With the pitcher on Leo’s team throwing a strikeout to end the inning, they were now up to bat and Tucker waited for Leo to get his turn. He hadn’t yet seen him bat, but hoped for something good from Leo and his team. He wasn’t disappointed—the first and second batters singled, then the third batter drove in two runs with a double, putting Leo’s team up two runs in the bottom of the first inning. The fourth batter grounded out, and Leo was fifth in the order, so he was up next.
“I am so nervous,” Katrina said.
Grant took her hand. “He’s going to do great, so relax.”
Leo took the first pitch, a called strike.
“Oh, God. He’s going to suck,” Anya said.
“He isn’t going to suck,” Tucker said. “He’s waiting to see what the pitcher’s got.”
He took the second pitch, a ball up and high. The pitcher for the other team was good, but hadn’t settled into his groove yet. He was all over the place in terms of pitch placement, so Leo was being smart in waiting for the right pitch.
Soon it was a full count, and Leo had fouled off about four pitches.
“He’s going to strike out, isn’t he?” Anya asked.
“No, he’s going to line one out to left field.”
She looked over at Tucker. “How do you know that?”
“Trust me. I just know.”
Two pitches later, Leo launched a double into left field. Everyone stood and yelled his name, clapping loudly.
When Tucker sat, Katrina looked over at him. “You were right. How did you know?”
“Easy. I know what their pitcher was throwing, and based on the way Leo was swinging the bat and hitting those balls foul, it was only a matter of time until he connected.”
“I’m impressed,” Katrina said.
“Me, too,” Anya said.
Grant leaned over his shoulder. “Fucking smartass.”
Tucker grinned.
Leo’s team ended up winning the game by four runs, a good start to the championship. They met up with him at the entrance to the locker room after the game. Tucker hung back while Leo got hugs from Grant, Katrina and Anya, and a huge pat on the back from Barrett and Flynn. Then he stepped in and shook Leo’s hand.
“You did good, kid.”
Leo smiled. “Thanks.”
“You should probably rethink the whole football thing. Based on your talent, football’s a waste of time.”
“Hey,” Grant said, frowning.
Tucker winked at Leo, who laughed. “Yeah, we should talk about that over pizza.”
Tucker and Leo walked away, but not before he heard Grant mumble something about kicking Tucker’s ass.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t join them for pizza since he had a game of his own to play. So he shook Leo’s hand, wished him luck on the rest of his games and said he’d try to get to another, but they’d for sure connect at Grant’s house as soon as possible to talk baseball. He said good-bye to his brothers, kissed Katrina on the cheek and hugged Anya, then drove to the ballpark.
He got into uniform and headed out to the mound for warm-ups. He’d been working on all his pitches, but mainly his curveball, hoping he’d see improvement on whatever quirk it was that screwed him up on his last game.
He wasn’t anxious—he was determined.
Tonight, he was going to win this one.
AUBRY FINISHED WORK AT SEVEN THIRTY, SO SHE cleaned up at the hospital, changed clothes and drove over to the ballpark, then made her way to the owner’s box. Her parents were both there tonight.
Her mom gave her a hug.
“I’m surprised to see you here,” her mom said. “Dad’s over talking to one of the sponsors he invited to join us tonight.”
“That’s okay.” She grabbed some water and took a seat next to her mom. “I’ll chat with him when he’s free.”
She checked the score. The Rivers were up by one run, and it was the bottom of the third. The Rivers had one man on base and no outs.
“Did you just get off work?”
Aubry nodded. “I didn’t have anything going on, so I thought I’d catch the rest of the game.”
“It’s a good game so far. Tucker Cassidy is pitching.”
That’s why she was here. “Looks like he’s held them off so far.”
“Philadelphia has a good team, but yes, no runs on their side yet.”
Just then, Trevor Shay hit a triple, scoring the runner on first base. The owner’s box erupted with cheers. Aubry stood and yelled, too.
Tucker had a nice three-run lead when he took the mound at the bottom of the third.
“So, Mom,” she said while there was a lull in the action and her dad was busy with clients. “What if I asked to bring a guy over to dinner?”
Her mother gave her a sideways look. “I assume this isn’t simply a ‘what if’ situation. You have a certain someone in mind.”
“I do.”
“You know you’re always welcome to bring someone over to meet your father and me, Aubry. Who is he?”
She debated telling her mother. She’d been debating this for a while now. But it was time. She looked around to check her father’s whereabouts. He was seated at the far end of the owner’s box, talking up the sponsor, so he was out of earshot. “Tucker Cassidy.”
Her mother beamed a smile. “Good choice. Nice young man.”
Aubry relaxed her shoulders. “Thanks. I think so.”
“How long has this been going on?”
“A little while now. I like him, Mom.”
“Obviously you do, since I don’t recall the last time you brought someone over for dinner.”