Page 124 of Taking the Pitch
“Oh, that’s great. I can’t wait to see it once it’s done.”
Charlie and Hazel have come over during different stages of building, but we haven’t had anyone over to see the final product. There’s one room I’ve been hard at work on, not even Judd knows about, but he will tonight.
“We’ll have everyone over for a housewarming party soon,” I assure her.
The volume of the crowd increases, making us all turn our attention to the field. The first batter of the inning has taken their position. Judd already struck him out twice tonight, and I’m praying he does it again.
His first pitch goes straight through the strike zone, but the batter was behind in his swing, earning Judd a strike. The second pitch is the same, adding another strike to the board. Before the next pitch, the batter takes a timeout and steps out of the box, taking a couple of practice swings and blowing out a breath before returning.
“Hit him with your changeup,” Henry shouts from his seat behind us.
Lucy shakes her head and turns to Henry. “No, the guy has been behind on his swings all night. Judd needs to either keep throwing the fastball or give him a slider.”
“It’s killed you not coaching this season, hasn’t it,” I tease Lucy, bumping her shoulder with mine.
She groans. “You havenoidea. And now I won’t be coaching next year either, thanks to my not-so-great timing.” She lifts a shoulder. “But Kessler will be retired, and I think the boys will have no qualms about being coached by him.”
I look at where Hudson and Kade are standing in the dugout with the Silverbacks. Kessler arranged for them to be the official bat boys for the World Series games and they have eaten up every second of it.
“Are you still going to be the assistant coach, Kara?”
She pokes her head out from the other side of Lucy with a Red Vine clamped between her teeth. She rips off a bite and chews for a minute before replying. “Fuck no, that’s what this one is for,” she says, nodding to Garrett, who’s sitting to her left.
He looks down at her, giving her a smirk that could melt the panties right off of you. “Is that the only reason you want me? For my coaching skills?”
Kara lifts a shoulder. “You might have a few other uses.”
Garrett leans down and whispers something into her ear, making Kara’s entire face flush a bright red. I’ve only known her for a short while, but Kara is not one who blushes easily, so I have no doubt whatever Garrett just said to her is something dirty and I couldn’t be more happy for her. The start of their relationship was anything but easy. Everyone knew they were meant for each other. They just both had high walls that they needed to dismantle for each other. Seeing them now happy and at peace tells me the journey was worth it.
Cheers grow louder around us, and I turn back to the game to see Judd has struck out the first batter.
“One down, two to go,” Lucy mutters, twisting the ring on her thumb faster.
“They’ve got this,” I say, not sure if I’m trying to reassure her or me at this point.
Batter number two steps up to the plate and Lucy groans.
“What?” I ask, not really sure if I want to know the answer.
“He’s made it on base every time tonight.”
I grimace. “Maybe he won’t this time?”
The crack of the bat quickly diminishes my optimism as the batter sends a line drive between first and second. Brent dives for the ball once it hits the ground. He’s able to scoop it up, but the guy is fast and makes it to first just before the ball hits Duke’s glove.
“Or maybe he will.”
“It’s ok, it’s just one runner,” Lucy reassures me, or herself. Honestly, could be both of us at this point.
The next batter hits a pop fly that Reese catches for an easy out.
Lucy jumps to her feet with the rest of the crowd. If we get this last batter out, it’s game over.
Kessler lifts his mask and calls for time, then jogs out to the plate. He and Judd place their mitts over their mouths as they talk to keep the opposing team from reading their lips. A few head nods and a butt slap later, Kessler returns to home plate and takes his position.
The first pitch is outside for ball one. Kessler tosses the ball back to Judd, who catches it, then wipes the sweat from his brow with his arm. Setting himself back up, he throws another pitch for an inside corner strike.
I reach down and grab Lucy’s hand. Aspyn stirs from inside her carrier strapped to my chest and I start to bounce and sway softly, soothing her and my nerves slightly.
