Page 43 of Pitcher Perfect
“If you say so.”
“Okay, are you really ready?” Skylar called the question, falling into her stance only when Robbie nodded.Breathe, wind up, pitch.
She landed it in the dead center of the mitt. But only becauseRobbie shifted the target slightly to the right at the last second, compensating for the trajectory.
He didn’t even flinch. He simply stood and threw back the ball.
“Well.” Madden slow clapped. “I underestimated you.”
“Don’t let it happen again.” Robbie sniffed.
Doug Page stepped out onto the porch, then, drawing the threesome’s attention, the sound of his trumpet splintering the cool, spring morning air.
“Let the games begin,” he hooted, lowering the instrument.
“Looks like they already have,” Madden remarked, backing toward his aunt’s house. “See you all at the field.”
“Yes, you will,” Robbie called, swaggering toward Skylar.
The closer he got to the makeshift pitching mound, the more obvious his pale complexion became. “Let’s get you some ice.”
“Good idea,” he croaked, shaking out his right hand.
Chapter Thirteen
No doubt about it. This family was psychotic.
Robbie stood blindfolded at the edge of the field, listening to Skylar recite the rules in the provided earpiece.
“Okay, remember. There are four flags. You have to collect themallto cross the finish line. In all the kerfuffle, you’re going to lose count—”
“I won’t lose count.”
“You will. I’ll keep track, too. Just focus on my instructions and remember to trust me, one hundred percent. Okay?”
He thought of that page in her diary. “As you wish, Mrs. Kit Harington.”
“Never. Never say that again.”
Robbie grinned, lifting his blindfold just enough to observe Elton beside him at the starting line, stretching his hamstrings like he was preparing to run the Boston Marathon. “What are the rules on bodychecking?”
Skylar sputtered in his ear. “What?”
“Is there a rule preventing me from knocking your brother on his ass?”
“God, you’re such a hockey player,” she groaned.
“Yes or no.”
“Technically?” A long pause. “No, but—”
“Great.” Robbie rubbed his hands together. “It’s in the bag.”
“Don’t you dare knock my mother over.”
“I’ll do my best, Rocket, but I’m blindfolded, remember?”
Was that...? Yes, that was definitely the sound of Skylar’s grinding teeth.
