Page 60 of Play the Field

Performatively making a wide circle with my arm to test it out, I nodded. “Feels strong.” But I leaned on the wood counterand winked. “You weren’t so worried about the shoulder when I was carrying you to bed last night.”

Cleo took the book in their hand and smacked my bicep lightly. “Lower your voice.” A deep blush took over their cheeks as they tucked a blonde strand of hair behind their ear.

Before I could reply, I felt a tap on my shoulder. “Cat Collins?” An excited voice came from behind me.

Whipping around, I smiled at the nervous fan. “Hi, how are you?”

“I’m just a huge fan, I just wanted to say hi. I’m driving down from Sugarties on Saturday for the Championships.” The woman rocked on her heels.

Clicking my tongue, I nodded. “Thanks for the support. We really appreciate it.” I looked over at Cleo who didn’t seem to know how to react. “I didn’t catch your name.”

“Donna.” The woman stretched out her hand to shake mine. “It’s really an honor, I’ve watched you for years.”

I waved my hand. “That’s really sweet of you. Do you play?”

With a humble shrug, Donna looked down at her feet. “I used to.”

Excited, I turned to Cleo. “Well, this is perfect. This is Cleo, they are super involved in the rec league’s organization. I bet you have a team near you.” As I turned to Cleo, I wrapped my arm around their waist. We hadn’t talked about any labels just yet, but I could sense their concern.

The fan interactions were always odd for them, unsure how possessive of me they needed to be.

“Oh, perfect!” Donna shook Cleo’s hand. “Could I have some sort of contact information for you?”

“Of course.” Pulling out a post-it note from under the counter, Cleo wrote down their number and handed it back to Donna.

Sighing, Donna put the note in her pocket. “It was great to meet you both, thanks again!” She walked out of the store, the bell above the door announcing her departure.

Once she was gone, I turned my attention back to Cleo and stepped closer to them. “A little jealous, are we?”

Rolling their eyes, Cleo licked their lips. “You’re a hot commodity, Catherine. But you did a good job.”

“Well, that’s a relief.” I winked as I pulled them into me, planting a kiss on their lips. All I wanted to do was make them feel reassured, and remind them that I would be here no matter what.

But as I pulled away, I caught a glimpse of the calendar behind Cleo’s head. We were just a few days away from the Championships. And despite it being a rec league game, it could be the most decisive game I’d ever played.

And whatever happened would affect mine and Cleo’s lives forever. My stomach turned at the thought.

I hope I’ve done enough to prepare.

37

CAT

Walkingacross the damp grass together, Cleo and I made our way to the field. The Championships were the next day and this would be our last practice for the season.

It was odd to see just how different we were now compared to just a couple of months ago. But as we walked into the dugout, our sneakers crunching the sand under our feet, the reality of the time we’d spent together really set in.

“What the hell?” Cleo gawked as they turned toward the field.

A smile snuck onto my face as I followed their gaze. The field had been freshly made over, new sand had been laid around the diamond. New, bright white bases drew our eyes to each corner of the field.

Cleo whipped their head around to look at me. “Did you do this?”

With a shrug, I sat down on the bench to put on my cleats. “Maybe.”

“That’s insane.” Cleo shook their head as they slipped on their cleats. I’d never seen them move so quickly for anything except getting on base.

Once their shoes were on, Cleo ran out of the dugout, using the metal pole at the end of the chain link fence to slingshot themself onto the field. “How did you get this done without me noticing?”

---