Page 91 of Pitcher Us
“I make one joke!”
For the rest of the morning, I’m on a high. Will and I have a plan. I’ve put my past and my family completely behind me. I feel good.
Almost too good…that should have been my first warning sign. The moment I walk through the entrance at the stadium, Shannon’s there. I asked Olsson on the flight back home if I could come in half an hour earlier to the stadium so I could get pictures of the guys walking in. It appears that plan got back to Shannon.
“Callie, we’re on a very serious schedule today. I need you to be close throughout the day because it’s all hands on deck for Opening Day.”
My high immediately gets knocked down a few pegs. “Okay, Shannon. I’m scheduled to do walk-in pictures for the next hour and a half. I have a pretty full day as well. I don’t mind helping you when I have free time, but I’m going to stick to my schedule that Olsson and I agreed on before every game.”
“Callie, your schedule isn’t really that set in stone. You can get your silly little pictures anytime.” Shannon turns on her heels not even waiting for my response. She just expects me to follow her.
Deep breath, Callie. No drama, right? But damn it, I have to do my job too.
“Shannon,” I call before she gets too far. She clicks her heels as she turns back to me. “Hi. So, listen, I don’t want this to come off rude because I love this job, and because of that I’m going to do it right. Now I can still be a team player and help you when I have breaks, but right now I’m going to go set up to get pictures of the guys coming in and then I will check in.”
Shannon stares at me with this deadpan look on her face. “Fine. If that’s what you need to do, then so be it.”
She clicks on her heels again and my high takes a nosedive. I can’t dwell because I’ve wanted to get these pictures all month. I know Shannon will force her two cents in on mine and Will’s relationship, and at this point I’ve lost all hope on her showing any support. I’m just hoping the work I’ve done so far can speak for itself.
After dropping off some of my stuff in my small office, I go to get set up out front to get the pictures I’ve been wanting for a while now. I shouldn’t let Shannon get to me. I’ve had a pretty empowering morning. I’ve officially closed the door onCalliopeand now I feel like I can be Callie. Well, almost. I just have toget through this week because I honestly don’t feel much like me without Will.
Unsurprisingly, Adam is the first player to show up. When he spots me sitting on the concrete taking pictures he laughs. “What are you doing? It’s like forty degrees out here.”
“Shh, I’m not here. I want pictures of you guys in your element for Opening Day.” I click a few more pictures and Adam shakes his head.
“Hey, you’re the one who got me this job. I’ll endure the cold for the shot.” I laugh.
Adam stops next to me and pats my head lightly. “I’m really proud of you, Cals. I’m happy you’re happy here.”
“Thank you.” Peering up, I can feel myself getting misty already. “For everything.”
Adam shrugs. “Eh, it wasn’t just me.”
I raise an eyebrow at him. “Who?—”
“Your next player’s here, Cals,” Adam cuts me off. “Get back to work.”
I turn to see Mateo walking in, so I pick my camera back up. I can’t help but turn back to my brother for one more question. “Who are—” is all I can get out before Adam walks into the stadium.
Damn it. I sigh and try to shake off the funk of this weird day. I get my shots of Mateo and laugh when he strikes a pose. A lot of them strike poses honestly. I’m pretty sure every man on this team is just one big goofball.
Nearing the end of arrival time, I have three players left and lucky me, my personal favorite walks up next.
I pick up my camera as I see Will walking up. I take a quick glance around to make sure no one’s in ear shot before doing a cat-call whistle. “Damn! Excuse me, sir, what are you doing after the game tonight?”
I snap my pictures just as Will starts to laugh. Ugh, I’m going to get these framed.
“You, Blaze.” When Will reaches me, he hands me the to-go cup in his hand. “Here, to warm you up.”
“Ah, you angel man, you.” I take the cup and want to cry happy tears as it warms my frozen fingers. “What’s this one?”
“Black tea with tangerine, I think. It was the special at Spilled Tea today,” Will says. “Have you gotten everyone yet?”
“Nope, Tripp and Beck are my lone stragglers.” Reaching for my phone to check the time, I unfortunately find a text from Shannon telling me that the moment I’m finished I’m needed for pictures at the concession stands. “I’m pretty sure Shannon’s going to kill me today.”
“What’s she doing now?” Will asks as I pull out my schedule to make sure I’m not forgetting something.
“She says I’m supposed to come take pictures of the concession stands or something, but I’m supposed to have fifteen minutes in between this and warm-ups to set up my camera for wide shots.” I groan and toss my phone back in my bag. “This is because I told her this morning that I needed to focus on doing my job first then I would help her after. She’s probably about to run my ass all day for useless shit, like concession photos. What the hell does that mean? They aren’t even open right now, Will.”
