Play Along by Liz Tomforde

Play Along by Liz Tomforde

Play Along, the fourth installment in the Windy City series by Liz Tomforde, follows Isaiah Rhodes, a shortstop for the Windy City Warriors, as he navigates the emotional challenges of his past. Set against the backdrop of baseball season, Isaiah grapples with the anniversary of his mother's tragic death, seeking solace in his secret hiding spot in the women's restroom. The narrative explores themes of grief, identity, and the pressure to maintain a cheerful facade for his teammates. As he encounters a mysterious woman in the clubhouse, their interactions promise to challenge his perceptions and lead to unexpected connections. This contemporary romance is perfect for fans of sports fiction and character-driven stories.

Key Points

  • Explores Isaiah Rhodes' emotional struggles on the anniversary of his mother's death
  • Set in the Windy City Warriors' clubhouse during baseball season
  • Features themes of grief, identity, and the pressure to appear cheerful
  • Introduces a mysterious woman who challenges Isaiah's perceptions
  • newtopiccyclegrowin
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I
PROLOGUE
ISAIAH
Three Years Ago
t’s the worst day of the year.
It’s the worst day of every year.
I typically spend this day traveling with my teammates on a
preseason bonding trip. I should be in Cancun or Miami, sipping on a
cocktail by a pool, entirely distracted by the party surrounding me.
Only this year, I’m not poolside, drunk, or distracted. I’m hiding in the
women’s restroom outside of the team’s clubhouse because this season
starts early, and unfortunately, the first day of baseball isn’t enough of a
distraction for me.
The women’s restroom is immaculate and endlessly cleaner than ours.
They’ve got a velvet couch in here and little perfume bottles on the counter.
Pretty folded hand towels and dinner mints in a glass bowl. It smells
infinitely better than the men’s restroom, and my only hope is that the other
boys don’t realize how fucking nice it is in here because this is my secret
hiding spot and has been for the past six years—ever since I got drafted to
play shortstop for the Windy City Warriors.
There are no women on the staff here, so no one ever uses this bathroom
other than me, when I need a moment to myself.
You could say I’m the wild one on the team. The one who is a little bit
reckless and a whole lot cocky. The guy who will make himself the butt of
the joke as long as it makes everyone around him smile. So, starting the
season off by having a breakdown or potentially crying like a little bitch in
front of my teammates wouldn’t exactly be on brand for me.
I’m a twenty-eight-year-old man and I’m not ashamed to admit that
even after all these years, this day is tough for me. I was only thirteen years
old when my brother, two years my senior, had to break the news that our
mom’s car wrapped around a tree while she was driving home in a storm,
and we’d never get to see her again.
So yeah…it’s the worst fucking day of the year.
With bouncing knees, I sit on the closed toilet lid in one of the stalls,
needing to get my shit together. Needing to get back to goofy, everything-
rolls-off-his-shoulders Isaiah Rhodes. The one who knows how to make
everyone around him happy. The one that everyone here expects to see
when I enter the clubhouse.
I like being that guy. Ninety percent of the time, I naturally am that guy.
I figured out when I was young that I could make my brother laugh even
when he was too stressed to smile, and I thrived off that shit. It was as if I
had found my purpose in life—to make those around me happy, so I tend to
keep the sad, sappy moments private.
I give myself one last moment of sadness before I leave the stall, splash
a bit of water on my face at the sink, and exit the women’s restroom.
But as soon as I open the door, voices sound just outside. This part of
the clubhouse is usually empty, so I pause, recognizing Dr. Fredrick’s voice.
I keep myself hidden and out of sight, not wanting anyone to know that I
just had myself a private cry.
“You lied on your application.”
“I didn’t lie,” I hear a woman say in retort.
Dr. Fredrick lowers his voice in an attempt to keep this conversation
between only them, but I can hear him perfectly clear. “You misled, and you
know it.”
“Kenny is a nickname for Kennedy.”
At that, I peek around the small partition to see Dr. Fredrick looking
down at a woman, annoyance plastered on his face.
I can’t see what she looks like since her back is to me, but standing at
full height, she barely makes it to Dr. Fredrick’s chin, and he’s not
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FAQs of Play Along by Liz Tomforde

What is the main theme of Play Along by Liz Tomforde?
The main theme of Play Along revolves around grief and the struggle to maintain a cheerful facade in the face of personal loss. Isaiah Rhodes, the protagonist, faces the emotional weight of his mother's tragic death while trying to be the lighthearted teammate everyone expects him to be. This duality highlights the complexities of coping with grief and the importance of vulnerability in relationships.
Who is Isaiah Rhodes and what challenges does he face?
Isaiah Rhodes is a twenty-eight-year-old shortstop for the Windy City Warriors, known for his reckless and cocky demeanor. However, he struggles with deep emotional pain stemming from the loss of his mother when he was thirteen. As the anniversary of her death approaches, Isaiah confronts his feelings of sadness and the pressure to keep his emotions hidden from his teammates, leading to an internal conflict that drives the narrative.
How does the setting influence the story in Play Along?
The setting of the Windy City Warriors' clubhouse serves as a crucial backdrop for Play Along, reflecting the pressures and camaraderie of a professional sports environment. The juxtaposition of the women's restroom as Isaiah's secret hiding spot symbolizes his need for escape and introspection amidst the chaos of team dynamics. This unique setting allows for intimate moments of character development and emotional exploration.
What role does the mysterious woman play in Isaiah's journey?
The mysterious woman Isaiah encounters in the clubhouse serves as a catalyst for his emotional growth. Her presence challenges him to confront his grief and the facade he maintains for his teammates. As their interactions unfold, she offers a fresh perspective on vulnerability and connection, pushing Isaiah to reevaluate his approach to relationships and healing.
What genre does Play Along belong to and who would enjoy it?
Play Along is a contemporary romance novel that blends elements of sports fiction with deep emotional exploration. Readers who enjoy character-driven stories that delve into themes of grief, identity, and personal growth will find this book appealing. Fans of the Windy City series and those who appreciate romantic narratives set against the backdrop of professional sports will particularly enjoy this installment.

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