Page 67 of The Trouble with Players

“Your birthday’s in September, right?”

“The twenty-fifth. When’s yours?”

“June eighth.”

“Sorry I missed it,” I said.

“You didn’t know me then,” he said. “And, you were out living your best life.”

“You make it sound better than it actually was.”

“I thought you had fun until your friend ditched you.”

“I missed the beach. And American food. And familiar faces.”

“But then you got home and had to deal with an annoying roommate.”

I laughed.

His fingers found mine in the space between us. “I’m sorry it didn’t turn out how you wanted. But for me, it’s been the best summer ever.”

“Oh yeah?” I asked.

“I played baseball. Lived in a killer house on the ocean. Met a gorgeous girl. And kicked her ass at baseball.”

“That never happened.”

He sat up, pulling me up with him. “It’s about to.” He stood and tugged me to my feet. He wore slides but was still in his uniform, the knees of his pant stained with dirt—a testament to the gritty player he was. He picked up his baseball backpack, careful not to hit me with the two bats standing up on either side of it, and led me to the field.

“I never said I could play,” I said.

He hooked his bag to the fence outside the dugout and pulled out a bat and ball. “I bet you can.”

“Is this what you wanted to do with me?”

He turned to face me. “Sure is.”

“I’ll take the picnic.”

He laughed as he handed me the bat. “You’re hitting first.” He grabbed his glove then walked halfway to the pitcher’s mound and stopped.

“I can barely see you,” I argued.

“Well, I can see you. And this ball’s white, so you should have no trouble seeing it.”

“Great,” I grumbled under my breath as I walked to home plate.

“Do you know how to stand?” he called to me.

“If I say no, will you come stand behind me and help me?” I asked, my eyes slowly getting accustomed to the darkness.

I could see the faint trace of a smile on his face. “If you need me to.”

“Such a guy.” I got into my batting stance and readied up.

“You ready?” he asked.

“The question is are you ready?”

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