Page 179 of The Plan

“Sit the fuck down, August. You’re making everyone nervous.” He’s pacing the dugout, and every batter that goes out onto thefield looks scared because of him. He’s always one to have it together, so he needs to get it together.

“Go do a fucking cartwheel and make us laugh—we need it.” He’s good at making us laugh, but he stops pacing and turns to me offended.

“Do I look like a fucking clown?” I chuckle at his tone, and he shakes his head with a smile. That’s more like it. A few of our teammates go to bat, but no one scores like we need them to. When it’s August’s turn to bat, he rushes over to me and sits next to me on the bench.

“What are you—”

“I’m not going. Send somebody else.” He can’t be for real. I turn so I’m fully facing him.

“Don’t be a fucking idiot. We can’t change the lineup, you know that. Go out there, now.” We don’t have time for this bullshit, so I’m not entertaining him today.

“Sire, we have two outs.” He says it like it changes the fact that he still needs to go either way. “We’re losing, and it’s the last inning. If I strike out, that’s it. I cost us the game.” He sounds so fucking scared, petrified even. I let out a sigh and put my hands on his shoulder.

“We’re only losing by one point. I’m batting next. All I need you to do is get on base, and I’ll bring you home.” He looks hesitant, and I give his shoulder a soft shake. “Just get on base, August.”

“Okay.” He nods, and I let out a breath. “They’re fast out there, though, Sire. What if—”

“You’re faster.” I look into his eyes and give him a firm nod. He smiles, then hugs me, and I quickly hug him back. “Okay, go.” He squeezes me before letting go and runs onto the field. I get up to watch him play. It helps my nerves because he makes it look so easy; you would’ve never guessed he was so nervous with the way he gracefully swings, hitting a double.

My eyes follow him across the field as he runs to second base. The opposite team throws in the ball quickly, but August is faster and safely makes it to base.Good job, kid.I nod and grab my bat, walking out on the field.

I get into position and take a deep breath as the pitcher looks over his shoulder to August, checking if he’s going to steal, but I doubt August will. I watch the pitcher carefully as his shoulders lift and fall, clearly letting out a breath.

When he throws his first pitch, I let it pass me and don’t swing. I’m proven that was the wrong choice because the umpire calls a strike. I shake that one off and get ready for the next one.

As it comes hurdling my way, I take a swing, but I am late on it, and the ball passes me. The crowd starts yelling, and I turn to August to find him stealing third. I quickly take a step back and glance at the catcher. He’s looking for the ball, but by the time he grabs it and throws it into the field, August is already on third.

I feel myself smirking when I hear the catcher for the Rays mumble a curse. August stealing definitely just made him nervous. We only need one point to tie the game and two to win.You can do this.

I step back on home plate and study the pitcher before he throws.You have two strikes.I can’t miss this one. I take a step back before he throws his pitch and take a deep breath. Fuck, I should not be this nervous.It’s just a game.

I glance over at August, and he’s hunched over with his hands on his knees, watching me. We hold each other's gaze for a second, and then he nods. I nod back and get back onto base.

I raise my bat and get back into position. The pitcher slightly turns to the side and holds his hands up by his mouth, preparing to throw. In a quick move, he's lifting his leg and launching the ball my way.

Without thinking, I swing, and at the sound of my bat hitting the ball, I take off. I run without watching for the ball, but as I hear everyone yelling, I glance in the direction the ball went.

I reach first base just as I turn my head to look, and the ball leaves the field, landing in a crowd of fans who dive for it.Holy fucking shit!

“Yeah, Sire!” I glance over at August in shock. He’s at home base.The game is tied.“Come on!” At the reminder that I still need to run, I take off but come to a jog when I realize the ball isn’t in the field anymore.

I smile to myself and hold up one finger as I jog the bases. On my way to the last base, my entire team is already out on the field, by home base with August. I run to them, and they clear the plate for me.

As soon as my foot touches home base, solidifying our win, the entire team is cheering and jumping, tapping my back and head. “Let’s fucking go!” I throw an arm up in the air in excitement.

I feel someone grab me, and before I know it, the team is holding me in the air. I throw my head back laughing, and when I turn, they also lift August right beside me.

“We fucking did it!” August leans over to hug me. We’re both still laughing when he practically tackles me. With the way he threw himself at me, everyone holding us up is caught off guard, and half of us are falling over.

I rise to my feet, still laughing, as I give August a hand up and hug him again. “We did it!”

He squeezes me, and then my feet suddenly are in the air.

“Congratulations, boys!” We all turn at the sound of Vanessa's voice. Half of the team thanks her, and the other half is sort of in shock because this is the third time we’ve played against her in the World Series, but it’s the only time we’ve won.

Her eyes land on mine, and she nods her head to the side before walking a few feet away. I follow behind her with a smile Ican’t seem to wipe. “Would you like your participation award as a trophy or ribbon?”

She chuckles as she shakes her head. “Trophy. Everyone knows ribbons aren’t real awards.” I throw my head back with a laugh, grateful as fuck that I finally won her over.

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