Page 75 of The Triple Play

The player stepping up to home base is handsome enough, in a boy-next-door kind of way. I cast a sidelong glance at Juniper and see her staring at the screen intently, the hand holding her wrap frozen halfway from the plate to her mouth.

I think I’m starting to see why my question about their relationship elicited such a response.

I know the basics of baseball, having watched a few games with Kyle over the years. But I’m far from knowledgeable when it comes to all of the rules. Thankfully, I am currently surrounded by super-fans, and as the game gets underway, I find myself getting a crash course in baseball.

When Cal’s bat connects with the ball, sending it flying to the outfield, Juniper groans, “Crap, fly ball.”

But the player in the field fumbles, dropping the ball, and Charlie, Isla, and Juniper all cheer.

“Let’s go! He missed it!” Charlie shouts.

“That’s an error, right?” Isla claps her hands as we watch Cal take off running.

“Yeah, the outfielder should’ve had it,” Juniper says. “Stop at first, don't get greedy!” she shouts at the television when Cal starts to near the base.

“Why wouldn’t he keep running?” I ask.

“Because if they recover fast, they’ll throw him out at second,” Charlie explains, leaning forward, eyes glued to the TV.

Cal slides into first. “Oh, thank god,” Juniper groans, slumping back. “He would’ve been insufferable if he got out on his first at bat.”

The inning ends with Cal scoring the only run, but you’d think he just solved world peace with how excited Charlie and Juniper get.

I’m more interested in what’s happening on-screen as the Thunder takes the field. The camera pans to Griffin walking out in his catcher's gear, which really shouldn’t be an attractive look, but damn, it is. Then Denver’s striding out, looking confident and ready.

I don’t even realize I’ve shifted until I feel someone lift my plate off my lap and set it on the table. Glancing over at Isla, I see an amused expression on her face.

“It was about to fall to the floor with how much you’re leaning forward.”

“Oh. Sorry.” I feel my neck get warm.

“It’s fine. It’s easy to get into the game once you understand it.”

I duck my head in a nod and make myself settle back on the couch. But I don’t take my eyes off Denver.

“Foxxy’s got this,” Charlie says confidently. “Watch. I bet it’ll be three up, three down.”

"Don’t jinx him,” Isla chides her son. “But you’re probably right.”

Sure enough, Denver only throws twelve pitches, striking out three batters in a row, ending the first inning. As he walks off the field, I see his easygoing smile as the other players bump their gloves against his. When he reaches Griffin, he’s lifted his catcher’s mask up to reveal a wide smile of his own, aimed at his best friend.

“Hey Mom, Miles just texted and asked if I wanted to go to his house to watch the rest of the game. Can I?” Charlie asks, looking up from his phone.

“Yeah, that’s fine. But come home by ten, okay?”

“Yup. Thanks, Mom. Bye Aunt Juni, bye Olivia,” he says, jumping up.

“Bye kid,” Juniper calls out as he pulls on some shoes.

“Bye,” I echo, my attention already back on the screen. “Wait, Denver’s going up to bat?”

“Yeah, in this league, the pitchers can bat. They don’t in every game, in fact, it’s rare that they’d have a guy pitching and batting in the same game,” Isla explains. “But apparently, we’re down a couple of our strong hitters for this series, so I guess they’re putting Denver in. He’s solid at bat.”

I stop myself before I lean forward this time. But I still feel Isla watching me. I wonder how she and Juniper would react if I just told them. If I admit that I’m attracted to Denver and Griffin. That I’m involved with them both.

Denver doesn’t swing at the first pitch, but he does at the second. Unfortunately, he misses and it’s a strike. The next pitch is high, even I can tell that. Then the fourth pitch comes.

“Come on, Foxxy,” Isla murmurs.