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and taking the risk of the cancer getting too aggressive to fight. I know he thinks of me first now, but I have patches of faded memories that involve a very different man from the one I know today. Which is why I’d always wait for Frank’s visits to ask for specifics about Dad’s baseball years.
    I have a feeling this new place, more importantly, this new job of Dad’s is gonna bring up all the cobweb-covered past that we’ve been avoiding almost my entire life.

Chapter 4
    DAD: Not too late, Ann. And be careful. I heard you can get lost for hours in the Londons’ house.
    After reading the text, I shove my phone into my coat pocket along with the guilt that forms as a result of lying to Dad. I’m sure he’s right. I could get lost in the London house. Assuming I was there. Which I’m not.
    Cold wind whips us in the face as Lenny strides toward the entrance to a lively downtown bar, her high-heeled boots clanking against the sidewalk. She’s a superior vision to me in her tight pants and silver sparkly sweater. Though I did ditch the uniform, like she suggested, my brown sweater, jeans, and flat boots are bland in comparison.
    Before reaching the door, I take in the line of people outside, and more importantly, the huge dude with massive biceps examining IDs of said people outside.
    I grab Lenny’s sleeve. “I don’t, like, have a fake ID or anything…”
    She turns to face me, displaying her perfect makeup job. Concern flickers across her face for a second and then she shrugs. “It won’t matter. Bean is working tonight.”
    Bean?
    I stumble behind Lenny, watching her flip her hair over one shoulder and strut right up to the front of the line. “Hey, Bean.”
    The dude with massive biceps lifts his eyes from the ID he’s currently inspecting. A broad grin spreads over his features, making him look 50 percent nicer. And younger. “Lenny London, come on in!”
    He hops off his stool and ushers us both in after Lenny reaches for my hand and brings me with her. The music inside is loud but not unbearable, and the scent of barbecue ribs is also not unbearable. The mix of patrons varies in age but definitely no one in high school like us. My stomach twists with nerves. I’m not one to play the straight arrow or anything. I like a party as much as any kid my age. But seriously, how long have I been in Kansas City? Forty-eight hours? And I’m already breaking laws and lying to my dad.
    Oh wait…maybe impersonating a Sports Illustrated writer is a felony? If that’s true, then I lasted less than an hour. I know I said I wanted a brand-new start here, but good daughter to raging criminal isn’t exactly what I had in mind.
    After making flirty eyes at the way-too-old-for-her lead singer, Lenny rushes off to the bar and returns with a bottle of beer in each hand. I stand awkwardly, leaning against a table while Lenny flits around the bar greeting people and, like me, not actually drinking her beer.
    Over the next twenty minutes, I check my phone about a thousand times. It’s not even ten yet. Finally, she returns to my side and says, “You’re not having fun, are you?”
    I shrug. What am I supposed to say?
    “I’m sorry.” She releases a breath. “My parents are doing this stupid dinner party tonight, and I needed an excuse to get out of it.” She strokes her cheeks with her thumb and fingertips. “My face is still sore from holding the fake smile at the last party.”
    This one small mention of her family brings the high school girl out again in Lenny’s features. “So hanging out at a downtown bar was your excuse for missing the dinner party?”
    “Yeah, totally.” Lenny laughs. “Actually, you’re my excuse. My mom has elected herself head of the Royals’ welcoming committee. Meaning any new players or staff and families get to learn the lay of the land from my family.”
    My eyebrows shoot up. “That’s…diplomatic of her.”
    Lenny snorts. “Right. Diplomatic. More like she wants to