Dare You To (Pushing the Limits, #2)(129)

Logan pulls the catcher’s mask to the top of his head and walks      toward the mound.

“We’ll find her,” Chris says as he approaches me from the      right. “Lacy’s already looking for her and after the game me, you, and Logan      will do whatever we have to do to get her to listen.”

Beth skipped class. I should have gone after her then, but      Coach would have kept me from playing. “I can’t focus.”

“Yeah, you can,” says Chris. “You have ice water in your veins      when you pitch. Go to that place and you’ll be fine.”

How do I explain that I never had ice water in my veins when I      pitch? That there is a constant burning pressure that threatens to destroy my      pitch even when I’m not distracted.

“Your pitch,” Logan starts when he reaches the mound, “is      everywhere. Rein it in and you’ll get to her faster.”

He’s right. I will. Chris swears under his breath and I follow      his troubled gaze to the first baseline fence. Lacy stands on the opposite side      with Beth’s pack dangling from her shoulder.

Logan gets in my face. “One pitch. One more pitch.”

“We’ve got another inning,” Chris protests.

Logan throws him a glare. “One pitch.”

They return to their spots and the batter digs his cleats into      the dirt. This one’s for Beth. Logan flashes two peace signs in a row. I nod,      glance over my left shoulder, and spot a shadow of movement. Crossing my right      arm over my left, I throw the ball to the first baseman, and hear the sweet word      come out of the ump’s mouth: “Out!”

The crowd cheers and I run off the field, into the dugout, and      out to the other side. Lacy’s eyes are wide with panic and she extends Beth’s      backpack to me. “I don’t know what it means.”

I tear the pack open as Lacy continues to talk. “I drove by her      house, but no one was there. Then I drove around town and came up with nothing.      So I went home, hoping that maybe she dropped by or called the landline, and I      found this.”

The pressure that always threatens me explodes and I toss the      pack to the ground. My hand clutches the bottle of rainwater with the ribbons      tied to it. I suck in a breath before unfolding the note tucked into the      ribbons: I thought I could, but I can’t.

Dammit. Her mom. She’s gone after her mom and Beth has had      enough time to find a way into Louisville by now. I race back into the dugout      and grab my bat bag.

“Ryan?” Coach calls from the other end of the dugout.

“I’m sorry. I’ve got an emergency. Put Will in for me.”

I slip the bottle of water into my bag and toss it over my      shoulder. Chris wraps a solid hand around my arm. “Where are you going? We have      one more inning and the game is tied. Will can’t hold these batters like you      can.”

“Beth’s running away. If I don’t stop her, I’ll lose her.”

Chris tightens his grip. “You promised me you’d never walk from      another game.”

The ice water Chris prayed for finally enters my veins. “Let me      go before I physically remove your hand from my arm.”

“You’re choosing her over us?”

Logan angles himself between me and Chris. “Let him go, Chris.      He’d never dog you if you chose Lacy over a game.”

“That’s different,” yells Chris. “I love Lacy.”

“Take a look at him.” Logan gestures to me. “He’s in love with      Beth. You and Lacy don’t own the emotion.”

Chris eyes me and I see the war inside him. He yanks the hat      off his head and turns from me. I’m letting him down, but I let Beth down first.      Logan nods at me and I give him a quick nod of thanks back.

The crowd buzzes with conversation as I exit the dugout. I keep      my head down and ignore how people stare and even the occasional shout. The      perfect Stone is doing a very imperfect thing and I don’t give a damn what      anyone thinks about it. I hear loud thumping footfalls striking the metal      bleachers. If I’m lucky, I can hightail it to my Jeep before Dad reaches the      parking lot.

Like the rest of today, I’m not lucky. “Ryan!”

I don’t have time for this. I open the Jeep’s door and toss my      bag in the back. Dad grabs hold of the door. “What are you doing? You have      another inning to play and the game is tied.”