13. Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Dominic

I stared out the window on the bus as we left Utah, heading to Colorado to wrap up the fourth and final away game. Five days away from both Cassie and Tony were a lot harder than I thought they would be. It's a lot different when we're in the same city, just too busy to get together, but being away. I didn't like it.

Even a couple of the guys mentioned how I'm not as laid back as they thought I would be. And how surprised they are that I'm on my phone a lot more. But I was constantly talking to Cassie and Tony, though she objected a lot when I had gotten the kid a phone.

But when I explained that I was monitoring it and it would help in an emergency, she was okay with it. Well, she would allow it, but was still not quite okay with it. The kid only talked to me and his mom. I hadn't even gotten one odd notification for some random game, which I showed Cassie as well, easing her worries slightly.

"You okay?" I turned my head from the passing scenery and looked at the coach, who took the vacant seat next to me.

"Yeah, just thinking." My phone buzzed on my leg and the man glanced down, a smile on his face.

"She's a special one." I looked down at the image of Cassie. The picture was of her smiling at some joke I had just cracked right before I left and every time I saw it, it made me grin.

"She is. How do you know so much about her and Tony?"

"Peter is my nephew. When Tony was old enough to get into Little League, and therefore the Big Brother program, I had Cassie do it right away. Anything to give that kid something that he loved since his father wasn't around much."

I swallowed at that. Cassie hadn't said anything, and I never thought to ask her, but I sure as fuck didn't want to step on any toes or piss anyone off.

"I didn't know. "

"Cassie won't say anything, she's not the type. But I do love her. She may not legally be my niece anymore, but I still look at her as if she is. The whole family couldn't believe that Peter would toss an amazing woman like Cassie away."

"She is amazing. And funny. She always makes me laugh." The coach turned a little more towards me, resting his arm on the back of my chair.

"She's laughing a whole lot more now than she has before. I warned you to be careful with her and I mean it. I won't hesitate to bench you, even with the amazing games you're giving us. But," he held up his hand, fighting off any protest I could utter. "But, you're good for her too and I have to give you that. I got you for your arm, no doubt. But there's a good man underneath there, son. One I'm proud to see grow. And if it's because of those two, well, that's something you know you shouldn't lose. Nothing is worth that."

He was right, I didn't want to lose them. In fact, I would fight for them, in any form that I could.

I let out a breath as I adjusted my hat. We were sitting at the bottom of the ninth, a point ahead. I had one man on first and one on second, with a man already struck out. Colorado was a tough team to beat; we all knew that. However, this was a game I had to win for Tony and Cassie. Both had sent me a text with a big ol' beep beep ' right before the game and I could hear that chant in my head.

I closed my eyes, feeling the men behind me. Neither was up for stealing so I looked at my catcher who gave me the signal. I wound up, threw my arm back, and let the ball fly, right down the center, a perfect fastball.

"Strike one." The crowd booed, but I ignored them, only hearing the chant of the two most important people to me.

I licked my lips, catching the ball as it got thrown back to me, and waited for the next call. With a nod and a quick check behind me, I let the ball fly again, making it a curveball that he missed swinging at.

"Strike two." I grinned, holding my hand out for the ball. With a side glance over my shoulder, I could feel the man inching off first. He was going to try and steal second. I glanced at my catcher, giving him the briefest of nods and he picked up on it. His head tossed to the third baseman and then I could feel my whole team pick up on the plan. This time, we were going to make it easy .

I lifted my arm, throwing the ball right down the middle again, giving me just a moment to rest before getting ready to move. The crack of the bat against the ball had me grinning and I was moving. I looked behind me, watching my outfielder pick up speed, diving for the ball. He jumped up, ball in hand after picking it up, and threw it to the third baseman who tagged his player. Within a blink of an eye, the guy let the ball fly to second base, tagging him out as well, and I whopped.

That was the game!

"Beep, beep," I heard myself chant as we ran in, hugging each other. This was what being part of an amazing team felt like. They understood what you needed, and it was one of the best feelings ever. And not one I wanted to lose any time soon.

After shaking hands with the other team, we made our way down to the locker room and I quickly grabbed my phone, smiling as I lit up the screen. She had already texted me.

Knew you could do it, young man. Some amazing pitches. Beep, beep.

Had someone to win it for.

Talking about me, huh?

Can't think of a better reason than to win a game for a woman.

Stop, you're making me blush. Hurry home, I got somewhere I want to take you.

I laughed as I read that. I couldn't hurry home any faster than the team let me. Unless I flew out. But that was pointless at this time.

What's that?

All she sent was a link to a pretty church. I hope she wasn't thinking about getting married on a spur-of-the-moment trip. I may be thinking of love here, but marriage…wait… LOVE ?