Page 146 of Stolen Bases

Mason:Great game, Cam. Youdid good.

Mason:Oh fuck, guess he knows about you and his sister. How’s your jaw?

Eli:Ouch. That looked like it hurt.

Jace:Kid, are you okay? Don’t worry. Rhys was asleep. I’ll keep him off the internet for a while.

Jace:FYI,we can sue the dickhead for assault and defamation. Just let me know, and I’ll call some of my lawyer friends back in L.A.

Mason:He’s not going to sue his future brother-in-law, you psycho. But we can fuck with his bank account and make some very large donations in his name.

Eli:You think she’s still going to be with him after that?

Eli:Is it just me, or should we not fuck with Mase? When did you get so vicious?

Mason:Of course she is. He didn’t hit back, and she loves him, you idiot. I’m only vicious when peoplefuck with my family.

Jace:That’s what I’m talking about, Mase. Fuck with one, fuck with all.I was just covering all our bases. I like Talia. Her brother, not so much.

Eli:Whatever. You should have hit him back. That prick has done nothing but run his mouth. If you don’t want to punch him, I can do it for you.

Jace:I know I’m supposed to be the levelheaded one, but… What he said.

Eli:Side note: you kicked ass with your interviews. The media training paid off. People are curious, but talk will die down soon.

Eli:Call me if you need anything.

Jace:Same. You and Talia will get through this. This is a hill compared to the mountain I climbed with Ry. Just follow your heart, baby bro. Love you.

Mason:Love you, kid.

Eli:We got your back, bro. Love you.

Putting aside the disaster that was my fight with Nico, it feels damn good to know my brothers have my back and are proud of me for achieving this major career milestone not all pitchers get to experience. I have worked so damn hard to make ithappen, and while this might be the biggest accomplishment of my career, it’s meaningless without Talia.

She means more to me than a record in history.

Cameron:Thanks for having my back. I’ll call tomorrow. I’m headed to Talia now. I just want to make sure she’s okay. Will keep you posted.

Jace:Thanks for letting us know you’re alive. Good luck.

Mason:You got this. Don’t lose sight of what’s important.

Eli:And for crying out loud, don’t fuck it up.

Chucking my phone in my bag, I rush out of the stadium and hop in my wagon. As soon as my cell connects to the blue tooth, I call Talia.

She answers after the first ring, her voice panicked. “Cam, are you okay? Where are you?”

“I’m fine. I’m in the car. It took me forever to get out of there. Where are you?”Please be at my place.

“At home waiting for you, like we planned.”

Home.I love when she calls my place home. I want to permanently make it her home.

“My phone is going crazy, but I’ve been too scared to pick it up.”

“Good. Don’t. I’m on my way to you now. Just wait for me. I’m driving as fast as I can.” The last thing I want is for her to be unprepared before she talks to her family.

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