Page 61 of The Change Up
“You should sit with me!” Leah chimes in. The idea of my two favorite ladies sitting together warms my heart and scares the shit out of me at the same time. Leah isn’t afraid to share all kinds of embarrassing stories about me.
A wide smile stretches Chloe’s lips, and I know the decision before she even says anything. “I guess I could cover the game from the stands. Maybe work on an angle from the fans’ standpoint.”
“Have fun, you two.”
“Good luck,” Chloe says. Giving her a wink, I turn and jog down the steps and back out onto the field.
Nolan tosses me a ball as he squats back down in his catcher’s stance. Rotating my shoulders, I tip my head from side to side letting the tension ease as I get my game-day face on.
“You good?” Hud asks, coming up to stand beside me.
“Did you know Leah was coming?” I glance out of the corner of my eye, and I can’t read his expression. “She messaged me to make sure she could crash at our house.”
I nod before I throw the ball to Nolan.
Fifteen minutes later we are walking out onto the field to line up for the playing of the national anthem. With a glance over my shoulder, I wink at my girl who is watching me before she throws her head back in a laugh, no doubt over something Leah said. It feels good to see my sister relaxed and having fun.
Turning my attention back to the mound, I shut my mind off and get focused on the game ahead of us. A guy with a TV camera is coming down our line, but I don’t pay him any attention.
As the anthem ends, we all clap before turning back to the dugout where we jog to get our gloves.
It’s time to play ball.
With a deep breath, I head out to the dirt-covered mound. My gaze snaps to each one of my teammates who take their spots behind me. This is it. We are in the top of the ninth inning up five to nothing as I get ready to pitch in the last inning of the game. We are three outs away from me pitching the best game of my career with the chance to end this game with a no-hitter. Typically at this point in the game, I’d be pulled out with our closer in, but Coach must feel the same thing I do.
This is my game to break records.
The section in the right-center field has boards of backward Ks attached to the wall, and I cannot believe how well this game is going.
Nolan jogs from his position behind home plate to where I’m standing on the mound, kicking the dirt just how I like it.
“You’ve got this, bro. It’s just me and you behind the plate.” I give him a tight nod as he taps my shoulder with his glove before heading back to his spot.
The crowd is loud as claps and cheers ring out in the stadium as the first batter steps up to the plate. We are back to the top of Loganville’s batting order, which means their top hitters are looking to get a hit off to end the streak and my chances of a no-hitter.
Adjusting my hat, I look ahead and wait for the batter to get into position and quit his whole pre-hit ritual. Resting my gloved hand on my chin, there’s only a small gap between it and my hat, but it’s enough for me to narrow my eyes and wait for Nolan to give the pitch call.
The music cuts out as the batter takes his stance. I watch the bat go up and down as he awaits the pitch. With one last inhale, I start the pitching process. Digging my foot in the dirt, powering through the step, and letting the ball fly out of my fingers, the last thing I feel is the rough texture of the stitching.
I watch the bat come around and miss the ball. The loud “thwack” of the ball hitting Nolan’s leather causes the crowd to erupt.
The next two pitches go the same. One out, two to go. I turn my back to the plate and take a few slow strides away from the mound while I wait for the next batter. Turning I walk back to the mound, bouncing my shoulders up and down. My adrenaline is pumping, and I can hardly stand still.
But I have to.
I have to focus on the next pitch. Eyeing Nolan down, I watch him move his fingers in a sequence to call out the pitch. He calls for a slider, and I shake my head. He taps the side of his leg before giving a new sequence. Curveball inside? I nod.
The pitch is in the air, and I wait, unable to breathe, as I watch the batter step forward and swing. Somehow the ball grazes right over the metal bat just missing a connection.
Tipping my head to the side, I let out a long exhale as I crack my neck. Nolan tosses me the ball back, and I resume my position.
These are the moments where all of the hard work and dedication pay off. All the long days throwing in the backyard. The years of traveling to play endless games.
Throwing up a hand, the batter calls for time as he steps out of the box to talk to his third base coach. I take the moment to step off the mound, and without thought, my eyes find Chloe in the stands. She’s standing in between Brynn and my sister with her hands folded under her chin where her head rests. Her lips are moving, but I can’t make out what she’s saying. I opt to give her a wink. She catches the movement and smiles before sending a wink back to me.
Damn, I love that girl.
Love? Yeah, it’s safe to say I love Chloe Mariano. I have since our summer together.
