Page 116 of Spotlight
“All right. Let’s not get carried away,” Brogan mutters with a mock frown.
“If he pulls this off, then I think he can claim that title at least for tonight,” Knox says.
The first batter for the Twins steps up to the plate. Flynn goes through his usual routine, taking his time and looking confident but at ease on the mound. I try to channel that same energy.
He can do this. He’s had an incredible night. Three more outs.
He splits the first two pitches. One ball, one strike. On the third pitch, the batter foul over the third base line. The next pitch is high and inside. The crowd lets out a collective “oooo” as the batter jumps back to avoid being hit. And the next is high.
“Come on, Baby Holland. Show ’em what’ve you got,” Brogan mutters so quietly I barely catch the words.
Flynn takes a little longer setting up for the next pitch, shaking off signals from JT until he finally nods. The pitch looks better, but the umpire rules it as a ball and the batter walks to first base.
I know that inconsistency has been an issue for Flynn, and probably most pitchers. It’s why the Twins let him go. No matter how calm he might be out there, he has to feel the pressure to show them they were wrong and not let the last couple pitches determine the rest of the game.
JT runs out to the mound. Flynn keeps his head down as his catcher places the ball in his glove and says something. It’s a short exchange, but when Flynn lifts his chin, I can see the change in his expression. The nerves finally fall away. Brogan’s right. Flynn has this under control.
The next batter steps up to the plate looking cocky and smug. My heart races as Flynn gets set. I suck in a breath as he fires the first pitch.
The umpire raises his hand in dramatic fashion as he makes the sign and says, “Striiiiike!”
Air leaves my lungs in a whoosh.
By the time Flynn strikes him out, the batter looks a whole lot less cocky. I’m so happy, I want to run out onto the field, jump into his arms, and kiss the crap out of him.
The momentum has shifted, and the next two batters find the same fate.
The stadium goes wild as the last strike is called. The guys in front of us are jumping around and hugging.
“Ahh!” I bounce on my toes and throw my hands over my head, which makes Sabrina laugh.
We’re among the last of the fans to trickle out of the stadium. Instead of waiting for Flynn in the family area, we decide to wait for him in the parking lot. Brogan puts the tailgate down, and he and London, Archer, and Sabrina all take a seat. Hendrick got a call from the bar, so he and Jane are standing a few feet away. Which leaves me standing with Avery and Knox.
“Did you text him to tell him you were here?” Avery asks.
“No.” I shake my head, then have a moment of panic. “Should I have?”
Her smile is instant, and she reaches out and squeezes my arm lightly. “He’s going to be so excited. I’ve heard nothing but amazing things.”
“Really?” It takes me by surprise. I mean, sure I know Archer and Brogan pretty well, but I hadn’t really considered that Flynn talked about me.
“Really. He—” She starts to say more, but we’re interrupted by Brogan’s loud, booming voice as he yells Flynn’s name across the parking lot.
I whip around in time to see him walking toward us. Suddenly I don’t know what to do or where to stand. I feel exposed and somehow nervous and excited all at once. Maybe he wanted to spend the evening with his family and now I’m interrupting. Admittedly, it doesn’t make sense even as I think it, but I still stress all the way until he’s right in front of me. He cuts through straight to me.
His brothers call out to him, wishing him a good game and pumping him up. He doesn’t look away from me, like he’s afraid I’ll disappear if he does.
“How are you here?” He grins, scanning me from head to toe.
“Ruby needed a writing break, so she and Greer are having a slumber party, and I didn’t want to miss your game.”
I wait for him to say something else in reply. Instead, he continues to stare at me. Then the next thing I know he has one arm wrapped around my waist and he’s dipping me and bringing his mouth to mine while everyone around us hoots and yells in delight.
I kiss him right back, smiling as I do. His brothers catcall us, and I feel Flynn’s mouth curve into a smile. He turns his hat around so he can deepen the kiss. I’m so proud of him and I feel so lucky that he’s mine. I don’t care who watches us make out in the parking lot.
When he finally pulls me back to standing. He’s beaming and I’m pretty sure I’m blushing.
“I have you the rest of the night?” His excitement is almost more visible than after they won. And he looks damn good in a backward hat.
