Page 68 of Catching the Coach
She bites the corner of her lip. “Yeah, well, it wasn’t me who chose it. I sent everything we had to Kessler’s agent Dale, and he made the final decision.” She shrugs her shoulders. “No one can question if you guys are dating.”
I let out a laugh. “That’s pretty much what Marlene said.”
“So you’re not mad? I figured you’d be upset. Kessler mentioned how hesitant you were to be in the public when he and his agent arranged this.”
“I was upset at first, but I’m quickly realizing if I’m going to be with Kessler, there’s some things I can’t control. Public opinion being one of them.”
Charlie lets out a breath and nods. “I’m so glad you feel that way, because we’re a sold-out crowd tonight and I was notified that because of the announcement, you will be on the Jumbotron at some point tonight.”
Shit.
* * *
We’re in the 8th inning and it’s been a scoreless game. Kessler raised his mask and winked at me in the first inning, which the Jumbotron caught, causing the crowd to erupt in cheers. Since then all focus has been on the game, thankfully. Kessler’s catching and hitting are on fire tonight, but the other team’s defense is on point too, making it difficult for us to score. Marlene joked it’s because he has someone to impress, which makes me blush.
The Jackals starting pitcher has pitched an amazing game, but he’s starting to fade. Duke Keller is walked and next on deck is Kessler. The Jackals manager comes out and Judd is brought out to replace him. The whole stadium erupts in a cheer and everyone gets to their feet. Nothing like a good sibling rivalry. A grin spreads across Kessler’s face as he makes his way to the plate.
Judd has a matching grin on his face as he winds up for the first pitch. He sends a slider down into the bottom corner of the strike zone for strike one. Kessler’s been having a hard time with outside strikes thanks to his shoulder, and his brother is capitalizing on that. Judd takes his position again and releases another slider. This time he over snaps his wrist and gets ball one. Kessler taps his bat on the plate and re-positions himself. Judd takes a visible breath and winds up, sending a fastball right across the plate. Kessler swings and misses. Strike two.
Kessler calls for a time and steps out of the box, taking a few swings. I send up a silent prayer to the baseball gods as he steps back into the box and swipes at the dirt with his foot a couple times before he positions himself. Judd gives him an ear-to-ear grin before releasing another slider. This time Kessler’s on it and the sound of the crack echoes through the stadium. The stadium holds a collective breath as we all watch the ball sail high and far, right over the right field wall. Cheers erupt and Marlene and I scream, hugging each other. Henry gives Hudson a high five. Kessler makes his way around the bases. When he hits home base, he looks right at me, kisses his hand and sends it my way, giving me a wink.
The inning ends with Judd striking out the last two batters, bringing us to the top of the 9th. If we can keep them from scoring, we win. Jace Friday, our closer, comes in. The crowd goes wild. If Kessler can keep him dialed in, no one will score. The cutter on this kid is deadly.
We start the inning with a strike-out and a base hit. Not bad, but not great. If we can’t get the next two out, we’re in for a battle. Jace throws two balls and the batter hits two fouls. Kessler calls for a time and jogs to the mound. He has a quick conversation with his pitcher, covering his mouth so the other team can’t read their lips. Watching him in action all night has got me all riled up, knowing he’s coming home to me. I’m surprised they’re not hosing me down with how hot I am.
Kessler gives Jace a tap on the ass and jogs back to his position behind home. He takes his position and Jace’s next pitch is a beautiful cutter, the batter doesn’t even swing. Whatever Kessler said to him helped. The last batter makes his way to the plate and the stadium is on their feet again. Jace shakes off the pitch Kessler calls for. Kessler sends another sign and Jace nods, liking the decision.
The runner on first keeps creeping away from his bag, trying to get a head start for a steal. Jace sends a fastball over the plate and the batter swings and misses. Strike one. The runner on first tags up on his bag and starts creeping back out towards second. Jace sets up and lobs another pitch over the plate. The runner goes and Kessler snaps the pitch up and jumps to his feet. Jace ducks and Kessler launches the ball straight to Brent. Brent catches the rocket Kessler sends him and back tags the runner as he slides into second.
“OUT!” the infield umpire shouts. The stadium shakes as we all scream in celebration. Marlene and I are hugging and jumping with joy. Charlie is taking video of the stadium for the social media page. The Jackals call for a play review, but the stadium doesn’t care, we know he’s out and we’re celebrating.
Kessler’s teammates rush him. I grab Hudson and give him a hug.
“That was AMAZING!” Hudson yells over the noise of the crowd.
“That’s why he’s the best bud.” We stand at the fence watching the celebration. Kessler breaks free and looks over to us. I send him a kiss and he catches it, placing it over his heart. In that moment, I know, he’s mine too.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
kessler
I’m back.
My shoulder didn’t pull once tonight and I made a perfect throw down to second. My girl and her son were in the stand watching me. My parents by her side. Life can’t get any better. Well, it can, but we’re not there yet.
I rush through my after game ritual, eager to see Lucy and Hudson. I make my way out of the locker room, receiving fist bumps and back slaps as I go. Before I can escape through the doors, Coach Dixon calls to me.
“Davis! Got a minute?” he calls out in his gruff voice.
No, I don’t.
“Yeah, sure Coach,” I say instead, and make my way to his office.
I step into his office and he motions for me to shut the door. “Take a seat,” he says.
I sit in one of the chairs in front of his desk, waiting for him to speak. I was intimidated by this man when I first came up to the big leagues. He’s not so much big in stature as he is in presence. At barely six feet, he carries himself with an air of self assurance that dictators wish they had. His hair has gone from graying to completely gray in the years I’ve known him.
He clears his throat. “I just wanted to congratulate you on the good game tonight. I know you’ve been struggling and it looks like you’re finally back on track.” He pauses and drums his fingers on his desk a few times. “Whatever you’re doing, keep it up.”
