Page 66 of Play the Field

A nervous smile crept onto her cheeks. “Stunning as ever.” My heart fluttered. Even in the middle of her most important game, she stopped the world to check on me. At that moment, I'd never felt sillier. I couldn’t believe I’d ever doubted she would show up for me.

If she thought I looked unharmed, I was going to trust it. Looking up at the batter, I smiled. “No need to worry, shit happens.”

Standing up, I nodded to the umpire. “I’m good, let’s do it.” I flicked the metal guard back over my face and waved to the crowd who clapped for me.

The umpire returned to her place behind me. “Let’s play ball!”

With a wink, Cat made her way back to the pitcher’s mound. She put her game face on. After all, we had a Championship to win.

41

CAT

Our team huddledin the dugout at the top of the seventh inning.

Bri clapped her hands together and leaned into the group. “Alright, fuckers. We’re tied in the last inning. No one gets on base, understood?”

“Shouldn’t we let Collins pitch if that’s the strategy?” Marla pursed her lips.

Shaking them off, I put a hand on my shoulder. “This is your guys' game to win. My shoulder is sore and I did what I needed to.”

Cleo nodded. “Exactly. We were winners before Cat got here. We can do this.”

Throwing her hand in the center of the huddle, Bri smirked. “Let’s get this shit.”

The entire team tossed in a hand. I tossed mine in too. On the count of three, the team bounced their hands off each other and toward the roof of the dugout. “Teal Steal!”

With that, everyone ran out onto the field. Cleo stayed in their catcher’s gear, having completely recovered from the foulball earlier in the game. I ran to right field, ready to catch whatever came my way.

But as I took my place in the outfield, there was a muffled quality to the whole space. It almost felt like the first day I’d come to the field when I’d sat in those very bleachers and watched the love of my life pretend not to see me.

And now, as I stood in the freshly mowed grass, I listened to the distant sounds of the game. The Steals’s main pitcher was back at the mound, giving the batter hell already. With each swing of the bat, the sound of the softball in the metal felt like a distant dream.

I tried to pay close attention, ready to spring into action at every hit. It wasn’t long before a ball came hurtling to my position. I hustled to get under it but was a little too slow, my hustle this late in the game waning. But when I reached it and scooped it into my glove, I launched the ball to second base where the shortstop was already waiting – glove open – for my throw.

“Out!” The umpire’s distant call managed to reach my ears.

There was a cheer from the stands.

Watching the game move on, a part of me thought that I could do this forever. Spending my days out here, with no stakes, and a gorgeous person waiting for me after wasn’t so bad. I feared I wouldn't be able to go back, that walking away from New Winford – even just for a season – would be too hard.

I’d gotten used to dinner at Daniel’s house and spending weekends with Lily and Jacob.

I felt my chest tighten as another pitch left the mound.

Watching it soar through the air, I shook my head.But I fucking love this game. I bite my cheek. When it really came down to it, I didn’t have much of a choice. I wasn’t done playing the field.

Besides, I knew New Winford – and its incredible bookseller – wasn’t going anywhere.

42

CLEO

“Out!”The umpire called, ending the top of the seventh inning.

The Teal Steals ran into the dugout, excitement bubbling. We’d managed to hold off our opponents from scoring a single point, meaning we were still tied. With one at-bat left, all we needed was a single player to cross home plate to win it all.

Marla read out the batting order and our first batter got out onto the field, swinging her bat as we waited for the Dangers to start the inning.

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