Page 36 of Stealing Home

“Are you sure it doesn’t have to do with a certain catcher?” She continues to goad me.

” Oh my friend, Cole. Sure, it’s nice to cheer him on, too.” I respond casually, trying to make sure my voice is even.

“Yeah, friend.” she laughs while giving me a who are you kidding look.

I roll my eyes and smile, not admitting to anything. Even if there might be something to admit..

Heather puts the game on the tv as the first pitch is being thrown to left fielder Dane Rivers. He hits a single and Dean Lockwood is up next. He gets a base hit too.

“Here’s your man.” I point out Ty on the screen to Heather.

“He sure is mine.” Heather says with a smile. I can see the love she has for Ty in her eyes, and it’s that look that makes me want to let someone in again.

I want someone to look at me the way they look at each other. I guess I don’t know what I want.

“THAT’S MY MAN!!” Heather shouts and brings me out of my head.

Returning my attention to the screen to see why Heather is shouting. Ty hit a home run. We high five and do a little dancebefore going back to watch the game. The next two batters don’t make it on base and then Cole is up. He strikes out and he looks pissed. We continue to watch intently until the doorbell rings and Heather goes to grab our food.

“Here we go.” Heather says as she comes back into the living room and takes the food containers out of the bag to place on the table in front of the couch.

“Soda or water?” she asks me.

“Water please. I can grab it.” I offer going to get up.

“I’ll grab them. I’m up.”

“Okay then.” I say, settling back in my seat.

Heather comes back, and we eat and watch the game. When we finish eating, the game is almost finished. Just one inning left.

It’s the top of the ninth and Tyler is up to bat first. Heather doesn’t even breathe as we watch him at bat. The Grizzlies are down by two runs. I’m clutching Cole’s hoodie like my life depends on it and it will bring them luck.

Tyler hits a double. The next batter strikes out and then Sean Wilson is up. He hits a single and Ty makes it to third base. It’s Cole’s turn now in the batter’s box and he takes the first two pitches that were balls. The pitcher winds up and throws the ball. It looks like a fastball right down the middle and Cole’s timing on the swing is perfection. Cole smacks the shit out of the ball. Yeah, he did because it’s a home run and he just gave The Grizzlies the lead. The guys are all at the plate as Cole steps on Home. The high fives are all around as they make their way to the dugout. Heather and I are jumping up and down to celebrate.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves now. There is still the bottom half to go.”

“True. Ma’am, are you holding Cole’s hoodie?” Heather questions me.

“You didn’t see that.” I say, while holding my hand up to block her view.

“Mmmhhmm. But soon you know you won’t be able to deny it right?” she sasses me.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I play dumb.

Heather just smiles and we go back to watching the game as the next batter strikes out and the one next hits the ball straight back to the pitcher.

“Let’s hope they hold them off.” I tell Heather.

“Fingers crossed.”

We are both sitting on the edge of the couch now. Heather’s leg is shaking and I’m now hugging Cole’s hoodie.

Nashville’s best player, who is on a hot streak, steps into the batter’s box. Hunter throws a strike and then a ball. His third pitch is hit, and it looks like it might go all the way. But it starts to come down and long and behold, Dean Lockwood is able to grab it at the wall. The Grizzlies win!

Heather and I are back to dancing and jumping.

“Let’s go!” I shout.

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