Page 81 of The Trouble with Players

Crew stepped back into the batter’s box and got into his stance. The pitcher wound up and delivered a fast ball right over the plate. Crew must’ve anticipated a curve ball because he swung the bat and missed again.

“Let’s go, Burke!” his teammates yelled from the dugout.

Frustrated, Crew shook his head as he stepped back into the batter’s box and readied in his stance. The Whalers’ pitcher wound up and delivered another curveball. Crew swung with all his might and missed again, striking out. The fans around me groaned as Crew slammed his bat down on the dirt before walking back to the dugout.

I could sense Gina looking at me, but my eyes were on Crew. He didn’t look up to where I sat. His eyes remained down as some of his teammates patted the top of his helmet on his way back into the dugout.

In the top of the third inning, there was a runner on first with one out. The Whalers’ batter hit a ball right to the Sharks second baseman. He scooped it up and threw it to Crew covering second to make a double play. Crew missed the ball, killing any chance of the double play which would have taken them out of the inning. A few fans around me grumbled while others discussed Crew’s bad game.

Crew struck out for his second at bat and when the Sharks ran out for the fourth inning, Crew had been replaced by Pryor at short.

“They benched him,” I said.

“Good thing the scouts weren’t here tonight,” Gina said.

The Whalers won the game 5 to 0. As the Sharks exited the field to the field house, the crowd cleared out.

“What are you gonna do?” Gina asked.

“I’m staying right here.”

Gina and I waited for a good half an hour. I couldn’t sit still. I was about to jump out of my skin: pissed, nervous, terrified.

The door to the field house finally opened. Almost all of Crew’s teammates filed out with their heads down.

Cody came out alone, his eyes cast down and his stride slower than normal.

“You’ll get ’em next time,” Gina said when he approached us.

Cody smirked. “We don’t play them again.”

“Well, then, you’ll get the next team.”

He laughed.

“Where’s Crew?” I asked Cody.

“It’s not a good time to talk to him, Peyton.”

I ignored his warning. “How long until he’s out?’”

He huffed, clearly frustrated with me. “He’s talking to Coach.”

“I can wait.”

“I’m waiting with you,” Gina said.

“I love you, but I’ve gotta do this alone,” I said. “Will you leave me your keys and have Cody take you home?”

She looked to him and he shrugged. She looked to me. “You sure about this?”

“It has to happen.”

She threw her arms around me. “No matter what happens, I’m here for you.”

“I’m not dying. I got ghosted.”

She stepped back with an unamused look and handed me her keys. “Call me as soon as you talk to him.”

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