Free Bush League: New Adult Sports Romance by Pfeiffer Jayst Page B

reason to believe I can finish things off right. I'm in full control, dominating with an added incentive powering me through. With only one out away until the game is over, Enzo finally breaks and I see him peel his face mask back and start to jog towards me.
     
    "What?" I ask with annoyance before he even reaches the mound.
     
    "Just wanted to say what's up," he says with a smile, readjusting his chest protector and checking out the crowd. "Make sure you're ready to put this one in the books. One out and you've won game one for us."
     
    "Did you have any doubt I'd be able to?"
     
    "Yeah, cool. Strike this joker out so we can get to celebrating," he says while the whole crowd thinks we're having a much more serious conversation.
     
    "Easy, I can't pitch again until at least game four. Don't get cocky, you guys still have some games to win without me," I remind him, not used to being the voice of reason.
     
    "Whatever, game two is like a million days away right now. If you can end this like I know you can, big party tonight. You better be there."
     
    "Gentlemen?" a voice comes from behind Enzo and I see the impatient ump waiting behind him. We both nod and Enzo hustles back to his place behind the plate. Enzo's index finger extends down between his legs, he's calling for the fastball. Though my arm is incredibly tired, I nod to indicate I agree with his call. Mustering whatever strength I can find, I get into position and set, my arm sore when I tense but I'm willing to push past that to do what I have to. My fastball has been straight fire today, I should be able to keep it up for one more batter. When the ball leaves my hand it's like time slows and I feel the burn from the ball and watch it travel towards Enzo's mitt in the exact place where I pointed it. The batter, huge guy named Dave who swings a big bat, makes a quick break on it and surprises everyone by making contact. Still in slow motion, the ball travels right at me. My glove goes up towards my face without me even thinking about it and I'm brought back to reality by the sound of the crowd going wild. There in my glove is the hard hit ball and I'm surprised to find that it's not smoking. Enzo is lifting me up before I can even register all that has just happened and the rest of the team joins us on the mound. Against my wishes they pick me up and carry me off the field to thunderous applause. I am the victor, their king.
     
    Though we still have a long road ahead of us, the locker room erupts in celebration fit for a team that just won it all. People are standing on the benches and hooting and hollering. Many hands pat me on the back and thank me for such a dominating performance, it's hard not to get swept up in the frenzy. My thoughts are elsewhere though, there's only one spoil of victory I'm looking forward to. Coach Steele appears in the room and we all quiet and give him the attention he deserves.
     
    "Gentlemen, hell of a game. Beau, what can I say?" he looks my way and I instantly feel bad that I'm even considering abandoning him. There's even a little guilt about sneaking around with his daughter. Just a little.
     
    "Now I know we have a couple of days before the next game but that doesn't mean you should go partying tonight," he says and is met with a chorus of 'boo's' and then laughter to which he concedes. "Ok, a little partying..." The team goes wild with applause. "But I expect each of you at practice in the morning. That includes you too Beau, even if you won't be pitching for a couple of days."
     
    "Anything for the team, Coach," I respond.
     
    Coach Steele leaves the locker room soon after and the rest of the rest of us are still giddy, trying to finalize plans for the night. I put on my best button down as quickly as I can so I can escape unnoticed. "Be right back," I yell behind me once someone notices me leaving the locker room prematurely. Nobody calls out to stop me but I know they all witness me make my