Page 29 of Switch Hitter

The doorknob rattles, and the sound of him shifting his weight has me leaning back in the chair. Then the lock turns, and I straighten slightly, my heartbeat finally kicking once, hard.

The door swings open, and my six-foot sweaty rival steps inside.

“Took you long enough, Cobre. Now we can really talk.”

SIX

SEAN

Practice kicked my ass today. It was all fine until the coach said we needed to do extra drills. Fuck that shit. Then I had to expertly avoid Will and Camila and their need to feed me like I’m some child incapable of survival. Once I was in the car, I thought I was golden until the texts came in.

Will

Coward.

Now I have to convince my wife that you had other plans for dinner.

At the red light, I respond.

Sean

Stop trying to feed me.

Will

Then feed yourself, would ya? Do me a solid and look like you’re a functioning adult so she’ll get off my nuts.

Strike that… she can stay on my nuts.

Sean

You freaky bastard.

Up four floors in the elevator, and when I step out, all I can think about is how today is Wednesday and I should be fasting, but I had a protein bar in the locker room, so I fucked that up already. Tonight, I’ll just order a fish curry for dinner and call it good.

I pull out my phone and see the notifications from my family group text.

Mom

Sean are you going to be coming home Easter?

David

Ohhh, is the hotshot ballplayer going to grace us with his presence this holiday?

Sam

Bet I can still send a ball further than you.

James

Sam… you’re 40… your knees pop when you get up from prayer during Mass… I doubt it.

Leeann

How am I related to you guys?

Dad