I smiled at her and set it back down. Out in their garage were two golf carts and a couple bat bags sitting next to them. We all loaded up, Paul driving one cart, and Turner driving the other. Sarah sat on Dodger’s lap since there wasn’t enough room for all nine of us to ride over there. I was sure she was thrilled. We went about two blocks over and stopped at a baseball field that was well maintained but looked like it wasn’t used often.
Camden spoke into my ear. “My parents bought this acreage when I was a kid because they wanted a place that they could take us to practice and not worry about us slamming any balls into the neighbor’s windows. They made it into a baseball field and opened it up to anybody that wanted to come use it. We still come out here after every family dinner and play. It’s been our tradition for over fifteen years now.”
Unloading, we all stood near the fence that ran along the catcher’s position. “Alright time to choose teams.” Turner was taking charge. “I’ve got Mom, Dad, Keegan, and Macie. So Cam that leaves you with Wrigley, Dodger, and Sarah.”
“Sounds fair.” He nodded.
“Y’all can bat first. Macie, how’s your arm?”
“Honestly, I kind of suck at throwing balls.”
He smirked. “I’m sure you’re better playing with them.”
She laughed, but I heard Dodger growl. “Watch it asshole, or Wild Thing might peg you in the face with a fastball.”
“Alright, play nice boys, and Turner cut it out with the wisecracks,” Donna chided.
“Sorry Mom,” he said. “Okay since Macie can’t pitch, how about you Keegan, can you toss a ball? You don’t have to do anything crazy, just underhanded softball pitching.”
I had no idea whether I could or not, but I shrugged and said, “Sure, I can try.”
“Good girl,” he praised, which made me think about Camden saying the same thing to me in the bedroom. My face reddened, but thankfully nobody noticed. “Macie you go stand between second and third base. I’ll take the spot between first and second. Mom, you and Dad go in the outfield. Everyone good?”
We all nodded and went to our prospective positions. Everyone else was off to the side waiting for their turn to bat, while Sarah was up first. Dodger helped place her feet the correct way and put her hands on the bat where they should be. He nodded at me when she was ready. I stepped in a little closer to go easy on her. First toss, she swung and missed. We all clapped and told her to keep trying and to keep her eye on the ball. Her second swing she clipped the ball, but it was a strike. The next one I threw was way off its mark. She laughed at me, and it warmed me that she was having such a good time. Dodger stayed close to her and was coaching her when to swing. My fourth pitch, she swung and hit the ball. It went rolling on the ground, and Macie took off after it. Sarah ran to first base, and we all slowed down to let her get to the base. Dodger whooped and cheered for her. I didn’t think I’d ever seen a bigger smile on her face. Next up was Wrigley. He wound his arm around while holding the bat, warming up his arm.
“Don’t worry pretty girl, I won’t hit it too hard,” he taunted.
“I’m sure you don’t,” I dished. I heard Donna laughing in the outfield, and I saw Camden shaking his head.
“Just hit the fucking ball asshole,” Camden yelled.
I tossed my first pitch, and he swung and missed. Granted it wasn’t the best throw, but I think Wrigley had planned on swinging at everything I threw his way. The second ball, he hit, and it went sailing past my head and out toward Turner. Sarah took off running at Dodger’s command, and she made it to third base before she stopped. Wrigley made it to first base, and he looked all too pleased with himself.
Camden was up next. When he walked up to the plate, his baseball cap shadowed his eyes, and I took my time to shake my shoulders out. When he brought his face up, and our eyes connected, I swallowed hard. Holy shit… keep it together Keegan, he’s trying to intimidate you. He nodded at me, letting me know that he was ready. Why did I love his serious face so much? I brought my arm back and underhanded the first pitch. It went wide, and Camden let his bat fall to his side as he went to get the ball. Tossing it back to me he smirked. He knew exactly what he was doing to me. Fine, two can play at this game. Everyone else was chanting, “Here batter, batter,” over and over, not paying attention to the tension that Camden and I had going on between the two of us. I kicked my feet back and forth on the dirt and held the ball up to my face. I licked my lips, knowing that he could see it, and gave my hips a little wiggle. His eyes narrowed at the movement. Throwing the second ball, he swung and missed.
“Come on Cam!” Wrigley yelled. “This isn’t fuckin’ tee-ball, let’s go.”
Camden flipped him the bird and repositioned himself. “One more time, Blue. Give it to me good.”
Oh I’ll give it to you. He already had two strikes, and I was pretty confident I could get him to swing and miss a third time. His deep chocolate eyes were silently challenging me, testing me to see if I’d waver. I gave him another pitch. If a ball could move in slow motion, I swear this one did. I watched as it went straight toward home plate, Camden was focused as he brought the bat around and took a swing. The ball never connected with the wood, and I let out a “whoop.”
“You just let a girl strike you out hot shot, good going,” Dodger grumbled.
He said nothing in return. He simply looked at me and grinned. Why did that grin tell me that I was going to pay for that? Either way it made my heart flutter.
“Better luck next time, hot shot.” I picked at him.
He barked a laugh. “Yeah, we’ll see Blue.”
The game continued on, and we played four innings. We all were having a blast, and I didn’t think I’ve had so much fun in a long time. That was until we paused because Camden’s phone was ringing. He ran over to the fence where all of our stuff was, and his smiled faded when he looked at the screen. His eyebrows came down and he brought his finger up to tell us all to hold on. He walked off the field and out toward the street, seeming tense. What was going on? I glanced at Macie, and she shrugged her shoulders. Everyone else started talking to each other as we waited for him to finish his phone call. Something about his demeanor wasn’t right. Never taking my eyes off of him, I wondered who could possibly be calling him on Thanksgiving when all of his family was out here with him. Or who could get him upset like this. When he hung up, he looked defeated. I wanted to go to him and ask what was the matter, but I could tell he was closed off. Whatever it was about, he wasn’t going to tell me. Camden had come back on the field and went directly to Dodger. He was the brother who he was closest to, and I knew they shared everything. Dodger was nodding as he listened, and I could tell that whatever this was he didn’t like either. As we started the game back up, I knew he was ignoring my questioning looks. If he thought I was going to shrug it off and act like he was bothered by something, he was sorely mistaken. The rest of the game everyone was having a good time except for myself and Camden. His mood was affecting my mood, and I was anxious to get him alone so we could talk. Thankfully nobody else seemed to notice.
After the game, everyone packed up and loaded up on the golf carts. Camden was still holding a bat and ball when he told them, “You guys go ahead. Keegan and I will walk back.”
Paul and Donna gave each other knowing looks, while Macie and Dodger both said, “Uh-huh,” in unison. When they all left, Camden directed his attention back to me.
Holding the bat out, handle first he said, “Step up to the plate Keegan.”
I didn’t know whether it was his tone, or how his eyes were drilling into my own, but I gladly obliged. Taking the bat I went to home plate and waited for his next command. He walked out to the pitcher’s mound and stood with his body to the side. I almost gaped at the view. I loved the line of his back that led to his well fitted jeans. I’d never tired of his perfect body. It was a treat to look at with clothes off and on. It was getting cooler outside in the evening with the fall weather. Chills ran across my exposed skin.