Page 150 of Fielder's Choice

Being in the media room after a win is always fun.

It’s even more fun when you hit the walk-off double to end the game before extra innings. Since Josh is the one I sent home with that hit, he’s here in the media room with Skip and me.

“Fisher,” a reporter in the back says. “How are you feeling about the start of this season right now?”

“I feel great,” he smiles. “We have a 5-1 record, our pitchers have low ERAs, and we’re getting plenty of runs. I couldn’t ask for much of a better start than what we’ve had so far.”

“Garro,” a different reporter chimes. “What was going through your mind before you hit that double in the bottom of the ninth?”

“I was thinking about how I needed to get on base,” he laughs, and the room joins in. “I try not to overthink it and just focus on the moment. I wanted us to win without the stress of extra innings, so I tried to stay laser-focused on the ball, and that worked out tonight. I was counting on Brooks here to back me up.”

“You know I’ve got you,” I chuckle.

A female reporter in the front speaks now. “Brooks, who is the woman you were speaking to before the game?”

She must be talking about Olive. She came to the game with Lo, Rory, and Sage today, and they sat in the Pierce season ticket seats off the first baseline.

“That was my girlfriend,” I smile. “She was out there with some of our friends and my daughter.”

A different reporter pops in. “Is that the woman you interacted with the other day? I believe you blew her a kiss, made heart hands, and sang a song to her.”

I laugh heartily. “You’ve got a good eye. Yes, that’s the same woman. It was her first game, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I was excited to have her here.”

“Who is she?”

Skip scrubs his hand down his face. “Can we stick to baseball, please? My players’ personal lives are just that—personal.”

The same reporter speaks again. “Was your girlfriend impressed with your walk-off double tonight?”

Josh and I laugh hysterically as Skip grumbles about how that doesn’t really count, but I answer it anyway. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to her yet, but I’m sure she was.”

“How long have you been together?”

Skip stands up now. “And that’s enough for today. If you can’t respect my wishes, we’re finished with this. We’ll see you all back here after our next game on Tuesday.”

The three of us exit the media room and head down the hallway toward the clubhouse. We find the girls with Lucia right outside of it.

“Hey,” I say, striding up right behind Olive. “How are you doing, Luc?”

“I’m fine,” she sighs. “But I’m ready to get out of here, drink a bottle of wine, and forget all about how terrible a person my ex-boyfriend is.”

“We’re all here if you need us.”

“Thanks, guys.” Lucia takes a deep breath. “I’m heading out now. Dr. Coltrain said Logan could handle the few things left to do without me.”

She waves at us as she walks out of the hall and disappears around the corner.

“I can’t believe he turned out to be so terrible,” Harlow states.

“Ari always had him pegged as that kind of guy,” I shrug. “Sucks that he was right.”

“He didn’t get all smug about that, did he?” Ella asks.

“No, come on. He’s not a bad guy. He told Lucia he was sorry it happened and she didn’t deserve it. They may not like each other, but he’s not like that.”

“Sorry,” Ella says softly. “I know he wouldn’t. I’m just so upset for her right now.”

“On a happier note,” Harlow chimes, now looking at Liv and me. “I get to have Sagie for a sleepover!”

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