Page 78 of Pitcher Us
I chuckle as I stand back up. “I’ll send that picture to you first thing, Dex.”
“Thank you, Callie. I’m not exactly sure what I’m going to do when he starts kindergarten this fall, but for now, you’ve been a huge help.”
“Eh, I do what I can,” I say with a smile. It feels good being appreciated here and the weird thing is, I didn’t feel overwhelmed or anxious at all today. I was in charge the wholemorning, and yeah, some encouraging looks from Will were nice boosts, but I felt confident in my abilities today.
“Callie!” Olsson calls from where he’s standing in front of the team, waving me over.
Damn it, I should have knocked on wood.
When I walk up, Olsson turns back to the team. “While I want this to be an actual scrimmage, I’m going to have Callie out on the field getting some action shots.” Olsson takes a huge sigh. “If anyone hurts my photographer, I will send your asses so far back into the minors, you’ll be a rookie all over again. Understood?”
Why is everyone on this team trying to get me to cry happy tears?
Chapter 34
Will
Scrimmages are usually fun for me. There’s friendly competition, no major stakes, and we just get to play. But this whole game I’ve been a nervous wreck.
Why the fuck Olsson told Callie she could be out here taking pictures is beyond me, but having her out here is about to give me a freaking aneurysm. I’ve never really been an anxious person and in reality, if this was anyone else, I wouldn’t bat an eye. But it’s my girl and if any of these fuckers do something stupid and get her hurt I’ll lose my shit.
Adam is on the opposite team and he’s up to bat. Callie comes to stand behind me.
“Blaze, you’re going to give me a heart attack. What are you doing?”
“I want to get some good pictures of your butt in these pants,” she whispers.
I flash her a quicknot funnylook. I can manage when she stays off to the sides, but directly behind me?—
Callie sighs. “I have an idea and it will look really cool. So if you’d please let my brother hit one of your pitches, I’d greatly appreciate it.”
“Callie—”
“Pitch the damn ball, Anderson,” Adam yells.
Well, I was going to do what Callie asked but one strike will be okay. Glancing back at my girl, I nod then throw my knuckleball.
I hear the clicks on her camera then the beautiful sound of the ball hitting my catcher's glove.
“Will!” Callie whisper-shouts behind me. “I said I need him to hit it.”
“Callie, I’m going to need those pictures to hold over his head forever,” I say as I get the ball back then turn to her. “I’ll ask nicely if I have to.”
Callie raises her camera to her face to cover her oncoming blush. “Get me my photo, Will, and we’ll see.”
So, I do. Callie beams the whole scrimmage. Every time she looks at the photo she successfully gets, she smiles. And if there’s time, she’ll show the player the picture she got. There’s not an ounce of jealousy that runs through me either when the guys then make a fuss over what she showed them. Back in Seattle she never even spoke to the team, but here, she is the team. It makes me happy to know she feels safe here.
There was only one close call toward the end of the scrimmage at first base when a rookie let a ball get past him. Beck was trying hard to annoy me by standing so close to Callie, so luckily he was there and caught it before it hit her.
Back in the locker room I change out of my uniform and back into my riding leathers. Adam mentioned wanting to go on another run, but I told him to count me out. When I pull out my phone to text Callie, messages from my sisters await.
When Will met Callie.
Lucie
How’s Florida? More importantly, how are things with Callie in Florida?
Reagan
