Page 7

Rachel

T his is a terrible idea.

“I had no idea baseball was so popular,” I grimace as I look around at the swarm of fans cramming into the stadium.

Everyone is dressed in Nightclaw colors. Most sporting some version of the current jersey. I take note of the changes I could make to make them better. Right now they are white with thin emerald stripes and navy lettering. I can’t help but imagine how sleek they’d be if they were darker though.

“All the sports here are. Athletics is a big deal at Eldergrove. The Nightclaws have won every tournament for like six years,” Maya informs us, pulling me from my thoughts. “It’s every athlete’s dream to come here. Especially if they have aspirations of going to the big leagues. Did you know out of the sixteen schools in this league, Eldergrove has the most alumni in any major league sport?”

“I had no idea,” Dallas chuckles.

Maya’s eyes widen and she snaps her mouth closed. “Sorry,” she mumbles.

“Hey. No. Don’t do that.” Dallas puts her hand on Maya’s shoulder. “I love learning new things. And I love your excitement for sharing your knowledge. Don’t be embarrassed.”

“Really?” Maya looks at Dallas with hope-filled eyes.

“Hell, yeah! I think it’s awesome that you know so much about the school. Right girls?”

“Yeah. And to think you knew nothing about any of this just a few weeks ago,” Aubree says.

“I know who to come to if I ever need help researching anything,” I agree.

“Thanks guys.”

“So, where’s our seats?” Dallas backs up with a smile. “I’m ready to learn all about Baseball.”

“You guys are the best,” Maya sighs. “Come on, they’re over here. Best seats in the house.”

She leads us through the stadium down aisles like a woman on a mission until she stops right in front of the field.

“This is us.” She grins as she indicates our seats.

“Holy hell! Could you get any closer to the field?” Dallas gasps.

“I didn’t want to sit in some cozy press box. I want the full experience. I hope y’all don’t mind.”

“Are you kidding? This is awesome! Look there’s the team!” Dallas points to her right and sure enough, I can see a couple players in striking dark blue uniforms.

“That’s the home team dugout. One of the reasons why these are such good seats. You can see the entire field clearly from here and you’re so close to the players it’s like you’re part of the action. We might even catch a foul ball.”

“I’m sorry. What? The balls are going to come into the stands? We could get hit ?” I cut off her rant about the awesome seats.

Why would anyone think that’s a good thing?

“I mean… I hear the third baseman has never let a fly ball get past him, even a foul. So it’s unlikely.” She shrugs. “Unless the other team sucks and one of our guys hits a foul…”

“I think I would prefer the press box. Sounds safer,” I grumble.

“Oh, don’t be such a sourpuss. You need the whole fan experience anyway, remember? You can’t market to fans if you don’t understand what they want.”

“Why do you have to be so logical?” I groan dramatically.

“Because otherwise, you’d stay locked up in your room and come up with the worst marketing package and fail, then have to drop out and go back home to your awful dad. And I can’t let that happen.”

“Well, when you put it like that…”

We all laugh and take our seats as the announcer's voice booms out of the speakers surrounding the stands.

“Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to Eldergrove Nightclaws Stadium! We couldn’t ask for better weather for opening day. Thank you Eldergrove for the phenomenal hospitality. I always love visiting this stadium. Just listen to that crowd. They’re electric!”

The crowd goes wild as they start the opening spiel.

“They sure are, Jim,” the second announcer agrees.

“Today is sure to be a close game with the Shadowpeak Predators hunting for a do-over on their last game against the Nightclaws.”

“That’s right, Jim. Last year, the Predators lost it all in a five to four crushing defeat by the Nightclaws.”

“But it’s a new year. New team. This is anyone’s game, Bill.”

“Things could go either way, that’s for sure. Without further ado, here are your twenty twenty-five Shadowpeak Predators!”

Bill announces the guest team and their line up. There are a few cheers, but nothing like when they first started talking. Not until Jim comes back on and announces the Nightclaws.

“And now, for your home team… The Eldergroooove Nightclaws!” he drags out the name as the crowd goes wild. “Number eleven in your program, number 1 in your hearts, first baseman, Bastian ‘Bas’ Ranaaaa!”

The crowd erupts as Bastian runs out onto the field, waving his hand at the stands. I feel eyes on me but no one says anything after the conversation last night. I’m sure it doesn’t stop them from thinking it, though.

He is incredibly handsome. I’d have to be blind not to notice him. I’d never admit it, but I’ve kept an inconspicuous eye on him since the first self-defense class we had together. Something about him keeps drawing me in no matter how much I resist.

The announcer calls another familiar name and I frown even as my body heats from looking at him.

“Up next in Eldergrove’s line up is number 46, star pitcher, Liam Barker!”

Liam is also in three of my classes, but unlike Bastian or even Trent, he’s actively avoided me, giving me nasty looks anytime I get too close to him. I don’t know what his deal is, but seeing two of him on the field is disconcerting.

“Not one to be outshined, third baseman, and identical twin, number sixty-four, Lucas Barker, ladies and gentlemen!” Bill adds with a laugh as a slightly shaggier version of Liam runs onto the field with a huge smile and waves to the fans.

“Liam’s a twin?” Maya asks.

He acts like Liam’s opposite and I can’t help but think that’s a good thing. I don’t think the world could handle Liam’s attitude times two. That would be a lot of brooding.

“Oh! He’s in my Math class,” Dallas says. “He’s pretty funny. Gives serious golden retriever energy.”

Definitely not like Liam .

“Completing the dream team is number 7, Derrick, ‘D’ Ashford. Have you ever seen a more athletic catcher?”

The catcher steps out of the dugout and suddenly I can’t breathe. He’s got to be well over six feet tall and his muscles are nearly bursting out from under his pads. He raises a gloved hand to the crowd and releases a puff of smoke out of his nose before pulling his mask into place and crouching behind home plate.

When they call Trent’s name, Aubree, Maya, and Dallas cup their hands and boo. I would laugh if it didn’t draw the attention of half the team. Bastian, of course, is the first to look in our direction and his eyes widen as they lock on mine. I want to look away, but I can’t. It’s as if I’m caught in his snare. His full lips tilt up in a blinding smile.

“I’ll be back!” I blurt as I jump from my seat, breaking whatever hold he had on me.

“Where are you going? The game’s about to start,” Maya says as I step past her into the aisle.

“I’m gonna check out the concessions while everyone’s watching the game. Hopefully, there won’t be as many people out of their seats now that the game’s starting,” I rush out before taking off up the stairs away from whatever that was.

I take pictures as I walk around the stadium. The merch shop is bigger than I thought, shirts and jerseys line one entire wall. I find myself drawn to the lower shelf where this year's players each have their own section. My gloved fingers brush along the offerings until I reach Bastian’s. I stop only to find myself reading the last names Rana number eleven, Ashford number seven, Barker number forty-six, and Barker number sixty-four.

So the twins each got their own section that's good.

I shake my head, clearing the thought.

Where did that even come from, why would I care?

Making my way out of the merch shop, I decide to head for concessions next and then the trophy case. I know nothing about sports and even less about fans and what they expect from a sporting event. But I’m determined to ace this class, and that means coming up with the best marketing plan for the Nightclaws.

Trent thinks he has the upper hand because he plays here. Along with thinking he’s God’s gift to women, he thinks he knows everything there is to know. That will be his downfall. There’s always room for growth and improvement. If you don’t believe that, you’ll remain just as you are. I don’t think I’m the best graphic designer. But I want to become the best.

I make several passes through the stadium, observing the fans interact as they watch the game and just taking the whole thing in. As I wander through taking pictures of anything I think may help, a plan begins to form.

When I get back to the concession stand, something catches my eye. A trophy case standing against the wall is calling to me. Making my way over to it, I scan the contents of the case. About half way down, I find something I didn’t know I was looking for. There, in the middle of this trophy case, sits a slightly faded photograph of my parents.

I didn’t know they went to this school.

My father looks younger and less cold. His arm slung over the shoulder of my mother, whose smile lights up the photograph. The caption on the photo reads “Ranger St. James, Eldergrove’s Player of the Year, and his mate Kara Anvers. Tears prick my eyes as I wish for maybe the millionth time that I could have met her, known her, had her love. But wishes won’t bring her back. I’m startled when someone clears their throat behind me.

“Ahh, Ms. St. James, here working on your project, I presume,” Professor Stone says with a warm smile.

“Yes, sir.” I nod. “I was taking notes and pictures when I came across a picture of my parents in this case.”

Professor Stone steps up beside me and takes a long moment to study the photo I'm pointing to.

“Ahh, yes,” he finally speaks, “young Ms. Anvers was such a light to have in class. One of my very favorite students of all time. And she was so in love with that St. James fellow. I should have put the pieces together yesterday, dear, but I'm afraid I didn’t.”

“Y-you knew my mom?” Shock ripples through my body at his revelation.

“Yes, yes, of course I knew your mother. She was the only shifter I’ve ever met that may well surpass my number of movies watched some day. She was a film buff and a joy to have in class. How many movies is she up to now, dear?”

“I-i d-don’t know,” I stutter out quietly as a tear slides down my cheek. “She died giving birth to me.”

“Oh, my dear, I’m so sorry to hear that. Look at me bringing up sad matters and completely ruining what you kids call ‘the vibe’. Why don’t I let you finish up what you were doing and I’ll just head back to my seat?” Without waiting on a response, he pats my shoulder and shuffles off.

Shaking my head to dispel that strange conversation, I make my way over to the concessions and order a couple drinks and fries to take back as an apology for ditching everyone. By the time I get back, I’ve missed half the game, but it’s been a productive evening. I’m glad I came.

“There you are! We thought you left,” Maya says as she stands to let me back in.

“Sorry. I was doing my own research. I didn’t mean to worry you. I brought snacks.” I lift my hands, showing off the drinks and greasy fries.

“You’re forgiven!” Aubree shouts as she makes grabby hands.

Laughing, I pass her the fries as I scooch past Maya, freezing when I feel my pants leg tear when it catches on the edge of a bolt sticking out of the rail in front of us. I fall into my seat and stare at the strip of skin now exposed on my leg.

No. No no no. This can’t be happening.

“Rach? You ok?” Maya asks.

I can’t answer that. My brain has shut down at the sight of my own skin.

What am I going to do?

“RACHEL!” Maya shouts. “Watch out!” Aubree adds. “Oh, shit!” Dallas joins in, seconds before someone lands in my lap.

My frightened screech is cut short when the baseball player looks up at me and smiles. I’ve never seen Liam smile before. It’s dazzling.

“You okay, Moonbeam?” His icy blue eyes seem to pin me in place and all I can do is gape at him with wide eyes while I try to remember to breathe.

“Yeah,” I squeak out when I’m finally able.

“Uh… Lucas? You wanna get off my friend?” Dallas huffs out breaking the moment.

Lucas. Right. He has a twin. A happy twin.

“I don’t know. Think I like it here, Dallas.” He smirks before twisting and pushing himself up.

His non-gloved hand slides right over the tear in my pants and my entire body shivers at the sudden skin-on-skin contact. In that split second, everything changes. My body’s reaction is instantaneous.

Mate.

“Lucas! Get your ass down here!”

He snaps his head around, breaking the spell he had over me with his intense eye contact and I jump up, pushing him off the wall onto the field before running like my life depends on it.

Or his life depends on it.

Shit. This can NOT be happening.

“Rach? Where are you going?” Maya calls after me, but I don’t stop to explain. I have to get out of here. I have to get as far away from him as I can.

I found my first mate. How long until Father finds out and makes good on all his threats?