Chapter 19: A Swing and a Miss

After we said our goodbyes, I pulled my hair back into a ponytail and fashioned a baseball cap on the top of my head, then walked over to the mirror to examine my reflection.

My mother’s salve had worked. My wounds had healed quickly, and the scabs had fallen off, but the new skin left ugly blotches. Though I wasn’t entirely satisfied, I knew this was as good as it was going to get.

Grabbing my mini-pack, I trotted down the stairs to say goodbye to my mother before I went outside to wait for Toby.

When Toby had mentioned that the games were being played among company teams, I had visualized sparse benches sprinkled with supportive spouses and children, but when we encountered a line of cars waiting to enter the ballpark, I realized that the game was a big deal to Grandville.

Toby escorted me to the food stands before we found our seats. Though my stomach was rumbling, I couldn’t justify allowing him to pay such a hefty price for a hotdog, so I selected bottled water and a small bag of popcorn.

I waited until we were seated to air my complaints about the prices.

Toby shrugged. “A percentage of the sales will be donated to charity, so most of the vendors raise their prices. People will pay them if they think they are supporting a worthy cause.”

“Oh. Well, I guess I should just enjoy my water and shut up…,” I said, careful to take small sips so I could make it last.

Toby grinned as he leaned close to me and said in a low voice, “Between you and me, I think it’s a scam.” Then he gestured at the crowd. “But the town seems to love it.”

The first two games were short.

“They play only three to five innings each game,” he said to me. “The winning teams for these minor games qualify to play the final game, which will have six innings, as well as a time extension.”

Then he shrugged. “But it hardly matters. The same two teams are always in the final playoff. Here comes one of the qualifiers now.”

A team wearing purple-and-white jerseys trotted onto the field. Unlike the opposing team, it appeared as if all the members were young and athletic.

“I can see why they win,” I countered. “All of those men look like they hit the gym.”

“That is because they do,” Toby confirmed. “Concord Container and Jones Incorporated. Both hire college players for the games.” He added air quotes around ~hire~, indicating that neither company was acting in good faith.

“That hardly seems fair!” I pouted, now determined for the opposing team to win.

“The funny thing is, the companies that always make the final cut are under the same umbrella,” he informed me. “That is why my father refuses to participate. He believes it is unethical.”

“I agree,” I said. “Hiring those college players must cost a pretty penny, though. Is there a large prize awarded to the winners, or something?”

“Nope, just a trophy to put on display,” he revealed.

“So, what is the point?” I asked. “Why spend all that money to rig a game when there is no chance to recoup your expenditure?”

“It’s not about the money. Jones Industries is far from cash poor. It’s all about winning and being on top,” he explained.

“So, this is common knowledge?” I pressed. “Why doesn’t anyone complain?”

“Because Jones employs most of the town. No one is going to dare jeopardize our county’s economy over a charity baseball game.”

“Well, my mother isn’t employed by them,” I rambled. “I have half a mind to hunt down whoever owns Jones Inc. and lecture them on the importance of fair competition.”

“Go ahead. His son, the crown prince, is up to bat next.”

I turned my attention to the field, and for a moment I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Justin approaching the plate. I could have slapped my forehead for not putting things together. ~Justin Jones.~

He must have felt me gazing at him, because his gaze zeroed in on me, and he offered a friendly wave. I lifted my hand and returned the gesture.

“You two know each other?” Toby asked.

I thought about vaguely mentioning that Justin was doing our landscaping, but I liked Toby and thought it would be best if I were honest with him.

“We are actually going out this evening,” I admitted.

His eyes dimmed, and I opened my mouth to explain, but he cut me off.

“Why don’t we just enjoy the rest of the game?” Though he smiled when he said this, I did feel a shift in the energy between us.

I did my best to enjoy the rest of the tournament, but I was tense the entire time and felt relieved when Jones Inc. won, and it was finally over.

Though his demeanor was relaxed, and he remained courteous, Toby didn’t speak to me in the same casual manner he had before. I waited until we returned to his truck to address the elephant in the room.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that I had accepted another invitation—”

Toby interrupted me. “I just met you,” he pointed out. “Who you date is none of my business. I just wish you had told me you were dating Justin Jones instead of letting me sit there and trash his family business.”

“I didn’t know you were talking about his family business,” I clarified. “I just met Justin. My mother had hired him to do our landscaping.”

Toby grinned. “His dad has him landscaping this year?”

“Apparently.” I shrugged. “I doubt he is mowing our lawn for fun. I had no clue his family owned anything, let alone a massive corporation that cheats at charity baseball games.”

Toby put the truck into drive and began to maneuver into the line that was forming at the exit. He waited until the line of cars came to a halt before he spoke again.

“You really didn’t know?” He sounded doubtful.

“No,” I insisted. “Like I said, I just met him. Why don’t you believe me?”

“Because his entire Instagram profile screams privileged,” Toby revealed. “I doubt a run-of-the-mill landscaper can afford a Range Rover and Aston Martin.”

“I like to get to know people organically,” I proclaimed. This was true, even though my mother had pressed me to vet both my suitors before going out with them. Now I wished I had heeded her advice.

The tension between us had dispersed by the time we pulled into my driveway. I thanked him for the wonderful afternoon, then made a move to leave.

His hand caught mine, stopping me. He appeared as if he wanted to say something, then changed his mind and said, “You really should google the men you date. There are a lot of creeps out there.”

“I will,” I promised him. And as we sat there gazing at each other for a moment longer, I felt that spark again.

Toby must have felt it too, because he leaned forward and gently brushed his lips against mine.

I grasped the back of his neck and pressed my mouth against his, deepening our connection. The kiss was long and lingered on my lips as we parted.

My gaze automatically shifted to the house, worried that my mother could be watching. I decided to make my departure.

“Thanks again for a lovely afternoon,” I said, giving him a quick peck on the cheek as I reached for the door handle.

I had just exited the car when Toby called out to me, “Dharma, can I ask you for a favor?”

“Depends on the favor,” I teased as I leaned into the open window of the passenger’s side.

“Can you keep what I said about Justin’s family between us?” he asked.

Anticipating some light banter, I asked, “Why? Are you afraid of Justin?”

When Toby’s large, brown eyes darkened, I realized I had struck a nerve. I scrambled to backpedal. “I wasn’t insinuating that you couldn’t hold your own…”

Toby, not bothering to crack a smile, raised a hand to stop me. “I’ve always fancied myself a pacifist, but the truth is, I’m sheltered. I’m a coward.”

I recalled how easily he had lifted my scooter into the bed of his truck and shook my head. “You are strong like a wire hanger,” I reminded him. “I’m sure if the opportunity arose, you would rise to the occasion.”

This time Toby did grin, but it was the tight-lipped smile you offered someone when you believed they were being gullible.

“I’ve been challenged to a fistfight before, but thankfully I was able to talk my way out of it. I wasn’t afraid of the physical pain, but the humiliation I would feel if I lost,” he explained. “I can be a great companion, but I’m no protector.”

Though his eyes were not watering, they did glisten as he gazed at me sadly. I bit my bottom lip, wishing I could take my jest back.

“Whoever said I needed a protector?” I posed stubbornly.

My persistence was rewarded with a smile. “I didn’t say that you needed a protector,” Toby countered, “but you do deserve one.”

“I’m not sure what I deserve,” I told him honestly. “But I do know if Justin ever raised a fist to you, I would never forgive him.”

Toby reached through the window and squeezed my hand. “I’m not just afraid of physical retaliation,” he explained. “The Jones family doesn’t take being offended lightly. Just promise me that you won’t share the remarks I made today with Justin.”

My first instinct was to make a joke to lighten the mood, but recalling how my last quip landed, I simply nodded. “I won’t say anything,” I promised.