Page 40 of Curve Balls and Second Chances (Pickwick Pirate Queens #1)

T he field was alive with energy.

Rose stood on first base, her glove in hand, her cleats planted in the worn red clay. The bleachers were packed, the lights buzzing overhead, and laughter drifted from the concession table where kids clutched frosted cupcakes and drippy popsicles.

“Alright, ladies,” Tasha hollered from the pitcher’s mound. “ Let’s show ‘em how slow pitch is done. With style, sass, and a little scandal.”

Laughter rippled through the infield.

Dani smirked from shortstop. “ Speak for yourself. I’m just here for the post-game margaritas.”

Rose grinned, relaxed for the first time in weeks.

The umpire, Mr . Caldwell from the bait shop, lifted his hand. “ Batter up!”

They were playing against a co-ed team from the firehouse, but tonight wasn’t about winning. It was about showing up. For each other. For the town. For Rose .

Still, Rose fielded the first hit like a pro, scooping the ball and tagging first with a satisfying thwack .

Cheers erupted from the stands.

She turned and met Riley’s eyes—he was standing behind the backstop fence and beaming like the proud twin brother he was. He tipped his cap dramatically, and she gave him a mock curtsey.

The next few innings flew by.

Tasha struck out two with her lethal underhand spin. Maggie made a behind-the-back catch that had the bleachers gasping. Even little Josie , who’d never played a sport before this season, caught a fly ball in right field.

And Rose ?

She played like her life wasn’t under scrutiny anymore.

She played like she belonged.

Because she did.

On the sidelines, Briana leaned against the fence, arms crossed, watching the game unfold with a tight jaw.

It hadn’t gone as planned.

The article hadn’t destroyed Rose . It had galvanized her. Given her a platform. And worse, given her the town’s sympathy.

Even Declan hadn’t returned her calls after it ran.

She turned to leave, heels crunching on gravel but stopped when she saw Mrs . Trammell block her path.

“Leaving so soon?” the older woman asked, arms folded in that knowing way of Southern women who’ve lived through everything twice.

Briana offered a strained smile. “ I have somewhere to be.”

“Mm-hmm,” Mrs . Trammell said. “ Seems to me you had something to prove tonight. Funny how it’s Rose on the field, and you on the outside.”

Briana didn’t answer.

She didn’t need to.

Because the truth was, everyone had picked a side.

And it wasn’t hers.

Back on the field, the final inning was underway. Rose stepped up to the plate, bat in hand, heart steady.

The crowd quieted slightly.

Tasha shouted from the dugout, “ Send that ball back to Memphis !”

Rose smirked.

Aunt Jean stood in the stands “ Give ‘em hell, Rosie !"

She squared her stance. The pitch came in, slow, high, looping and she swung.

Crack.

The ball sailed over second base, arcing perfectly into center field.

She ran to first, then second, her legs pumping, her breath sharp with joy.

The throw came in wild, and she saw Acen behind the backstop fence waving her around third and shouting, “ GO , GO , GO !”

She slid into home plate in a cloud of dust and laughter, safe by a mile.

The crowd exploded.

And Rose , grinning, looked up at the stars above the field lights and felt something deep inside her settle.

Not just closure.

Peace.

After the game, the crowd lingered, music playing from the portable speaker Riley had somehow duct-taped to the backstop. Kids danced. Adults sipped sweet tea from plastic cups. And Rose stood near the cupcake table, handing out napkins and thank-yous.

Acen found her there, his shirt dusty, his eyes warm.

“You know you stole the show tonight, right?”

She handed him a mini lemon cupcake. “ Think the town’s forgiven me?”

“Forgiven you?” he said. “ They celebrated you.”

She looked out over the field, the lights, the laughter, the fading daylight.

“They didn’t have to.”

“No,” he said. “ But they wanted to.”

He took a bite of the cupcake and added, mouth full, “ Besides , you had ‘em at free baked goods.”

She laughed and leaned into him, her shoulder brushing his. “ You think this is it? That it’s finally over?”

He looked down at her. “ I think this is the beginning.”

She nodded, the soft hum of contentment in her chest growing louder.

“Then let’s see where it goes.”