Page 108 of Baseball and Shifters

My version stands tall and proud, still instantly recognizable but with more muscles and a lot more charm. The class chuckles at the side by side comparison between Old Stan and New Stanley. I keep moving through my presentation showing off my new designs and finish up just as the timer goes off announcing the end of my five minutes. I gather up my things and make my way back to my seat.

When I sit down Professor Stone catches my eye and shoots me a thumbs up and a wink. I feel the heat in my cheeks but a warm sense of pride fills my chest. I did good and regardless of the grade I receive I’m proud of myself for even being here today.

After the final pitch is complete we all cast our anonymous vote for class favorite. When we drop our ballot in the box Professor Stone passes us an envelope containing our final grade. The room is tense with anticipation as one by one we all reveal our fate. I hold my breath as I pull open my envelope and take out the folded piece of paper.

Unfolding it I see a fully filled in grading rubric which I will go over later but right now I can’t peel my eyes away the giant red A staring at me from the top of the page.

I passed.

I didn’t just pass, I got an A. My guys must feel my emotions in the bond because suddenly I’m flooded with a return of pride,excitement, and something that feels oddly like Bas saying ‘I told you so’.

Professor Stone takes his place behind the podium again and clears his throat drawing my attention. “I have counted up the votes and I am proud to announce that by nearly unanimous numbers Rachel St. James has the favorite design of the class. Miss St. James,” he turns to me now, “be expecting a call from the marketing department sometime next week. I assume they will be putting some of this to immediate use.”

I’m shocked and absolutely speechless but the smile on my face is so big it hurts my cheeks.

I’m still smiling when I meet Liam in the hall. He lifts his brow and holds his hand out for mine.

“Good class?”

“I nailed it!” I say, still grinning like a fool. “I got an A and the class voted for my presentation as the best and Professor Stone said the marketing team is going to put some of it to use immediately whatever that means. I just can’t believe I’m here and I’m with you, all of you. I never would have imagined this is where I would be, not even three months after finally getting out from under my father’s roof.”

Liam grins and pulls me into a hug. “You’re incredible, Shadow Girl. But we already knew that.”

He releases me from the hug but doesn’t let go of my hand as we make our way to Film Studies. Aubree and Maya catch up with us just as we exit the building.

“Sooo…” Maya asks impatiently.

“She crushed it,” Liam replies proudly. “Got an A, won the class vote, and the school’s probably going to use her designs.”

Aubree squeals. “Yes! I told you New Stanley was swoon-worthy. Good job, babe!”

“I’m not sure swoon-worthy was the goal, but hey, if it works,” I say with a shrug.

“Are you kidding? If that mascot was in the stadium, I might actually start showing up to games,” Aubree insists.

“As if you’d ever pass up a chance to watch boy butts in baseball pants… or football pants… or hockey uniforms,” Maya sasses at her, and we all crack up because she’s not wrong.

The rest of the day passes in a blur. I finish my Film Studies final in half the time provided and then kick Bas’s butt in self defence earning a pass for that class as well. The guys leave for the stadium as soon as they’re done with their last exam of the day, leaving me to have girl time at my old dorm before the game.

“Mama Ashford left this for you,” Dallas says with a smile, handing me a garment bag.

“Go on, open it!” Aubree prods.

Taking the bag off the hanger, I open it and find my jersey. I mean…mydesign. How did she do it? But that’s not even the best part. No, that clever woman made me the perfect jersey. All season, I’ve been switching off the guys’ jerseys trying my damndest to be fair and represent each of my guys. Thanks to Mama Ashford, I don’t have to do that anymore.

The jersey is perfect.

Sleek black fabric, trimmed in emerald green and stitched with a shimmering navy thread. Across the chest in bold letters is our school name and just below it is the new team logo I designed. But the back is what chokes me up. Instead of just one number it is divided into four equal parts each representing one of my guys and across the top it reads ‘Rachel’s Guys’. I hug the jersey to my chest and attempt not to cry.

Mama Ashford did good. When I look up to tell the girls as much, they add to the surprise, each of them holding a tshirt with my new design on it.

“I’m speechless,” I whisper. “Absolutely stunned. Seriously… how did she, how did you all?”

“We have our ways.” Maya winks, bumping her shoulder into mine. “Aubree got your files and sent them to her and Mama Ashford has a contact apparently because it only took like two days and they were here.”

“I cried when mine got delivered,” Dallas says, clutching hers dramatically to her chest. “And then immediately demanded one in every color.”

“You’re not even dating one of them,” I tease, a watery laugh bubbling up.

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