Page 125 of Easy Out

Rooney winds up and launches the ball in my direction. Another fastball, but it’s low. My sweet spot. I time my swing perfectly and throw all my weight into it. Rooney curses as his head moves to follow the ball I send soaring past centerfield into the stands. Damn, that feels good.

I jog around the bases silently while the guys celebrate in the dugout. My lip curves thinking of how loud Lauren would be right now if she were in the stands. I wish she was here instead of practicing. With auditions in a week, it’s all she’s been doing.

My teammates slap my shoulders as I enter the dugout and I take my seat next to Koa.

“Hitting moonshots isn’t going to end the game and get you home to your girl.”

“Rooney’s pissed now that I’m messing up his job interview. He’ll strike out the next three.” I’m not blind. I know those scouts were looking at Rooney as much as they were me. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get drafted for the same team.

Rooney has an attitude problem, but he’s a good guy. His temper will get him in trouble one of these days. When it comes to pitching, and maybe life too, he’s the opposite of Wyatt.

Rooney walks around with a storm cloud over his head. Whereas Wyatt has rainbows. Although lately he’s been off. Something weird is going on with him.

Not that he would ever share it with us.

Wyatt is an over sharer by nature. He has no problem telling you details about his sex life or what his shits look like. Getting him to share something about his family? Or something that would leave him vulnerable? Never going to happen.

We’ve always had that in common.

As I predicted, Rooney strikes out the next three batters retiring our side. I readjust my hat, grab my glove, and start walking out to the field.

“Don’t let them get a piece of anything,” Koa says to Wyatt before dropping his mask over his face.

Wyatt takes his spot on the mound. Focused as ever. He throws his slider, and it falls just outside the strike zone. It doesn’t stop the guy at the plate from swinging.

Wyatt repeats the same pitch. This time the batter gets a piece of it and the ball flies wide to the left into the stands. Wyatt throws again. A fast ball right down the center. The perfect pitch, but the batter is caught looking at the ball as it lands in Koa’s glove.

“One down,” Koa shouts with an evil smirk.

The next batter is a big guy. He’s known for being able to hit any pitch out of the park. No surprise Wyatt decides to let him take a nice, leisurely walk to first base.

Koa stands behind the plate and holds up two fingers calling a double play. I keep my eyes on the batter. My homerun put us up by one. He’s itching to hit the ball right through our gaps and be the hero.

On the first pitch his bat connects with the ball and sends a line drive right towards me. It hops once and I dive to scoop it up. Rolling on my back, I make a quick throw to Tyler at second base. He pivots off the base and efficiently throws the ball to first base to get the out ending the game.

Get ready, brujita, I’m coming for you.

As soon as I’m out of the shower I’m texting Lauren.

I’m pathetic.

I don’t care.

I miss her.

ME

Where are you?

Are you still at the center?

Never mind I’ll text Los.

It’s late and a school night. If I know Mamá, she has given Carlos a ten o’clock curfew. The judge granted my parents temporary guardianship of the boys while their mom is in rehab.

It hasn’t been the easiest transition. The boys were used to doing whatever they wanted. Now they have rules and curfews. I’ve heard Carlos grumble on more than one occasion.

There’s a smile in his eyes every time he complains. He may not like sticking to the rules, but he’s happy someone finally cares enough about him to enforce them.

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