With a to-go box on my lap, I pull up my phone and look at her name in my contact list. I debate turning on the TV to avoid falling into a pit of should I or shouldn’t I?, but when I click on the button for FaceTime, I realize my heart needs something else right now. Apparently.
I hold my breath as I stare at myself in the screen, waiting for her to pick up. It rings far too long, and I’m just about to cancel the call when she answers. “Lincoln, hey.”
I nearly choke on my words when I see her. Her hair is swept to the side and has a wave to it. Her makeup is done, and from what I can see, she’s wearing a low-cut shirt, showing off a good portion of her cleavage—cleavage I’ve buried my mouth in on multiple occasions.
Jealousy pricks at the back of my neck, and I instantly regret calling her but it’s not like I can hang up now.
“Hey, Indie.”
There’s some cheering in the background but it quickly fades as Indie shuts a door behind her. She turns on a light.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah.” I grip the back of my neck. “Sorry, I can go if you’re busy.”
“No, we’re just getting ready to go out, waiting on a few girls to meet up at the house.”
“Yeah, okay.” I look to the side and then back at her. “I, uh, I like your hair.”
“Oh, thanks,” she replies, biting the corner of her lip and looking so uncomfortable that it’s painful.
“Sorry about not meeting up over the holidays. Things were hectic.”
“It’s fine.” She shrugs. “Not a big deal.”
“Did you have a good holiday?”
“It was okay. Mom and Joe got married. Taught Priscilla a few soccer tricks, my mom’s worst nightmare.”
I chuckle. “And your dad?”
“Broke up with Rochelle. But he started seeing someone he knew back in high school. Of course, my mom felt spiteful about it because it’s a girl my mom never got along with. She seems to be over it, especially since Joe gave her a vacation to Hawaii for the new year. Joe in a Speedo, not the type of pictures you want from your mom.”
“Yeah, I guess not.” I rub the side of my cheek. “Hairy?”
“So much hair.” She laughs, and I let out sigh of relief. “Is Mama still working on her porn sites?”
“Nah, she’s graduated,” I say. “They’re now working with a company that makes compost bins.”
“Well, that’s a change. Porn to compost.”
“Mama seems to enjoy it, and she’s now fascinated by the worms. I think she just likes long, wiggly things.”
Indie tilts her head back and laughs out loud. “Only your moms.”
“Yeah, they’re something special.”
She stares at me for a few seconds, a smile on her face. “I’ve missed you, Linc.”
“I’ve missed you too, Mayhem.”
“Maybe we don’t go so long next time, not seeing each other?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry, that’s on me.”
“It’s okay.” I hear someone in the background, and she says, “Be right there.” Turning back to me, she gives me a sad smile. “I have to go. Call me some other time? I want to catch up.”
“Yeah, I’d like that.”
“Bye, Lincoln.” She cutely waves.
“Bye, Indie.”
TWO YEARS AFTER INDIE’S SENIOR YEAR
“I’m so proud of you,” Mom says, grabbing me by the cheeks and planting a kiss right on my lips. “My big boy is a star.”
“Settle down.” I chuckle. “It was one game. We have an entire season to go.”
“It wasn’t just one game; it was your major league debut,” Mama says. “And you won. It’s your first win. One of many.”
“Well, I wouldn’t be here without you two,” I say, as I put my arms around both my moms and walk them out to my car in the players’ parking lot.
Just as I predicted last year, I was traded during the All-Star break to Pittsburgh and then was called up after spring training this year and added to the starting rotation. In the five-slot, but hell, better than riding the bench, or being back in the minors. My contract isn’t huge, but it’s enough to be comfortable. I have free agency after this year, which means I could go anywhere if I’m not happy in Pittsburgh. When I felt depressed about being traded from the Rebels, I talked to my moms, and they told me to use it as experience, to work hard, and when my free agency comes up, maybe I’ll have some pull in where I go.
And that’s what I’ve been doing.
After a debut like that, I think I’m on the right track.
“Thanks for flying out here by the way; it means a lot to me.”
“Are you kidding? No compost bin would hold me back from seeing our boy play today,” Mama says. “Did your mom tell you we started a veggie garden in the backyard? Not just flowers anymore. We’re composting and loving it, all because of the website.”
“Well, I’m glad you were inspired by this website, and not the porn ones. I can only imagine you two wanting to shoot your own porn flick.”
“Who’s to say we haven’t?” Mom says, wiggling her eyebrows just as my phone rings in my pocket.
I pull it out to silence it but when I see Indie’s name come across the screen, I answer, excusing myself for a second.
“Hey Indie.”
“Ahhh, is this the star pitcher for the Pittsburgh Steel?”
“Not you too.” I chuckle.
“First things first, your moms being interviewed on TV while you pitched has got to be the best thing I’ve ever seen. Mama standing in the stands, pelvic thrusting when you struck someone out literally made my year.”
“Oh Jesus, she didn’t,” I say, looking over at my moms who are holding hands and talking quietly.
“She did, and I took a boomerang of it. I’ll text it. Also, wearing your socks high is a good look on you.”
“Yeah, the team requires it. Felt weird, but I think it might be good luck, you know? Superstitions and all.”
“Naturally. And thirdly, you killed it, Lincoln. Oh my God, at one point I was crying I was so happy for you.”
“You watched the whole game?”
“Of course I did. I’m just sad I wasn’t there in person.” She sighs. “You did it, Castle. You made it. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, Indie, that means a lot.” I toe the ground and ask, “Uh, how are you? I saw that you led your team in goals last season. That’s pretty badass.”
“Have we not talked since then?”
“Yeah.” I pull on the back of my neck. “Things keep seeming to get crazy between us.”
“As long as you still pick up the phone when I call, that’s all that matters.”
“Always.” I glance over at my moms as they wait. “Hey, my moms are here, waiting on me.”
“Sure, yeah. I’ll let you go. Just wanted to congratulate you. I’m really proud of you, Lincoln. All that hard work is paying off.”
“Yours too, Mayhem. Keep hustling, babe.”