Bender (The Core Four #1)(73)

“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.

“Let’s see how you can hit when I’m pitching.”

“I’m pretty sure I can hit it out of the park if you’re throwing.”

Delight danced across his features. “You think so?”

“Oh I know so. Throw the ball Brooks, I’ve got this,” I taunted. Putting the bat up by my shoulders, I place my elbows out and my feet wide.

He tossed the first ball, and it went a little faster than I’d been expecting. Then again he threw it overhand, which was a switch up from earlier. It went past my bat, and I swung at the air.

Quirking an eye brow he bemused, “You sure about that pretty girl?”

“Shut up and give me another one,” I ground out, steadying myself.

He got back into a pitcher’s pose and held the ball near his face. When he threw it, the ball went too far to the left, and I couldn’t have hit it if I’d tried.

“You talked a big game earlier, and now look who can’t hit the ball?” He was trying to piss me off, and for some reason I took the bait.

“It would help if you threw it over the plate.”

“You could have it hit that and you know it.” I nearly growled. Biting my tongue I got back in position but pointed my bat out to the field. He caught my meaning and chuckled. “Okay Babe Ruth, let’s see if I can strike you out, or if you can knock it out of the park.”

Rolling his shoulders he looked at me, his intense stare building my confidence with a drive to beat him. When he threw the pitch, I kept my eye on the ball, ignoring everything else around me. Bringing the bat down and extending my arms, the wood connected sending a stinging vibration through my hands as I followed through on my swing. The ball went sailing high up in the air and traveled to the far end of right field. A smile spread across my face, and I dropped the bat. Taking off running, I went to first base, my foot touching the corner of the padding, then second, then rounding to third. Camden was laughing at me as I slowed and skipped my way back to home, enjoying my happiness. Hopping on the dirt covered diamond I lifted my arms up in the air and let out a loud ‘woo’! Have you ever seen a football player do a celebration dance when he scores a touchdown? I thought the moment called for it. I did a little shimmy and shake humming along to the beat of my own drum. I could hear my brooding man’s laughter getting louder. He was coming toward me. Instead of letting him reach me, I wanted the chase, I needed the chase. Picking up my feet, I took off running, making my way toward the outfield.