Current Day

Kids are messy. I replace the vacuum cleaner in the coat closet, surprised by the lack of smoke rolling off the motor. It received one hell of a workout cleaning my truck’s interior. Yesterday when I took the kids to my family home, I had no idea what was in store for me. But damn, if her kids aren’t the cutest. Even Trenna, whose mission is to hate me, warmed up after I gave her some markers. She was spouting about an art project she had at school, so when I handed her the rainbow of colors, her eyes practically engulfed her head.

“You going to Arti’s with Zach and me Saturday, right?” AJ’s voice echoes from the kitchen.

“Wasn’t really planning on it.”

“Why the hell not? Spring training starts soon. Our time is limited.” He waltzes into the living room and hands over a beer. “Besides, when was the last time you got laid?”

“Keeping track?”

“Pretty obvious, dude. You haven’t had anyone over for ages, and you never stay out late.” His eyebrows furrow. “What were you doing with the vacuum?”

“Truck floorboards were dirty.”

“What dirt? A piece of lint? Wait, you must’ve had a date in the city, and the girl carried in a few rocks with her high heels. That’s it.” He snaps his fingers. “You got laid this weekend.”

“Why are you obsessed with my fucks?”

“I’m not, but I need to get laid. I need my wingman Saturday. Zach sucks since he got married.”

“Since when do you need my help?”

“I don’t, but it’s more fun.”

“If I agree, will you shut up?” I settle into the couch and toss back a drink.

“She must’ve been a sweet piece of ass if you’re content to stay home. Who was she?”

“Watch it.” My voice comes out more forcefully than I intended.

“Ah, so I was right. There was a woman. Or should I say is?”

I let out a sigh. AJ may be an arrogant ass, but he’s observant as hell. “Is. Now, shove it. Just because you’ve never felt that way about someone, I—”

“Who says I’ve never felt that way?”

Now I’m the one surprised. “Kind of hard to hide that from a roommate.” And we’ve been living together for a couple years now.

“Eh, it was a long time ago.” His left shoulder raises with a half shrug, but that cocky smile of his falters. He takes a long pull of his beer, his brows narrowing as if he’s contemplating something. I almost regret bringing it up, but this is AJ. The guy is as carefree and wild as they come.

“It’s been ten years since we broke up, but I have another shot. I don’t want to fuck it up.”

“Wait, do I know her?”

“Yeah,” I draw out. “It’s Jocelyn—Zach and Lacey’s friend.”

“Ah. She seems chill, except for the bitterness toward her ex. How’d you fuck that up the first time?”

“Shut up, man.”

AJ’s laugh unwinds the tension inside me. “That’s cool. You don’t have to go home with anyone Saturday, just go out with us. Zach doesn’t get out too often anymore, and we have to celebrate your win.”

“I’m not a shoo-in.” The anticipation for the Most Valuable Player award will end Friday. The sports channels favor Gregory Marquill or me to win. We both put up excellent seasons, so it’s anyone’s call.

“You’ve got this. That pussy Marquill doesn’t stand a chance.”

“I’ll tell him you called him that next time we play.” My dry tone has him smiling like he just performed the most amazing trick play. No doubt I want to win. It will cap off my career, but my priorities have changed. Before the World Series, it was all I dreamed of. Now I see a bigger prize. Although I don’t like thinking about Jocelyn in those terms. If I had a choice between the title of MVP player or Jocelyn’s guy, I’d pick being her man every time.

“I take it you’ll be staying in New York over Thanksgiving, then?”

“Affirmative.” I plan to spend as much time with Jocelyn as possible.

“Good, because Cara wants to come and stay.”

“That’s fine. She can take my room.” AJ’s sister stays here from time to time. I think she likes having more freedom here. I hope for Drake’s sake it isn’t because of him. If AJ finds out Drake’s been sniffing around his sister, we may have one dead rookie.