Page 34 of Pitcher Us
It’s shocking how little I’ve paid attention to this sport. I know the rules and how to play from watching Adam, but all this background stuff has thrown me for a loop. Apparently, this is Mr. Olsson’s first year as general manager and the changes he’s been making haven’t exactly settled well with the fans.
A few days after the new year, Mr. Olsson called a meeting with me and his assistant, Shannon, to come up with a marketing strategy, from brand deals to an all-out media campaign.
I let Shannon take the lead on organizing the brand deals. I can lend a hand in the photos, but all that corporate stuff is what I ran screaming from earlier this year. I volunteered to run the Blues’ social media and revamp the website. I’m shit out of luck in the love department so might as well fling myself into my job.
I let out a sigh of frustration as I make it inside the complex. I take off my backpack, strip off my wet rain jacket and gently dry my face with my hands. So much for trying to wear my hair down today. I pull my frizzy strands of red hair into a bun.
I hear the door behind me open and I turn, thankful that someone can show me the way and I won’t have to call Adam who headed over here earlier. “Hi?—”
My words die off at the sight of Will.
It’s been nearly a month since my birthday, and I think we’ve spoken less than a hundred words max to each other and that’s extremely concerning for me, considering my penchant for monologuing. Will would deliver my tea a couple times during the week, but the timing just never worked out for us to hang out. He’d bring it by and he’d either need to head off to practice or I was headed to a meeting with Shannon and Olsson.
“Hey, Callie. Did you jump in some of the puddles?” His tone is soft and there is a hint of a smile on his face. Will takes his hood off and runs his hand through his hair. “I can take your bag if you want.”
He reaches for it at my feet, but I scoop it up first.
“I got it,” I snap, but flinch at how snippy it sounded. “I mean I don’t mind carrying it.”
He gives me a small nod. “Okay. I think we’re starting in the main room in the back. It’s this way.”
I let him lead as I press my lips together. I’ve been a little anxious about how working together might go. Do you know how hard it is trying to stay in the friendzone with a guy who does boyfriend shit? To Will, delivering my tea is nothing. Just a neighborly gesture. But to me? To me, it’s aboyfriendgesture—a small thing like bringing your girlfriend chocolate because you know she likes it. Same goes for carrying my bag. If we’re going to be friends, then I’ll be carrying my own things.
“If you have something to say, Blaze, just say it.” Will glances back at me with a small smirk.
“No, nothing to say. Just trying to remember where we’re going, so I can find my way next time.”
He hums quietly in front of me. “Are you going to be here all day?”
Do you want me to be here all day?
“Um, yeah. It’s my first day on site. I haven’t been around the full team since that night at the bar, so I’m a little nervous.” The vulnerability comes out before I can stop it. I'm known to ramble and have no problem engaging in conversation. But never about my insecurities. Except with Will.
He stops abruptly, causing me to run straight into his muscular back that’s still wet from the rain. “Will,” I squeal.
I take a small step back as he turns to me and places his hands lightly on my shoulders. “Hey, it’s okay to be nervous. But everything’s going to be okay. I’ll”—he lightly shakes his head—“Adam will be here if you need him.”
“And you?” My question takes us both by surprise. Weeks—it’s been at least three weeks since we’ve truly been around each other. Maybe we just needed more time to find some common ground.
“Yeah, Callie. I’ll be here too.” His sighs and just when I think he’s going to say something else Shannon walks up to us. I’mhonestly surprised I missed the clicking of her heels approaching us.
“Oh, Will…Callie. You’re still out here? I was afraid I was going to be the last one here.”
Will’s hands drop from my shoulders and he takes a small step back.
I’m still trying to decide if Shannon likes me or not. There are times when I think she might but more often than not, she’s treating me like a child who can’t function on her own. I get that she’s older than me and has been in this industry longer, but I’m also not an invalid.
Will glances at his watch. “We’re still ten minutes early, so no worries. We can all head in now.”
“Actually, you head on in.” The smile she gives Will causes knots to form in my stomach. “I need to run some stuff by Callie before we get started.”
Will simply nods. “See you in there, Callie.”
Listen, I’m a girl's girl, I swear. But him leaving Shannon out of that little line made all those knots come undone. Even if we’re sticking to this friend status.
When the door closes and we’re completely alone, I turn to Shannon, mentally preparing for whatever tasks we need to discuss. The condescending look on her face tells me this likely won’t be work related.
“A little FYI, there’s no sleeping with the players. I thought Mr. Olsson made the importance of our standards for this team pretty clear but to reiterate, that won’t be tolerated.”
