Page 63 of Pitcher Us
Callie tried talking her into letting her work remotely so she could come down with us, but Shannon would not let it go. We barely had any time together during those few days in Aster Creek, and now it’s been almost a week since I’ve seen her.
I know her flight landed earlier along with the rest of the team, and I’m dying to see her. When I click on my phone I’ve got a thread of texts that I can't help but laugh at.
Blaze
Just landed. Shannon’s already talking about all the stuff I have to do right away, but I heard one of the pitchers was really hot, so I’ll probably go check him out first.
Why does this woman hate me? I have to go with her to the hotel first to make sure everyone’s checked in. I’m the photographer! What purpose do I have there?
Now I’m being roped into a tour of the stadium with a guide who specializes in the building’s history. You better be one of the attractions or else I’m giving it a one-star review.
Tour rating: one star. Rating for tour with Shannon: negative two.
That’s the last one I received and the time stamp is from almost an hour ago. Fuck, I want to see her. Sending her a text letting her know I’m done for the day, I toss my phone back in my bag.
“Nice work out there, Anderson,” Dex says as he walks into the locker room. “It’s good to know my retirement as a player isn’t going to hurt the team too bad.”
“Who knows, it might even benefit,” I joke, failing to remember that Dex is my coach now and not just another player. It’s been a weird adjustment. This was his first week actually on the job, and I might not know the full details, but I don’t think Dex was as ready to retire as he leads on.
But I think it might be a mutual thought, because Dex laughs. “I wouldn’t get too ahead of yourself. You’re good, but remember, you’re only here because I retired.”
“I think it’s a little too early to be talking about your glory days, Larsen.”
“Dad!” Dex’s five-year-old son, Miles, comes charging in and starts talking ninety miles an hour. “Callie says I can help her take pictures if you say it’s okay! So, I’m going to tell her you said okay, okay?”
“Whoa, whoa, slow down,” Dex hollers and waves for Miles to come back as he tries to race back out of the locker room. Not that I blame the kid. As soon as he mentioned Callie I had to hold myself back from racing out of the room too.
Dex kneels in front of his son and I’m totally not about to eavesdrop on my coach and his five-year-old. That’s a lie, I totally am.
“Callie’s working, buddy. She doesn’t need you being her shadow.”
“But she said it was okay. She’s waiting for me outside. Said I would be a great helper.”
Bingo. Trying not to come off too eager, I grab my bag and give Dex a nod as I pass by.
Dex pauses what he’s saying to Miles and hollers at me, “See you, Monday. Take it easy and ice your shoulder.”
“I know the drill.” I raise my hand high for a wave because there’s no way I’m turning around—I see a fire.
“Hey there, Blaze.”
Callie’s eyes light up and a smirk comes across her face. “Ah, I see my covert operation was successful.”
Walking to her I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her around the side of the door and back into a corner. “We’ve got maybe two minutes before that kid swindles his dad into letting him follow you around. Lucky little fucker.”
“Ooo, think you can make those minutes worth it, Anderson?”
Cupping her face, I pull her in for the kiss I’ve been dying for, but the moment my lips touch hers, her phone rings.
Callie starts to mutter as she pulls out her phone. “I swear if this—ugh!” She takes a deep breath then she throws on the fakest smile I’ve ever seen. “Hi, Shannon.”
I sigh, taking a step back because I know our moment is gone.
“Yes, I’m on my way. Yes, I know how to take pictures with moving objects. Yes, even direct sunlight. I’ll be there in two minutes.”
Callie clicks off her phone and that smile disappears immediately. “I swear she hates me.”
I take the chance of tucking a strand of her hair back behind her ear, mostly because I can’t resist. “Please tell me you get out of here soon.”
