Page 106 of Fake Love

Jen gives me a small reassuring smile. “Maybe it is.”

I can see it on her face that she doesn’t even believe the words as she says them.

Either way, I find myself agreeing with her. “Yeah, maybe you’re right.”

She must see that my words are just that, words, because she leans up and places a chaste kiss on my lips. As if to relax me.

“Don’t worry, she’s fine. You’ll call her after the game and you’ll see.”

I give a nod. “Yeah.”

Jen gives me one more kiss. “Head to the ballpark and have a good game. I will be in the stands cheering you on.”

This time I’m the one that is leaning down and placing a kiss on her pout. “See you later.”

With another smile, I make my way out of the apartment and head to the park.

As I turn into the player’s parking lot, I decide to pitch the game of my life.

A game for Ma, because without her, without everything she did to get me to this point, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be anywhere near close to who I am today.

She better be right that it's just a head cold or her allergies acting up, because I wouldn’t be able to handle anything else.

The universe already tried to fuck with me last year, it better not fuck with me now.

My phone dings as I get out of my car, and when I take it out, I see its game notification.

The same notification that I set up to tell me if Los Angeles wins or loses against St. Louis.

Swiping at it, I see the score.

The universe must be on my side because Los Angeles lost. Eight to three.

They lost now the Miners are half a game away from winning the west.

Time to do as I said I would and pitch the game of my fucking life.

31

Jennifer

The atmosphere in the park feels a little bit different today.

Its a lot louder, more exciting. Everyone is on their feet, cheering, not wanting to miss a second of what is going on the field.

Maddox told me that today was going to be an important game, something about clenching the division. I didn’t really understand what he meant by it, so he went into explicit detail as to how baseball postseason works and what winning today's games would mean for the Miners.

He was excited and given the atmosphere of the ballpark, everyone in attendance is excited too.

According to the announcers, its a sold out game and the fact that Maddox is pitching is just icing on the cake.

The boyfriend in question is currently on the mound, pitching to an outfielder from San Diego. The second that the ball hits the catcher's mitt and an out is called, the whole park erupts.

“I’ve never seen the park like this.” I say to Selena and Hunter.

Where currently sitting in a box, as Selena called it since Hunter’s football season is in full swing and we didn’t want him to get hounded.

“With the division title on the line and with the way Maddox is pitching, I’m surprised it’s not crazier.” Hunter voices, swinging an arm around Selena and bringing her closer to him.

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