40. Cleo

40

CLEO

The game was moving smoothly by the fifth inning. Despite Cat pitching every couple of innings, the Orange Dangers were doing a great job. The score fluctuated every inning and the crowd was amped up.

When our team went up to bat at the top of the sixth inning, I would take a peek at the donation box. Lots of people were stepping up and placing money in the wood slot.

By the time we were heading back to the field, Cat was beaming. Not because we were destroying the other team, but because we were having a great time. Cat had run their new glove over the Dangers's dugout when she realized one of their players left theirs at home.

And now, as I put my metal face mask back on, I watched as Cat jogged out to the pitcher's mound. Her ass looked amazing in the tight white pants, slightly stained by the sand. In the fourth inning, she slid into third base in an attempt to steal a base. The play left a mark on more than just her ego.

I shook out my legs as I neared home plate. "You doing okay out here, ump?"

Nodding, the umpire smirked. "You're all a joy to watch. If you ever need a volunteer to umpire, give me a call."

"You're too kind." None of us would ever take her up on the offer but it was sweet nonetheless.

Once Cat settled on the mound, the umpire called out the next batter and I squatted behind the plate. I wiped the sweat off my right palm onto my pants. Flexing the glove open and closed, I watched Cat's motions closely.

As she smiled down the line at me, I felt the air leave my lungs.

The reality of the game smacked me in the chest. What were the odds that I'd ever end up out here with her like this? I certainly wouldn't have guessed it would be possible even three months ago. But here we were, just like we'd done since middle school, ready to start another inning.

I'd spent a lot of time the last few weeks trying to think about the future more. But this was a moment that deserved my presence. So I took in a crisp breath as the stands quieted and smiled.

I nodded to Cat.

As she wound up the pitch, I watched her every movement; the way her arm made a wide arch around her body; the way her strong legs pressed forward; the grunt that came from her mouth as she made the motion. It was magnificent, a professional at work.

And before I knew it, the bat was clinking against the ball and a flash of orange took off toward first base. The ball soared into the outfield, splitting the difference between the center fielder and the left fielder. Both of them raced to get under the ball, but it fell to the ground instead.

The batter took off toward second as the shortstop held their glove open for the throw from the outfield. By the time our center fielder, Vanessa, was hurling the ball to the infield, the batter was careening toward third.

"Go, go, go!" The Dangers's coach yelled from the patch of sand next to the base.

But before they could make it, the shortstop caught the throw and tapped the orange-jerseyed player.

"Out!" The umpire clenched her fist.

The field reset as the excitement of the dynamic play eased.

"Great work!" I called out to the field.

Squatting back down, another player waltzed out to the field. I checked in with Cat, noticing her shaking out her arm. She was playing too hard, the strain of a more serious game starting to show.

But as the batter squared up to the rubber, irregular pentagon, Cat put her game face back on. The new batter stepped up to the base, a helmet obscuring most of her face. I'd seen her play before and knew she was a bit of a powerhouse. Hopefully, Cat had noticed the same thing.

As Cat got into position, readying the ball at her chest, I lifted my glove just below my face.

Starting the pitch, Cat stepped forward and windmilled the ball out of her hand. I kept my eye on it but it disappeared at the sound of a discordant dink . Just as I was looking up, a neon orb came slamming down into my helmet.

"Shit," I grunted as I fell over. Lifting my mask, I felt around my face. My nose wasn't moving. That's a good sign.

Before I could finish assessing the damage, I could hear Cat's feet running from the pitcher's mound, her cleats digging into the dirt, and then the sand.

She basically slid into a kneel, looking at my face. "Cle, you okay?" Her chest was heaving when I looked down and met her green eyes.

Nodding, I blinked quickly. "I think so, just stunned."

The batter leaned down, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I'm so sorry, do you want some ice?"

I considered it for a moment, but before I answered, I turned to look at Cat's concerned face. "How do I look?"

A nervous smile crept onto her cheeks. "Stunning as ever." My heart fluttered. Even in the middle of her most important game, she stopped the world to check on me. At that moment, I'd never felt sillier. I couldn't believe I'd ever doubted she would show up for me.

If she thought I looked unharmed, I was going to trust it. Looking up at the batter, I smiled. "No need to worry, shit happens."

Standing up, I nodded to the umpire. "I'm good, let's do it." I flicked the metal guard back over my face and waved to the crowd who clapped for me.

The umpire returned to her place behind me. "Let's play ball!"

With a wink, Cat made her way back to the pitcher's mound. She put her game face on. After all, we had a Championship to win.