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@taeganzaiser: Long work days call for tired selfies😴 1,136 likes- 126 comments Comments: @mommazaiser: look at my pretty little girl💜 @megandrews: zammmmm🔥 @dasdyl: look at you looking all grown up👀 Opening the door to my apartment I sigh throwing my bag down on the couch before heading to my bedroom. I try and stay quite not wanting Megan, my roommate and best friend to hear me. Today had been a long day at work, you know people say real estate is easy but I promise you it's not, especially in Atlanta. Having multiple clients, multiple properties, marketing meetings, ect... it's honestly endless. All I need to day is a way to relieve my stress.
I change quickly into a nike sports bra and some running shorts before grabbing my keys and heading out to my car. I stay silent on my drive, the only sound in the car coming from the country music on the radio. Being 10:30 at night fewer people were on the road. Pulling into the parking lot I smile as I see Jimmy about to lock the place up.
"Hey I was just locking up." He smiles.
"I know, I would've just used my key." I laugh holding up the key I had made a few years ago.
Jimmy nods and smiles. "I know, make sure you lock it on you way out." He says heading for his car. "Oh and keep your head down." He winks before climbing in and driving off.
Pushing the door open I smiles as I hit the switch and the lights come on illuminating the cages. This was my happy place. Nothing but me, my bat, and some balls. You see I played softball my childhood, I went on to play at The University of Georgia but when I graduated it was over.
Walking over to the stereo I plug my phone in and Thomas Rhett's voice fills the air. Picking up my bat I stretch a bit before plugging in the machine and getting set in the box. As the first pitch comes I load and twist my hips letting my bat head follow and connect with the ball sending it flying towards the tarp hanging at the back of the cage. Pitch after pitch I swung and hit, never stopping to think. I was so zoned in on what I was doing I never heard the door open.
"Keep your shoulder in." Someone says as I hit a crappy ball. My head snaps around in shock at the voice. When I turned I stepped in way of the pitch and next thing I know I'm on the ground with my back stinging. "Oh god are you ok?" The guy asks as he rushes into the cage and pulls the plug on the machine before it can releases another pitch.
I had yet to see him, until he leaned down next to me placing a hand on my bag. My breath hitches as I see who it is. "Yea I'm fine you just scared me." I say trying to stand back up. He immediately grabs my hand and helps pull me to my feet.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to." He apologizes. "I'm Dansby by the way, Swanson." He smiles holding out his hand.
I laugh lightly tucking a piece of hair behind my ear before shaking it. "Trust me I know. I'm a big Braves fan. I'm Taegan though. Taegan Zaiser."
"Well it's nice to meet you Taegan." He grins as he bends down and picks up my bat. "So tell me, what exactly are you doing here?" He asks taking a cut with my bat.
"Relieving stress." I shrug holding my hand out for the bat which he hands over. "What about you, I've never seen you here before and I'm here almost every night." I laugh lightly.
"Same reason stress, I normally come early in the mornings around 5:30." He says walking back towards the soft toss net.
"What made you come here tonight?" I ask as he pulls some buckets up behind the net and takes a seat.
"I don't know." He shrugs. "I was laying in bed and I just couldn't sleep so I decided to wear myself out a bit. Want me to throw?" He ask holding up a ball. I nod and get ready in my stance.
"So, how'd you get in? I thought I was the only one besides Jimmy with a key." Dansby asks as he throws a pitch.
"Please." I breath after swinging. "Jimmy's been my hitting coach since I was 6. The day I turned 16 he made me a key to this place so I could come up here anytime I want."
"Wait so you play softball?" Dansby ask a little shocked.
I shake my head. "Uh uh my turn to ask a question." I smirk leaning on my bat.
"Alright my bad, ask way." He laughs throwing his hands up in defense.
"How do YOU have a key?" I emphasize.
"Fair enough." He smiles throwing another pitch which I hit. "Jimmy and my dad are good buddies. A couple weeks ago he was at my parents for dinner and I mentioned how much I hated driving 30 minutes to the teams cages whenever I just wanted to clear my head, so he offered me a key since this is only 5 minutes from my place."
I nod satisfied with that answer. We remain quite for a bit as he throws me a few more pitches. "So back to my question early, you play?" He ask again.
I shake my head as I load and hit another pitch. "No I use to, I played for UGA in college but I graduated last year." I tell him.
"Didn't wanna go pro?" He smirks tossing in another one.
I roll my eyes as I take it deep. "Please there is no money in professional softball, besides I kinda love what I do." It's true, I may be stressed 24/7 but I really do love it.
"Oh and what's that?" He questions.
"Real estate." I answer before dropping my bat and taking off my batting gloves.
"Your turn Mr. Big League." I grin tossing my gloves to the side.
"Gladly." He says retrieving his bat from against the wall.
"Want me to pitch or machine?" I ask holding up a ball.
"Can you pitch?" He smirks as if testing me.
"Can you pitch?" I mock in a deep voice. "I don't know, can you hit?" I tease preparing to throw a pitch into.
"Taegan Zaiser I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." He smiles getting set up in the box.
I laugh shaking my head. "I believe you're right."
