Chapter fourteen
Stealing Home
Derby
Philadelphia.The Phillies had been playing well this season, and we couldn’t take them for granted.In fact, we lost the first game.We had the second of the doubleheader in a few hours.
I stretched out on a bench and closed my eyes, listening to the other players’ chatter in the background.My flight back to Mobile was not early.I’d have time to kill the next day.What would Godwin be doing?
That type of thinking wasn’t going to help me.Focusing on the game was more important, but my mind kept wandering.I hadn’t pitched the first game, but coach would more than likely put me in first in the next.I didn’t want to mess up my WHIP stats with more walks than runs.Focus, Derb-ster!
A commotion in the locker room had me sitting up.Amy hollered for me.“Derby?Hey man?”
“Here.What’s up?”I stood, my socked feet were still cold on the floor of the locker room, since I’d taken my cleats off while I rested.
“There.”She pointed to me and from behind her, Godwin appeared as if by magic.
“What the hell?”
In the next moment, he was in my face.Nose to nose.“Hey, Derby.Hope this is alright.”
“Yeah.It is.It’s fine.”
“Yeah?Because you never invited me to a game, you know?”
My eyes widened.Was that what it took to have him in my life?“You’re invited.Toallof them.”
His smile was faint, but his eyes lit up.“Can we go somewhere a little more private to talk?”
I suspected he heard the whispers going on around us.Making that type of appearance wouldn’t go unnoticed or unquestioned.Was I ready to supply the answers?Ready to step up?
For Godwin?
It took less than three seconds to answer that.Yes.Hell yes.“If you want, but we can talk here.”
Godwin leaned in closer.“What if I want to kiss you?”he whispered.
“Then kiss me.”
He hesitated for a moment, glancing around the dugout.Then he moved forward.He wrapped those muscular arms around me and pressed those firm lips against mine.I touched his cheek, fingertips brushing over his late-day scruff.
The guys behind us hooted and hollered.But not in a bad way.They made comments that they would make to anyone who had been kissed in the locker room.Get a room,andthat’s why you pitch so well—motivation.I ignored it, simply filing it away for later.These were a great bunch of guys.I didn’t worry about them.I worried about Godwin.
When I pulled back, I asked, “You okay?”
“Yeah.We do need to talk, but this...”he waved an arm in the air.
“I know.”
“Do you?Do you know how much this means to me?That you’d kiss me in front—”
“I know.I love you, Godwin.”I squeezed him tight.“I have just one question for you.”
“What’s that?”
“Did you mow my mom’s lawn and plant those extra flowers?”
“That’s two questions.”The ear-to-ear smile on his face was answer enough.Then he hugged me tight, lifting my feet off the ground.The locker room erupted in happy cheers.
