Page 98 of Curveball

QUINCY

The mood in the locker room is somber. Layton’s injury was horrific to watch. And they fucking kept playing it over and over again on the big screen. In slow motion. His leg snapping in half will haunt my nightmares for life.

No one is speaking the words, but we all know the reality. He’ll never play again. Layton Lancaster, a man who will one day be in the Hall of Fame, a man who we all look up to, had his career cut short tonight. My heart is breaking for him.

We ended up losing the game, leaving us one away from elimination. I’ll be pitching when we play again intwo days. For now, I’m headed to the hospital with most of the guys on the team.

As soon as I pull out my phone from my locker, I see a text from Ripley.

Ripley: Are you okay?

Me: Not really. It was bad. We’re headed to the hospital now. Congrats to you guys. They played the last out on the big screen. Everyone went crazy. I’m so proud of you.

Ripley: Thanks. Arizona is flying home with Reagan right now. I’ll be home tomorrow.

I wish more than anything that she was here. I need her.

Me: Okay. See you then. Enjoy your celebration.

A few hours later, Layton is still unconscious from his surgery. Most of our teammates left, vowing to come back in the morning when he’s awake. It’s just Cheetah, Trey, Ezra, Tanner, and me. We’re all half asleep in Layton’s room when Arizona comes bursting through the door.

Tears immediately drip down her cheeks. I run to her and practically catch her before she collapses.

“He’s going to be fine, Z. He’s strong. The surgery went well.”

She sobs, “He’ll never play again.”

“And if he doesn’t, he’ll be okay. He’s had a long Hall of Fame career. He’s one of the best to have ever played the game.”

She sniffles as she echoes my earlier sentiment. “My heart breaks for him.”

I look into her eyes. I can see the pain in her.

“You truly love him, don’t you?”

She stares into my eyes. “More than anything in this world.”

The other guys briefly wake up. She kisses each on the cheek. When she gets to Cheetah, he sleepily smiles and mumbles, “Can I have an Australian kiss?”

She crosses her arms. “What’s an Australian kiss?”

He smiles. “It’s like a French kiss but down under.”

She giggles. I punch him in the arm, but not too hard since I know he’s just trying to make her feel better.

We hang around for a few hours until he wakes up. After a brief freak out by him over the fact that Arizona is missing her team’s celebration, all of us except Arizona are kicked out.

I make my way home in the middle of the night feeling completely depressed about Layton and with an overwhelming feeling of loneliness.

When I step off the elevator, my breath catches. Ripley is sitting on the ground in front of my door with her head tilted at an awkward angle, fast asleep.

I get choked up as my eyes fill with tears. She came back early for me. How many times has this woman known what I needed before I did? One of the million reasons I don’t deserve her.

I walk toward my door and notice a blanket covering her. A blanket I recognize from Blanche’s couch. I also notice an empty plate of cookies. I smile, realizing that Blanche took care of her.

She blinks her eyes open, sleepily smiles, and breathes, “You’re finallyhome.”

I slide down my door, so I’m seated next to her. “I am. I just left the hospital. What are you doing here? You should be partying with your teammates in Miami.”

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