Page 15 of Stealing Home

“Who was that fine ass woman you were hugging and walking into the stadium, Cole?” Sean Wilson says as he drops his bag into the locker next to me. I look over at him and give him a mind your business look. Now, Sean is one of my closest friends on the team. He’s 6’2 with short blond hair and green eyes and plays shortstop. The ladies eat him up and I want him nowhere near Adriana.

“What woman, Co?” Ty asks with a glare.

“I saw Adriana on my way in here. She was upset, so I went to check on her and then I walked her into the stadium to meet Heather.” I tell them.

“Who is Adriana and why am I just hearing her name? You’ve been single out to the world for like five seconds.” Sean mentions.

“She is Heather’s personal assistant. Which means you and your dick go nowhere near her. Do you understand me?” Ty asks. I look over at my brother and give him a nod. I’m thankful I didn’t have to say it. Sean would just get on my back about her if I were the one to tell him to stay away from her.

“Yeah, yeah. I don’t know why you think you have to worry about me. I wasn’t the one hugging her.” Sean replies as he rolls his eyes and turns to his locker.

“Sean, you know better about the breakup. Ty, we’ll chat about it later. It’s not my place to share. Now, let’s get ready to win this home opener.” I say, getting undressed from my suit and into my uniform.

There’s nothing like the first game at home. It’s exhilarating and nerve wrecking at the same time. Once my uniform is on, Imake my way out to the field for warmups. We’re going to win today. Cocky? Maybe. I just have this feeling that if we can be a team and hold each other accountable on and off the field, then we can go all the way this year to the Championship Series. Stepping out onto the field, the smells of the stadium hit me. The food, the grass, and the dirt, and I know I’m home. With my stretches done and my catcher’s gear on, I get behind the plate as our starting pitcher for today, King Owens is just stepping towards the mound.

“You ready Owens?” I ask him.

“I was born ready, my dude.” King replies.

“Let’s get this win.” I say, squatting into position.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Adriana

“Let’s get moving, boss lady.” I tell Heather as I start walking towards the giant conference room where we need to go to finish setting up.

“You know I say this with love because you’ve become one of my best friends now that we spend so much time together, spill bitch!” Heather says as the door closes behind us to the conference room.

“Can we talk about it later? I need to get out of my head for a little and process.” I say, looking at her so she can read my face.

“Fine, only because I love you. But, don’t think I will forget, though!” Heather says.

It doesn’t take us long to finish setting everything up. Now we are greeting fans and chatting about what is to come for the charity. We are both winded by the time everyone leaves to get to their seats for the game.

“Thankfully, we don’t have to do the cleanup. Let’s just box up the hats and lanyards to be stored, and then we can head to our seats.” Heather says with a tired grin.

We finish just in time to grab food and drinks and to get into our seats.

“Is this where you normally sit?” I ask her cautiously.

“No, I normally sit in the family box since it’s just me and I’ll meet up with some of the other WAGS. But, we figured we’d spoil you a little for your first Grizzlies game.” Heather tells me.

The seats are plush and more comfortable. We are sitting in the first row in between home plate and The Grizzlies dugout. Even I know the normal family and friends seats aren’t this close.

“You guys didn’t have to do that for me.” telling her with a huge grin.

“We know, but I’m so grateful for you. You literally have become my right-hand woman.” She tells me.

“Well, thank you. I’m so excited.” I say before starting to eat my hot dog and fries.

We stop eating as the performer comes out to sing the National Anthem, but dig right back in as soon as it’s over. I’m starving after all that work and it seems Heather is too. Who would have thought that we were going to be this exhausted and hungry after the charity meet and greet. To be fair, though, I had an unexpected emotionally and mentally draining conversation before needing to be social.

Once my food has disappeared, my energy comes back, or maybe it’s because the game is about to start. Cole moves from the first baseline to home plate and let me tell you, seeing him in his uniform in person is different than on TV and when you’re actually cheering his team on.

The game is intense due to it being a scoreless game until the bottom of the ninth inning. Of course, Cole hits a two-run home-run and the Grizzlies win the game.

Heather and I are excited for the guys and are jumping and clapping like school girls.

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