"Well, that's not terribly surprising," Ryder rolled his eyes. "Jackson has that effect on people."

If Levi didn't know better, he would've thought he detected a hint of jealousy in Ry's tone. And perhaps there was a little; he and Levi were often overlooked when standing next to Jackson, but neither of them had ever held it against him. The fact was, they were just used to it—and often amused by Jackson's obliviousness.

"So, anything of note with the renovation?" Tina inquired.

"Actually, yeah." Levi leaned back and grinned. "There's this nook space in the second floor hallway where Bree wants to put a little library."

Ryder grinned back. "A library? That had to be Ro's idea."

"It was," Levi said, a little less enthusiastically; if Ryder or Tina noticed, neither said anything, though he could feel Cristina assessing him again and endeavored to keep a straight face.

"Any idea when the reno will start?" Ryder asked. "Ro's been pretty tight-lipped, and surprisingly, so has Bree."

Levi shook his head. "I guess I'll find out on Monday."

"That's awesome!"

The two friends in question were having a similar discussion in the kitchen of Bree's colorful, boho apartment. After discussing the plans for the inn for a bit, Farrow had told Bree the story of the events of the day, and Bree had responded to the idea with her usual enthusiasm.

Bree, who was currently whipping up something for dinner that smelled heavenly, turned to look at Ro, who was busy pouring them each a glass of wine.

"Is it?"

Bree rolled her eyes. "You love baseball. And you and Ryder have always lamented not being able to play on the same team. Why not go for it?"

Both things were true—but there was one thing Bree was overlooking. "You know why," Ro frowned as she handed Bree her glass.

"You can't let that hold you back." Bree poured the homemade pesto she'd blended onto some pasta. "You already let him take something you love from you once. Don't give him the satisfaction of missing out on it again."

To distract herself, Farrow took her time getting out plates and silverware for the two of them.

"I know you're right," she finally said. "It just brings back some hard memories."

"So replace it with better ones."

She said it so casually, it took Farrow a moment to realize what the suggestion truly meant. She couldn't erase her memories, but she could build new ones. And if she continued to forgo something she loved because of a painful past experience, she was letting her past dictate her future.

She would be letting him win.

Bree knew her friend well enough not to be bothered by her silence, and simply waited for Ro to think it through. Since she'd plated the food while Ro was lost in thought, she happened to be watching her, and caught the moment resolve appeared on Ro's features.

It was enough for now, Bree decided, that Ro was thinking about it instead of brushing it off. It'd been too long since her friend had really done something for herself, always focusing on what she could do for those around her.

It was an admirable trait, and she was more grateful for Ro's help than she could say. But it had also been hard to watch her close herself off, until all but surface levels of emotion were bricked up behind masks of calm and competence.

She'd poke that fire carefully, she thought as she and Ro sat down to eat, and do what she could to bring her friend back out of her shell.

She took a sip of wine as she regarded Ro's averted gaze, and shifted the subject slightly. "So, you met the Bennet brothers?"

"I did."

Bree waited a beat as Farrow took a bite of her pasta, said nothing more.

Okay, looked like she'd have to prod a little harder.

"And?" She prompted. "Thoughts? Impressions?"

This got a smirk. "You just want me to tell you I think they're hot."

"Well, yeah, I could see that for myself," Bree grinned. "But what else? Still have reservations about them working on the inn?"

The smirk disappeared, replaced with a contemplative frown.

"Right. I'd forgotten about that." Farrow sighed. "Jackson seems to have a good head on his shoulders, and Levi…"

He had mischievous eyes, she thought. And she couldn't say why, but it pulled at her.

"He's intelligent," she finally decided on. "If they're both half as good contractors as they are ball players, the inn should be in good hands."

Not what you were going to say, Bree noted, but kept the thought to herself. "Good. Then when I meet with them on Monday, we'll lay out a schedule. Are you still thinking you want to partner with me on this?"

She was about to dig back into her food, and Ro was about to respond, when her buzzer sounded.

"Hold that thought." She rose to go answer, pressed the intercom button. "Hello?"

The voice sounded a little tinny through the speaker. "It's Ry. Is Ro there?"

"She is." Though her heart stuttered a bit—Ryder Williams just did that to her—years of practice enabled her to keep her voice even. "We're having girl time. Why should I let you in?"

"I brought your favorite wine."

Damn it, that was a good reason. She pressed the button to let him in, then walked back to the kitchen.

"Your cousin decided to visit," she told Ro. "He's looking for you."

Ro doubted that was entirely the case, but she gave her friend an apologetic look. "Sorry. I mentioned to him I was coming here tonight."

"It's fine, there's plenty of pasta. And he had the decency to bring my favorite wine to butter me up."

"Did he?" Farrow didn't bother to hide her smirk.

"No, stop that." Bree pointed a finger at her friend, then turned away at the sound of a knock at the door. "He's not here for me."

You keep telling yourself that, Farrow thought as Bree went to answer it.

When she reentered carrying a bottle of wine, a beaming Ryder trailing behind her, Farrow raised a brow. "To what do I owe the pleasure, oh cousin of mine?"

"Obviously I'm here to convince you to join the team," Ryder said, folding his arms.

"You could do that at any time," Farrow pointed out. "Yet, here you are."

Ryder cleared his throat, deliberately not looking at Bree. "Yes, well. The sooner I get to you, the better."

"Questions first."

Ryder nodded for her to continue.

"The park where you practice, is that where games are held?"

"No, those fields are just for practice. Games are hosted by different local high schools and community colleges. We usually play at the Oakton Community College field."

So, not terribly far from the inn, she noted, then continued, "And I forgot to ask what the league's qualifications are. Do I have the experience necessary to play?"

"We wouldn't be discussing this if you didn't," Ryder said, a little exasperated. "But yes, to clarify. Tier C is recreational, and Tier B is high school or collegiate experience. Our league is Tier A, which is players with collegiate or pro levels of experience."

Pro? Well that wasn't intimidating at all, Farrow thought. But, she might as well listen to what Ryder had to say.

"Alright, then." Farrow set down her fork, picked up her wine glass. "Hit me."

"Well, for starters, I thought you should know Andrew's double checking with the CABA board about the rules. We don't want there to be any doubt there's no rule against female players in the league. So far it seems like it's not usual, but they'll allow it."

"Good to know."

"Second," Ryder continued, pacing a little now. "I know you haven't really played in a while, and I know you miss it. This is the perfect opportunity."

"A fair point," Farrow acknowledged with a sip of her wine.

"And third." Ryder stopped, met her eyes. "We need you, Ro. We need your skills, and you know damn well there's no better catcher for me than you. It would mean a lot to me."

"I know it would." Sighing, Farrow set her glass down. "Look, I've been considering all those points, and I'll keep considering them. But I'm not going to make a decision tonight. Bree and I have other things to discuss."

Ryder nodded. "And I'm interrupting."

"You are, but it doesn't follow that the interruption is unwelcome." Bree held out a plate of pasta to him, smiled. "Now that you're here you have to help us eat all this pasta. I made enough for an army."

"That's because you like leftovers," Ryder grinned back, his bright blue eyes on her smiling lips and flushed cheeks as he took the plate. "But I never turn down a home cooked meal."

Farrow watched the interaction with a quiet smile. Ryder got the dopiest look sometimes when he looked at Bree, and she could swear there were cartoon sparkles in Bree's eyes. But, she thought with a twinge of sadness, that was all it ever was. She didn't understand it.

Finally remembering they weren't alone, Ryder blinked, turned back to Farrow. "So what were you discussing? The inn?"

He pulled out a chair and sat as Bree retook her seat, quietly shoveled a large forkful of pasta into her mouth.

"Yes," Farrow said, eyes darting back and forth between them before settling on Ryder. "I'm considering entering into a partnership with Bree on the inn."

"You mean, like an investor?"

"Like co-owners," Bree informed him, having found her voice.

"Okay." Ryder inclined his head. "Why, though? Haven't you got enough on your plate with Pemberley?"

Farrow sighed. "That's the thing. I love Pemberley, but it doesn't really feel like mine. Pemberley is a family thing—I want to branch out from that. Do my own thing."

"And that's co-owning a bed and breakfast in a Chicago suburb?" Ryder asked, inhaling some pasta.

"Maybe." Farrow shrugged. "Like with the baseball team, nothing's been decided yet."

But she loved the idea of both. She couldn't wait for Bree's plans for the inn to come to fruition, and she planned to be as much a part of it as possible, even if she decided not to take on ownership.

And she really did miss the game; there was a particular ache in her heart whenever she thought about it. Maybe it was time to take a chance.

Ryder only stayed about a half hour, enough for them to finish eating and catch up; he insisted on doing the dishes since he was a last minute guest, then left the two friends to their girl time.

Though there was no mistaking, to Farrow at least, how much he wanted to stay.

"I know that look." Bree eyed her friend, tapped lightly on her temple. "There's a lot going on up there."

"There is." But as she'd told Ryder, no decisions would be made tonight. "What do you say we open the wine Ryder brought and reminisce about our softball days?"

Bree grinned. "I say that sounds perfect, except we should put on A League of Their Own as inspiration."

Perfect, indeed. "Deal."

As he pulled out his glove to warm up, Levi wanted to ask Ryder if he'd talked to Farrow that day. She hadn't been at the inn when he and Jackson finalized plans with Bree—apparently she'd had obligations at the Pemberley offices—but it nagged at him that she might still disapprove of her friend's choice.

Bree didn't seem to have any doubts though, and that was what mattered. Plus, there were the looks she'd kept throwing at Jackson—it would be interesting to see how that played out.

Surely Ry had talked to his cousin, tried to persuade her to give the team a chance. But Ryder hadn't said anything, and they hadn't heard from Farrow, so now it was starting to hit him they might have to consider what to do if she said no.

That possibility was always in the back of his mind, but deep down he really thought she'd say yes.

Why did he think that? He barely knew her.

He tried to shrug it off as he and Ryder headed out to the field. He hadn't realized he was quieter than usual until Ryder asked him if he was alright.

"Yeah," Levi grunted, dragging himself out of his thoughts. "Just thinking about our catcher situation."

"Ah." Ryder seemed about to say something more, when something over Levi's shoulder caught his attention—and caused a massive grin to take over his face.

Levi turned as the sound of tires over gravel reached his ears, and his eyes finally registered that it was Farrow's car. She stepped out, dressed in a pair of softball shorts and a t-shirt, hair braided back under a worn ball cap, and to his surprise, Bree stepped out of the passenger side.

Farrow waved as she pulled out her gear bag, and Levi's hand twitched in response even as he realized she was probably waving to Ryder, who was already heading back to the dugout.

Levi followed his lead, as did the rest of the team, gathering on the infield to welcome the newcomers.

Farrow met Ryder's grin with a level gaze.

"I assume by your practice-appropriate attire that you'll do it?" Ryder folded his arms expectantly and returned her gaze.

She gave one brisk nod. "Yes. I'll join the team."

"And you?" Ryder asked Bree.

"Oh, I'm just here for moral support." Bree beamed at them. "Just think of me as the team cheerleader—which reminds me, what's the team name?"

"Yes, I also neglected to ask the team name." Farrow finally smiled, and her eyes, clear and steady, rested on Levi.

He ignored the little kick his heart gave his chest, and mustered up a mischievous grin before he answered.

"We're the Longhorns."