Page 96 of Strikeout
A petty part of me wants to join in, but I know I have eyes, and probably cameras, on me now.
Shit. I probably should have stayed up in the suite for this part. It’s too late now.
I watch Anthony lift his catcher’s helmet and exchange some words with Jeremy. He keeps his fake smile in place as Anthony’s body language clearly screams to anyone watchingthat he does not fuck with this guy. Jeremy takes a moment to comb back his longish dirty-blond hair and puts his helmet into place. He grins from ear to ear as he searches the crowd intently.
Eventually, Anthony squats down and takes his position, bouncing his weight from his left foot to his right as he waits for Mateo’s call.
Mateo switches gloves and prepares to pitch with his right arm. Yet he takes his time when he moves the friendship bracelet from his right wrist to his left.
The action makes me release the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
He’s got this. He’s got me.
After a single nod, Anthony settles into place, and Mateo pitches a fastball at Jeremy. But it went high, too high for it to have been an accident.
Jeremy dodges the fastball aimed at his face at the very last second, and the umpire calls out that it’s a ball. The first of the game.
The horde of fans is shocked. A collective lowoohrumbles through the crowd, like they just realized they’re experiencing much more than what they had bargained for. They all lean forward on the edge of their seats to see what Mateo does next.
Only then do I realize that I’ve done the same.
Charlie clears his throat next to me. “Isa, do me a favor.” His eyes never stop scanning the area around us as he speaks.
“Uh, sure.” My eyes flick between him and the field.
Mateo pitches again, this time the ball aimed right at Jeremy’s lower body. He hops back quickly, but it causes him to fall on one hand as the other clutches the bat.
“Ball!” the umpire yells once more.
I see Coach Weston walk out of the dugout and give Mateo a slow head shake.
“Listen.” Charlie grabs my attention once more. “If, for whatever reason, I believe there is a safety risk, I’m going to hold you by the upper arm and walk us out of here quickly. You got that?”
My brows furrow. “This place is crawling with security. Why would you think there’d be a safety risk?”
Charlie looks down at the field. “Call it a hunch.” His tense body is coiled like a snake that’s about to strike.
I look back down at the field and hold my breath when I realize Jeremy is staring right at me while standing a few yards away.
He then shouts, loud enough for everyone around us to hear. “Oh, hey, Izzy. Long time no see. Miss me?” He winks, then lifts his gloved batting hand to blow a kiss my way.
The action forces me back into my seat.
I feel a hand on my arm. “Now, Isa. Get ready to move before this thing gets even worse.”
I’m still having a hard time catching my breath when I realize what Charlie is trying to warn me about.
Because the threat was never on me.
But on Jeremy.
Because Mateo has abandoned his spot on the pitcher’s mound and is making his way straight toward my ex.
forty-nine
And to think Iwas doing so well.
I’ve stayed focused and on task, pitching at the top of my abilities.
