Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

BAILEY

W e’ve been in Philly for a few weeks now. I’m enjoying this town and being reunited with our friends. Our new team seems great. We’re contenders for the league title this year.

Kam and I hit back-to-back home runs at our game tonight. The press in Philly have dubbed us the slugger sisters. Despite the Anacondas being a new team, the city has already warmed to us. Attendance rises every single game. In part due to some of the local baseball players being regulars.

Arizona’s brother, Quincy, plays for the local professional baseball team, the Philly Cougars. Somehow Arizona is already dating one of the biggest baseball players on the planet, Layton Lancaster. It’s not that surprising. Arizona has model-worthy good looks and is one of the best people I know. When they don’t have a game of their own, they come to ours, along with their teammates Cruz “Cheetah” Gonzales, Ezra Decker, and occasionally Trey DePaul joins them too.

If both teams have home games, we all usually go out late at night when we’re all done playing. Tonight we’re going to Screwballs with the guys. It’s a local bar that has a chill vibe with good drinks, good food, and local bands. The owner treats us like celebrities, and we end up going there at least a few times a week.

I don’t know if Trey’s wife, Gemma, will be there since they have a baby at home. We’ve only met her once, but we all like her a lot. She’s different from us in that she’s an impeccably dressed lawyer, but she’s very down-to-earth and funny. All the guys on the team seem to have a sisterly bond with her.

I’m in Ripley’s bedroom with her while she applies a little makeup even though none of us dressed up for the evening.

I sigh. “I still can’t believe Arizona is dating Layton Lancaster. She didn’t seem impressed when she met him right after we moved here. In fact, she was kind of rude to him.”

He hit on her, and she rejected him in glorious fashion.

Ripley shrugs. “They had to go to that PR event, and I guess they hit it off. They decided to make a go of things. Wouldn’t you date Layton Lancaster if you had the chance?”

I nod enthusiastically. “Hell yes. Leave it to Arizona to bag the hottest guy in town within a week of moving here. What about you, Rip, have you been dating?”

She shrugs. “A little bit. I’m open to meeting someone. There was a guy at the gym who asked for my number and then texted me. I think I’ll text back. What about you? I assume you’re not with that older guy anymore, are you?”

“No way. He ended up being a dick. I guess I’m open to meeting someone too.”

Kam walks in and says, “Damn straight you are. Me too. I’m hoping to find a hottie willing to give my waterbed a little wave action tonight. He or she is in for the ride of their life.”

Kam is bisexual. She’ll happily spend time with both men and women, not remotely favoring one over the other. She’s also all about casual sex, bringing home new people all the time. I’m the exact opposite. I need an emotional connection with a man before I consider something physical.

I roll my eyes. “Your waterbed has already gotten plenty of action in just a few weeks. The splashing noises from your room are making me have to pee every five minutes.”

She winks. “Those splashing sounds aren’t the bed.”

I scrunch my face. “Ugh. You’re gross. I truly don’t know how you sleep with so many strangers.”

She scoffs. “You’re so uptight. You gotta live a little. Remember, life is like a pussy. Sometimes it’s tight and restrictive, and other times it’s loose and accommodating. Regardless, it’s always there waiting to be explored and experienced.”

Ripley bursts out laughing. I can’t help but smile and shake my head at my ridiculous sister. “Where do you come up with this shit?”

She grins. “It’s a common proverb.”

I let out a laugh. “Oh, yes, I think I read it in Bible class when we were kids.”

She gives me a knowing look. Our mother made us go to Bible class when we were in elementary school. Kam got kicked out almost immediately due to her foul mouth. At six. After a few months, our modeling schedule interfered and, fortunately, Bible class fizzled out.

Ripley turns to me. “What about Ezra? He seems into you. And he’s hot.”

I exhale a breath. “It’s true. He’s good-looking and so damn sweet. He’s made it clear to me that he’s interested, he just doesn’t stir anything in me that way. He’s a friend. I don’t see it ever being anything more.”

Ezra Decker is the star second baseman for the Cougars. He always asks me out, and I always say no, but we end up sitting together when we’re out in a group, and I enjoy his company as a friend.

Kam rolls her eyes. “Why don’t you fuck him and find out? You could certainly use a little sour cream in your burrito.”

Ripley giggles. “Kam, I’m constantly learning from you, master. ”

Kam bows as she unwraps and then licks some kind of mini-ice cream cone. I look at it. “What’s that?”

“Just The Tip.”

“Huh?”

“It’s ice cream called Just The Tip. It’s a cone filled with ice cream, but it doesn’t go above the rim. Just the tip of the cone is filled, hence the name.”

I scrunch my face. “You’re fucking with me, right?”

She turns, walks out, and returns a minute later with a box that indeed reads Just The Tip.

Holding it out, she says, “See. Told ya so. Sometimes all you need is the tip.”

Ripley shakes her head. “Not me. I like it three scoops deep. At least.”

Kam nods. “I know. That’s why your vibrator is so damn long, Rip. It probably busts through your uterus.”

She narrows her eyes at Kam. “I won’t say this again. Stay away from my vibrator. It’s a hard boundary line that you’re clearly crossing. Why would you even want to go near another woman’s vibrator?”

Before Kam can answer, Arizona walks into the room. Even dressed down with her hair in a messy bun, she’s stunning. “Layton and the boys are heading over there now. Are you guys ready?”

Kam asks, “You gonna seal the deal with Layton tonight?”

My chin drops. “You’re still not sleeping with him?”

She nervously bites her lip and shakes her head.

Hmm. That’s odd. I wonder why.

We walk into the bar and toward the booth permanently roped off for us. Well, it’s roped off for the guys, since they’re famous, but it’s become just as much ours in the short period of time we’ve lived here.

The patrons, who didn’t know us a few weeks ago, all cheer when we walk in. I do love how much the people in this city have become softball fans in such a short time.

My eyes immediately find Ezra Decker’s handsome, comforting face. He’s got wavy dark hair that would likely be curly if he let it grow and the warmest hazel eyes. I wish I felt something more than friendship for him. I just don’t feel that spark. He’s so sweet, but it’s not there for me. He’s only two years older than me. For some reason, I’ve always gravitated toward older, more mature men.

He gives me a big smile when I walk in and motions for me to sit in the booth next to him. I see my favorite beer already there waiting for me. He’s so thoughtful. I sit down and smile. “Is this for me?”

He nods. “It is. I know you guys had a long game in the heat today. I thought you could use it. I ordered your favorite apps too. I figured that you’re probably hungry.”

Like I said, thoughtful.

“You didn’t have to do that.”

He kisses my cheek. “I wanted to. I like taking care of you.”

I rub his leg. “Thank you. You’re very sweet.” Too sweet.

Cheetah smiles at my sister. He’s been trying to get into her pants since the second they met. She’s been toying with him, stringing him along. Every single time we come here, the two of them make bets as to who can score with a random woman. Kam always wins.

I’m not sure what the holdup is. He’s her type. He’s a sexy, blue-eyed Latino man and is very funny. He’s right up her alley.

“Kam bam,” that’s what he calls her, “you were the last to arrive.”

Arizona and Quincy’s mother started a game when they were kids and Quincy brought it to the Cougars. Whoever is last to arrive has to give a random fact. It happens to be interesting, and I’ve learned a lot from it. We all always have random facts on hand in case we’re the last to arrive.

Kam smirks. “I’ve got one for you, kitten.” That’s what she calls Cheetah. “The impulse to ejaculate comes from the spinal cord. No brain is needed. It explains why men ejaculate so easily, doesn’t it?”

Cheetah slowly nods. “That makes a lot of sense. I do get a little tingling in my spine right before I release my sweet vanilla cream into a woman’s warm coffee.”

Kam gives him her playful smile. “I guess it’s a good thing that I’m not lactose intolerant.” She licks her lips suggestively. “I enjoy drinking sweet vanilla cream all night long. From both the pink and blue bottles.”

“I prefer pink bottles with sexy brunettes on the other end of them.” Cheetah over-enthusiastically wipes his face with his napkin and then winks at Kam. “Am I clearing you a place to sit down, Kam bam, or are you planning to bump donuts like you always do?”

Kam rolls her eyes. “I don’t always bump donuts, kitten. I’m bi. If you weren’t so clueless, you’d know that all women are bi.”

I raise my hand. “I’m not.”

She nods. “We all are. We’re either bi-polar, bi-lingual, bi-sexual, or bi-tch.”

The things that come out of my sister’s mouth would make a prostitute blush.

Cheetah and Kam keep going at it punch for punch until Gemma Interrupts the madness by asking Arizona, “Are you excited for your Sports Illustrated shoot this week?”

Arizona and Layton are being featured in the Sports Illustrated couple’s body image issue. They’re going to look amazing, though I know Arizona is a little uncomfortable with it. I don’t know why; she has a beautiful body, and she and Layton have undeniable chemistry.

Arizona shrugs nervously. “I guess.”

Gemma fans her face. “It’s going to be hot as hell. I would do that in a millisecond. Trey’s hands all over my nearly naked body all day? Him standing in his underwear all day? Yes please.”

Trey pulls her onto his lap and rubs his hands all over her body. “I don’t want anyone else seeing your body, baby. It’s only for me. If you want my hands all over you, no problem.”

She smiles as she turns her head and kisses him, uncaring that they have a huge audience.

Ezra leans over and whispers, “You’ll get used to it. That’s how they are.” He then visibly swallows. “Have you umm…changed your mind about me yet? Will you let me take you out? There are a lot of really good restaurants in Philly. I’d love to show you some of them.”

I take his hand in mine. “Ezra, I adore you. You’re kind and so handsome. I’m sure there are women lined up for you. I just don’t see it being more for us, and I don’t want to give you any false hope. I really like you. Can’t we stay friends?”

He pinches his lips together and nods. “Sure. I…umm…just thought it would be cool if the two second basemen in town were together.”

“It would, but I’m not there right now.”

Kam mouths to me, “Just fuck him.”

Nope, not happening.

The next night, we’re all at a Cougars game. Because of Arizona’s status as Layton’s girlfriend, we have season passes for the seats right behind the Cougars’ dugout. We’re all wearing Cougars jerseys given to us by the owners. The same group that owns the baseball team owns the Anacondas, and they like to cross-promote. The guys wear our jerseys to our games too.

In fact, one of the owners, Reagan Daulton, is walking toward us now. She seems to be the ringleader, which is incredible because she can’t be more than a few years older than us. While we’re in jean shorts and baseball jerseys with our hair in ponytails, she’s in a high-end pantsuit and heels with her blonde hair and makeup looking like they were professionally done.

She smiles when she sees us. “If it isn’t my favorite softball players. I love seeing you ladies here. The fans do too. Great win yesterday.”

Arizona shakes her hand. “Thank you. Everything is clicking for us.”

Reagan nods. “Glad to hear it. It’s my understanding that sponsorship opportunities are starting to trickle in. You’re making your mark. More will come. If you need help managing it all, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ll connect you with lawyers and agents as needed.” She smiles at Kam and me. “I remember you two in a Doublemint commercial when I was a preteen.” She sings the famous line, “Double your delightment…with the right mint.”

Kam giggles. “Double your pleasure. Double your fun...”

Everyone except me joins in and sing-screams, “That’s the statement of the great mint in Doublemint gum!”

They all laugh. I do my best to fake a smile. Those memories aren’t good ones for me. They symbolize the end of our relationship with our mother.

Kam simply shakes her head. “We had to chew that fucking gum all day every day for weeks. I still can’t smell it without getting sick to my stomach. I’m a Hubba Bubba kind of girl now.”

Kam chews grape bubblegum during every game. She always has. At this point, it’s a superstition.

Reagan tilts her head to the side. “Hmm. My sister, Skylar, went to business school with the head of marketing at Hubba Bubba. Maybe we can pitch them something.”

Kam’s eyes widen in excitement. “That would be great. Thank you.”

Reagan turns her head to me in question. “I’m not a Hubba Bubba enthusiast like my sister. I’ll leave that one to her.”

I can hear Kam sigh in frustration .

Reagan slowly nods. “Gotcha. Well, I have my whole big family up in the owner’s suite tonight. I should get back. I just wanted to say hello and thank you for all you’re doing for the team. Have a good night.”

When she walks away, Kam elbows me. “What’s your problem? That could be a big deal for us. The twin thing is always a differentiator.”

“I told you; I’m never modeling again.”

“What are you going to do all off-season?”

“I want to search for a nannying job. You know how much I like that.”

I worked for two families in Chicago for the six years we were there. They were both upset I was leaving the city. It was so hard to leave the kids.

Kam doesn’t get it. She never has. Working with kids makes me happy.