Page 107 of The Perfect Love

It’s the bottom of the fifth, and Aaron’s finally pitching. Despite his injury, he’s pitching well, even though I know it wouldn’t last for him much more than an inning at this point.

The batter up right now, Tim Tillerson, is giving Aaron some trouble, but it’s clear Aaron’s also feeling the pressure. There are two outs, and as much as none of us want this game to be over, we all want to win. All it’ll take is one strikeout, and the game is over.

“Aaron with the fastball, but Tillerson gets a piece and… another foul. The count is two and two with two outs. The Metros are clawing for the win, not wanting to be shown up by this ragtag bunch of players, but that ragtag group of playershas a secret weapon—the chemistry built by years of playing together.”

Aaron throws the next pitch, but it drops and is called a ball. I watch from the edge of the dugout as Miles gives a signal that I know all too well. They had a special sign for it in high school. Our high school coach would get so mad when they’d go rogue and do this, but it almost always worked. Will it against a major league team? Who knows. But we’ve made it this far.

“It’s the payoff pitch, and after a brief communication with his catcher, Cooper makes a decision. Is this the end of the game? When we all win lifetime bragging rights over beating a major league team? Here we go, and the throw is… a screwball! Unbelievable!” At least for anyone who doesn’t know that’s Aaron’s and Miles’s hail Mary. “And it’s good. Tillerson connects with the pitch for a line drive right between first and second.” My heartbeat ticks up as I watch, my voice rising as I watch what I knew would play out. “But Joel Wilkinson is there, and he snatches it out of the air! You know what that means! We’ve all officially won bragging rights over this fine team of players for a long time.”

With that, I set the microphone down and go join my team congratulating Aaron and Joel. Even the Metros’ players surround us, and I know with certainty, I’ll be telling this story to my grandkids.

Did I ever tell you about the time I beat the New York Metros?

Sure, Grandpa. Whatever you say.

“Seriously, were you the one who gave him a microphone?” Declan asks Marc.

Marc just shrugs innocently as Corey rolls his eyes.

“Hey, that was some good commentating,” Ryan Daily, the Metros pitcher, says.

“Thanks. I guess that’s the benefit of me having a big mouth.” And all the years I spent watching games and talking about them with my dad.

“Speaking of that,” Jesse says, pointing at me in amusement. “I’m planning a winter carnival at the Knights’ stadium, and I need someone to emcee a couple of contests and the baseball trivia. Any chance you’d be interested?”

Jesse works as the media and marketing manager for the Knights.

“Hell, yeah. Sign me up.”

“Sweet. I’ll send you more info. And hey, if you enjoy that, we might have a commentating gig open up over the summer. I’ll keep you posted.”

“Thanks, man.”

He claps my shoulder and walks off, but I’m staring after him, surprised. I’m enjoying working with Coach M behind the scenes, and I’m looking forward to our first real practice in January, but that doesn’t compare to centering myself in the game like I did while I was commentating. Watching Joel make that play, I felt like I was right there on the field.

It hits me for the first time that maybe this was always a fever dream. Did I really have what it takes to go pro? Maybe minor league. But even then, would I have enjoyed it? All the travel. The stress on my body. You have to really want it, and as much as I love the game, I’m not sure I would’ve enjoyed it long term. The joy I get watching a game is almost the same as the joy I have when I’m playing it, but I have to admit, playing today was the most joy I’ve felt for the game in a long time. Playing with my friends was one of the best things about today.

That and beating the Metros.

And my girl getting to see me play. Even if it’s the only time she gets to see it—until we all inevitably get bored in our day jobs in our thirties and create some sort of rec league.

When the girls make it down to the field, they come barreling toward us, and in the time it takes Chelsea to run to me, I soak it in. Then she jumps into my arms and kisses me as I hold her tight.

When I set her down, she smiles up at me. “You were amazing. I saw it all in a new way today. Your passion was indescribable. And it came through when you were announcing too. Watching you play and hearing your sexy voice bouncing around the stadium has officially turned me into a baseball fan.”

I chuckle at that. “Good. Because I want you at every home game this season. I don’t care that I’m not playing, I want to be able to look into the stands and see your smiling face.”

She lets out a soft sigh and kisses my cheek. “You’re on.”

I take her hand and look around, my eyes drifting to right field. I hope my dad was watching and loving it all the way I did.

I turn to Chelsea. “Walk the field with me?”

“I’d love to.”

With my arm wrapped around Chels, we wander the field together before ending up back at third base to close out what has been one of the best days of my life.

14

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