Page 6 of The Sweet Spot

“Great,” I mutter under my breath, resting my feet on top of the seat in front of me. Not only have I embarrassed myself in front of all these people, I get to make a second appearance. Hopefully, they won’t replay my throw on the screen behind.

My cheeks burn with embarrassment, and I pull the Funyuns hat down so I can’t see anyone. If I’m going back out there, I need to mentally prepare myself.

Next time, stick to the fairway, Marlow.

Chapter 2

“Ball one,” the umpire calls as I catch one of Grayson's fastballs.

“Damn it,” I mutter under my breath, dropping to my knees and throwing the ball back to Grayson.

That should've been an easy framing, but I've been distracted all afternoon.

Why, you may ask?

Because I embarrassed myself in front of my celebrity crush.

I saw you in Athlete Illustrated.

My own words repeat back to me on a death loop. It's the first time in my life I've hated the fact that my mind wanders into thoughts and says whatever the fuck it wants.

Holden Fox steps out of the batter's box to reset. Meanwhile, Grayson is glaring at me.

Oh, yeah. I need to get back into it before I ruin a no-hitter for Grayson.

Sweat drips down my forehead, but I can't touch it. Not with my catcher's helmet on. So I squat down a little further and shuffle my feet into the sand, trying to keep my mind from wandering back to that monumental first pitch.

With my hands between my legs, I sign the next pitch to Grayson.

Curveball?

No.

Slider?

He nods. Good. This should be easier to frame.

Holden taps the bat against each of his cleats, then knocks on his helmet, and just as he brings the bat up, he turns his right foot in.

The second that happens, I lift my glove into place and focus back onto Grayson.

He lifts his knee and throws the pitch. It's right in the middle, and Holden bites, swinging hard as he misses the fastball.

“Strike two,” the umpire calls as I catch the ball in my glove.

Holden turns his head to look at me, chuckles to himself, and then focuses on the setup.

Okay, one more out and I'm out of this inning.

You got this, Big Bear.

Big Bear?

Did I just give myself the best nickname ever?

Anyway, no time to think about that.

With my eyes back on Grayson, I sign the next pitch.