Page 92 of Wild Card

Decker: I was supposed to start the season last year as head pitcher. I’d been working and practicing more than I’d ever gone at it before. There were scouts asking about me. They wanted to see how I’d do…but then I lost my dad.

Aubrey: I’m so sorry to hear that.

Decker: Thank you. It was difficult. I was driving three hours back home to help my mom and brother every free chance I had. Meanwhile there were these card games happening, and my captain demanded I attend and help organize them. It got to a point where I just refused to attend them anymore.

Aubrey: Based on what I read in that article, I don’t blame you.

Decker: Well the captain did. He started harassing me, bullying me, getting other team members to join in, but I was grieving my dad, and I didn’t give in to it. Then, during practice one day, he fixed a hit, nailing me in the chest with the ball. After I fell to the ground to catch my breath, he shoved his cleat through my pitching hand.

I hated being reminded of how much he’d lost by Elias’s doing.

Aubrey: After reading the article, I guess there were rumors started about you being the one to do that to him. How did all that start?

Decker: The Devils are like a dysfunctional family—you won’t always like everything about it or everyone in it. Regardless of our loyalty to one another, there were several team members who were in on the captain’s plans to hurt me. They only helped perpetuate his narrative by spreading rumors.

Aubrey: So did you lose your position then?

Decker: I lost the use of my hand for several months. After physical therapy, I could throw again, but nothing like I had in the past. I kept my position on the team, helping with stats and keeping my batting average up…but I wasn’t pitching anymore.

Aubrey: So, this deal you’d started with the writer of the article—it was info you exchanged for what? A chance to get back at the captain?

Decker: Yeah, there was something I needed that she had access to, and I knew she wanted to write the story.

Aubrey: Now, you told me you knew the entire time she wouldn’t be able to actually publish it, is that right? But you fell in love along the way?

Decker: I did, and I won’t give you excuses as to why I did it, but I lost the girl because of it. That’s why I’m doing this, in hopes of getting her back. I just hope she gives me a second chance to prove to her that she’s most important to me. More than revenge, more than home…more than anything.

Aubrey: Wow, that’s really sweet. I understand the writer was told to drop this article, am I right? That’s what piqued our interest in publishing it.

Decker: Yes. The captain intervened and had the team’s lawyers threaten her to drop it.

Aubrey: So how is it you were able to share so much info with us?

Decker: There are rules to the game.

His rough words whispered in my ear that night in the library came rushing back. I frantically searched the text for the answers I craved.

Aubrey: Okay, now I’m curious…what rules?

Decker: As you read in the article, the Devils are more than just a baseball team. Well, it’s all a way to keep the team motivated. So of course, there are rules on how we’re supposed to play. They’re broken down by card.

Rule number one: the ace—Don’t catch any feelings for your base number.

Rule number two: the queen of hearts—Never go past your base number.

Rule number three: the king of spades—Don’t talk about the game outside of the Devils’ team house.

Rule number four: the joker—Don’t ask the same person twice.

Rule number five: a royal flush—Every member on the team, no matter the position, must attend the parties.

Rule number six: the straight—If, at any time, the integrity of the game is challenged or questioned, lawyer up and deny everything.

Rule number seven: the wild card—If you fall in love as a direct result of playing the game, this card trumps all others.

Aubrey: Oh my god, I’m actually getting emotional over this. She’s your…

Decker: She’s my wild card.

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