Free Here for You by KC Ann Wright Page B

about getting caught up in Johnny.
    When we pull up to the ballpark, I follow Quinn. Johnny gave her very specific instructions on where to go, so I’m happy to let her lead. We go to will call to get our tickets. While we’re standing in line, I get a call from Stan letting me know he’s arrived. I leave Quinn to get the tickets while I find Stan. He’s standing not far away and wearing a team hat and coat. He gives me a hug and then holds me back away from him.
    “So you asked him the question, and he still invited you to the game?”
    I laugh. “Yep. He has a better sense of humor than you thought. I actually think that might have helped me get an invitation.”
    Stan waves his hand at me. “Nonsense. The boy is just going to try extra hard today to impress you.”
    “He doesn’t have to try very hard to impress me.”
    We meet back up with Quinn and the three of us make our way to our seats. We are only about fifteen minutes ahead of game time, so the place is pretty much filled in. It’s exhilarating to see the stadium packed and ready to go. Something about being in the mix of the crowd makes the game so much more exciting.
    When Quinn takes us down the aisle to our seats, I realize I don’t even want to know how they got these seats. Not saying money is an issue, but I guarantee that Cam paid a lot for these since it was last minute. We are the front row, and I can almost touch the field and the dugout.
    Stan nudges me as we sit down. “Ashley, this man is definitely sweet on you. He wants you right by him.”
    My nerves kick up a bit because I know that’s not why Cam has put me here, although he does need my support. I’m starting to think I wish he actually was sweet on me, as Stan put it. I sit between Quinn and Stan and take in the park for a moment.
    Many people are settled in their seats either eating a hot dog, drinking a beer or just waiting for the game to start. Others are standing and already cheering for the guys even though the game hasn’t even started.
    Quinn leans over to me. “He doesn’t know you’re wearing his jersey. Johnny thought it would be a nice surprise for him.”
    I look at her and smile. I don’t think I can even tell Quinn this is all a game. I’m not sure if she would be proud of me or upset, and I’m not willing to take the chance to find out how she feels. I’m afraid she’ll go into protective mode and try to prevent me from going further, knowing I will get hurt.
    But I promised myself I’m going to have some great moments to look back on because I’m sick of not having that. I’m willing to risk my heart, and no one is going to stop me. Not even Cam himself. I know I said this was just for show, but there’s no way it remains only for the public. Even he has to be smart enough to know that.
    I have tears in my eyes after the national anthem, and I know I’m in over my head. Before Cam heads out to the mound, he looks over at us for the first time since we got here. I think I see him laugh, and I’m sure it’s at the size of the smile on my face. I’m not even trying to make it that big, but I can’t control it because I’m so excited for him. I do a quick turn so he knows the jersey I have on is his. He’s close enough that I can see emotion cross his face. He places his gloved hand over his heart and nods my direction before he heads out to the mound.
    I sit down with an arm hooked through both Quinn’s and Stan’s. Stan pats my hand with his free one. “Don’t worry. He’s going to pitch the game of his life. He wants this win more than anything.”
    I nod my head and trust Stan, who has been to a million more games than me. The first few innings fly by, and I start to settle down. I look forward to the change of teams each inning as that means Cam is close.
    The fifth inning is a little tense. The Flyers don’t allow any runs but a few guys get on base, and that’s too close for me. They’re still up three runs to none so I’m not too