43. Cat

43

CAT

Once I managed to pull myself away from Cleo, our team lined up across from the Orange Dangers. Walking toward each other, we started the parade of high fives and "good games".

It might have been my favorite part of the game, a tradition to end the game as a good sport no matter the loss.

Cleo headed the line and filed in not far behind them, happy to let them shine. By the time the formality had finished, each team started to head off the field toward their friends and families.

But some people were waiting for me that I was a little anxious to speak to. I wrapped my arm around Cleo as we walked back to the dugout. "Sorry, I hope it's okay that I just announced our relationship to like… the entire town."

As we walked over to the bench, Cleo raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so it's a relationship now?"

I rolled my eyes. "You're such a little shit."

From behind them, I could see my former co-captain and the press crowding the exit. Sighing, I looked at Cleo. "Just give me a second to deal with them?"

"Take your time, I'm packing up." Cleo waved me off as they started changing into sneakers.

Swallowing hard, I stepped out of the dugout and into the afternoon light. A few sports journalists waited there. But before any of them could get to me, my co-captain, Katie, stepped forward. She brought me in for a quick hug, smacking my back. "Good to see you out there, dude."

I nodded. "Thanks for coming."

"So look," Katie lowered her voice. "I'm going to tell them you're ready to come back and they'll be in touch. Cool?"

She dapped me up, saying congrats again.

But before she left, I lifted my hand to stop her. "Katie, just tell them I won't be back before spring training. If they want to do any press, they're going to have to come here."

Laughing, Katie turned away. "They'll do whatever you want, captain."

As soon as she was out of earshot, the press swarmed around me. "How does it feel to be back on the field?"

"Did your shoulder hold up alright?"

"Do you have plans to go back to your life in the city?"

"Are there any stars here that deserve a shot?"

"What's next for you?"

It was hard to parse through the cacophony. But there were a few I knew I had an answer to. "It feels great, this was a real homecoming and I needed it more than I could have expected. Shoulder is great, I'm glad it held up."

Shaking my head, I looked back at the dugout. Cleo leaned against the chain link fence, smiling as they watched me.

"What's next?" I scoffed, a laugh coming out of my lungs. "I'm going to rest my shoulder over the winter and reconnect with the incredible family and friends I have here. I have a lot of time to make up for."

Not breaking away from Cleo's face, the press kept trying to get their questions in. But with two bags over their shoulders, Cleo squeezed through them and handed me mine. "Ready?"

Nodding, I turned back to the journalists. "That's all for now, guys. Thanks for coming." I leaned down to Cleo. "How'd we do on donations?"

"Surpassed by a long shot." Cleo smirked, excited to fill the league's coffers for next season.

As we walked side by side, I let my hand drop to my side and grab theirs.

Blushing, Cleo smiled up at me. "How much time do we have?"

"As long as we want."

Thank you for reading Cleo and Cat's story! If you enjoyed reading this book, see what happens when the Sapphics in the City cast hosts an all-out holiday party in Winter Wish, a Sapphics in the City holiday novella.