Page 95 of Coastal Rewind

forty

Mason

THREE MONTHS LATER

Game six. Everything was on the line.

After we finally got out of our slump, we really hit a stride no one saw coming. We clinched the last seed of the playoffs, and in the first series, we blew them out of the water with three straight wins. The energy was high as we entered into the division series.

That one came with more stress, but we managed to edge out the win against Philadelphia and move on to the league title. For the entire month of October, no one dared utter the words or possibility that we could do this. We kept our heads down and just enjoyed the time we had.

We were a team of misfits, a team no one thought had a chance at a winning record let alone a spot in the World Series. But, we were here. In game six.

New York had us pushing as hard as we could but it was looking like it might not be enough. Zane’s bat made contact and the ball flew just past the second baseman, giving him a single base hit.

I walked up to Mitch who was standing on the edge of the dugout. This was it. Bases were loaded in the bottom of the ninth and we were only down by two. This was our moment.

It was now or never.

Mitch clapped me on the shoulder as I strolled past with a confidence I had no business possessing. I glanced over my shoulder and spotted my family. Ryleigh was sitting with MJ in her lap, both looking like they were ready to throw up. My parents were on her right and every single Kelly was lined up in the row behind them cheering me on.

I realized then that this win would mean a hell of a lot, but I was already the luckiest man alive. Win or lose, I got to go home and spend a few months relaxing with my little family just living a normal life.

That was my true prize.

“Good Day Sunshine” played as the home crowd went wild. I turned around and winked at Ryleigh the same way I did at every single home game she was at. Her cheeks went bright red as the cameras panned over to her, blasting her and MJ on the screen over the outfield. She hated the little ritual but it was my favorite part of the entire game and the media ate it up.

I turned back toward home plate and took a deep breath to center myself. It was time to focus.

I stepped into the box and raised my bat, staring down the pitcher as he received his signal from the catcher behind me. He threw the first pitch.

Strike.

It was a little outside but now I had a feel for where he was going to try to fake me out. I hugged the plate a little more as he threw the second pitch.

Strike.

I stepped out of the box and looked over at my family. Ryleigh just nodded at me and smiled. She was my calm, my center. I nodded back and stepped back up to the plate.

The pitcher wound up and threw the ball. I swung and, by some miracle, the crack of the bat sent the ball flying into the outfield. I took off, not really caring if the ball was caught or not. It didn’t matter. It was our last out or we’d get the runs. It was in the universe’s hands now.

I rounded first and watched as the ball flew into the upper deck of KavTech field. The deafening screams from the crowd were enough to bring a man to tears.

Tucker and Zane rounded the bases—and it was official, we won. I continued running, rounding second, and then third. I barely made it home before my teammates were in a dog pile on top of me as I stepped on home plate. Water was flying and some of them were on their knees.

The media was storming the field for interviews and our PR team started handing out championship hats but I only cared about one thing.

“Dad!” I heard from my right. I turned just in time to scoop MJ into my arms. Ryleigh followed immediately behind him and wrapped her little body around mine.

“You did it!” MJ cheered as I placed the hat on his little head.

“I’m so proud of you,” Ryleigh screamed so I could hear her above the noise. I leaned down and kissed her.

This was definitely where I was peaking.

I placed MJ back on his feet just in time for Mack, Tucker, and Zane to scoop him up and take off in a run around the infield.

Someone cleared their throat behind me just as Lottie appeared at my side. She tossed something in the air and I caught it swiftly. The velvet feeling soft in my calloused hands.