“I cannot even believe you’re championing this!” Sylas shouted.

“I’m certain she’d love that,” Axl said.

“Good, and have a nice day, darling. Speak soon. Love you.”

“Love you too. And I know you can’t talk about it right now, but before we hang up, you have to know. I’m glad for you. I want you to be happy and I’ve wanted that a long time. I’m pleased as hell you’re going for it and I’ll support you any way I can.” He let that sink in and finished, “Later, Ma.”

Another hesitation before he got a husky, “Good-bye, Axl.”

She disconnected.

He dropped his cell on the counter and shared with Hattie, “She’s leaving him.”

She came right to him, put both hands on his chest and asked, “Wait, was that your mom or your dad?”

“First, Dad.”

“Your dad phoned to say your mom was leaving him?”

“My dad phoned to share he’d investigated you, knows you stripped, and is pissed as fuck I brought a stripper into his house and I’m so stupid I don’t know you’re after his money.”

She began to take a step back, but he hooked her with an arm and waylaid her.

“You know I don’t believe that shit,” he growled.

“I know,” she whispered, hands pressing in.

“He’s a goddamned dick.”

“Honey.”

“They got in a fight while Dad was spewing his shit, and then Mom called. She walked away from him and said she wanted some time this week. I put it out there, she confirmed.”

“Well, that’s good,” she said hesitantly.

“It’s fuckin’ awesome.”

He was still growling.

She pushed in with more than her hands.

“I’m okay,” he lied.

“You so totally are not.”

At that, his head dropped.

Just dropped, like he wasn’t in control of it.

It hit her shoulder.

That was when she slid her arms around him, held close and pressed against him tight.

She said nothing, just held on.

When he got it together and lifted his head, she caught his eyes.

“You’re not stupid,” she said softly.

“I know, baby.” He let his gaze move over her face and then asked, “How hard is it for you to keep your shit right now?”

Her voice was vibrating when she answered, “Very.”

“I’m okay.” It wasn’t a lie that time.

“All right, honey,” she said, then moved totally in, turning her head and resting her cheek to his chest.

And yeah.

It wasn’t a lie.

Now he was okay.

*  *  *

“Gonna get us some hot dogs, nachos and beers. Babe, you wanna go with me to help carry?”

It was the fourth inning.

And something bizarre was happening.

Don looked to Hattie.

Hattie looked to Don.

Don jerked his head.

Hattie looked to Axl and smiled big and bright. “Of course.”

For fucking certain.

Something weird was happening.