Page 60 of Falling Together
“Relax. We’re just giving you shit,” Gavney says.
“Alright. Let’s get everyone out for warm-ups.”
The morning goes by in the blink of an eye as the team gets ready together. Over the last few weeks of my being here, they’ve built on their camaraderie. I love seeing the team come together like this. It’s why I’ve always loved this sport and wanted to coach when it was apparent I wouldn’t make it as a player.
The stands are filled by the time we’re heading out for the game. Thistle Creek’s team is in town today. It’s the perfect afternoon for a game.
Thistle Creek is at bat and our guys are ready and looking good to start the game. It’s an easy three outs for them before we’re up at bat.
The early innings are a lot of back and forth with no runs. It’s not until the fourth inning where things start picking up.
Thistle Creek hits a high fly ball into right field. Our guy is tracking it as it sails perfectly into his glove.
Three outs and now we’re on offense.
Johnson is one of our better batters, and he’s able to get a line drive into left field and get to second base before Banks is up.
He drills the ball deep into center field as our fans start to stand in anticipation. It’s a beauty of a hit. The ball is going, going—it’s gone.
Home run.
“Hell, yeah!”
Our players start cheering as Banks brings our guy home. We’re now up two runs to none.
“Way to go, Banksy!” I clap him on the helmet as he comes into the dugout.
“Thanks, Coach.”
On the next bat, Thistle Creek’s outfielder misses the ball and is scrambling for it before throwing it to second base, but to no avail. Our runner is safe.
We’re able to get one more run before they get us out. It’s more of the same lull in the middle innings with not much happening in the game.
The team is looking strong out there, keeping them at bay and not letting them get home.
It’s late in the eighth inning before we’re finally able to get two more home runs. We shut them out in the top of the ninth for a walk-off win.
“Great job, boys!” I call out, fist-bumping them as they head out of the dugout to the locker room. “I like what I see out there. Let’s keep it up.”
Our fans are cheering as we head off the field and damn, does this feel good.
I wish Georgia could be here to celebrate this win. I know she’s out at the barn, taking every chance with the horses she can. I love how passionate she is about what she does. I think it’s part of why we connected so easily. We both love what we do.
But I’ll see her soon enough.
For a real date.
I’m glad we moved past this whole “let’s be friends” thing. I want more with Georgia.
And I’m finally fucking getting it. I can’t wait.
Chapter Nineteen
GEORGIA
Georgia
You guys
