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Our team was up to bat first. The pitcher for the other team was a left-hander, and he was good. The kids seemed a little stunned by the speed of his fastball. When it was time for Hunter to pitch, he warmed up with confidence, but then the first pitch was a hit to the fence in the outfield. It dropped between the center fielder and the fence, giving him a triple.
My heart ached for Hunter because he’d only ever struck kids out in rec. A few hard hits later, and I was pacing the area behind the dugout.
I wanted Hunter to shake it off. But I knew he wouldn’t be able to. He was too competitive, and kids hitting like that off him had to be a shock.
When the inning ended, I hovered by the dugout, listening to Nick talk to him. It sounded positive, and Hunter nodded to his words. When he put his glove in his bag, I asked him, “How do you feel?”
He shrugged, looking miserable.
“Do you think you can shake it off?”
“I’m supposed to strike kids out.” I looked helplessly at Nick, who came over.
He crouched beside him. “Your job is to throw strikes.”
“Yeah, strike batters out.”
“That’s not what I said. You put the ball in play and rely on your fielders to play defense.”
That was a new idea for Hunter.
“You did your job. You threw strikes. This team is more experienced, and they hit hard. Your fielders aren’t ready to field those balls yet. They let you down. We’re still learning. By the spring, we’ll look like a different team. I promise.”
Hunter’s overall demeanor had completely changed.
“Are you okay to pitch the next inning? I need you on the mound.”
“You got it, Coach,” Hunter said.
Nick initiated some kind of complicated handshake that ended with a manly shoulder hug. It was endearing. Nick stood and moved over to where the other assistant coaches were standing. I hoped he’d acknowledge me in some way, but he didn’t.
In fact, we hadn’t seen each other since that night at his house. The one when he asked me to stay. Was he considering moving? Was that why he’d rebuffed my attempts to talk to him? I didn’t like the implications of that.
Where would that leave the team or me? And even worse, Hunter? Hunter looked up to him. Hunter had no idea Nick and Brody might leave. I’d never thought it was necessary to bring it up. It was a small possibility, but now it might be our reality.
I went back to my seat and saw that Brooke and Ben had arrived with Cammie.
“How’s it going so far?” Ben asked.
“Not good. They’re hitting on Hunter.”
“He upset?”
“Nick talked to him. He said all the right things.”
“That’s good.” Ben moved to the fence and leaned his forearms over it to get a better view of our team, which was up to bat.
“Is everything okay with you and Nick?”
“He won’t talk to me about what’s going on. He just keeps saying that Brody needs him. I’m worried he’s going to move.”
“Did you see what happened at Austin’s arraignment today?”
“I was in meetings most of the day.”
“He pled not guilty.”
“He wants a trial.”
