Page 51 of The Plan

He throws his hands up in defeat. “He’s throwing all the balls too high. I’m used to you—”

“It doesn’t matter what you’re used to. Get used to Noah before you cost us the game. If he’s throwing too high, jump.”

“How high, your majesty?” He’s clearly pissed I’m not playing right now, but I’m going to be put in eventually, so he needs to grow up.

“As high as you fucking need to, moron.”

I turn back to Noah, but he says what I was thinking. “I’ll throw lower.” I look over at August with an “I told you so” glare, but he still looks like something is bothering him. Before I ask him what’s up his ass, he starts ranting.

“Walker is out there.”

I roll my eyes at him and let out an annoyed breath. “He’s out there every time we play against the Yankees, August.” Liam Walker is an asshole we played against in college who we somehow can’t seem to escape. He likes to piss us off every chance, and it feels childish to say we’re still rivals, but by definition, we are.

“Stop letting him piss you off. You know it’s only going to make him feel good. Ignoring him and kicking his team's ass is going to feel better.” August nods with a smirk.

“Start acting like a team before I kick all of your asses.” They all laugh, but I wasn’t joking; we better not lose our first game. I put my hand in the middle of the circle, and the rest of them follow. “Dodgers on me! Dodgers on three! One, two, three!” We all shout Dodgers and clap twice, and then the team gets readyto bat. Coach Fred gives me an approving nod, and we watch the game in silence.

Noah pitches for two more innings, then I head to the pitchers' dugout to warm up before I'm swapped in for the next few innings. I start off with my right hand and almost switch to my left, but I remember what Vidia said and decide against it. I’m not making that mistake again.

I strike out a few players and keep the others from scoring, and we’re up eleven to nine by the time I’m swapped out again. When the last inning rolls around, the score is the same, and we just need one out to win.

One of our other pitchers is up, and it’s like the entire field holds their breath as he throws a curveball. The batter swings and misses by a long shot. The umpire calls an out, solidifying our win.

The majority of the crowd is booing, but that's expected for away games. It just means we’re doing something good. I was definitely annoyed about not opening and for being pulled off the field after I instinctively threw a few balls with my left hand, but I got to pitch, and we won.

The team starts making their way to the dugout as Coach Fred walks over to me. “I heard you yelled at our physician.” Who keeps telling him everything?

“Yeah because she—”

“She didn’t do anything, Sire. Your agent was the one who told me you needed to take it easy if I decided to put you in.” I let out a sigh. Jackson is such a dick. I’m telling his daughter Santa isn’t real the minute I see her.

“You know what you have to do, son.” Yeah, I know, but I don’t want to. The team runs in before I can object. After our little celebration in the dugout, I head straight for her before she leaves.

She’s putting something in her purse when I walk in, and she has her back to me. I almost turn around but just spit it out before I back out. “Vidia, can I talk to you for a second?” She completely ignores me and walks right past me, leaving the room, but I follow after her.

“Vid.” She abruptly turns around, and I almost bump into her.

“I have places to be, so if you’re injured, Asher can take a look at you.” Asher must be the blonde guy I bumped into earlier.

“No, I'm not hurt. I just wanted to say sorry for earlier.”

“Go to hell, Sire.” She turns back around, but I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her to me. Her touch sends a jolt of energy through me, and she’s looking up at me, kind of dazed, but she’s frozen in place—like she got the same feeling and doesn’t know if she should move or not.

“I went easy today, like you said.”

She scoffs and smirks while shaking her head in disbelief. She places her hand over my arms and slowly slides from my grasp. “Nice to see you don’t need that hearing aid after all.”

“What?” She smiles, although it’s clear she tries not to, like she doesn’t want to find me funny or share a laugh with me. “I’m sorry, Vid. You were right. It wasn’t that serious.” After going easy today, I realize I can play like this for at least a few weeks.

“You should learn to just listen to me. It’ll save you a lot of energy.”

I shrug in response and give her a weak smile. “I like our whole enemies thing—keeps things interesting.” She looks up at me and shakes her head with a small smile before rolling her eyes.

“Or maybe you just like having an excuse to talk to me, even if it’s arguing,” she teases, and I go still for a second. She looks between my eyes, waiting for a response, but I only shrug.

I don’t know, Vid. Maybe.

Chapter Twelve

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