38. Cleo

38

CLEO

I woke up to the sun blaring in my eyes and an empty bed. Agreeing that being together the night before the most important game of Cat's life was a bad idea, she had stayed at her brother's house.

Reaching for my nightstand, I clicked "stop" on my alarm and rolled out of bed. I had a few hours before I needed to head to the field but I got dressed anyway. I slipped on the slick new jersey with the number 26 on the back and a pair of freshly dry-cleaned softball pants. Slipping on the striped mid-calf socks, I put my feet in my slides before heading out to my living room.

Finn moaned up at me from the floor, begging for his breakfast. Grabbing a can of wet food, I filled his bowl and set it on the ground while my coffee brewed.

Once I'd poured myself a steaming cup, I headed over to my desk. As much as I hated to admit it, it had been so helpful to have a motivation to write. Knowing that the extra money – if I managed to sell the book – could help me run the shop or take some time off made for a good reason to get to work.

If Cat wasn't going to slip into old habits, neither would I. We both deserved better and I was prepared to put in more effort to see her life outside of New Winford.

I popped open my computer and put on some music. Taking a deep breath, I let my fingers lower to the keyboard. The story had taken its own shape, one I never could have imagined.

I tried to push away any thoughts that invaded my mind.

But as I took a sip of coffee, I looked around my empty apartment. I'd gotten used to seeing Cat most mornings. A part of me was still afraid of what this looked like when she went back for spring training.

Can I go back to being alone? Of course I knew I could but I hated the thought. I'd already spent so many years waking up in an empty bed, dreaming of Catherine.

I set my mug back down and tried to write just a little more. I needed to leave for the game soon and I knew I wouldn't get much done for the next couple of days.

So I turned off my logical brain, letting the words flow from my fingers and trusting my instincts.

Another alarm blared twenty minutes later, reminding me to get out of the house.

Closing the computer, I put my coffee cup in the sink and gave Finn a few pets. "Be a good boy and wish me luck."

A gentle purr came from his little chest as he nuzzled his face into mine.

Having packed my equipment bag the night before, I walked over to the front door and threw on my sneakers. I tossed the bag over my shoulder and held my keys. I locked both doors as I left my building and headed to the back parking lot.

It was shockingly cold out, the late October air refusing to warm with the sun. Rubbing my arms, I opened my car door, turned it on, and blasted the heat.

It was almost 10 am, the game would start in a little over an hour. But I was meeting the other recreational league organizers to set up the donation station and make sure the field was in good shape before everyone arrived.

I drove my Corolla down the road toward the small park. The parking lot closest to the field wasn't as empty as I'd expected. From the looks of it, the neighboring soccer field was finishing up a little league game.

When I got out of my car, my bag over my shoulder, I waved at the few women on the softball field.

"Did you know about this?" Carol, a woman in an orange jersey, gestured to the field.

Nodding, I tried not to blush. "Yeah, it's a gift from Cat. She just appreciates us helping her and wanted us to have a nice field."

Carol raised her eyebrows. "Well, you're a lucky person then. I bet she spoils you plenty."

I nudged Carol's arm and ignored her. "So, should we get started?"

With that, the three other players and I got to work. We set up a small folding table near the Backstop, draping a cheap tablecloth over the plastic top. Carol pulled out a small box with a slit in the top for cash donations. I could tell Bri had made the piece with some spare wood in her shop.

Once the table was in place, our players started to arrive for warmups. Blue and orange jerseys speckled the renewed field. Some of the women had brought their family to watch the Championship game.

Grabbing my bag from the bleachers, I brought it into the dugout and started to greet my teammates.

"Ready to kick some ass, Cleo?" A booming voice came from the entrance of the dugout while I tied my shoes.

Smirking, I looked up to Bri's goofy grin. Behind her, I saw Sarah and her kids settling into the small bleachers.

Once my laces were tied, I stood from the bench and hugged Bri. "Only if you are."

Snapping my fingers, I looked around the dugout and raised my voice. "Hey, y'all. Just a reminder, Cat is only going to pitch in a few innings. So don't think we'll just sail through this Championship, cool?"

The team gave a collective nod as they headed out to the field to play some warm-up catch.

"I still think we'll sail through." Her raspy voice sent a shiver down my spine, leaning against the dugout wall. And when I turned to meet her green eyes, Cat smiled at me. "Hey, gorgeous."

I shook my head as a blush took over my face. "Hi."

She crossed the distance and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek as she set her bag down on the bench. Her teal jersey tucked into her pants, Cat bent over and pulled out her cleats.

"I'm going to start warming up with Bri if you're going to be a minute."

"Please," Cat nodded as she started to change her shoes.

As I walked out of the dugout, I called over my shoulder, "Don't forget, you're handing the first pitch and inning."

Swallowing hard, Cat let the air escape her lungs. "Yep."

I wanted to give her some space, a little room to find her center. So, with my glove in hand, I walked out onto the grass and threw a softball to Bri. "You brought your girlfriend already? Y'all might as well be married."

Rolling her eyes, Bri lifted her glove to catch the throw. "You're a punk."

As we warmed up, the stands started to fill up. I saw my mom's figure pull out a folding chair and put it on the grass near the chain link fence, wanting to be close to the action. My heart warmed at the support.

But as I parsed through the growing crowd, I searched for Cat's team representative. What if they don't show?