Page 42 of Relief Pitcher

Mom gave Dad a sad smile. “Your father discovered our tree isn’t doing well.”

Seth looked up. “What do you mean?”

“I was out there last week with the landscaper to get some things started on your grandfather’s property before the party. It looks like the tree is sick. Maybe worse.”

I couldn’t imagine the tree not being there any longer. It’d always been an important and ever-present part of our lives. Lurking at the edge of the forest like a sentinel protecting Grandpa’s house. Dad had carved his initials in it when he was a kid, then added Mom’s after their first date. He’d proposed to her under that tree, and they’d gotten married under it too. They were supposed to renew their vows in the same spot.

Seth and I used to climb it when we were young. Austin and I would build unlit fires and make up ghost stories to scare the shit out of Seth. When we were a little older, Austin and I would escape there, and he would tell me about all the shit going on with his parents. Gavin and I climbed it and admitted to each other that we liked boys.

“That’s terrible. I’m so sorry.” I pulled Mom into a hug, and Seth hugged her from behind. Nothing like a McNeill hug sandwich.

“Thanks, sweethearts.” She cupped both of our cheeks after we let her go.

Dad hugged her next.

“I know a tree doctor. I mean an arborist. I could ask if he could take a look.”

“I’m sure you can.” Seth flashed a knowing smirk.

I flipped him off as any mature, stable older brother would do.

“That would be great, kiddo. Go ahead and give him my number, and I’ll set something up.”

Mom’s eyes narrowed. “Since when do you know an arborist? Who is this guy?”

“His name is Cooper,” Seth singsonged as he linked his arm through Mom’s. Clearly trying to distract her from being forced to unpack any more of the box. That put me in a tough spot. Talk about something I didn’t want to or go through shit from my childhood.

“Cooper, huh?” Her smile was mischievous.

Before I could butt in and defuse any grand ideas, my phone buzzed in my pocket with a text.

“It’s Dom. He’s got a question about a contract. I’d better take this.”

“You’d better be right back!” she called after me.

I quietly slipped out the door and headed to my car as I called Dom back. Mom and Seth would kick my ass later, but that was Future Me’s problem.

CHAPTER20

COOPER

Ty: Any chance you’re free to practice some more tonight? I want to make sure my pitching’s solid so Danita doesn’t try to shove a bat down my throat if I fuck up at the game on Sunday.

Coop: She’d never do that. It’s far too obvious. Danita is more likely to hire someone else to do it while she’s got a solid alibi.

Ty: That’s…frightening. But yeah, I can see that.

Coop: I’ve got time tonight. I could use the practice too. Six?

Ty: Perfect. Thanks! See you tonight [smile emoji]

Coop: Looking forward to it [smile emoji]

* * *

“See that batter at that plate. They’re the best in all the state! They’ve got spirit, they’ve got pride. Ha, ha, ha, they’re on our side.” The other team chanted in unison like they’d been practicing. I wouldn’t be surprised if their coach made them have chant practices on top of softball ones.

Our opponents, Umpire Strikes Back, brought an intense energy to the first game of the season, but I’d expected it after our tense championship game last year, where they beat us by one. I swore that still gave Danita nightmares.

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