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“Purposely walking me, Scar?”
She winces at the nickname and leans forward as if she’s a major league pitcher to see what pitch Bennett is signing for between his legs. I’m still struck on how serious they take this game.
Scarlett throws another pitch, and it goes left. Walker steps over the plate and turns toward the fence line, watching the ball hit the fence and bounce back to Bennett.
“Two more, and I’m on first.” Walker taps his bat against his cleats again.
Scarlett throws the next pitch, and it hits the ground before bouncing over Bennett’s head.
“Come on, Scarlett, you got this!” I peek out of the dugout when I hear Gillian. Her and Laurel clap and cheer after every pitch.
“Maybe get it over the plate this time,” Walker says with a shit-eating grin.
It’s an unwritten rule between us cousins to not mess with Scarlett. She’s always so wound up that we all leave her alone. So I’m not surprised when she scowls at Walker. She throws the last pitch, and it looks good until it veers right, hitting Walker in the hip.
The crowd laughs, and Walker circles his bat like the cocky fuck he is and jogs to first. “For such a smart businesswoman, you sure have trouble controlling your temper.”
“All right, Matthews, enough of the smack talk.” Jude steps out of his position as shortstop to calm these two down.
“Try to steal. I dare you.” Scarlett straightens her shoulders as Walker’s new hire comes up to bat.
He stares at the bleachers a little too long for my liking. His eyes better be on Laurel and not Gillian.
Scarlett throws the first pitch, and the guy sails it past the fence line, scoring two runs. Walker makes a big deal of jumping on the plate as if he swung it and eyes Scarlett on his way back to the dugout.
The next three batters ground out, and I must admit, our infield has some talent. Jude at short. Emmett at third. Lottie at second. Brooks at first. Our pitching could obviously use some work, though.
Walker pitches for his team, and he throws the ball up in the air and catches it as he saunters to the mound. Lottie goes up to the plate first. She hits a fly ball to right field, and the outfielder runs like an Olympic sprinter, catching the ball with a diving catch.
“This team is no joke,” I say.
“Told you.” Brooks hits his elbow guard before he steps up to the plate.
Brooks grounds out. Jude gets on base with a double, then it’s my turn. I put my bat between my legs and run my sweaty hands down my pants.
There are two outs, and if I don’t get Jude to home plate, Emmett will for sure stir up shit about me getting placed before him in the batting order. Plus, Gillian is watching me, and I want to show off to her.
“Home run?” I turn and ask her.
She laughs, and Laurel looks at her, wondering what she’s missing.
“Triple?”
She shakes her head.
“Home run or nothing?”
She nods. Laurel’s forehead scrunches.
Walker throws me a pitch and I think it’s a ball, but the umpire says strike.
“Who’s paying you?” I grumble.
The second pitch goes to the inside, making me step out of the box, and the umpire calls strike again. I glare at him but don’t say anything.
“Boo!” Gillian yells.
“It almost hit him!” Laurel joins in, and I smile.
