12. Local gold digging MILF wanted

TWELVE

Soon after Colton left, we did too. Our walk was shortened with all the kids that showed up, so we headed back to the car. The leaves had turned to the shades of autumn, but the grass was still green and vibrant. I knew it wouldn't last long, so I wanted to soak it up as much as possible, while also being excited for a Midwest winter. Growing up here, I never thought I'd actually be excited for an Iowa winter, but I could stand to be snowed in one place for a couple months and let life slow down a little. We were always playing in the South to start the season and only returning when it was warm enough to play in Seattle.

"Wanna detour?" Del had a wistful expression on her face. I'd never say no when she got that look in her eye. She was relaxed and—dare I say happy? A few pieces of her blonde hair had fallen out of her bun to frame her cheekbones. When we started our walk this morning she'd been as far over on the sidewalk she could be while still staying next to me. Since leaving the park, our hands brushed occasionally, and she tapped my arm a couple times to point out things that had changed since I'd been home last. Even if her mental walls were all the way up when it came to me, her physical ones were starting to slip out of habit. She probably didn't even notice she was doing it, but I noticed every move she made.

"I have nothing but time."

"No local MILF gold diggers you need to grace your presence with?" And there was her attempt to put space between us again. I knew it would take time to prove to Del, but I was only here for her. I loved my family but they weren't why I came home.

"The only MILF I'm interested in is currently… not my biggest fan." I looked her up and down, taking in the generous curves I had a front row seat to. Del was much more confident as a mom than she was before. She'd always been gorgeous but now she wasn't hiding or making herself smaller to leave room for others. Her brazen personality finally matched the way she held herself. It was fucking attractive and I was here for it.

"Hmmm," she hummed. "Is that so?"

"Yeah. She's so pretty today it hurts to look at her." I glanced away. "But apparently I like to punish myself."

Del rolled her eyes and pointed to the right. Her grandpa's house had a sold sign in the yard and strange vehicles in the driveway next to a moving truck.

"Who bought it?" I asked.

Del frowned at the house we both spent plenty of time in when we were younger. Her grandpa thought it was funny to tease me and say Del was my girlfriend. I'd swear I thought she smelled like feet, but he never believed me. Smart man, that guy.

There was a far away look in her eyes, and I wondered if she was remembering our childhood in those four walls. I was. I remembered the way we'd race through the door and beg for chocolate chip cookies. Michael always made them fresh and spoiled us with candy and sweets our parents wouldn't have allowed us.

"I made an offer, but someone bid more money than I could." She saw me watching her reaction. "It was a long shot anyway. I just always hoped I'd get a chance to put my own books in that library one day. Thought maybe I'd write a book while living there too. That place was special."

Later that night, I sat alone in my room watching what would be the last game of the season for the Tempests. It was their first and last postseason game because they were currently down 4-1 in the top of the ninth inning.

I watched as Jesse Walker shook off yet another one of Brett's signs. He looked relaxed on the mound. My mound. This would have been my game to pitch, but there he was dominating my responsibilities. My blood boiled as I watched him communicate silently with Brett. I didn't devote my life to this sport to end up as someone"s second choice.

Since I'd been gone, Jesse had been eating away at my image in press conferences, and I had no doubt it would be the same case tonight.

I walked a fine line of not wanting my team to lose and hoping Jesse played like shit so he wouldn't be so fucking chipper in the interviews afterward.

I didn't bother holding my breath. I knew he was talented and would make the out. It still wasn't enough to win the game though after the hole our offense dug. The other team's pitcher was well known and always gave our lineup trouble. Still, I was surprised when not even Peter scored a run.

I kicked back on my bed that was entirely too small for my adult body and waited for the press conference to start. Standard protocol was that the visiting team went first, so I listened to San Antonio's players answer questions and boast about their plays until it was time for the Tempests to sit behind the mics.

All freshly showered, I watched my guys settle into the chairs. Brett and Peter looked pissed with their arms crossed over their chests. Peter downed the water bottle in front of him while they all waited for Jesse to grace the media with his presence.

He walked up in a full sweatsuit with my sponsor"s logo, head to toe in Seattle colors, and my heart dropped. No fucking way. Brett and I worked hard and negotiated harder for that sponsorship. It was rare for a company like that to sponsor two athletes on the same team. There was no chance they were looking to endorse three. I got the message that was sent by them providing Jesse with merch like that. Loud and clear. I needed to shape up or ship out.