Page 11 of The Scout

Hannah

Sweaty palms had never been a trait of mine ... until today. I rubbed my hands on my jeans as I headed down to the field with Mia beside me. Nervous energy had coursed through me all day thanks to the morning announcements when Principal Collins had surprised the school by proclaiming that the field would be renamed Cash Jameson Field and the ceremony would be before the alumni game later that day. The whoops and hollers from different classrooms echoed through the hallways. I knew my son’s voice was mingled with the others.

The end-of-the-day announcement was met with more cheers after the school found out the alumni game had been sold out.

Of course it was.

Along with a car-filled lot, there were also local news station vans—Jimmy and his teammates had to be flipping out. People funneled through the gate, no doubt wanting a seat close to the field. Thankfully, the parents had a section reserved. Although today I wished I could be in the last row rather than the fourth.

“This is amazing,” Mia said, looping her arm through mine. “Are you doing okay? How was Jimmy this morning?”

I smiled. “Jimmy was up at five a.m. practicing out back. Thankfully, he ate a big breakfast. After all the lunchroom excitement about ticket sales, who knows if he had anything to eat. He’s very excited about everything, especially meeting Cash.”

Mia stopped walking and, with a gentle grip on my forearm, turned to look at me. “I’m sure Jimmy will be fantastic, but you didn’t answer my question. How are you doing?”

A pit of anxiety blossomed in my belly. “I’m nervous, Mia. Jimmy is pitching today ... to his father,” I whispered. “Cash isn’t dumb. In fact, Jimmy is more like him than me. Cash told me he could have skipped the sixth grade but didn’t because of baseball. Something about his father not wanting him to compete against older kids. I did well in school, but not to the point where I could skip a grade. And then there’s baseball. Do you know how lucky I am that certain people in this town haven’t put two and two together? Or maybe they have and have been gossiping behind my back. I swear everyone is looking at me differently.”

“That’s your imagination running wild. No one is looking at you differently. And you and I both know they don’t think Cash is his dad because of Rob.”

She was right. I knew that. I also knew Rob had saved my ass on more than one occasion. Too bad he was teaching abroad, or he’d be here. Not to continue the rumor mill’s speculation, which I never confirmed one way or another. “There’s sweat in my cleavage. I haven’t felt this anxious in a while.”

“Who knows. Maybe all will stay the same ... no one the wiser.” When I gave her a pointed look, she sighed. “You’re right. No way is that happening.”

“Hannah! Mia!” Janice shouted, waving. “Isn’t this great? We’ve raised so much money for the school.”

We both nodded when Susan scurried up to us, wearing skinny jeans, a tight-fitting long-sleeve shirt with the Bobcats logo stretched across her ample breasts, perfectly styled hair, and makeup as though she’d be going out to the Mason Jar after this to pick up guys. Much in contrast to my casual Friday look, which consisted of boyfriend-style jeans and a long-sleeve, loose-fitting Bobcats shirt with Jimmy’s number, thirty-three, on the back. Then again, she was newly divorced and no doubt on the prowl, and I was happy being a single mom to the world’s best kid.

“Ladies”—she leaned in as though we were all besties ready to hear the latest gossip—“I just saw Cash outside the visitors’ locker room. “The lord blessed that man. And I didn’t see a ring.” She straightened her spine and smiled. “You all know what that means.”

“That he takes off his jewelry when he pitches?” Mia asked.

Janice and Susan laughed. “You don’t mind, do you, Hannah? I mean, you guys are old news, right?”

I nodded. “Do what you want, Susan.”

“She always does,” Mia muttered.

“Great. I didn’t think you’d care. If that man is as good in bed as he looks”—she fanned her face—“I might need to get some new lingerie. See you both later.”

Mia gave her a grin as fake as Susan’s boobs. “She’s such a bitch.”

“Let’s not worry about her. Despite all this Cash stuff, I need to wish Jimmy luck.”

“You’re right. We’ve got this.”

Nodding, I swallowed a formidable lump in my throat and flexed my fingers. After giving the student at the table my ticket, we headed toward the fence, and as soon as Jimmy spotted me, he waved and ran over.

“How are you doing, sport?”

“I’m good. Coach said that I’m still starting, and the game is only six innings, so I should be able to pitch them all. Unless I tank.”

“You’re not going to do anything of the sort. You’ve got this, Jimmy Hall. I know there are a lot of people here—”

“Yeah, including reporters and Cash Jameson.”

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Yes, but they’re just people.” He gave me a lopsided look telling me that was the most ridiculous thing I’d ever said. “Fine, they’re more than average people, but you’ve got this. What do I always tell you?”

“Quit while I’m ahead?”

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