The Perfect Game (The Perfect Game 1)

“It might have been more, but it was insane. The girls would post his number online and then his voice mail would fill up within a day. And then they’d all start calling my phone looking for him when he didn’t answer. ”

“Holy shit, that’s bananas!” Melissa laughed at the insanity.

“That’s why it’s weird that he’d give you his number. He doesn’t give anyone his number. ” Dean shook his head.

“Well, like I said, I could be wrong,” I quickly recanted.

Melissa gestured toward my bag. “Then get it out and read it now. ”

Heat spread throughout my cheeks and down my neck to my chest. “No. Not in the freaking student union while he’s right over there, thanks. Later. ”

I rose from the table, grabbed my bag and my trash, and walked nonchalantly past Jack and his pack of groupies. I heard the sound of female voices whining when Jack pulled himself away to jog over and catch up with me.

“I expect you to call me, Kitten. ”

“I’m sure you expect a lot of things,” I said rudely, refusing to look at him as his stride slowed and he let me walk away.

“Come to my game tonight!” he shouted when I opened the glass doors.

I turned toward him before walking out. “I don’t think so. ”

“Don’t you want to see me pitch?” He raised an eyebrow, his voice cocky.

I tilted my head, holding the door open with one arm. “I saw you pitching earlier. In slow motion, remember? I think I got the gist. ”

The glass door closed behind me with a loud bang and I walked to my next class, wondering how long I’d be able to resist him.

*****

I opened the door to our two-bedroom apartment, the smell of this morning’s bacon still lingering in the air. Mail and schoolwork were strewn across the top of our table, and I added my backpack to the mess.

Melissa sat watching TV on our L-shaped couch while eating a bowl full of cottage cheese and green grapes. I smiled at her odd food combination and headed straight into the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and some chips from the cupboard.

I took a sip of the water, letting the cool moisture replenish my dehydrated body.

“So, we’re going to the baseball game tonight,” she informed me, and the water in my mouth sprayed out all over the carpet.

“Shit. ” I laughed and grabbed a towel before bending down to soak up the mess. “You might be, but I’m staying here. ”

“Cassie, the whole school goes to the baseball games. It’s like the state of Texas and high school football. ” Her head tilted as I looked up from my carpet cleaning, my eyes clearly confused. “Friday Night Lights, hello? Ugh, don’t you watch any TV?”

I chuckled at her frustration with me as she continued. “Anyway, everyone goes. Especially when Jack’s pitching. It’s sort of a spectacle, really. ”

“How so?” I asked, tossing the wet towel into the sink before leaning my shoulder against the wall.

She glanced up toward the ceiling and pursed her lips together. Then she looked back at me, draping her body over the side of the couch. “Well, a ton of scouts are there for starters. And reporters from all the local newspapers and TV stations. You just have to see it. Even if you only go to one game, Cassie, it has to be one when Jack’s pitching. Plus, you can take some really cool pictures for that Tuck magazine, or whatever it’s called. ”

My eyebrows lifted at the thought of photographing the school’s new stadium and fans. “It’s called Trunk,” I corrected, referring to the university’s student-run magazine. “And someone is already assigned to the baseball team. But I do need to work on my night photography. ” I pulled away from the wall and glanced at my camera bag, mulling the idea over.

“And you can work on your action shots too,” she added with a sly smirk.

I rolled my eyes. “Three hours ago you hated this guy, and now you’re like his biggest fan. What gives?”

“Excuse me!” Her voice was animated as she held up one finger. “Jack Carter the guy sucks and should be avoided at all costs. Jack Carter the baseball player is totally amazeballs and should be observed whenever possible. You see the difference?”

I laughed at her insane logic. “They’re both the same guy. Just want to put that out there before I agree to go. ”

Her eyes lit up as a grin spread across her face. “You’ll see. So you’ll go with me then?”