“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. And I promise it has nothing to do with my family.”
“Gavin, I’m—”
“You already apologized. Just say you’ll come.”
“Okay.”
We walked down the beach together, and I resisted the urge to invite her home with me. I wanted to, but I needed to wait.
***
Becca always looked so good dressed up. I picked her up right after work, and she was still in a fitted skirt and a blue button-down shirt. She definitely seemed to wear blue more now.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” she asked as I drove us out of town. “You’re dressed up, so I’m getting a bit apprehensive.”
I guess a dress shirt and slacks were pretty dressed up for me.
“We’re going to a game.”
“A game?”
“A baseball game.”
“Are you being intentionally vague?”
“Maybe a little.”
“Is everything okay?” She put a hand on my leg. “You seem stressed.”
“Yeah, I’m just anxious about something.”
“You’re not still mad at me, right?”
I looked over at her. I’d missed her more than I wanted to admit. “No. I was never really mad, just upset.”
“That’s not much better.”
“Well, I’ve upset you too. I guess we’re even.” I put a hand on her leg this time.
“Is this a special game? I assume by the direction we’re headed that we’re going to a Durham Bull’s game, but I doubt you’d dress up for just a regular ball game…”
“Yeah, you can say that.”
“Okay, keep your secrets.”
I laughed. “It’s not a big deal, Becca. It’s just a game I said I’d go to, and I wanted you to come with me. I thought you might want to see where I played.”
“I definitely do!” I loved that she was actually excited. She wasn’t making it up.
“Okay, good.”
I got off at an exit I hadn’t used in years and headed into Raleigh. We had a few hours before the game, just enough time to grab some dinner. I knew exactly where to take her.
“This used to be my go-to place for a steak. It wasn’t as good as my favorite place back home, but it helped get me through my years here.”
“Sounds good.”
I parked at the Angus Barn, and we walked in. I couldn’t help noticing the way every guy in there checked her out. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to the attention Becca attracted. She seemed oblivious to it. I loved that about her. We were seated in the corner, and Becca barely looked at her menu before setting it down.
“You know what you want already?”
“Just order me whatever you get.”
“Seriously?”
“Completely. You talked the steak up so much. I’m going to have to try it.”
She squinted a little. It was nice to see her back in challenge mode. “Okay, if you think you can eat it.”
“I can. I skipped lunch so I could leave early. I’m starved.”
“You skipped lunch? Why didn’t you pick something up?” She was thin enough; skipping meals was not cool.
“I was trying to finish up my last project. Today was my last day.”
“But you don’t leave until next week…”
“The Morgans told me to take it off and they’re insisting on paying me anyway. Kind of crazy. I was going to just head home, but now…” She trailed off, but I knew what she meant.
“Don’t leave this weekend.”
“Okay.” She bit her bottom lip. I hadn’t noticed her doing that in a while.
I ordered for us both and waited to see how she’d do.
I laughed to myself when the waiter set down her steak in front of her. It had to be at least thirty-two ounces.
“Here goes nothing,” she mumbled before starting to eat.
She tackled it. She didn’t actually finish, but she got close. We barely talked while we ate. She was too determined.
She wiped her face with a napkin. “You were right. That is good.”
I laughed. “I know. Are you ready?”
“Yes, but I’m not sure if I can move.”
“Sure, you can.” I paid the bill, and we walked out.
We got back on the interstate, and I headed toward Durham. Turning off, I took the long route to the stadium, deciding to drive past my old loft. I always picked lofts.
I turned into the large parking lot, selecting the first empty spot I could find. We made the short trek to the entrance, and I found myself both anxious and surprisingly excited about going inside. Holding Becca’s hand in mine definitely helped.
I checked in at the ticket sales counter, and the clerk told me to go around. I led Becca and went in through the side door where we were met by a suit-clad man I was sure I’d never met before.
“Gavin Powell, we are so excited you were able to make it tonight!”
“Yeah well, I decided I’d actually make this one.”
Becca looked at me quizzically. She was still trying to figure out what made this game unusual.
“Thanks for getting your husband to come tonight. It’s such a treat to have him here.”
I expected Becca to jump all over that comment considering our earlier fight, but she calmly replied, “Just boyfriend. He decided to come on his own.”
“Either way, we’re so glad he’s here.” The man, who still hadn’t introduced himself, handed us two passes on lanyards. “Let me show you to your seats.”
We were escorted to two seats behind the dugout, and I loved watching the look of excitement cross Becca’s face. I felt pretty excited myself. There was just something about being in a stadium. Even when baseball was a job, the excitement was still there.
“This is really cool.” She grinned.
“You like the seats?”
“Like?”
I laughed. She really did love baseball as much as I did.
“Do you want anything to drink? To eat?”
“Are you kidding? Did you not see me eat that entire cow?”
“Entire cow? Not quite, but I’m going to get some popcorn anyway.”
I ran back out and came back with popcorn and two beers.
The Bulls were playing the Charlotte Knights, and the first few innings were fairly uneventful. Finally, in the fourth inning, the Bull’s managed two runs. Becca got really into it, jumping out of her seat and everything.