Page 9 of Pitcher Us
“I suppose I could have been traded to a worse team.”
“I believe it’s what they call trading up, actually.” Beck laughs and places his cue on the table. “You’ve got perfect timing because Little Reyer here just kicked my ass in pool.”
Placing her cue down, Callie finally looks my way. Her red hair is pulled back with a loose braid, with strands framing her freckled face.
“I was about to place bets that you bailed on us, Will.”
My smirk comes naturally in response to her playful tone. “It was debated, but then I thought Adam might burst a blood vessel and I couldn’t put you through that.”
She gives me a small chuckle as she puts her cue down. “Thanks, I appreciate that.”
A small blush creeps up her face, and she tucks some of the loose stands behind her ears before pulling at the sleeves of her sweater and crossing her arms. In Seattle it felt easier since she kept her distance, kind of out-of-sight, out-of-mind, but she’s so effortlessly beautiful that I don’t know how all this time with her is going to go. It’s barely been over a week here and I’ve already felt like she’s been on my mind more than any potential friend should be.
“So, where’s everybody at?” I look around absentmindedly.
Beck claps my shoulder. “We’ve got some booths in the back.”
I follow them through the bar and feel a little proud of myself that I didn’t check Callie out the whole way back.
“Hey, look who finally showed up.” Adam stands to let Callie slide in beside him. Next to her is the Blues’ shortstop, Mateo Keener, who I know is happily married with a baby on the way.
Adam shakes my shoulder to get my attention. “Did you get lost or something? I was about to send out a search party.”
“I might have taken a detour on my bike.”
Adam takes his seat, and I reach for the empty chair behind me, pulling up to the end of the booth. Taking a glance around, it seems like the majority of the starters are here with some other players I’ve seen but can’t recall their names.
As for my table there’s Mateo, next to Callie, then Adam. Across is Beck and our third baseman, Tripp Pierce.
“Hey, Will.” Mateo gives me a nod. “Ellison decides to retire and then you two get traded. What, were the Mavericks thinking they needed a lineup change?”
“Who the hell knows?” I toss back. “Maybe Olsson just wanted some World Series players on his team again.”
“Fuck off,” Tripp jokes as he reaches for his beer. “You’re on the Blues now. That World Series trophy didn’t travel here with you.”
“Nah, just my annoying ass catcher who barely let me have a damn bathroom break.”
“Hey!” Adam tosses his hands up. “I got us here, didn’t I? You probably would still be in Seattle getting hit with late fines if it wasn’t for me.”
“And Callie,” I add. I could tell from the plane ride over here that she’s way more capable than either of them lead on.
Callie perks up just a smidge at the mention of her name. She might not have thought that anyone had noticed her tuck her head down and let the conversations just happen around her, but I did.
Being more on the loner side in Seattle was my preference, but I know this industry. I know how to be social when it’s required of me, but I don’t think Callie does.
“And speaking of Callie,” Beck starts, turning to her. “Who knew our new team photographer was a damn pool shark.”
Callie rolls her eyes but smiles. “Self-taught during my college years. Which reminds me, I believe the winner is owed some mozzarella sticks.”
“Coming right up!” Beck slides out of the booth and he shakes my shoulder. “What are you drinking, Anderson?”
This is always a fun question. As professional athletes the majority of us don’t typically go crazy at bars anymore—minus special occasions—but I don’t drink. Period. And I don’t do follow up questions about it either. “Don’t worry about it, I’ll grab something in a minute.”
“Alright, suit yourself.”
Letting out a sigh of relief, I feel some piercing green eyes on me. As tempting as it is to see if I can count all the freckles on her face, I ignore her completely this time.
Which proves to be quite difficult because I can feel her studying me.
