Chapter Twenty-Two
Colton
“Come on; it will only take a minute,” I urge Carter on to the field with me to pitch the first ball. Problem is the kid has gone frozen on me and won’t get out of his seat.
“You go ahead I’ll watch you from here. I’ll even cheer you on,” he answers nervously, and I realize he doesn’t want that much attention on him. I sometimes forget the amount of attention I get being a public figure. My life is my normal, but it clearly isn’t normal by the moonstruck look on this kid‘s face.
“Okay. I expect to hear that cheer though.” I lift a finger and warn playfully. I want his day to be fun. He’s a great kid. I guess he’s very mature for his age. I want him to like me which is an odd feeling for me because I have no experience with kids other than the second-grade class I visited a few weeks ago. Besides, I find his honesty refreshing, and I like hanging out with him. His world is happy, and he’s content. He can just be a kid. I guess I love watching him being a kid because I never got a real chance.
I head out to the field and shake the hand of today’s pitcher. The first player is already set and ready to go in front of the umpire in the batter’s box. It will be an intense game tonight since the Cubs are playing the White Sox, both Chicago teams. The White Sox feel like they have something to prove and now they have me pitching the first practice ball. I throw the first ball. The umpire calls strike one, and the crowd goes wild. Now I feel the pressure even more. I pitch again and this time ball one is called. Shit! I’m trying to look like a hero for the kid, and this isn’t boding well for me. I want him to go home to his mother saying what a great guy I am because I like her and for the first time in my life I want this relationship to work.
I pitch another ball this time using a slight curve to the inside corner which I know may throw this player off. Yes! It works, the umpire calls strike two. I glance over to Carter, and he’s full out cheering in his seat his hands waving in the air. The coach motions to the pitcher that I’m done. Okay,I nod. I’ve done my job. I shake his hand, we smile for the cameras, and then I’m back to my seat.
“Wow! That was so cool.” Carter’s voice is cheerful as I sit back in my seat. “They should have let you pitch one more. You would have totally gotten that guy out.” He’s smiling and so sure.
“Thanks, bud.” I ruffle the top of his hair. “They usually only let me throw the first ball. I threw three today, so that was pushing it even though I did a bang-up job.”
“Yeah, if you stop being governor then maybe you can find a job in baseball. That would be so cool, and I could say I knew one of the Cubs personally.”
I laugh. His enthusiasm is endearing. “I never thought about playing ball. I’m better at golf than baseball, but I’ll consider it.”
A guy selling pop and popcorn comes by, and I buy each of us a Coke and popcorn.
“Mom doesn’t let me drink Coke. She says it can stunt my growth because of the caffeine.”
“Crap! Sorry. I can get you something else to drink,” I offer.
“No way. I love Coke. Sometimes my dad lets me drink Coke. He says if I drink it once in awhile it won’t stop me from growing,” he says, then pops his can open and chugs the can down. “I usually come to ball games with my dad, but this has been real fun. Thanks for bringing me.”
“Yeah, sure. I’m glad you could make it. This is fun for me too,” I answer. When Carter speaks of his dad, it makes me curious. I know he’s Evie’s best friend and they share a child. From the sounds of it, he’s a good guy. I don’t understand why the thought of him makes me feel uncomfortable. I don’t have too much time to process my thoughts because out of the corner of my eye I notice a picture of Carter and me on the giant jumbotron screen meaning we will be on TV. Whoa! Talk about public exposure.
I point to the screen and Carter looks up. “Holy crap.” He claps his hand over his mouth. “I…mean…” he murmurs. “I’m sorry, you won’t tell my mom I said that will you?” He looks to me with worry in his young blue eyes.
“Your secret is safe with me.” I wink then look around to make sure my detail is close by. I asked them to keep a distance earlier since I didn’t want Carter feeling like going out with me would be strange. As I check our surroundings, I realize that the guy standing behind me is snapping a picture of Carter and me with his phone. Holy crap! I repeat Carter’s words in my head. This isn’t good.
“Hey, no pictures, man. Besides he’s a minor, so you better not be posting that anywhere,” I say with a stern voice even though I try to keep things friendly.
“Who’s the kid? I’m with US Weekly. Care to make a statement?” He holds his phone out to me. I cuss under my breath. Thatch, one of the men on my detail, comes up to the gentleman and gently escorts him away.
“Rumor has it that you’re dating someone and it’s serious. Is this her son? Have you set a date to marry?” the reporter shouts as Thatch hauls him away from us. I clench my jaw together because I didn’t need Carter hearing all those questions. His mom told him I was her friend for now and I wanted to respect what Evie wanted.
I don’t have time to come up with an answer when Carter asks, “Are you and my mom going to get married?” His voice sounds a little awestruck and maybe even worried.
A small chortle escapes my lips. “Your mom is a real nice lady. I like spending time with the two of you. If it’s okay, I’d like to continue spending time with you guys,” I answer and I know I’m deflecting the real question. I hate to deflect with Carter, but I haven’t thought about marriage. Like ever.
“Cool. We like to hang out with you too,” he answers and smiles then returns his attention to the game satisfied with my answer. If the thought hadn’t crossed my mind before now, it was planted in my head. Marriage…me, Evie, and Carter. The idea didn’t unsettle me at all. I waited for the panic to rise in my chest as I pictured us as a family. Only the alarm never took root. Instead, I got a warm feeling in my chest as I thought of quiet nights at home with Evie and Carter by a warm fire. I don’t know why the picture of a fireplace came to mind, only that whenever I thought of a real-life family, they were happy, they were sitting around a coffee table playing games, and the warmth of a fireplace radiated through the room. I let out a long breath almost feeling relief. I had run from relationships all my teenage and adult life. It felt good not to want to run anymore.