The Pitcher's Act

24

COLBY

If I could wish for one thing right now, it would be that I wish I weren't a part of a team. Being a team fucking sucks. Especially this team. You know why? Because we do everything as a team. If one person doesn't show up for practice, we all pay for it.

I'm about to hurl my breakfast up as I pant at the outfield post, trying to catch my breath. We have run the posts back and forth five times now.

We hadn't even started practice.

Crawford had shown up ten minutes late. He wasn't the latest one to arrive either. My shitty teammates are still showing up as we speak. I can see one of Jagger's roommates walking through the trees, heading toward the field.

I would probably be showing up right now if Jayden hadn't woken me up. God, I was pissed. I could still be lying naked in my bed with Olivia. I guess she did also have practice. It worked out in the end.

"Alright, boys. Bring it in," Coach yells for us to gather around so he can preach to us for disobeying him once again. I squat on the ground, still trying to gather my breath for what's to come.

Coach laughs as he stares at us. "I don't know why y'all always fucking do this. You know better. You know I'm right. You're all fucking stupid." He's not wrong. "I get that you like to relax on the weekends, and I'm all about it. All I asked for was one day. You could have gotten fucked up Friday night. Not last night." He flicks his hand at us and turns away, "Tell whoever didn't show up they have graveyard shift tonight."

I slump to the ground, laying my back on the wet grass. It could have gone a lot worse.

The graveyard shift, as coach calls it, is the fucking worst. He makes his victim stay on the field from sundown to sunrise, not caring about the weather or if someone has homework or a test to study for. Since they fucked up, they have to prove their worthiness of being on the team. I've been lucky enough only to endure the graveyard shift twice since I've been here. And both times were because of partying and missing practice.

I stretch my legs for a moment before getting up and walking to the bullpen to get ready to throw. We don't start the season till spring, but we have scrimmages starting soon. It will be hell. It's when the long, tortuous hours of baseball begin. At least I only pitch once a series.

"A little birdy told me you and your enemy were caught at the ball with your tongues down each other's throats," a voice behind me taunts.

I roll my eyes before turning towards him, glove in hand, "Good morning, Jagger. It's nice to see you too."

He smirked, taking in my appearance. "How many times?"

I snort, "More than you could ever endure."

"Lexi was texting me last night. Sophie is so fucking pissed."

I shrug, "So? I don't get why she's so mad. We weren't together. I made it clear that we were just friends."

"I think she was more mad that you ditched her, not about you and Olivia."

Yeah. I would be mad, too. "She wasn't even talking to me. She just used me as arm candy and then went to see her friends. We honestly have nothing to talk about except how excited she is for softball season. It's annoying."

"Lexi made it sound like she was in love with you."

I freeze. Are you serious? Can I not talk to one woman on this campus without them falling for me? That sounds cocky, but Christ! These women.

That's why I like Olivia. She tried her damn hardest not to like me. But what's there not to like?

"I feel bad that I ditched her, but I was going to puke after I saw Miller kiss Olivia. And then she followed me out there, and I'm sure you know the rest."