Chapter 19

Iglance down at my phone, wondering why Shorty hasn't called me. She should be here by now.

I shoot her a text.

Me: Hey. Are you ok?

I wait for the bubbles to appear that indicate she's responding, but nothing happens.

Did she change her mind? Did something happen? I sit silently, hunched over the bench and staring at my phone, waiting for those damn bubbles.

"Hey." Ash smacks my knee with his mitt.

"Hey," I respond without looking at him.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"She hasn't texted yet, has she?" Ash grabs a bottle of Gatorade.

I shake my head, still staring at my phone.

"She'll be here. Stop worrying. Come on."

I nod, disappointed, and toss my phone in my bag. I grab my mitt and jog out to the field.

We practice tossing the ball until the whistle blows. The Coach calls us back into the dugout, going over the plays. After his motivational speech, we take our position on the field. As I make my way to the pitcher's mound, my eyes scan the stands, and my heart stops beating when my gaze locks on Shorty sitting between my parents.

She's here.

I can't help hide the stupid grin on my face.

"Let's play ball!"