Here for You (21 page)

Larry also visibly relaxes and we walk back to the group. After a few more minutes of conversation the three of us head to our seats. I want to be there before the anthem, so I can be up close by Cam. As we sit down in our seats, my nerves are back in full force, and Stan pats my knee.

“Game hasn’t even started yet, Ashley. No need to get nervous.”

I try to smile but I’m sure it comes off as a grimace. God, I want this game to be over with a win in Cam’s stats. I don’t know how I’m going to make it through the postseason, but I have to give it my best. Quinn is a little nervous but handling it much better than me. I think I will be fine at any game Cam is not pitching. But there’s so much pressure on him in the games he pitches that if he does badly, there’s no hiding behind anyone or anything.

When the national anthem is over, I lean over to Quinn. “Seriously, I think they need to be called the San Fran
Pretty Boys
. I have never seen such a good-looking team.”

“Tell me about it. And those asses. My gawd, they are beautiful.”

I roll my eyes as I hit her arm. “Quinn!” I look over at Stan, who, of course, heard her. He simply laughs. I’m sure my face is the same color as my cherry-red vest. “What? Are you going to try and deny it? Look at those men. Ahhh. Pure heaven.”

I give up trying to control her and laugh with Stan. At least it releases some of my nerves. As the team turns to head to the dugout, Cam is looking my direction, and I’m sure he wants to know why the three of us are laughing. He knows how stressful the game is for me so I’m sure it surprises him. I shake my head and I see him cock his to the side. No one else would notice it but I see the corner of his mouth lift just slightly.

As he is currently not in the spotlight, I blow a kiss his direction, and as usual he holds his glove over his heart in response. My heart rate nearly triples, and the butterflies that take over my stomach make me practically float. To say I’ve already fallen for the guy would be an understatement. His warning was strong and certain, but my heart doesn’t know it was supposed to listen to him.

As much as I want this win for him, I want his demons to go away even more. I want this man to be able to be mine. I’m still here for him no matter what, of course. That’s a promise I will keep … but I want so much more.

I watch him out on the field, and I can’t even explain how beautiful he is. His six-foot-three frame is solid muscle, but his movements are fluid and oddly graceful to watch. Besides his complete confidence, which would draw anyone to him, he is physical perfection and his uniform leaves little to the imagination. And something about Cam in a baseball hat is hot. He was wearing one the first night he came over to introduce himself, and it’s part of him. When he puts it on backwards, I practically melt.

I can’t take my eyes off him as the first batter steps into the box. I grab both Stan’s hand and Quinn’s. I won’t make them do it all game, but I just need to get the first couple batters out of my system before I can relax at all.

The first pitch he releases flies right down the pipe, and I hear it hit Johnny’s glove. The batter doesn’t move a muscle, and when I see the ump’s finger slide out to the side, I take my first deep breath. One strike down, only a million more to go. The batter takes a step out of the box briefly and then immediately plants his feet back in it. He swings the bat low back and forth a couple of times before he brings it into position at his shoulder.

The next pitch leaves Cam’s hand and I watch as the batter swings. The ball is fouled off, hitting the net behind home plate. Two strikes down. A million minus two to go. Seriously, I will probably think this way the rest of the game. The third pitch drops low and outside. The ump calls a ball. I close my eyes and take a deep breath in. He can do this. When the batter swings at the next pitch and it pops up, I watch as Perry drops back from his position at third with his glove up. With ease, he catches the ball and throws it to Johnson at second. Johnson throws to Pauly, who tosses it to Mitchell. From there, the ball goes back to Cam.

One out. Which means only twenty-six more until we’re done here. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but I know it is. The next two batters are out and no one even touches a base in the first inning. My eyes are glued to Cam as he runs off the field. His head nods my direction in a barely perceptible motion. I recognize it only because I know him so well at this point. He’s thinking the same thing as me. One inning down, only eight more to go and we can be done with this game.

The guys need a win tonight to get the momentum moving in the right direction. Cam is the one to get them the win, and I have no doubt he won’t deliver exactly that.

After five innings have gone by, we’re ahead two runs to none. The evening has cooled down, and I’m now wearing my vest and matching red gloves. My legs are bouncing up and down, but not from the cold; I just want another inning behind us so we’re closer to a win. When Cam throws the first pitch of the sixth inning, it hits the dirt. Johnny stops it effortlessly, but I watch Cam shake his shoulder. I turn to Stan.

“Is he hurting or did he just have a bad pitch?”

“I don’t think his arm is botherin’ him. I think the ball just slipped a little on his release.” Stan looks at me, and I nod at him.

I hook my arm through his. I have given both Quinn and Stan the evening off since the first inning. I have actually been pretty calm, but I can’t stand even one mistake. It makes me nervous. Cam walks the first batter, and now I’m leaning into Stan as if that will protect me from anything negative on the field.

Stan senses my increased tension and pats my hand that is hooked through his arm. “It’s just one batter, Ashley. He’ll be fine. His arm is still strong. Don’t worry.”

I nod again at Stan and continue to watch Cam. I feel like he’s not standing as tall, and I need him to throw with the same fierceness he has all night. The next batter pops out but the runner on first advances to second. Cam struggles with the next batter, throwing two balls out of the gate. I hear someone behind me yell.

“Can’t your boyfriend do better than that?”

What the hell?
I refuse to turn around and engage the drunken fan nearby. Now I have two things to worry about. Apparently, either the entire ballpark knows I’m dating JC Williams or this is a fan that was in the section when they took me down below last time Cam was pitching. Stan’s hand tightens on mine, and I keep my eyes on the field.

The batter fouls the next pitch, and I let out the breath I was holding. I steal a glance in Quinn’s direction, and I know by the look on her face she heard the drunk guy too. I turn back to the field and watch as Cam prepares to throw the next pitch. The batter swings but makes no contact. I blow out another breath.

When the next pitch is a ball, I feel my shoulders slump. I hear the same fan yell again. “Come on! He sucks! He needs to be pulled.”

Someone else from a different section yells for the guy to shut up, and I go back to focusing on Cam. The batter hits a grounder and Johnson scoops it up, easily throwing the batter out at first. Two down. I want this inning over so badly.

Finally they escape the inning with no runs scored, but now I’m on edge with the rowdy fan behind us. I haven’t turned around yet. I know the team is close by, but it still bothers me.

The guys score another run in the sixth, and we go into the seventh up three runs to none. This makes me feel a little better, but I have a feeling this is going to be a tough inning. The first batter is easily out at first. Cam battles with the second batter and when he hits a triple, I feel nauseous. I can hear the jackass behind me yelling, and I watch Johnny head out to the mound. They’re deep in conversation, and I glance at Quinn. I see the worry on her face and I’m not sure if it’s for Johnny and Cam or the idiot a few rows back.

“Come on,
Mrs.
Williams
. Are you afraid to turn around?” At least the guy doesn’t know my real name, which is a relief.

I don’t need to give this guy the satisfaction, but it’s taking all of my self-control to keep facing forward. Quinn leans into me, and she and Stan are both a solid rock for me to lean on. When the guy starts up again, someone else yells at him to shut up. At least the rest of the fans are on Cam’s side. That makes me feel a little bit safer in my seat. I know it’s just one drunk idiot, and I can’t let him break me.

When the next batter steps up, I stop breathing. I close my eyes and beg for him to strike the guy out. First pitch is a strike; the batter just watched it. Relief. When he swings at the second pitch and it flies out to left field I stop breathing
again
. I know it’s short and Dyson can’t make the catch. The runner is going to score. When the ball bounces in front of Dyson, the runner on third is almost home, so he throws toward second. The batter was ballsy to try and make it and Dyson makes a great throw. Johnson catches it and easily tags the runner out at second, but the inning is over with one run scored.

“What do you have to say now?” I don’t acknowledge the guy but that doesn’t stop him. “I’m talking to you, bitch!”

When the word rolls off his tongue, I stand up and turn his direction. As I do, I see him moving down the aisle with his glass raised. Before anyone can stop him, his hand swings forward and the liquid is flying through the air. Three guys have him tackled to the ground before the beer even hits me. I’m grateful they didn’t hesitate to take him down, but as the cold liquid covers me, I panic. The guy moved so quickly that I fear the team is not off the field yet.

My head whips back toward the field and my fear is confirmed. Cam has stopped in his tracks and he looks like he wants to kill someone. “Shit,” I mumble under my breath. I don’t want this to affect his pitching. I think they still need him for one more inning, but I’m afraid this is going to impact him.

Fonz is at the wall before I can even register what Cam is going to do. “Ashley?
Ashley
! Are you okay?”

I look down at him. “I’m fine. Please tell Cam I’m okay. It was one drunk guy. The entire section tackled him, and security is dragging him out of here. No one else is bothering me. It was just the one guy.”

He nods, but there’s hesitation in his eyes. “I’ll try, but he’s not going to be happy.”

“I know, but please try.”

He heads back down into the dugout and no one comes back for a couple minutes so I think I might be in the clear. Then Fonz pops back up and throws a jersey over the wall. “At least put this on.” He throws a hat next, and I catch it in the air. Two security guards walk down the aisle, and they nod at me. I look at Quinn, who moves to stand up.

“Let’s go to the restroom so you can put the jersey on. That’s what he wants.”

I nod and look over at Stan. “We’ll be right back.”

“I’m sorry, Ashley.”

I squeeze his hand. “Don’t worry about it. Besides, beer is good for my hair. Some people use it as a conditioner.” I smile and Stan offers a small chuckle.

“I hope that guy knows what a great girl you are. Very few would take that in stride.”

I feel my cheeks heat. “Thanks, Stan.”

I get up with Quinn following close behind. The security guards escort us to the bathroom, and I spend a couple minutes trying to dry out my vest with the hand blower. No matter what I do, the smell of stale beer will still be there.

Quinn stands next to me after she washes her hands. “I’m sorry that happened, Ash. Partially because I’m afraid Wills is going to have security detail with you at all times now. I can see him going into crazy protective mode.”

I roll my eyes. “I know. That’s exactly my fear.”

“Maybe we should sit somewhere different next time, like your suite.”

“Maybe.” I pull the vest away from the blower. It’s a hopeless cause. “But I like being close to them.”

“Me too. But your safety is first, Ash.”

“Yeah. Let’s go finish this game and worry about it later.”

She hooks her arm through mine, and we walk out together. One of the guards is holding a team jacket now. He holds it out to me. “He insisted you wear this.”

Rather than argue with the guy, I put my hand out to accept it. I toss my vest in the closest garbage can because I honestly don’t want to carry it around with me all night. The smell alone is nauseating, and I don’t need to be reminded about what just happened.

I carry the jacket with me rather than putting it on because I’m still warm from everything that just happened. When we walk back down the aisle to our seats, our section and the one next to us all stand and start clapping. I smile shyly as we make our way to our seats. Before I sit back down, I turn to everyone, give a quick wave, and yell, “Thank you!” When I turn to sit, I see Fonz standing on the other side of the wall with his eyes on me. I have a feeling he’s been given babysitting duty, and I shrug my shoulder while giving him a small smile.

He nods back, and I see the concern in his eyes. The inning ends a couple minutes later, and our guys start to make their way back out to the field. Cam looks my direction as he heads out. He still looks like he might kill someone and it's the other team I feel bad for right now. Either the guys up to bat are going to be the receiver of Cam’s anger, or Johnny is going to be blocking wild pitches. Certainly, I’m hoping it’s the batters that can’t keep up.

When the inning ends with no more runs scored, I’m pretty sure Cam is going to be out for the last inning. Stan doesn’t think they need him to finish the game and they’ll want him to start the next series, so they will save what they can of his arm. The guys score one more run in the eighth, and we’re pretty sure that guarantees Cam will not be back on the mound.

When Gonzalez runs out to finish up the last inning, I let out a breath of relief. Cam is done for the evening, and most likely we’ll walk away with the first win of the series. Fonz is still in the same spot, confirming my suspicion that he’s been given strict orders from Cam.

When the game ends, I briefly see Cam when he comes out of the dugout to shake hands but he disappears quickly. His shoulder had ice on it when he was out there, and I’m hoping his throwing arm feels okay.