Page 71 of Chasing Forever
“Hey, I love you, but I can’t have you questioning my abilities in front of everyone. Plus, think of it as we get to be in the outfield together. Side by side. You can kiss me in between innings.”
I shake my head, and he just looks at me as though he thinks I’m way too competitive.
The first inning goes well. Walker Matthews is spouting his mouth off at every call, and I’m pretty sure Scarlett tries to actually hit him, but he spins out of the way.
Brooks keeps giving me looks like relax from centerfield, which only aggravates me more.
Then Walker Matthews nails a ball right to me. I backpedal toward the fence, screaming, “I’ve got it.” I put my glove up, but then I lose the ball for a second in the clouds before a mitt is in front of my face, catching the ball.
Everyone cheers, and I glare at Brooks, but he’s already watching the guy who was on first round second. He throws it to Ben at third, and he gets the tag down. Cheers ring out while Brooks stares at me.
“No kiss and a ‘good job, honey?’”
“That was my ball.” I jog into the dugout since that was the third out. Of course, Brooks comes alongside me.
“Centerfield has the authority. I called you off.”
“No, you didn’t.”
We’re still arguing over whose ball it was when we reach the dugout.
“Kisses one minute and arguing the next. Did we expect anything less?” Bennett says with a laugh.
I flip my brother off and grab my bat since I’m first up.
“Come on, it’s just a game,” Brooks says, but I go to warm up.
“Go, Lottie!” Wren shouts from the bleachers.
I give her a smile.
Brooks comes out right after, swinging his bat next to me. “Don’t shake your ass, okay? I’ll end up with a hard-on out here.”
“It would serve you right.” I can’t fight my smile though.
He lets his bat drop to the ground and tugs me into his arms, taking the invitation from my smile. “I’m sorry. Next ball is all yours.” He kisses my neck.
“Jesus Christ, this is a softball game.” Walker Matthews walks to the mound. He’s always their pitcher against us. “I feel like I’m on some twisted reality dating show.”
“They’re falling in love. If you had a heart, you’d leave them alone.” Scarlett comes out of the dugout just to scream at him.
“Go hit a homer.” Brooks pats me on the ass.
I go to the plate and purposely swing my ass a little.
“Lottie,” he warns.
I laugh and get set up. On the second pitch, I hit the ball, and it goes right between second and third.
Everyone cheers for me, and I jump up and down on first base.
“Stop, Lottie.” Brooks eyes my chest as he steps into the batter’s box.
As competitive as I am, I hope he gets a hold of one.
He ends up fouling off two pitches, and then three balls because Walker suddenly can’t throw a strike. His eyes are on our dugout, watching Scarlett bend over to tie her shoelace. Hmm…
Walker must not be on his game tonight because his next ball comes right down the middle. Brooks gets a hold of it, and it sails across the infield and outfield, going over the fence.
