Page 45 of Pitcher Perfect
“I might know a place,” she mumbled. “But I’m not going to be in the mood for a date if we lose.”
He dropped into a runner’s stance, adrenaline beginning to simmer. “Roger that, Rocket.”
“Ten seconds. Are you ready?”
“Born ready.”
“The first flag is an easy one. Straight ahead about twenty yards. No obstacles in your way.” The shriek of the whistle echoed across the field and Robbie lunged forward into the open field. “Go, go, go.”
“I’m going. Start telling me how to get to the next one.”
“Okay, once you pocket the first flag, number two is a hard cut to the left, maybe fifteen yards. Here’s the thing, my mom’sandElton’s second flags are right beside it, so you’re going to have company.”
Robbie snagged flag one and changed directions. This was going to be easy as pie. “Is anyone or anything in my path?”
“No, but my mom is coming in hot. Be prepared.”
Prepared for what? How bad—
A sharp elbow caught him in the ribs, followed by a maniacal cackle. Next, what Robbie suspected was a foot tripped his ass and he went sprawling forward into the grass.
“Oops,” Skylar said in his ear. “Told you.”
He was already back on his feet, dismayed to find he’d lost his sense of direction. “Jesus Christ.” He turned in a disoriented circle. “Where...?”
“Listen for my airhorn,” Skylar said. “Face the finish line again.”
A deafening honk came from a football field away. He twisted around and continued on his way. “Got it. Where’s the flag now?”
“Take five big steps to the left. It’s there.”
A second later, he seized the flag. “When did you get a freaking airhorn?”
“Worry about it later, my mom already has three flags.”
“What?Where’s my next one?”
“From your current position, take eight paces forward.” She sucked in a breath. “Be warned, you might encounter Elton. His zig might intersect with your zag.”
“Looking forward to it.”
“Come on, Robbie. Your black eye was just beginning to fade.”
Robbie heard approaching footsteps a split second before he sensed a presence. His instinct was to lower his shoulder and flip Skylar’s brother. Or increase his pace and take him to the boards, but there were no boards in the middle of the open field and he really wanted that date with Skylar tonight, so he waltzedwith Elton instead. Clasped the other man’s left hand in his own, planted a hand on his shoulder, and started counting off one two three, one two three...
“What the hell are you doing?”
“Not pissing off your sister.”
A frustrated curse. “I don’t know which direction I’m facing now!”
“That might have been my ulterior motive.” Robbie released Elton and ducked by him, knowing exactly where he was in the field, because he’d kept track of his box steps. “Those church dances just paid off, Rocket.”
“I can’t believe what I just witnessed. Slow down, you’re almost to the third flag. There. Stop. No, feel your way along the grass to the right...”
“Got it.”
“Yes! Okay, dead run toward my airhorn. Nothing is in your way. The last flag is right in front of the finish line.”
