Page 186 of Left on Base

emerald says no more using my hair for “emotional spells.”

mookie still alive?

send proof of cat

Every time my phone buzzes, my chest tightens with hope, then sags. Camdyn’s probably still getting mobbed by media, teammates, sponsors, the entire state of Washington. I’m a blip on her radar right now.

I type out a text to her:

Hey, you up for pizza this week?

Delete. Too casual.

Miss you

Delete. Sounds needy.

Heyyy whats suppp

Delete. I’m not a middle schooler.

I toss the phone onto my bed, where Mookie pounces on it like he’s helping.

Fork Guy again.

FORK GUY

want me to text her for you?

i can be subtle

“sup camdyn, jaxon is dying of heartbreak and malnutrition, pls respond”

jkjk

unless you want me to

do u want me to??

I’m about to block him for my own sanity when my phone buzzes again. My heart damn near breaks a rib as I lunge for it. But it’s not Camdyn. It’s Inez.

For a split second, I think about not opening it. The last time Inez wrote about Camdyn, it torched everything between us. That article was gasoline on a campfire—rumors, drama, Cam shutting me out. We’ve gotten back to a good place, talking everyday and finding ourselves as friends for now. We’re not official, but it’s close. Closer than ever.

But curiosity wins. I tap the link, bracing for disaster.

CONFIDENCE IN THE CIRCLE

Camdyn O’Hara dominated the College World Series like few pitchers ever have, stepping into the circle in both championship games and striking out 18 batters across 14 grueling innings. Not only was she untouchable in the circle with a mix of blazing fastballs and wicked curveballs, she also crushed it at the plate, homering three times in the series—a rare feat for a pitcher. Her leadership and grit carried the Huskies through every tense moment, inspiring teammates and fans alike.

Her season stats are staggering: 188 innings pitched, an ERA of just .78, and a career-high 271 strikeouts. ESPN named her one of the 10 “Must Watch College Players,” praising her poise under pressure and her ability to redefine Washington’s softball legacy as a sophomore.

I read it again, slower. For once, Inez wrote something that felt true. Something that painted Camdyn the way I see her. Not some weak freshman who fell apart, but the best damn pitcher in the country. My stomach knots: proud, relieved, kind of jealous, and also terrified.

Mookie, now chewing my ethernet cable, is basically threatening to unplug me from the world. I shoo him away. He bounces off the wall like a furry pinball, then vanishes under Jameson’s bed, plotting his next attack on technology.

Fork Guy again.

FORK GUY

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