“The secret is in the grip.”

Carter adjusted Ben’s hands around the baseball. He was on the field at the Sluggers’ stadium with Ben Douglas—sans his older cousin. The other players warmed up in the outfield and the two of them momentarily had the diamond to themselves. Carter was fulfilling his promise to him by giving the boy some time before tonight’s game. Thanks to the higher ups, there were more than a few members of the press and the team’s official P.R. rep in the stands taking note of everything they did. Ben’s parents were standing in front of the dugout watching as Carter instructed their son on how to throw a proper pitch.

Ben was in a wheel chair, which had originally thrown Carter off. But as he had explained it, he wanted to “try and pitch a few balls. My friends are gonna go apeshit when they hear about it.”

“Ben!” his mother had scolded.

Ben had given her a dutiful look of remorse, then secretly grinned at Carter.

It was a feeling Carter could empathize with. Moms.

They had spent the morning touring the stadium and meeting the other team members. Now they were on the field so Ben could get the full VIP experience.

“See how both the fingers and the thumb are on the seam? That helps you keep a firmer grip until release.”

Ben just smiled and nodded, probably only caring that Carter Fox was actually touching his hand.

Carter had to admit that the smile was addictive. He hadn’t relished the thought of playing tour guide, even to a kid. Especially, when that kid had failed to bring his hot older cousin. But this kid knew his baseball. He’d been able to rattle off the stats for every player. It was refreshing to see a fan who hadn’t just jumped on the Sluggers bandwagon, but actually appreciated the sport.

“Got it,” Ben said, fixing his fingers firmly around the ball. “This has been great, Carter, best day of my life.”

That made Carter almost embarrassedly pleased. “Maybe you could pass that on to your older cousin,” he suggested with a wink as he back-walked toward home plate.

“Oh no, Jordan is supposedly on a Carter Fox blackout.” Ben rolled his eyes.

That stopped Carter in his tracks. “Really?”

Ben gave him a speculative look, then gave a sly smile. “Yeah.”

He could obviously read Carter’s interest in her like a book. He was annoyed to find that it was so glaringly obvious. He could get any woman he wanted and one 12-year-old was making him feel like a damn teenager with a high school crush.

“But I think she secretly likes you,” Ben confessed, rolling his eyes again. “You know how girls are.”

Carter had no idea how girls were—did any guy?—but he was no longer back-walking at this point. Instead, he took a few steps right back toward Ben, his curiosity officially piqued.

“What makes you say that?” he asked with a half grin.

“She keeps telling everyone not to talk about you. But then she keeps bringing you up.”

Carter’s smile grew. So little Ms. Douglas also had a crush on Carter Fox.

Then an idea struck him.

“You know…I haven’t had a chance to express my sincere apology to her in person yet. I’d really love to, maybe even over the phone?” He raised his eyebrows at his new confidant, hoping he’d take the bait.

Ben didn’t need a road map, but he hesitated. “She’d kill me if I gave you her number.”

“I can respect that,” Carter said, nodding solemnly. “Maybe you could give her my number instead.”

Where the hell had that come from? He never—ever—gave women his number. That was a recipe for disaster. Fortunately, Ben saved him from himself.

“She’d never call you,” he retorted, actually laughing.

Now Carter found himself feeling slightly offended. What woman wouldn’t jump at the opportunity for Carter Fox’s personal number?

Ben saw his expression and gave him an empathetic look. “The thing is, I like my cousin. A lot. She’s really cool. Not like most girls.”

Carter nodded again, with a small smile.

“No, I mean really,” Ben said, maintaining the serious expression on his face. “I don’t want to do anything to hurt her.”

Carter came in closer and knelt next to Ben.

“Listen, I have no intention of disrespecting your cousin. You’re right, she’s…something else.” Carter removed his baseball cap and brought it down to his chest in a grand gesture. “And with your permission, sir, I would formally like to ask her out to dinner.”

Ben reacted to the over-the-top formality by laughing, the way Carter hoped he would.

“Okay, let’s just say that my phone just happens to be in the left pocket of the backpack on the back of my chair, and Jordan’s number just happens to be in the contact list,” Ben said. “If she threatens to kill me, I’m blaming everything on you.”

“Way to cover your ass,” Carter teased, laughing. Then, he went ahead and reached into the pocket. Ben even made a show of idly looking in the opposite direction as he did it.

As Carter cemented the ten-digit number to memory he thought to himself that at least there was on ally on his side.