“One of my teammates taught me a new term: redneck crazy. Pam Bell, I’m just ‘redneck crazy’ enough to do it. Just say the word, and we can do what’s right,” I said, looking into her eyes.
She bit her bottom lip. Neither one of us had planned this moment. She looked up at me and smiled. Oh, my God! She was going to say ‘yes.’
“I would love to be your wife, but I just can’t now. It’s enough to know you’re willing to do that for me. You don’t know how much you and Coby mean to me. Why don’t you ask me again on his sixth birthday?” she suggested.
“I love you,” I told her.
“I know.”
“David, you have to quit getting my hopes up,” Mom teased and walked away.
“Did you really mean it?” Pam asked.
I thought about it for a moment.
“You know, I believe I might actually be ready for a more serious relationship,” I admitted.
“I know several girls, including myself, who would welcome that. If you want, I can call everyone and let them know you picked me.”
“I want to be there when you do it. Just be careful of Tracy and Tami. They fight dirty.”
“I’ll get Cassidy to protect me.”
“Dunno about that; I’m not so sure she’d help you out. I think she has a crush on me,” I teased.
“Everyone knows she does.”
She gave me a fierce hug. Peggy came up.
“Do I get one?”
I gave her one too.
It was time to leave. I found Paul, and we rounded up Bob to go home. Melissa and Rob had already left. I found the three youngest ones sound asleep, with Kyle and Mac barely hanging on.
“Did you have fun today?” I asked Bob as we drove to his house.
“Yes. You did really well today.”
“Thanks. Today was what every baseball player dreams about. Just don’t expect me to be able to do that every time.”
“You’ll do fine. Everyone says so,” Bob assured me.
Paul dropped us off. I headed up to my room and checked my messages. Greg had sent Lily my stats for the two games, and she’d sent them out to everyone on the separate sports social media account we’d set up. I was glad to see everyone’s congratulatory responses to the news.
I had a voicemail from Saul. It was still early out west, so I called him.
“I got you booked for another commercial on your Japan trip,” he announced.
“That’s good. Have you heard anything about
“They plan to rewrite the script and have Ben Doman’s character, Roman, move over to lead your team. They felt that after your conflict in the previous movie, it would add some needed tension,” Saul explained.
Ben and I’d had an epic sword fight in the first movie. I liked Ben personally and liked the idea of his character joining the core group. Saul had shared that Ben and I had tested better than Craig had when they broke down the film. I hoped that would translate into the audience liking the change.
“How’s
“They’re about to wrap, and Gabe Francis is singing your praises. Word is getting around about how Laurent Vance treated you and some of the other actors. Gabe is telling everyone that you were professional and turned in a great performance.”
“I never thought I would end up doing that role. But I have to say it was a good experience. I also would never have been able to visit Cuba otherwise.”
“David, I want to thank you. Rita and Halle James called, and I’m representing them now.”
“Saul, you got
“Thank you for sticking with me. I know Caryn shopped around. I appreciate you standing up for me.”
He might not be the most likable guy, but he got results. I could live with that.
◊◊◊
Chapter 14 – That Guy Tuesday June 21
I came downstairs to run and found my mom and Paul drinking coffee with Melissa.
“Sit,” Mom ordered.
“What was last night about, and what the hell is ‘redneck crazy?’ From what I heard, you may very well be more than my ‘stupid boy,’ and we’ll have to get your head examined.”
Oh, boy!
“Pam basically told me she wanted more out of me. I guess it was my ingrained ‘do the right thing’ upbringing that kicked in. If Pam wants to marry me and we bring up Coby as a couple, I’m willing to do it.”
“What the hell happened to you not being sure you wanted to get married?”
Melissa and Paul leaned back, a little afraid to get caught in the crossfire. I did notice that they didn’t get up to leave like I was mentally broadcasting. I guess I really didn’t have any Jedi mind-tricks up my sleeve.
“Back in the fall, Pam wasn’t my favorite person. Looking back, I can see it was her father who clouded my vision, even though I tried not to let him. At the time, I felt manipulated and knew that was no way to start a serious relationship,” I explained.
“How is now any different? Can you honestly tell me that if it weren’t for Coby, you would marry Pam? Or, for that matter, that you’d marry anyone? Good God, David! Sometimes I wonder if you’re even my kid,” she huffed.
