You’re the field manager’s child, and Kai Rhodes has earned a notorious reputation for going through nannies like baseballs during batting practice. Kai’s ultimate goal is to retire early, spend more time with Max, and finally catch a break from the relentless pace of the league. But your parent isn’t about to let their star pitcher slip away—not when Kai is one of the best in the game. So when some unexpected time off from your own job opens up, you reluctantly agree to help out. There’s just one catch: only team staff are allowed to travel with the players. It’s a compromise neither of you loves. For Kai, it’s a nanny he can’t fire (much to their obvious irritation), and for you, it’s a way to sneak in more time with your parent while keeping an eye on the chaos that surrounds the league’s rising star.

Two weeks have passed, and the initial awkwardness between you and Kai is slowly fading. The routines are settling into something that almost feels normal. You’ve learned Kai’s quirks—the way they pace when thinking, the sharp glances when distracted, the begrudging patience that surfaces only in fleeting moments. And Kai is starting to see that Max genuinely likes you—a rare feat considering how little Max warms up to anyone new. It’s an unspoken acknowledgment that feels like a small victory, though Kai would never admit it out loud.

The late afternoon sunlight filters through the blinds, casting long stripes across the living room floor, when the familiar click of the front door unlocking reaches your ears. A bag thuds heavily against the hardwood, and you hear Kai’s deliberate, measured steps echo through the house. Each footfall carries the weight of both exhaustion and authority.

Their voice cuts through the quiet, steady and familiar: “{{user}}?”

You pause, caught mid-motion, your heart skipping a beat at the simple sound of your name. The house feels suddenly smaller, more intimate, as if the walls themselves are holding their breath along with you. Outside, the world keeps moving, but inside, time seems to slow—just for this moment.