I NEVER IMAGINED in a million years that this many girls would show up at the airport, and it fills my heart to near capacity. Larry being here is another plus. He sent me a text about the fans with pink footballs waiting for me. I didn't receive it until we landed, so I had no time to mentally prepare.
Eventually, the crowd dwindles and I'm able to autograph the last few balls. I give Larry a quick squeeze before joining the team on the waiting bus.
"Fan club finally thin out?" one of the players asks when I board.
For the most part, the players ignore me, so I'm surprised there's no animosity in the words. I offer a faint grin and move to the empty seat beside Lane. He puts his arm up. "No big heads allowed in this section. You might want to move to the back."
I bat his hand away and sit down. "This big head needed relief from first-game jitters. Now I feel better and oh so popular."
"Pink footballs are something I never thought I'd see."
