Page 22 of Fastball Fever
I'm already halfway back to the mound.
I focus on stretching my arm, anything to dull the pain.If this inning craters too, I'm done for, and Amy's out the door.The first batter digs in, confident in a way that shoots anger straight through me.He fouls off two pitches before popping an easy fly ball into our center fielder's glove.
One down.
By the fourth batter, I'm running on fumes.I fire another pitch, ignoring the shooting pain when Jared smashes a double into left field.He stands there with that same conceited grin while I grind through three more hitters.Finally, we're out of the inning, but just barely.The score's tied, and I've got nothing left.As soon as Phil pulls me off the mound for good, I stumble toward the locker room, drowning out the crowd's chant of the new pitcher's name.No one says anything as I limp down the tunnel, but I can practically hear their thoughts.
Washed up.Done for.Lost the fire.
Once I'm inside the locker room, I slump against a locker and let out a shaky breath.My shoulder feels like it's been smashed to pieces.Maybe it has.Amy's words echo in my head—you need to slow down, it's not worth getting injured again—but I've ignored her so many times she probably thinks I'm a lost cause.I throw my glove across the room and watch it bounce off a wall with a hollow thud.
My heart sinks when Amy walks in.The drawn look on her face tells me how this conversation will go down.
"Charlie," she says softly, but there's firmness in her voice too."We need to talk."
My shoulders slump even more.Because I'm screwed.
Chapter Twelve
The Setback
Amy's expression is full of fury as she slams the locker room door shut behind us.For a moment, she just glares at me with her hands on her hips and her eyes narrowed, tapping her fingers."What the hell were you doing out there?You weren't the only player on the field, Braddock.If you can't play smarter than that, you won't play at all."
I can't help feeling defensive, but lashing out at her seems unwise, to say the least.I'm still sweaty from the game, but I don't dare grab a towel, not when Amy is on a rampage.She won't let up until she's said her piece.So, I lean against a row of lockers, trying to appear more relaxed than I feel.
"I was trying to win," I say."Kinda thought that was the point of the game."
Amy's glare could cut glass."Not at the expense of your shoulder, Braddock.We need you in for the season, not just one damn game."
I almost laugh.She's worried about my shoulder?If only she knew the truth.It isn't only my arm that's messed up—it's my confidence too.Amy's leaving me behind to go somewhere else."You need me?Since when?"
"Since it's my job to care.I'm your coach, dammit."
"Then coach me."I throw my hands up in mock surrender."But you might want to decide if you like my arm in working order or hanging limp.Kind of hard to have both."
She blusters a breath out through her nostrils, but there's a flicker of something else now, something deeper, in that expression."This is not a joke, Charlie.You push yourself like that again, and you'll be out for good."
She's standing so close that I can almost feel the heat radiating off her body.The thought of being out of the game makes my stomach twist, but I can't show her that.Not yet.
"Don't need to ride me so hard," I tell Amy, brushing past her to yank my jersey over my head."If I go soft, I lose my edge.Either you believe I know what I'm doing, or you don't.Make up your mind."
She shakes her head, disbelief written all over her face."Have you thought this through at all?Because right now, it looks like you're squandering your career."
"Come on, it's not that big a deal."I try for a joking tone as I add, "If you knock me out of one game, I'll get a mini vacation.St.Barts has always sounded nice."
"This is serious!"Her voice rises, echoing off the walls.
I notice the way her ponytail sways as she paces.Even when she's furious, she moves with purpose, like everything she does has a reason.Like it's her goddamn mission to make sure I don't screw up my life.
Slumping my shoulders, I rub my forehead."Fine.I'll take it down a notch if that makes you happy."I slam my locker shut and face her."But don't bench me just because you're afraid I might break a nail."
The way she stares me down, it's like she's peeling back my defenses layer by layer.It's unnerving."You think this is about me?I'm trying to make sure you have a career after this season."Her tempers her voice, just a touch."You used to be the best, Charlie.I want to help you get back there.But you've got to stop pushing so hard, otherwise you might damage your shoulder irreparably."
Her determination and dire tone throw me off balance.Those words hang between us like a curveball I didn't see coming.
When I study her, deeply and rationally, I realize she means every word."That's why you're still here, right?For me?Except you're leaving after this game."
Amy crosses her arms, the fire still in her eyes."You'll have nothing left if you keep going like this.Just think about it, okay?About what's really important."
