Page 102 of Home Run

We would beat the Giants four games to two and be crowned National League champions.

The game had been ours from the beginning. The home crowds had come through for us, invigorating us with that special New York energy, and since the moment we stepped onto the field, we’d owned the ball.

I’d argue and say we’d never played better than we’d played in this game. Aside from the first disastrous game of this series, we’d never had a stretch of playing like it. Balls had been hit harder and farther, we’d sprinted faster.

Twice Lux had scaled the bleachers more deftly than Spider-Man, snatching the ball before it was seized by some overzealous fans. And for me, Millie had given me all the power I’d needed to make this one of the top five games of my career, I was certain. Coach was still making everyone sit in the bleachers, but every so often the camera had zoomed in on Radley with Millie cheering next to her wearing my shirt.

I didn’t think it was possible for my heart to get any bigger, but it sure tried hard whenever I spotted her.

“I wish Coach would sit the fuck down,” grumbled Parker, rubbing his hands back and forth along his thighs.

My eyes sliced to the side to see Coach’s back as he made his way down to the other end of the dugout, before turning again. He’d been pacing throughout the game, and with each inning, his marching had gotten progressively more pronounced. The next pass, he reached Ace sitting in his chair by the water station.

“He’s anxious.”

“We’re all anxious.”

“We’ve never gotten this far in the game before,” I added reasonably. “He’s going to be the first coach to take us to the World Series.”

“Yeah, but it’s still super annoying. What’s he going to be like next week? He needs to chill.”

I didn’t reply that perhaps Parker was the one who needed to chill. I wasn’t sure what had gotten him so agitated, either, because there was no way we could fuck this up now.

Bottom of the ninth, two runs up, and only Jupiter was left to bat. And Jupiter never failed to deliver.

I nudged Parker as he stepped up to the plate. “Watch this.”

Jupiter stood tall and rolled his shoulder back before doing the same with his neck, first left, then right, twisting his bat until the grip was perfect.

The Giants pitcher threw the ball.

Jupiter swung.

It was hard to tell what happened first, even looking back on the replay—the home crowds cheering, the gold and black glitter canons firing, or Jupiter hitting the ball.

I know this much: Parker’s cry of happiness was so loud it left a ringing in my ear for the rest of the day.

We swarmed the field, along with our coaches, support staff, anyone and everyone who worked at Lions Stadium, and a handful of Lions fans who’d managed to sneak past security. Sports reporters shoved microphones into the faces of anyone who passed them.

Jupiter was still running around the bases as Coachsprinted out to him, closely followed by Lux and Saint, who promptly scooped him up onto their shoulders, carrying him high among the crowds while they sang “We Are the Champions.”

“We won. We fuckingwon.We won the championship. We’re the champions,” cheered Parker, tears streaming down his face as he spun around. “Where’s Scout? I need Scout.”

But I wasn’t listening. I was too focused on finding Millie and figuring out which entrance she’d come down with Radley, praying the Secret Service would be okay with bringing her into the swarming masses.

But then I saw her, ponytail swinging behind her, belly out in front as she made her way down the east steps usually reserved for Penn Shepherd’s guests.

It was debatable whether I’d ever sprinted so fast in my life as I ran over to her, and if Lux was even faster trying to get to Radley.

Millie didn’t even have the opportunity to step off the field before I lifted her into my arms and kissed her like a soldier returning from the front lines.

“You won. You won,” she mumbled against my lips, taking a much-needed breath. “That was incredible. You guys have played so well.”

My cheeks suddenly felt damp, and I pulled away at the first taste of saltiness on my tongue.

“Mills, why are you crying?”

“I don’t know.” She laughed. “It’s the baby, and watching you in front of thousands of people cheering your name.”

---