Page 74 of Shades of You

As I entered the dugout, Evan was waiting. He raised both hands, and I met them with mine in a solid high ten, the slap echoing our exhilaration. His eyes blazed with that old fire. “Way to bring it home!”

Stella stepped up to bat next, her stance confident, her eyes fierce. She swung, connecting a sharp crack, but the ball skimmed low—a grounder speeding toward the shortstop. The throw was quick and precise, and she was out, ending our turn at bat.

“Nice try!” I called, applauding for Stella as she trotted back to the dugout.

As I strapped on my catcher’s gear, the weight of the pads felt like armor, the mask a visor for the final battle. This was it—the last half inning to defend what we had fought for all season.

Maia clapped her hands. “Okay, guys! All we have to do is hold them. Holy shit, am I nervous now. Let’s keep our same positions. It’s worked all game?—”

“Maia.” Evan stepped forward and cut her off. “I think we should change it up.”

Her face went blank. “You do? What do you mean?”

Evan stared straight at her. “I want to take over as manager.”

Silence blanketed us for a heartbeat, then understanding rippled through the team. At what it meant for Evan to step up at long last and take center stage. Everyone straightened a little as those sharp blue eyes raked over us.Then they stopped on Maia. “But it’s your call. What do you say?”

She bit her lip, then nodded. “I’d love it if you led us, Evan.”

He gave her a brief smile before his expression hardened, his eyes becoming fierce. “Hunter just scored the go-ahead run. All we have to do is hold them for a half inning and this game is ours, guys.”

Liv’s hands twisted together, her face pale beneath the brim of her cap. “Maybe I should sit this one out, honey. I missed my last catch in the sixth inning, and that gave them the lead. Someone else could definitely do better than me.”

Evan’s expression softened as he brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “None of that. We all got here together, remember?” His gaze swept over each of us before settling back on her. “Everyone plays, including you.”

Then he straightened, and all of us followed suit. I damn near stood at attention from the authority he was radiating. “Aiden,” Evan said, pointing to the doctor. “I’m moving you to shortstop. Your speed is what we need right now.”

“Got it,” Aiden replied, his face setting into determined lines.

“Gabe, you’re on first. Maia, take third base. I want you on the hot corner. Wyatt, be on high alert out there at center.” Evan’s commands were met with immediate nods from everyone. “We play as one, and we win as one. Let’s show these assholes how it’s done.”

While everyone else trotted to the diamond, I strapped on the rest of my catcher’s gear. Evan and I were alone, and I caught his eye. “You’ve got your game face on, but what about Brent? He’s up third.” In addition to scoring all the Barracudas’ runs, Brent Harrigan had hit the ball Liv wasworrying about, which only made me more pissed at the guy. Plus, he’d been a jerk the whole season.

Evan’s lips curled into a grin that was anything but friendly. “Brent? I went toe-to-toe with that prick in the minors. Trust me, I’ve got his number.”

Laughter rose from my chest. “What about keeping it clean enough for the rec league?”

“I’m not a dirty player, but I’ll do what it takes to win,” Evan snapped. This was the Evan I remembered. The Enforcer, his nickname when he’d been notorious for not giving an inch. “Don’t worry. He’ll get what he deserves.”

As Evan settled on the mound, I crouched behind home plate. I risked a quick glance at Brenna, who chewed on her lips as she sat with her hands pressed between her knees. Next to her, April was frowning and shifting on the bleachers. Everyone was feeling the tension.

As Evan struck out the first two batters with ease, pride filled me. He was pitching at full capacity now, and the two Barracudas hadn’t even made contact with his fastball. Redemption suited him well. Our Stingrays were more than just a team—we were a family making ourselves whole again.

The Barracudas’ slugger approached. His bat tapped an impatient rhythm against his cleats, then he settled in with his toes hugging the line.

“Careful, Brent,” I said casually. “You’re a bit close there.”

He shot me a dirty look, the corner of his mouth twisting. “I’ll stand wherever I damn well please.”

God this guy is an asshole.

Enough. Focusing on the pitcher’s mound, I signaled for an inside fastball. My brother’s response was measured—a slow nod I remembered very well. Evan wound upand let it fly. The pitch hurtled toward home, a streak of white fury that nearly kissed Brent’s nose. He whirled into a crouch, cursing, while I launched upward to catch it.

“Whoops!” I smirked behind my mask. “Shit. That one could have gotten away from him. Told you.”

Ignoring me, Brent stood up again. He glared at Evan, who stood tall and unyielding on the mound, the Enforcer personified. The moment stretched taut as Brent settled into his batting stance once again. I debated about what pitch to ask for and settled on a curve. Evan shook me off.

Yeah. I guess he’s not messing around.

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