Page 84 of Fake Love

My fastballs aren’t hitting where they are supposed to and my curveballs have started to lack speed. Every single one of my pitches is hitting outside of the box and not only is it pissing me off, and it’s showing. The fifth inning was shit and so was the sixth, the seventh might be the same.

It sure as hell doesn’t help that I also have to bat in this game.

The current score, four to three, with Chicago having the lead.

Alex, our catcher, is currently at the plate and after he hits a line drive past first, I’m up.

Cheers roll through the stadium as I walk to the plate, much like they did during my first two at bats. They feel nice but they still aren’t enough to get me out of my head.

“I for sure thought that they would have taken you out of the game by now, kid,” Troy, the Chicago catcher, says to me as I approach the batter's box.

Troy is the one with the big mouth on the team, always has something to say about something. While I was here, I didn't necessarily hate the guy but he sure as hell made me want to punch his face in a couple times.

All game though, he’s been taunting me whichever way he can.

So far it hasn’t been working but who knows what he will say now.

“I still have a good few pitches in me unlike your boy.” I say as I get into position and wait for the ball to come my way.

I swing on the first pitch, barely tapping it and sending it into the stands.

Home runs may not be my thing but I can sure as hell hit the ball.

“I heard you have a new girl,” Troy starts as we get ready for the second pitch, but before I can even answer him, he continues. “Hopefully she’s watching the game so she can see just how badly you suck.”

The second pitch is released and I swing the bat, completely missing it.

Two strikes.

“Fuck.” I say out of frustration.

“You just proved my point.” Troy lets out as I adjust my batting glove.

I ignore him as the next two pitches come, both coming as balls.

It’s when I'm setting up to get my fifth pitch, that Tory starts talking again.

“Think I can have your girl’s number? That way I can show her what a real ball player is like. I’ve seen her pictures, definitely a beauty that I wouldn’t mind seeing on her knees in front of me with her mouth wide open. I wonder if she has a gag reflex.”

“Strike three!”

I didn’t even notice when the pitcher released the ball. I don’t even hear the crowd as they cheer at the second out of the inning.

No, the only thing that I notice is all the fucking anger that I have inside of my right now directed at my ex-teammate.

“Sorry, kid. Better luck next time.” Troy says, his snarky laugh, digging under my skin.

There are two choice presented in front of me at the moment.

Walk away or engage.

The choice is made the second I throw down my bat.

25

Jennifer

“You would think it was a damn baseball game and not a wrestling match. I swear if that boy wasn’t over six feet tall I would kick his ass for thinking that he could throw punches around.”

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