Page 7

He narrows his eyes at me. “Throw the fucking pitch. Put it where it needs to go. He will call it because that kid isn’t gonna lay off it.” Cameron throws his face mask down and runs back behind the plate.
I blow out a breath and look over at Tristan at third. He scowls at me, and I crack a smile. I quickly get set and see Johnson step up to the plate. The noise from around the stadium disappears as I hyperfocus on the plate before me.
My mind instantly zones in on Cameron, and I watch him give me the signs for the knuckleball. I nod and bring the ball in. My eyes glance up at the runner on third, and I know he’s itching to go.
Not this time, bro.
My head turns, and I wind up for the pitch. The slight breeze cools my face as I bring my leg up and drop my arm back. As I step forward, I release the ball from my grip at the right time and watch my pitch head toward the mound.
The ball speeds toward the plate, fluttering and jiggling in different directions. Johnson winds back and steps toward the ball, bringing his bat around.
“Strike three!” the umpire calls out, and I stand there for a moment as the sound of the stadium erupts. “Game!”
Cameron comes running over toward me. “You son of a bitch, you did it!” He grabs my face with his hands and shakes me. “You fucking did it! Still number one, baby!” Cameron hoots and hollers as the rest of the team comes running over to the mound.
The stands are going crazy, with hands waving in the air; the sound of elation can probably be heard all the way in Henderson. High fives start slapping all around me as I see the other team line up for the handshake.
“Let’s go tell ‘emgood gameboys!” I shout over the chaos.
We all line up and shake each of the Bears’ hands before turning and heading back to our dugout. The team shuffles into the locker room, and celebration erupts.
By the time all the speeches are given, recaps of the game shared, and interviews with news outlets done, I am dressed and ready to go back to my house where I can rest my arm before our next game.
As I make my way out of the locker room, I hear my name being called.
“Andrew Spencer! You better not leave without giving me a hug!” a familiar voice shouts at me.
I turn and see a redheaded beauty flanked by her three husbands. Phoenix has only gotten more gorgeous than she was back in the Darkwood Academy days. My face breaks out in a smile as I saunter up to her and her men, Daxon, Colton, and Mason.
Opening my arms wide, Phoenix runs up and I wrap them around her. After many years, the guys have finally accepted that Phoenix and I are best friends, nothing more and never anything less. I think almost dying alongside her gave me some street cred.
“Hey there, how are you doing? And where is my good luck charm?” Phoenix has been bringing Raven to every home gameto watch her Uncle “Roo” play, so she’s my designated good luck charm.
Like I don’t have enough superstitions.
I give Mason and the other two a “man hug” and grunt of appreciation. The guys have all become even more scary since high school. Who would have thunk it?
Mason and Daxon play for the Las Vegas Aces, the professional football team out here. They won the Super Bowl the day Raven decided to make an appearance. What a way to come into the world, showing up the day your dads have the biggest game of their lives.
Just like her mom, she does things on her own terms.
“She went with Lucy,” Phoenix answers. Lucy is their next-door neighbor who retired from her real estate job a few years back. She has become like a pseudo mom to Phoenix, and Raven has taken a liking to her. So from time to time, Lucy will take Raven so Phoenix and the guys can have a date night or when they have to stay late to handle stadium business.
“Well, I’ll come by later and read her a book. I can’t have Lucy becoming the favorite.” I grin.
Phoenix playfully slaps me on the arm, and I wince. “Oh! Drew! I’m sorry!”
I hold up my hand. “No, no. I’m just sore as can be from pitching. I didn’t expect to be in for the entire game. My arm is just shot.”
“Yeah, that was one hell of a game.” Daxon nods.
“I was on the edge of my seat when that kid came up, but I kept my cool. Though, I was kinda hoping you would nail him with one.” Mason shakes his head.
“That would have sent the run in to tie up the game, dude.” Daxon scrunches his face at Mason. “And don’t let him fool you. He wasn’t just on the edge of his seat; he was jumping all around and yelling at the top of his lungs.”
“Hey!” Mason interjects.
“So, he was anything but calm,” Daxon finishes.