Page 44 of Strike Zone

On my walk out to the hill, I keep my eyes locked on Wren. She’s sitting up straight with her hands clasped in her lap. She’s looking up at the scoreboard where my photo and stats are on full display.

The breeze blows a piece of hair out of place and she tucks it back behind her ear. Charlie whispers something to her and Wren’s attention moves to the field. To me.

I clasp my mitt under my arm and readjust my ball cap. My hair is starting to get long enough it’s becoming more of a nuisance than a good luck charm. I rake my fingers through the waves and tuck everything back into my hat.

I put my glove back on my hand and run my thumb over the elastic band I wear on my wrist. I haven’t taken it off since the day I removed it from her hair. With one last look at Wren, I turn back to the batter and get in the zone.

I have a girl, I mean scouts, to impress.

Sydney, Lauren, Charlie, and Wren are all waiting for us outside the stadium. This is the first time I’ve had someone waiting for me that wasn’t a blood relative or a cleat chaser. I didn’t think I wanted it, but seeing Wren bobbing her head around the crowd looking for me has me walking on water.

As soon as Lauren sees Hart, she runs and jumps into his arms. “Cariño,” he says into the side of her neck.

“Congratulations!” Charlie cheers. “It was a great game.”

“Thanks, Charlie. I’m glad you had a good time. What did you think, Wren? Did you have fun at your first game?”

“I did. I can see the appeal.” Wren smirks and all four girls start laughing.

“Is that so?” I know exactly what they find appealing. Hart has overheard Lauren and Sydney more than once talking about our ‘equipment’ when they would come to our practices.

“Yep. I might be persuaded to come to another one.”

Not in that shirt you won’t.

“What’s everyone doing after this? Anyone want to grab a bite to eat before Lauren and I have to go to work?” Sydney asks with her eyes on Koa.

“When are you going to quit that place?” Koa practically growls. Someone pass me the popcorn because Syd’s about to hand Koa his balls on a plate. I move out of their way and bring Wren with me.

“Trust me, you don’t want to get in the middle of the two of them arguing,” I say when she tries to fight out of the grip I have on her wrist.

For a moment, I’m tempted to slide my hand down and hold her hand. How incredible would that feel? And why am I getting hard at the thought of holding a girl’s hand?Because it's not just any girl.

“Whenever I’m damn well ready to.” Syd crosses her arms over her chest and dares him to say something else. Koa’s a smart man and keeps his thoughts to himself.

“Well, I would, but I was going to ask Wyatt if he wanted to go out,” Charlie says to the group. “What do you say, want to go on a date with me to celebrate your win?”

My vision blurs momentarily. A date? Is she serious? This is what I wanted. A date with Charlie that leads to a night with Charlie. I should say yes. I should want to say yes. Then I glance at Wren and my gut plummets.

Would she even care? She’s not making eye contact with anyone. Her eyes are glued to the gravel below her feet. The movie date was an epic fail. No one’s fault but my own. I didn’t anticipate Wren tripping me up the way she did.

Maybe that’s the problem. If Wren is out of the picture, I can concentrate on Charlie. Would Wren care? Wren isn’t exactly objecting to the idea. Why do I want her to tell me not to go? Or to ask to come along like she always does. Instead, she's avoiding me.

“Sure, Charlie. Let’s do it.”

“Great. I rode over with Wren. Do you mind driving?” Charlie takes a few steps in my direction, pushing Wren further away. The new arrangement makes me feel uneasy.

“Yeah, of course,” I say. Charlie takes my hand in hers. Where is this coming from? Did Wren say something to her? I don’t understand. The last time I saw Charlie she barely took the time to say goodbye.

After the movie ended, she grabbed a bag of chips and went to her room. I must have done something right, because now the girl I want is holding my hand. Keep telling yourself that.

And Wren is staring at it with a mix of shock and hurt in her eyes.

“Why don’t you go to my truck? I’ll meet you there,” I say to Charlie.

“We’ll walk with you,” Lauren says.

“Catch you later, bro.” Koa fist bumps me.

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