Page 120 of The Foul Out

Fuck. Coach had been a pitcher in his day, and during preseason, he ran batting practice himself. There was nothing like having a perfectionist as both judge and jury.

“Got it, Coach.”

“Ten more,” he barked.

Groaning, I shook my right arm a few times. Then I stepped back to the plate. After ten pitches and five even swings, he called it.

“I need you focused for the game on Friday,” he said as we headed to the locker room.

“Absolutely. We will win,” I assured him, forcing the competitive smirk I was known for to my face.

“And you’re good for the press conference tomorrow?”

I nodded. “Best behavior. Scout’s honor.” I held up two fingers.

“That’s not the fucking Scouts’ sign.” He shook his head. “Dumbass,” he muttered as he headed into his office.

“Isn’t it fun to be back, getting called dumbasses?” Emerson dropped an arm over my shoulder when I shuffled up to my locker.

I grunted.

“Want to come out tonight before the girls get here tomorrow?” Emerson asked.

I eyed Asher, who shrugged noncommittally. He and I had spent most of the last two weeks sitting on my couch, watching bad TV. Until yesterday, he’d had hope that Zara and the kids were coming to the first game. But when he’d FaceTimed with Clara last night, she’d confirmed that they weren’t, and his mood had been in the toilet since then. I’d mentioned the idea of reaching out to Zara directly, but he refused. He thought he was giving her what she wanted. At this point, I wasn’t sure Zara even knew he was talking to the kids regularly, because he didn’t want her to know. I felt like he was handling the separation the wrong way, but what the hell did I know? I reached out every day, and Harper still wasn’t talking to me.

“Yes, no, maybe so?” Emerson sang the words, pulling my attention back to him and the question of going out tonight.

“I guess.”

Emerson clapped and broke into a wide grin. “The gang will all be there. Like old times.” He pumped his fist. “We should find karaoke.”

Turning to his locker space, Dragon groaned. “No.”

My phone vibrated on the shelf in my locker, and my heart picked up speed. I knew it wouldn’t be Harper, but a guy could hope.

Though I was right, and she was still no-contact, the name on the screen did lift my spirits.

I slid my thumb to answer, and Piper’s face appeared.

“Hey, girlie.” My chest warmed with affection at the sight of her.

“I ran the bases today,” she said, her tone matter-of-fact, like usual, but there was a hint of pride there too.

There was no stopping my grin. “No way!”

“Yes.” She nodded. “With Ashley. And the sand got on me, but I finished before I changed my shoes.”

“Well done,” I praised.

“I knew you would get it. When I told Daddy, he just wanted to know why I changed my shoes.”

A weird pang resonated through my chest. Her father was trying, and I was thrilled for both her and Sam. But I hated that she’d told him about this feat before me. Fuck, was it petty, but I hadn’t been at my best lately.

“When are you coming home? I like your house.” Piper wasn’t looking at the screen, but I could see her lips pull down. “It feels safe there.”

That yanked hard at my heart. That was my hope when I set up her space. To give her somewhere she could feel safe. Somewhere she would want to come back to. But at this point, I didn’t even know if she’d ever be allowed back.

“Oh, I’ve got a few more weeks in Florida,” I hedged. “Tell me about the rest of your day,” I said as I settled in the chair by my locker.

---