Page 17 of Pitcher Perfect (Big Shots #4)

No doubt about it. This family was psychotic.

Robbie stood blindfolded at the edge of the field, listening to Skylar recite the rules in the provided earpiece.

“Okay, remember. There are four flags. You have to collect them all to cross the finish line. In all the kerfuffle, you’re going to lose count—”

“I won’t lose count.”

“You will. I’ll keep track, too. Just focus on my instructions and remember to trust me, one hundred percent. Okay?”

He thought of that page in her diary. “As you wish, Mrs. Kit Harington.”

“Never. Never say that again.”

Robbie grinned, lifting his blindfold just enough to observe Elton beside him at the starting line, stretching his hamstrings

like he was preparing to run the Boston Marathon. “What are the rules on bodychecking?”

Skylar sputtered in his ear. “What?”

“Is there a rule preventing me from knocking your brother on his ass?”

“God, you’re such a hockey player,” she groaned.

“Yes or no.”

“Technically?” A long pause. “No, but—”

“Great.” Robbie rubbed his hands together. “It’s in the bag.”

“Don’t you dare knock my mother over.”

“I’ll do my best, Rocket, but I’m blindfolded, remember?”

Was that...? Yes, that was definitely the sound of Skylar’s grinding teeth.

And speaking of teeth, Robbie’s molars gnashed involuntarily. Returning from the store this morning to find Skylar and Madden

in such a cozy scene was the equivalent of getting coldcocked by a heavyweight boxer.

A pitcher and a catcher.

Perfect counterparts.

His mission to help bring Skylar and Madden together had momentarily slipped his mind. His one-track brain had ordered him

to kiss her now , to warn Madden away from Skylar, instead of showing the man what a desirable woman he could have for himself if he just

paid attention and made the slightest effort.

Yeah, Robbie hadn’t been thinking of that. He’d just reacted.

He’d allowed himself to want Skylar for himself. Just for a moment.

But those moments were coming way too frequently now to be anything but dangerous when she inevitably started dating Madden.

There was no other outcome here. She was too incredible. Madden would pull his head out of his ass sooner or later and see

Skylar for the ultimate catch that she was. So knock your jealous bullshit the hell off.

Unfortunately, the more time he spent with her, the harder ignoring these possessive feelings became.

“Two minutes to the whistle, Redbeard. Get your game face on.”

“I never take it off.” He drummed his fingers against the outside of his thigh. “Is this a bad time to talk about our date

tonight?”

“Yes,” Elton said to Robbie’s right, sounding like he’d just licked a lemon.

Robbie turned his back to Elton and dropped his voice for Skylar’s ears alone. “Monday is dating practice. It’s on the calendar. Plus, I saw it written in your planner and underlined four times.”

A sound seemed to catch in Skylar’s throat. “Why were you looking in my planner?”

“I couldn’t sleep and thought it might help—and it did. I found it kind of... soothing.”

She didn’t immediately respond. “How is it soothing?”

“You slant all your words the exact same direction. If your planner was a clock, they’d be pointing at the two. Then you’ve

got all these seasonally themed tapes. I don’t even know where someone goes to buy that shit.”

“Online, mostly. But there are also stationery shops...”

“Is there one you like in Boston?”

“Why?”

Robbie lifted his blindfold just a tad and peered into the sun, trying to see Skylar across the field, but at that distance

she was nothing but an outline. “Maybe I’ll get my own planner.” He yanked the blindfold back down. “We can have a planner

party.”

“I can only imagine the kind of debauchery you’d schedule in that planner. Do you even need to pencil in an orgy? Seems like

you’d remember.”

A sour layer coated his tongue. “You know, Skylar, most nights I’m at hockey practice. Passed out at home after hockey practice. In an Epson salt bath. Or eating lasagna with Mailer. I’m not always out haunting clubs looking for women.”

“You only do that three times a week.”

Robbie snorted. “Twice, tops.”

I can’t see myself doing it anymore , he almost added. Not after you.

Yeah, when he got back to Boston, he’d talk to Mailer about knocking off the irreverent bachelor lifestyle.

Maybe... who knows. Maybe Skylar and Madden wouldn’t work out.

She’d bump into Robbie at the park after the breakup and he’d be extra jacked, since this was his fantasy.

She’d be, like, What have you been up to?

And he’d say, Not clubbing, that’s what.

I volunteer at hospitals now in my spare time.

Then she’d whip out her adorable little planner and schedule in a date with him.

A real one.

For now, however, if all he got was a fake one, he’d damn well take it.

“So, we’re definitely on for tonight?” Robbie asked, peering down at the grass through the tiny sliver of daylight at the

bottom of his blindfold and finding the white starting line that had been spraypainted on the grass. “Take me somewhere the

portion sizes can feed a family. Or one Robbie.”

“I might know a place,” she mumbled. “But I’m not going to be in the mood for a date if we lose.”

He dropped into a runner’s stance, adrenaline beginning to simmer. “Roger that, Rocket.”

“Ten seconds. Are you ready?”

“Born ready.”

“The first flag is an easy one. Straight ahead about twenty yards. No obstacles in your way.” The shriek of the whistle echoed

across the field and Robbie lunged forward into the open field. “Go, go, go.”

“I’m going. Start telling me how to get to the next one.”

“Okay, once you pocket the first flag, number two is a hard cut to the left, maybe fifteen yards. Here’s the thing, my mom’s

and Elton’s second flags are right beside it, so you’re going to have company.”

Robbie snagged flag one and changed directions. This was going to be easy as pie. “Is anyone or anything in my path?”

“No, but my mom is coming in hot. Be prepared.”

Prepared for what? How bad—

A sharp elbow caught him in the ribs, followed by a maniacal cackle. Next, what Robbie suspected was a foot tripped his ass

and he went sprawling forward into the grass.

“Oops,” Skylar said in his ear. “Told you.”

He was already back on his feet, dismayed to find he’d lost his sense of direction. “Jesus Christ.” He turned in a disoriented

circle. “Where...?”

“Listen for my airhorn,” Skylar said. “Face the finish line again.”

A deafening honk came from a football field away. He twisted around and continued on his way. “Got it. Where’s the flag now?”

“Take five big steps to the left. It’s there.”

A second later, he seized the flag. “When did you get a freaking airhorn?”

“Worry about it later, my mom already has three flags.”

“ What? Where’s my next one?”

“From your current position, take eight paces forward.” She sucked in a breath. “Be warned, you might encounter Elton. His

zig might intersect with your zag.”

“Looking forward to it.”

“Come on, Robbie. Your black eye was just beginning to fade.”

Robbie heard approaching footsteps a split second before he sensed a presence.

His instinct was to lower his shoulder and flip Skylar’s brother.

Or increase his pace and take him to the boards, but there were no boards in the middle of the open field and he really wanted that date with Skylar tonight, so he waltzed with Elton instead.

Clasped the other man’s left hand in his own, planted a hand on his shoulder, and started counting off one two three, one two three. ..

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Not pissing off your sister.”

A frustrated curse. “I don’t know which direction I’m facing now!”

“That might have been my ulterior motive.” Robbie released Elton and ducked by him, knowing exactly where he was in the field,

because he’d kept track of his box steps. “Those church dances just paid off, Rocket.”

“I can’t believe what I just witnessed. Slow down, you’re almost to the third flag. There. Stop. No, feel your way along the

grass to the right...”

“Got it.”

“Yes! Okay, dead run toward my airhorn. Nothing is in your way. The last flag is right in front of the finish line.”

“Yeah, but where is your mom? I’m terrified.”

“She slipped in some mud.”

“Oh shit. Does she need help?”

“Hell no! It could be a trap! Just keep running.”

Robbie and Skylar won the first Page Stakes event.

On the other side of the finish line, Robbie doubled over with his hands on his knees, judging he’d have a bruise on his side

the size of Atlanta by evening. The pain was well worth it when he tore off his blindfold to find Skylar running in his direction,

laughing, her braid bouncing side to side on her shoulders.

“You were amazing! We won!”

Time moved in slow motion as she jumped into his arms, her warm laugh bubbling in his ear.

And eventually sighing into his neck when he banded both arms around her and held, locking her curves tight to his frame, his eyes rolling blissfully into the back of his head over the way she fit him, absorbing the perfect feeling of the girl who was going to get away.

“Hey,” Robbie murmured into her hair, allowing his fingertips to travel down the length of her braid and tug lightly. “That

wasn’t so bad at all.”

She leaned away to meet his eyes. “It’ll get harder as we go.”

Robbie tucked her face back into his neck, not ready to put her down yet. Or ever. “Yeah. I know it will.”

They were slowly flanked by a muddy Vivica and a disappointed-looking Doug and Elton. Madden stood at the edge of the group.

“I suppose congratulations are in order.” Doug sniffed, shaking Robbie’s hand. “Bear in mind, the first challenge is the easiest.”

“That’s right.” Vivica wiped off her face with a moist towelette, somehow collecting all the mud in a single pass. “Tomorrow

is rock climbing!”

Robbie waited for the others to wander off and lick their wounds before looking Skylar in the eye. “Is now a good time to

tell you I’m deathly afraid of heights?”