Bat Boy (Easton U Pirates 1)

Maclain was getting in some final practice pitches with Girard behind the mound, and when I glanced up to the stands, Ricky waved, and then…holy shit, Jasmine was suddenly there, sitting next to Dawn.

“What the hell?” I mouthed to her when our eyes met, and she shook her head to wave me off.

Except now Maclain was noticing too. In fact, as soon as he spotted Jasmine, his face brightened, and damned if that didn’t put a lump in my throat. Being there for Maclain when his father never was might’ve been Jasmine’s plan, but she could’ve at least given me some warning. Not that I hadn’t been preoccupied lately with Donovan, but she’d been pretty hush-hush too when it came to discussing her own friendship with our star pitcher.

“Let’s go,” I heard Girard complain. “Stop checking out your girlfriend.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Maclain replied as he wound up. “Maybe I’m looking at your—”

“C’mon, guys,” Donovan suddenly piped in. “It’s the last game of the season.”

“Which is why he needs to piss off Maclain for old time’s sake,” Hollister threw out, and the whole infield snickered.

“Fair point,” Donovan replied with a smirk. “Carry on. No fistfights, though, until after we win.”

And we did win, which was awesome, even if our record already stood on its own merit and heading to regionals was pretty much in the bag.

But when my dad announced it in the locker room after the game, it was solid confirmation, and the team shouted and clapped and did that silly cheer. Be fierce, play smart, win big!

I cheered right along from my perch near the washer, where I’d started collecting the team jerseys in a pile. When Donovan’s eyes met mine, I nearly melted because he looked so happy and freaking hot with that dusty hat he’d turned backward and muscly forearms for days.

I had the urge to run into his arms in slo-mo movie-style, and stick my tongue down his throat, but that would ruin everything. My dad would pop a blood vessel and bench us both for regionals, and the team might…I didn’t even know. They were the X factor in all this, and their reaction alone could flip everything on its head. It could go well or horribly wrong for Donovan, and I didn’t want the latter for him. I wanted him to have a great ending to his season. He deserved it.

“Don’t forget,” Coach Adams said, holding up a hand to get everyone’s attention, “we’ve got the fundraiser coming up to help us curb some of the cost of the tourney. We’ve still got room to invite more family and friends.”

“Now let’s go celebrate with pizzas at Geordie’s,” Dad said, and there was another round of cheers. While the team showered and changed, I took my time organizing everything in the equipment room instead of swallowing my tongue over Donovan in that freaking jockstrap near his locker. I could swear he was taunting me as he took his sweet own time getting changed. Besides, this was the perfect time to assess whether any of the equipment needed replacing, since the next few practices would mostly be about studying stats and watching game video from opposing teams.

I’d also be helping with last-minute details for the fundraiser next week, but it was already pretty set since the Girards owned the bowling alley and had helped the team with similar events in the past. Certainly sounded more fun than other events I’d attended.

“You comin’?” Hollister asked me as he was heading out the door. He was always kind to me, but this time I got the impression he was trying extra hard for Donovan’s sake. Which made me wonder what exactly he thought was going on between us. Or maybe he was just glad he had another confidant.

“Yep, be there soon,” I replied, making eye contact with Donovan, who was behind him, and Donovan winked.

When the locker room finally emptied, I blew out a breath. What a season. Not only did I have a cool job and learned a ton, but I also met an amazing guy, even if we’d only ever be friends.

Speaking of friends, I lifted my phone to text Jasmine.

That was sweet of you to show up for Maclain. Or was it because you hadn’t seen me in a couple of hours?

Shut it. Yeah…there’s more to him than he shows the world, and I thought he needed someone in his corner.

Well, look at you being all philanthropic. I could tell how much it meant to him.

Eh, I have my moments.

Is this where you tell me what’s going on with you and Mr. Broody Pitcher?

Nope. You and Team Captain?

Maybe soon.

That’s what I thought.

I’d just finished changing into shorts and a tee when I heard the door open. Someone must’ve forgotten something. I rounded the corner to see who it was. “What did you forg— What are you doing here?”