Page 45 of Play the Field

From the bench, Bri crossed her arms. “Maybe your star player can help us get some more donations.”

“Stop.” Cleo rolled their eyes and smacked Bri’s arm. “We’ll be fine without that.”

As soon as I took another swing, trying to push the conversation from my mind, I heard the referee call the play. “Out!”

It’s time. I sighed as I shook out the stiffness in my shoulders.

“You’ve got it. Just remember, it’s practice.” Cleo offered a slight smile, hoping it would calm my nerves.

Licking my lips, I threw on the batting helmet and walked toward the plate. I pulled my batting gloves from my pocket and slipped them on my hands. The velcro band snapped into place as I walked up to the plate.

The umpire had cleaned off home plate before I walked up.

I squared my feet with the white rubber and twisted the bat in my hand before getting into position. Letting out a deep breath, I looked at the pitcher as I lifted the bat to my ear.

All of the noise around me quieted as I lifted my elbow up, leveling it with my shoulder. Cleo was right: it wasn’t going to hurt. My brain needed to understand that. Shaking my head, I convinced myself that it was okay.

Eye on the ball.I watched the neon yellow and pink softball in the pitcher’s hand.

Winding up, the pitcher stepped forward and launched the ball out of her hand.

As it hurtled toward me, I stepped back from the plate.

“Strike!” The umpire hollered.

From the dugout, my team clapped. Over their hands, Cleo’s voice rang out. “That’s okay. Now you know what it looks like. Next one’s yours.”

It was a vote of confidence. And one I kind of believed.

So I shook out my arm, ready for the next ball as I lifted my bat back into position. Trying to stay in the moment, I watched every movement of the pitcher and let myself feel the light fall wind on my neck.

This time, when the ball left her hand, I felt it move in slow motion as I locked in on it.

At just the right moment, I let my arms take over and swung at the neon shape flying toward me. My heel turned as the bat swung across the bat.

A familiarclinktold me I’d made contact. Slightly stunned as I watched the ball fly into the outfield, I didn’t move.

“Go! Go, Cat!” Cleo yelled from the dugout. They stood up from their seat and wrapped their fingers around the chain link fence as they cheered.

Right.

I took off, letting the sand kick up under my cleats. Pumping my arms, I kept my eye on first base and refused to let myself consider how close the ball was. At full speed, I felt my foot press into the fluffy, white base.

“Safe!” The umpire called as the sound of a glove catching the leather ball resounded across the field.

Pumping my fist, I smiled as I caught my breath.

“Yes!” Cleo cheered from the dugout.

Looking over at them, I shook my head. I’d done it, I’d broken the seal. For the first time in two years, making it back to the pros felt possible. But my heart dropped as I considered what that really meant.What if I have to break Cleo’s heart again?

27

CLEO

“You killedit on that last play. A double was not on my bingo card.” Cat shook her head as she closed my apartment door behind us.

I couldn’t stop the blush from rising in my cheeks. A part of me hoped that Cat would think it was just a slight sunburn.

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