The Game Changer(36)
His Mets uniform reminded me so much of the one he wore in college that I couldn’t stop the memories from replaying. I clearly envisioned the first time I saw him pitching. It had been a truly beautiful experience, although I never admitted it at the time. His transformation into a completely different person once he stepped on top of that mound of dirt at Fullton State was unlike anything I’d ever witnessed before. Watching Jack play baseball was almost like a having a spiritual awakening. Through all my heartache and heartbreak, I’d forgotten this part.
How my pride soared as I watched him play baseball, knowing how much of his heart it held. And how it literally warmed me from head to toe being the person he loved more than it. I relished the moment, reaching into my purse for my camera.
I looked through the viewfinder and grunted audibly. My seat was great for viewing the game, but not photographing it. I was simply too far away, and I didn’t have my larger zoom lens with me. I snapped one picture anyway, just to remember the night by, before shoving the camera back into my non-designer purse.
In my dazed state, I barely noticed that the seat to my right was newly occupied. Convinced it was another horrible wife, I hesitated to acknowledge this person. I second-guessed myself, suddenly feeling no better than those other women, when a warm voice with a British accent interrupted my thoughts. “Hi. You’re new.”
I turned toward her and stopped my jaw from falling wide open. This woman was stunning. She had an exotic look that I assumed brought guys to their knees. Her long straight brown hair looked like satin. That combined with her naturally tan skin made the green flecks in her hazel eyes stand out even more. I didn’t think she had a stitch of makeup on, and I was convinced she was the prettiest woman in this stadium.
I offered a small smile. “Yeah. I’m Cassie.”
She reached out her hand. “Hi, Cassie. I’m Trina.” A wide smile appeared, and she grew even more gorgeous.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I told her, my voice genuine. After what I’d just witnessed, the fact that she was willing to talk to me at all eased my nerves.
“You too. So, who do you belong to?” She nudged my shoulder with hers.
“Jack Carter.” I tilted my chin toward the field. “He’s pitching tonight. And you?”
“The second baseman, Kyle.” She lifted her hand, pointing him out on the field, and I glanced at her ring finger. My shoulders relaxed when I noticed the absence of rings.
“Where are you from? I love your accent,” I said before suddenly feeling stupid.
“London. I like yours too.” She grinned.
“I don’t have an accent!” I laughed.
“You do. It’s like a totally Californian accent, dude,” she said, trying to mimic the way I sounded to her.
“Well, that’s awesome,” I attempted to say with an English accent, but failed miserably. “So, how long has your boyfriend been on the team?” I asked, desperate for her friendliness to continue.
“This is our second season. He got traded last year.”
“What’s with them?” I tipped my head subtly in the direction of the mean girls.
Trina’s face instantly filled with irritation, her perfectly shaped brows pulling together with distaste. “They’re bitches. They won’t talk to you until Jack has,” her manicured fingers shot into the air and did the symbol for air quotes, “paid his dues.”
“Until Jack has what?” I asked, with an expression that I’m sure reflected the confusion my brain was experiencing.
“He has to earn the respect of his teammates. Once he does that, then you’ll earn the respect of the Bratz dolls over there.”
“Seriously?” I reached for my head, massaging my temples as she continued filling me in.
“There is a class system among the wives. And well, you and I already have one strike against us because we’re not wives. We’re only girlfriends.”
“Uh, didn’t they start off as girlfriends?”
“I like you.” Trina laughed. “Of course they did, but that doesn’t matter. We’re nothing to them. The only way they’ll talk to you is if you do something wrong or get in their way. It’s ridiculous.”
My head ached as I tried to wrap my thoughts around the insanity that came with the baseball wives. Thankfully, the crack of the bat grabbed our attention and we watched as Kyle fielded the hard-hit grounder effortlessly. Trina released a breath, and a broad smile stretched across her cheekbones. My smile followed, thankful for the out. I wanted Jack to have a great first game.
I couldn’t keep from staring at Trina’s perfect features. “I’m sorry, but you’re ridiculously gorgeous. You look like a model.” The words escaped my lips before I could be embarrassed by them.