Clutch Hit, Faith O'Shea [read along books TXT] 📗

if he keeps this up, we’ll have to take a serious look at moving him. He’s only twenty and could use a couple more years of seasoning but…I’d love to have him on the bench as a pinch hitter.”

The kid had grown up with the game and probably wouldn’t take as long in the minors as others.

“What’s his average?”

“Four-twenty against righties, three-seventy-five against lefties.”

Mateo whistled. Those were great numbers.

Allie offered an experienced observation. “Our minor leaguers don’t see the kind of heat they have here, and the averages always go down when facing pitchers like Reid or Wilms.”

Wilms was the starting pitcher for the Mets yesterday and had pretty much shut them all down with his change-up.

“You missed the game.”

“I listened. I couldn’t believe you double pumped and screwed up that double play.”

“You were too much on my mind. I had to clear my mind of your image on first base. I was afraid I’d hurt you if I threw all out.”

Reyes laughed. “You can’t hurt that girl no matter how hard you throw. She was the catcher one year in our intramural game when Motts came down with the flu, and she got pretty banged up, but never complained once.”

“I’m no girlie girl.” She looked over at Seb and added, a smile twitching her lips, “That would be Casey.” He noticed Seb’s eyes crinkle at the corners. He must know better than most that Casey had inherited very little from her father’s athletic gene pool.

Curious, Mateo asked, “What intramural game?”

She explained, “We play a softball game against the Red Sox every year. It’s a fundraiser for the Dana Farber Jimmy Fund. Reid put it together a few years ago and the teams have to be a mix of both genders. They can’t have more than six men on the field at any time.”

All but crowing, she said, “We’ve won three out of three years.”

Motts’s tone was filled with sarcasm. “They told me last year that I had a lot to live up to. Thank God her natural position is shortstop.”

“I’m going to have to toss you for it this year, dos Santos. And if they’re short women on the field, I’ll win.”

“We can’t split it?”

“Maybe.”

Mateo asked, “Who else plays?”

“Last year we had an intern who played volleyball in college and was she able to play a mean first base. There’s actually six or seven of us who are part of it every year. We belong to a sports organization because we love sports. It usually translates well.”

Bellasario said proudly, “My wife played right field last year. She’s hoping we invite her back.”

“We will. She got a couple of hits.”

Mateo noticed that Lyra had snuck into the dugout, and she was hiding in the background as the ninth inning got under way. Buzz had the ball, and he knew the guy was jittery about his comeback. All eyes were on the field, one pair more focused than the others. He’d heard that she’d been holding the pitcher’s hand, not sure it was because Allie had been unavailable or because she wanted to.

“Is there something going on between Lyra and Buzz?”

Allie’s head spun toward him and followed his eyes as he motioned to where Lyra was standing.

“I don’t know. She told me she spent last night talking to him. I didn’t understand why because Verdi was with them… Now, I’m beginning to think… We really have to stop becoming involved with our players.”

“Too late in your case.”

She slid her hand into his and put her eyes back on the pitcher’s mound.

“Much too late.”

Buzz had struck out the first batter he faced, then threw a curve that failed to do what it was supposed to.

Allie yelled out, “Come on, Buzz. Get it done.”

And as if by royal command, he did just that, striking the next two batters out. He heard Allie release her breath as if she’d been holding it.

Mac was out on the field, congratulating the guys coming in, and everyone in the dugout was throwing around high fives. The guys were streaming into the clubhouse, excitement rampant among them. There was chemistry no matter who was out on the field. It felt good to be part of such an enterprise.

He gazed at his wife. He owed it all to her. “You will wait for me?”

“I have some work to catch up on. Why don’t you shower and change, eat and I’ll call when I’m done.”

Every game was followed by dinner so the guys could eat together, commiserate a loss or celebrate a win. It was another way for them to bond as a team.

“I have heard that promise before.”

“Yeah, but this time I mean to keep it. I’m sure Casey will be okay with it. I heard you met our other left fielder.”

He gave her a perceptible nod. “I stopped by last night to see if you were back. I felt I’d let you go too easily.”

“Seb doesn’t—”

“I figured that one out for myself. My lips are sealed. It’s her story to tell and I made a pledge that I intend to keep. I hung out with them for an hour or so. Charlie told me some stories about you that would have made me laugh if I wasn’t hurting so much.”

“I’m sure there’s dozens more. We’ve lived together off and on since college.”

“You are part of a triumvirate, too.”

She laughed. “I guess you could say that. Now that you know, you can just go over whenever you’re ready. I’ll let them know. You can stop by my office before you leave and I’ll give you a key.”

“Be prepared for very little sleep tonight. I have a couple of nights of loving you to make up for.”

“You must have been loving me while I was away because I couldn’t close my eyes without missing you.”

“I was always loving you. Since the moment I was born.”

She kissed him again.

Bellasario yelled over, “Hey you two, making out isn’t allowed in the club house. It’s Allie rule number thirty-three.”

She blushed but it didn’t