The furniture has been squished into our house and we’re all exhausted.

But of course Dad’s not done.

After a quick visit from Milo Carter, who bathed us in cheesy smiles and awkward small talk, Dad insisted we head up to Armitage High for a look around the school. We’re already enrolled and set to start tomorrow, but Dad in his usual go-getter style wants us to meet the principal.

I squirm in my seat as Principal Sheehan beams me a smile and asks what I’m hoping to do once I graduate.

He’s established that Chloe is passionate about humanitarian work. She’s only a junior but she’s already started researching colleges with the best health and nutrition courses. I bet in five years’ time she’ll be off in some remote part of the world, working in an orphanage or educating underdeveloped villages about nutrition and sanitation.

Max doesn’t know what she wants to do, but Dad answered for her, going on about how she’s lining up for a baseball scholarship at Ohio University.

And now it’s my turn.

I clear my throat and paste on a smile. “I’ve applied to a few different colleges in the country, including some here in California. I’d like to study accounting or have a career in finance.”

“Madelyn’s a big fan of numbers.” Dad pats me on the shoulder, his smile proud. “She’s got one of those brains that can compute anything. She’s one smart cookie.”

Okay, Dad, we get it. You can shut up now.

I steal a glance at Max, who rolls her eyes behind Dad’s back. Chloe winks at me and then bites her lips together to hamper her grin.

My lips twitch, comforted by the fact my sisters get it.

I seriously don’t know what I’d do without them.

“Well, Armitage High has three wonderful math teachers, and the business studies courses we provide are just as good as any school in this state. So you’re all set.”

His broad smile looks almost strained, but I’m probably reading too much into it. He’s been kind of sales-pitchy the whole time we’ve been in his office, which is weird because hello, we’re already enrolled here.

Dad grabs the principal’s attention by clearing his throat. “My girls are also excellent baseball players. I’m guessing tryouts have already happened, but I’d like them to have an opportunity to speak with the coach and see if we can’t find a space for them.”

“Baseball?” Principal Sheehan’s pale eyebrows rise and he lets out a soft chuckle.

“You do have a baseball team. The Pitbulls.” Dad’s voice is smooth and soft, but I don’t miss the underlying edge. He’s so getting his way on this one. “From what Mayor Carter told me, they’re not half bad.”

The principal smooths down his tie. “Uh, yes. They are a great team. They’re actually the sporting stars of our school. We’re very proud.”

“Excellent.” Dad slaps his knee with a grin. “My girls will be an asset to the team. Might even take them right through to the state championships.”

Principal Sheehan’s laughter is kind of wooden as he leans forward and rests his elbows on his desk. His suit jacket bunches around his shoulders as he grabs a pen and starts clicking it.

“The thing is, Chief Barlow, it’s a boys team. Girls don’t play baseball in Armitage. Now, we do have a softball team that your daughters can join.” His wince tells me they must be crap, and Dad sees straight through it in a heartbeat.

“No.” Dad’s already shaking his head. “My girls play baseball, and I can assure you that they will play it just as well as any boy at your school.”

I internally groan. Just because our all-girls team made it to the championships in an all-girls league doesn’t mean we can play as well as the guys. Although Max probably can. She was born to play ball.

I try to catch her eye but she’s looking down at her lap, probably wishing the floor would open up and swallow us. Dad is seriously embarrassing.

“Well, um, I’m not sure Coach Keenan will allow girls to join. It’s only ever been an all-male team at Armitage High.”

“I guess you’ve never had girls good enough to join.” Dad’s gaze is steely and unrelenting. “Mayor Carter assured me this wouldn’t be a problem.”

The principal snickers and drops his pen-clicking routine, only to replace it with a tie-smoothing exercise.

“Principal Sheehan.” Dad leans forward in his chair. “It would be a real shame for Armitage High to be accused of discriminating against females in the school, wouldn’t it? I’m pretty sure if we look into it, you’ll find that my girls have just as much right as any boy at this school to try out for a baseball team. If they’re not good enough, then you don’t have to play them. But you do have to let them try.”

Clearing his throat, Principal Sheehan gives Dad a tight smile and a barely there nod. “I, uh… Why don’t we walk over to the baseball field now and I’ll introduce you. I’m sure Coach Keenan will be very intrigued to meet your daughters.”

“Thank you, sir.” Dad sticks out his hand. That smile he gets on his face when he’s won is wide and triumphant as he shakes the principal’s hand.

He spins to me and indicates I get up with a quick head tilt towards the door.

I reluctantly stand, jitters scurrying through me as I follow my family out the door.

This should be fun.

Not.