Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

SIXTEEN MONTHS AGO

BAILEY

“ M a’am, for the last time, please sit down. We can’t take off unless you’re in your seat and buckled up.”

I give the flight attendant an apologetic smile. “Sorry, my sister is a nervous flyer. She likes to pace before takeoff. I’ll make sure she’s seated and fastened in right away.”

I pull Kam’s arm, and she plops down next to me sighing. “Cheez, who lit the fuse on her tampon string?”

The flight attendant pretends not to hear her even though Kam purposefully said it loud enough for anyone within ten rows to hear.

I buckle her seatbelt for her and then tighten it as though she’s a small child. “They can’t push away from the gate until everyone has their seatbelt on. We’ve been through this a thousand times before.”

She leans her head back and blows out a breath. “I guess. Fuck, I hate flying. ”

I take her hand, as I have on every single flight we’ve been on in our twenty-eight years. “I’ve got you. Don’t worry.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “If we go barreling down toward the earth from forty thousand feet, will you have me then?”

I smirk. “You jump, I jump.”

She intertwines her fingers through mine and nods, silently acknowledging our often-used Titanic reference. “Always. Love you, big sis.”

I lean over and kiss her head. “Love you too, little sis.”

We both smile at our big and little sis comments. I’m only nine minutes older than my twin, but it might as well be nine years. I’m the mature, sensible sister, while she’s the playful, fun sister. People gravitate toward her. She’s larger than life, while I happily remain in the background.

I know her well enough to realize I need to distract her through takeoff. After that, she’ll be fine.

I ask, “Do you swear you didn’t put pressure on the Anacondas to sign me too?”

My sister refuses to go anywhere or do anything without me. I was a star basketball player, considering playing in college, while she shined at softball. I was fine with that dynamic until she begged and pleaded with me to start playing softball in high school so we could be on the same team. She was one of the best players in the country and almost every top college wanted her. She wouldn’t consider offers unless they offered me a softball scholarship too. That’s how we ended up at UCLA. She was the shortstop, and I was the second baseman. Always side by side, even in softball.

After college, she was the third overall pick in the professional softball draft. She made it clear to the team that she wouldn’t sign a contract with them unless they picked me as well. In fairness, I’ve turned into a damn good softball player in my own right and deserved to be drafted, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue playing ball. I enjoy working with kids. I always saw myself as a teacher or something along those lines. But my sister needed me, so I’ve been playing professional softball with her for the past six years for a team out of Chicago.

Our contracts expired last month. The team was happily ready to re-sign us both when a new team formed in Philadelphia, the Philly Anacondas. Their first order of business was to sign our close college friend, teammate, and catcher, Arizona Abbott, who was playing for a team in Southern California. Their second order of business was to sign our close college friend, teammate, and pitcher, Ripley St. James, who was playing for a team in Houston, Texas. Then they called my sister, Kamryn. She claims they wanted both of us, not just her, but I’m not convinced. Regardless, they’re paying us both double the salaries we were earning in Chicago, and it’s a chance to be reunited with our friends. The Olympics are four years away, and they want to train together. The three of them have been talking about the Olympics since the first day we met them at freshman-year orientation. It’s not my dream, it’s theirs. I’ve just been going along for the ride.

Kam rolls her eyes at me. “No, they want both of us. Stop being insecure. It’s a lot of money and we get to be reunited with Arizona and Ripley. It will be like college all over again.”

I mumble, “I hope you sleep with fewer people than you did in college.”

Sharing a dorm room with her has forever scarred me.

She gives me her special Kam smile. “You’re only young once, Bails. I don’t want to have any regrets. Would you rather I be like our mother?”

I scrunch my nose. “Ugh. No.”

Our parents started dating in high school. Our father was a star basketball player who was recruited to play in college. She followed him there like a groupie and then became pregnant with us during their senior year. He had to give up playing to get married and get a job. They don’t have a marriage that either of us envy. Just the opposite. The fact that we’re twenty-eight and unmarried is a sore spot for our mother, who we do our best never to see. We only talk to him, not her, on the phone. Our only contact with her over the past ten years has been when she walks in on a FaceTime call with him and grumbles about our life choices.

She modeled before she had us and then channeled all her missed aspirations onto us by forcing us to model and act for years. She spiraled after we quit. We don’t know why our father stays with her. She’s a complete disaster. I don’t share the same disdain for her that Kam has, but unfortunately, we have no relationship with her.

Kam nods and gives me a knowing look. “Exactly. A fresh start will be good for you too.”

I can’t deny that. I was dating a man a few years older than me who I recently discovered had a fiancée. I broke things off as soon as I found out, but he kept showing up at our apartment, begging me to take him back. To the point where Kam called the police to get him to back off. Kam also paid his fiancée a visit. She said it was our obligation under the parameters of girl code to let that woman know who she was going to marry. Kam really did it to mess with him on my behalf. That’s my sister. Always protecting me.

“You’re right. This will be fun. You signed the lease on the apartment, right?”

She answers, “I did. And…” She bites her lip. She’s about to say something crazy. “I ordered myself a waterbed.”

I can’t help but smile. My sister has wanted a waterbed since we were little kids. She asked for that and a puppy for her birthday every single year. Our parents never gave her the bed. It’s silly, but I’m happy for her.

“Oh god, with all the sex you have, the sucker is definitely going to burst.”

She giggles. “I hope I burst before it does.”

I deadpan, “Can’t wait to hear it. Every night. Those walls better be thick. You’re very loud when you orgasm.”

“And you’re not loud enough. You need to be fucked properly for once.” She looks out the window and gasps. “Oh my god, we’re above the clouds.” She turns back and narrows her eyes at me. “You distracted me on purpose.”

I simply smile before she lays her head on my shoulder. “What would I ever do without you, Bails?”

“Probably become a prostitute.”

“Nothing wrong with that. It’s the oldest profession in the world for a reason.”

We land, gather our luggage from baggage claim, and are about to walk outside to catch an Uber when we see Arizona and Ripley standing there with big smiles. Arizona is holding a huge sign that reads Porn Queens Welcome Kamryn and Bailey Hart , while Ripley holds one that reads Casting Call for Good Will Humping .

We burst out laughing, though my face burns red with embarrassment. Kam will probably proudly prance around town with the signs.

Even though it’s only been a few months since we last saw Arizona and Ripley, the four of us embrace like long-lost sisters. I’m so happy we’re here.

TANNER

“Here comes the wicked witch of the west.”

I roll my eyes. “Dad, cut it out. Fallon isn’t a wicked witch, and you know it.”

My ex-wife smiles at me as she makes her way up the metal bleachers to sit next to me. All eyes in the stands turn to her. Not because we’re exes who support our daughter and sit together, but because she’s a stunning woman, with blonde hair and turquoise blue eyes. A killer body only contributes to the allure of her overall physical beauty. It doesn’t matter that she’s in scrubs, her hair is in a ponytail, and she’s not wearing an ounce of makeup. People take notice when Fallon Montgomery enters a room. They always have.

He grumbles, “The floozy broke up your happy family.”

“Floozy? Who uses that term?”

“At my community in Florida, we have several of them. They’re always knocking on my door. I’m quite the commodity, you know.” He pats his own head. “I still have all my hair. It gives me an edge. And I manscape. Women like that.”

I close my eyes. “Don’t ever talk to me about your manscaping again. And for the record, Fallon and I both broke up our family, not just Fallon. We certainly weren’t happy. Neither of us. We weren’t right for each other. Four years has given me that perspective.” Before she’s in earshot, I instruct, “Be nice to her. I mean it. No matter what your feelings are, she’s Harper’s mother and always will be.”

He growls, but I know he’ll behave. He’ll put Harper’s needs above his own personal feelings of resentment toward Fallon. Ones I don’t share.

I offer my hand and help her up the last few steps before she plops down next to me. She blows out a long breath. “Thanks. I didn’t miss anything, did I? My last patient had a few issues, and I couldn’t leave.”

I shake my head. “Nope, they’re taking the field now.”

She leans her head forward and waves her hand at my father. “Hi, Dad.”

She gives me a playful smile, knowing she’s ruffling his feathers. I bite back my own smile.

He nods his head at her. “Fallon. You look…rested.”

“Thank you, Dad. I’m always aiming for that well-rested look. How long is your visit? We should have lunch and catch up.”

She’s messing with him. She knows that will never happen.

He fumbles. “Umm, only a few days. I’m booked solid though.”

She giggles to herself.

I ask, “Are your parents coming?”

She shakes her head. “They just left for a month-long Mediterranean cruise. I’m happy they’re finally doing this. They’ve been talking about it since I was a little kid.”

Dad mumbles in my ear, “You’re probably paying for the damn cruise.”

I elbow him and give him a stern look.

Fortunately, Fallon’s attention turns toward Beckett Windsor and his fiancée, Amanda Tremaine, walking up into the stands. He’s helping her, as she’s about six months pregnant and looks like she’s nine months along. That’s going to be a big baby. I don’t remember Fallon being that big, even at full term.

Beckett is extremely well known, being a billionaire entrepreneur who famously sold his business seven years ago when his first wife died during childbirth. He wanted to stay home with his daughter, Andie, who’s Harper’s best friend, classmate, and teammate.

Once he ensures that Amanda is comfortable in the seat in front of us, he turns and holds out his hand for me to shake. “Tanner, good to see you.”

I shake his hand. “You as well.”

He leans toward me and quietly whispers, “I may be entering the world of professional sports team ownership in the very near future. Our paths will start to cross more often.”

This is news to me. I haven’t heard anything along these lines, and I’m usually in the know, being one of the biggest sports agents in the country. “What sport? What team?”

He shakes his head. “I can’t say, but you’ll probably know within a week or so. We’re heading to Italy later this month, but let’s have lunch when I get back.”

I pretend to be patient and nod, muttering, “Sounds good,” as I quickly pull out my phone and shoot out a few texts to my contacts to figure out which team he’s buying.

I notice Fallon place her hands on Amanda’s shoulders. “How are you feeling, beautiful? You look great.”

Amanda shakes her head in exasperation. “Like a whale. There’s a reason women don’t normally do this at forty-five. It was much easier my first time around at twenty-two.”

Fallon giggles. “It wasn’t easy at thirty either, I promise. Certainly worth it in the end though.”

I look out to the field at my sensational daughter, taking her place as the shortstop, and think, more than worth it .

Harper is a true combination of both Fallon and me. Her hair is light brown, the perfect mix between my darker brown hair and Fallon’s blonde hair. She’s got my darker complexion but Fallon’s beautiful eyes. She has her mother’s pretty smile but my fuller lips. I could stare at my daughter all day long. She’s the best thing to ever happen to me, and I’ll never take her for granted again.

Amanda nods. “Andie is so excited to have a sibling after all these years being an only child.”

I turn to Dad. “Speaking of much younger siblings, how’s Linc?”

My brother, Lincoln, lives a transient life. He spends a lot of time in California, but I don’t think he lives anywhere in particular.

He’s over a decade younger than me and a bit of a free spirit. He bounced in and out of at least three colleges that I know of. I’m not sure he ever graduated. He equally bounces in and out of jobs. He saves money for a few months and then quits the job and travels. He also manages to find women to support his lavish lifestyle. Enabling him was always a sore spot for my parents until Mom passed a few years ago from cancer. Linc didn’t bother to fly in for the funeral. I don’t even remember the last time I saw him.

Dad blows out a breath. “I don’t know. I think he’s surfing in Tahiti and plans to stay to watch the Olympic surfing events there. I’m sure he’s sponging off some older woman he’s charmed.”

I roll my eyes. My brother is good-looking and manages to find sugar mamas wherever he goes.

“He needs one. He doesn’t have Mom funneling him cash anymore. I certainly don’t give him any.”

Dad nods. “Me neither. Better some sugar mama than us. I keep thinking he’ll grow up, but no such luck. I don’t know how my kids could possibly be so different from one another.”

I can’t disagree with that.

I hear Fallon mutter under her breath, “Such an asshole.” She hates my brother with a vengeance. I don’t blame her. I don’t think he ever had a conversation with her that didn’t revolve around him ogling her body.

After a great game by both Harper and Andie, the coach has the team huddled. He’s kind of a douche, and the girls all hate him. It looks like he’s yelling at them. They won by eight runs. We’re playing the worst team in the league. What in the world could he have to yell at seven-year-olds about?

After a twenty-minute post-game speech, they run off the field to us. Andie heads straight for Amanda’s waiting arms. “Did you see my hit, Mommy? It went all the way to the outfield. It’s the furthest ball I ever hit.”

I glance at Beckett, and he leans over. “Amanda is adopting her, and Andie chose to start calling her Mommy. Amanda is thrilled. ”

I nod as Amanda warmly embraces Andie and lovingly fixes one of her dark, curly strands of hair. “Of course I did. You were fantastic.”

I’m happy to see Beckett like this. He was a lonely widower for a very long time, raising Andie all on his own.

Harper looks up at me. “Did you see my hit?”

I smile. “We all saw it. Your hard work is paying off.” She asks me to take her to the batting cages every single day that I have her. Frankly, I’m contemplating having a batting cage built for her at my house. Her work ethic at such a young age is remarkable.

Fallon wraps an arm around her and squeezes her lovingly. “You were great. I’m so proud of you.”

My father gives her a playful jab to the shoulder. “You look just like your dad used to at your age. He wasn’t only a pitcher. He played shortstop too.”

Harper has a huge grin on her adorable face. “I know. That’s why I like to play shortstop. I get to be like Daddy.” She looks up at me with hopeful eyes. “Can we get ice cream with Andie? She said her mommy needs two scoops every day.”

Beckett lets out a laugh while Amanda elbows him in the gut and scrunches her nose. “Not every day.”

Andie lifts an eyebrow and then giggles. “It’s every day, Mommy. Sometimes twice a day.”

Beckett pulls Amanda close. “I’ll buy you ten gallons a day if it puts a smile on your beautiful face. The place near here has cherry ice cream, your favorite.” He wiggles his eyebrows at her.

She gives him a dreamy look as she nestles into his much bigger body. Their love practically radiates. Even better, Andie is grinning from ear to ear at their interaction.

My poor kid will never see that. At least not from me. I hope Fallon finds someone just so Harper can see a loving relationship.

I interrupt their moment. “I could go for some ice cream.”

I immediately notice Fallon shuffle uncomfortably. “Umm, okay, it’s your night with Harper. I guess I’ll head out. You guys have fun.”

I shake my head. “Nonsense. You’re more than welcome. I know the place nearby has excellent rum raisin, your favorite.”

She breaks out into a huge smile and rubs my arm. “Thank you.”

Amanda moans, “Ooh. Yum. Now I need two scoops of rum raisin…on top of the cherry ice cream.”

Beckett lifts Andie over his shoulder as she squeals in delight. “Double scoops for everyone. My treat.”