Summer of 76

Chapter 10

Penelope sat at the top of the small set of bleachers behind home plate with her back leaning against the fence. Jack had pitched a no hitter so far and was doing quite well. She understood the game of baseball and it was her favorite sport if she had to choose one. She remembered her dad had taken her to one when she was little and he had actually been in town. It fascinated Penelope all the people coming to see 18 men throw, catch, and hit a ball. The food was amazing and the sights and sounds were incredible to her. Even now at the field that was almost completely dirt and horrible bleachers, she still loved the game and cheered often.

There weren't many people there. Besides Penelope, there were five or six parents for each team and that was about it. It was the top of the fifth inning and since it was high school ball they only played seven innings. Jack looked pretty good in his pinstriped uniform. It was white with black pinstripes and in yellow said Yellow Jackets on the front with yellow accessories. That was the school mascot that Penelope despised because the person who dressed up as the yellow jacket was always obnoxious and in her face.

Penelope sat there staring at Jack as he pitched. He seemed completely focused and in the game. She was worried that he'd leave her after what happened this morning. That he'd think she did it on purpose or for attention, but surprisingly he comforted her. Jack had held Penelope as she cried and worried over him leaving. He also seemed embarrassed. His face had still been a light pink after they'd left her house. She found it easy to forget it had happened and to just talk and joke like normal with him, however, which is one of the things she loved about Jack. He let her forget about everything. Everything was right and good when she was with him. Penelope also remembered him saying she was gorgeous. Where did that come from? Jack never hinted he thought she was attractive in any way but as the kid sister. Maybe he was just saying that to make her feel better. But what if he meant it?

Penelope zoned back into the game to see it was over. They had won 7-5. She hopped up and walked over to behind the dugout where she knew Jack would be coming out. She tried to blend into the crowd not wanting any of the boys on the team to recognize her.

She was doing quite well until Jack burst through the crowd and lifted her up as he spun her around. She shriek in surprise and he laughed. He put her down and she looked up at him. He had a smirk on his face and his eyes were sparkling.

"You must be my lucky charm," Jack stated tapping her on the nose.

Penelope scrunched up her nose,"Well don't you just smell like roses." She replied sarcastically.

He rolled his eyes and threw an arm around her. Penelope then looked around to see almost all the players looking at her. Some took side ways glances at her while others were not as subtle and outright stared. She shrunk into Jack's side trying to hide, but knowing it was impossible.

Jack felt Penelope tense up as they started walking through the small crowd. He looked around to see his teammates giving her looks. He pulled her closer into him protectively. He was making it clear she was his and if they wanted to mess with her they'd have to go through him. Jack also shot them a defiant glare and silently dared them to do anything about it.

Once they got to Jack's house Penelope sat on his bed waiting for him to get out the shower. He finally came back into the room although he was wearing just a towel that hung dangerously low on his hips. Penelope couldn't help but choke on air as she took in the sight before her. Jack was half naked his perfectly toned pecks and abs glistening from still being wet and his hair wet, messy and tossed about. She realized she'd been staring and quickly looked away, her entire face turning crimson.

Penelope heard Jack chuckle and she looked at him sideways to see he had put on some shorts, but still no shirt. She gave him a 'are you freaking crazy' look and he just smiled.