Page 27 of Play the Field

Maybe it was a mistake to not wear a face guard while catching the throw of a professional softball player who also had a decent reason to throw a ball directly into my face. But I was willing to bet I could still handle whatever Cat was dishing out.

“Ready?” I called out, sensing Cat’s procrastination.

Cat looked up from her feet as she nodded back to me.

From here, it almost looked like there was a sadness on her face, something that my cue had triggered.

But I tried to focus, knowing I needed to pay attention.

Keeping my eye on the ball, I watched Cat bring her hands together near her chest. When she was ready, the ball moved into her right palm as her gloved hand dropped toward the center. Rocking on her heels, Cat lifted the neon ball over her head and wound it in a windmill.

As her right hand rocketed forward from her hip, she stepped toward me with her left foot while dragging her right behind her.

“Fuck.” She winced as the ball released from her grip.

I lifted my head as a flash of yellow flew into the chain link fence.Yikes.

Shaking her head, Cat grumbled. “Sorry.”

I jogged to the softball and tossed it back to her. “You’re good. Deep breaths.”

“Yep.” She was already frustrated.

On the next pitch, I watched her arm specifically. I hoped that after a few throws, I’d be able to pinpoint where her problem area was.

As she stepped back to the rubber and performed the same pitch, I noticed a glaring error. Instead of her arm going all the way above her head during the wind-up, it was coming far out from her body.

She’s trying to avoid pulling the same muscle.

The ballclatteredagainst the fence as it landed far off its mark again.

“Goddamnit.” Cat threw her hands up in surrender as she turned away from home plate, facing the outfield instead.

Rather than hunt down the ball, I crossed the grass between home and the pitcher’s mound. The sun had risen higher in the sky, its warm rays evaporating the dew that had covered the field just a half hour earlier.

When I got closer, I reached out a hand to Cat’s shoulder. Gently, I placed my palm flat on her right side. She flinched slightly at the touch, crossing her arms slightly.

“It’s okay.” I used a light pressure to turn her around.

Looking at me, Cat shook her head. “Sorry. I just thought it would give out.”

“Did it?” I tried to intercept her gaze as she stared down at the ground.

“No.” Cat’s jaw clenched.

For a moment, I looked around the field. With a shrug, I let my hand drop from her shoulder to her bicep. “You need to breathe. We’re just practicing, okay?”

Cat nodded. “I know.”

“The more you get caught up in thinking about getting hurt, the more likely you are toactuallyhurt yourself.” That seemed to be enough for her to lift her deep green eyes to mine. I felt my throat tighten under her gaze, her arm flexing under my palm.

Her jaw muscles flexed quickly. “I hate this glove.”

Chuckling, I nodded. “It’s too stiff.”

“Yep.” A smile took over her face.

“Let’s go again, but this time, just be loose. It’s just a game of catch between old friends.” I winked as I let my hand fall from her arm, knowing it was too dangerous to touch her any longer.

---