They stood there, dusk thickening, fireflies beginning to spark at the edge of the outfield.Theweight of the past was still there, heavy as ever.But, for now, it hovered in the background.Acenwas right.Shehad this.
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
Saturday morning dawned clear and hot, the kind of summer day that shimmered off asphalt and soaked through shirts before noon.
GameDay.
Rose arrived at the ballfield early, coffee in hand, hair pulled tightly back in her signature ponytail, clipboard tucked under her arm.Thebleachers were still empty, but the smell of cut grass and concession stand popcorn lingered in the air like tradition.Thisfield had seen heartbreak and home runs in equal measure.Today, it was about to see both.
The first game of the tournament season always carried the smell of gun powder and sweat and determination.
ThePickwickPirateQueenswere playing theMadisonMarauders, their biggest rival and the team most likely to complain aboutRose’s"liberal interpretation" of the batting order.
She didn’t care.
She was more focused on keeping her own team from imploding.
Because as much as she’d hoped practice would reset the mood,Briana’ssurprise appearance had shaken them all.
“Morning,Coach,”Danicalled, jogging up with her bat bag slung over one shoulder.
“Tell me you brought ibuprofen and optimism,”Rosesaid.
“I brought a six-pack of both,”Danigrinned.“Weready to beat the glitter off thoseMarauders?”
“Let’s hope so.”
One by one, the rest of the team trickled in—Tasha, with her game face on and hair braided like she was going to war.Ginny, all nerves and sunblockMaggiesmacking gum like it was keeping words in her mouth she wanted to say but knew she shouldn’t
By the time the opposing team arrived, the stands had started to fill.
And thenDeclanshowed up.
Rose spotted him instantly - he stood out, even in a crowd.GrayT-shirt, jeans that hugged his frame too well, and aPickwickPirateQueenhat he’d found somewhere pulled low over his eyes.Hepicked a spot halfway up the bleachers, nodded to a few familiar faces, and sat down like he had every right to be there.
She hated how her stomach flipped.Hatedhow her heart picked up the beat just a little bit.Todaywas about the game.Nother love life.Shewaved casually when he looked in her direction, then put her thoughts firmly on the game and her strategy.
ThenBrianaarrived.
In a sundress.Andwedges.
To a softball game.
“Of course she did,”Rosemuttered.
She ignored the looks and the low whisper of gossip that followedBriana’sentrance.Instead, she turned her full focus to her team.
“All right, ladies,” she said, gathering them in a tight circle near the dugout.“Weplay clean, we play smart, and we don’t get rattled.Nomatter who’s watching from the stands.”
A few eyes darted to the bleachers.
Rose didn’t flinch.
“You hear me?”
“Yes,Coach,” came the chorus.
Acen arrived in the dugout and high-fived everyone.
