Chapter 59 We Are All Champions
-Annie-
Shortly after, he returns his focus on warm-ups.
Meg elbows me. “Can we get snacks now that you’ve seen Lover Boy?
” I laugh, agreeing we should get our snacks before the game starts, and I ask the parents if they want anything.
With all the orders straight, Meg and I head to the concession stand.
“So, is tonight a go?” Meg says next to me in line.
I can feel the blush. “I think so—Craig said he’d figure out how to escape to the stairs to exchange keys.
” “I love that my sweet little BFF has, for the second time, planned out a whole ‘get sex’ plan.” Meg smiles next to me.
“I don’t care if the fire alarm goes off, you don’t let anything get in your way this time, ok?
” she says. “Ok, ok, no interruptions. You make sure that my parents don’t realize Craig and I have switched rooms.”
She laughs and replies, “You know I will. I mean, I already brought you condoms, I’m committed to this plan.
” I know I blush at the word condoms surrounded by a crowd of people.
“Ok, can you be quiet before you give the whole thing away?” I give her a little elbow to the ribs.
“Ouch, ok fine, my lips are sealed from here on out. Let’s get the food and go watch the Rams kick some butt.
” Meg gives me a side hug, and we get the snacks, returning to the stands as they start the national anthem.
Moments later, the umpire says, “Let’s play ball,” and the players take their positions on the field.
***
Drew is amazing out on that field; if he doesn’t get drafted, the scouts are stupid.
He’s making it look so effortless when the Rams are on the field.
Earlier in the game, he completed the double play to get the last two outs of the inning.
Then, to complete the last inning, he’d made an amazing diving catch and throw to get the batter out at first. The game is all tied up at 3-3, and it’s the bottom of the seventh.
The Rams need one run to win State. Drew has been getting on base and even scored one of the points reflected on the scoreboard.
I’m nervous, because the Eagles pitcher had a perfect inning in the sixth.
Drew hadn’t been an at-bat against him, but he’s the second one up this inning.
Matthew is the first batter, and he gets nothing: each time he swings his bat it's met with empty air. Mrs. Davis grabs my arm. “He’s got this,” I say out loud, and she nods her head in agreement.
He’s so focused in the box sets his feet and his bat in position, and the pitch flies from the Eagles player.
Drew jumps back, the ball just missing his front leg. “Ball” is announced.
He steps back and adjusts his helmet, then resumes his position in the box.
The pitch comes, and in the silence of the crowd, I hear the crack of the impact on his bat.
It’s like slow motion as I see the next actions take place.
The ball is flying in the air, Drew is taking off towards first base, and the ball continues over the heads of the outfielder and the fence.
Drew slows to a jog as he runs his bases with a huge smile on his face.
“HOME RUN, HOME RUN FOR DAVIS NUMBER SEVENTEEN, THE RAMS ARE STATE CHAMPIONS” is yelled over the speakers in the ballpark, and the crowd on our side of the field erupts into pure chaos.
I’ve somehow jumped out of my seat with the crowd, but I’m not sharing the moment with those around me—my eyes are glued to Drew rounding third and meeting his teammates at home base.
He is tackled almost immediately by a dog pile.
When he resurfaces, he is missing his helmet, but that smile is still on his face.
He looks into the crowd, and I’m sure we can’t make eye contact from this distance, but it feels like we do, and he puts up his hands in a heart shape before he’s wrapped into another celebration with his teammates.
***
They do the trophies and metal presentation.
All the guys look so excited and happy. I can see Craig, Luke, and Drew joking around on the metal stand.
They all look beyond excited. “Ready to head back to the hotel?” Dad asks us after the ceremony is over.
“Well, if it’s ok with you, we can take the girls back with us.
I bet Drew would love to see Annie,” Mrs. Davis offers to my parents.
My parents share a look, then Mom says, “Oh, that would be great, thank you, Jen.” She turns to me and says, “Text us when you are back at the hotel.” My parents leave, and we make our way to the field.
Other families are huddled up with their players, giving hugs and smiles in celebration.
When I see Drew, I don’t wait for the others; I take off across the field.
He turns to see me, and a dimple appears on his left cheek.
I launch myself into his arms and throw myself around him, and he wraps his arms around me.
“You are amazing, congratu—” I get cut off by his lips on mine.
We break the kiss, and he is smiling again.
His smile is so infectious I can feel my face beaming in return.
I drop my feet back down to the dirt and step out of his arms as his family arrives.
His mom takes the space I left, and his dad joins them.
I grab my phone and take a picture. Then I think I become my mother, because I take a ton of pictures of Drew with his parents, and with Craig and Luke, before I hand it over to get some of us with our friends.
***
Eventually, the guys have to return to their locker room.
“I’ll see you later,” I say to Drew. “Yeah, I’ll video call when we get back to the hotel.
” Craig gives me a wink over Drew’s shoulder.
I guess Craig has kept my secret. I owe my friend.
Meg and I follow Mr. and Mrs. Davis to their car in the mostly empty lot.
Meg is on her phone, and then I get a ping on my phone.
I look at it, expecting it to be my parents, but it’s a message from Meg.
Maybe she wants to tell me something but can’t because the Davises would hear, so I swipe it open, and a gasp escapes my lips.
Because I’m not greeted with a smart-ass comment about phase two of my seduction plan.
I’m met with a picture. Meg may have been influenced by my mom, too, because she’d captured the moment right after we broke the kiss.
Drew and I are in profile, smiling at each other: his dimple is just visible, my arms wrapped around his neck and my legs around his waist, with his hands around my waist, holding me.
I save the photo and then make it my lock screen.
It’s now my favorite picture of the two of us.
“Thank you,” I tell her in the backseat as we head back to the hotel.
“It was too good a moment not to capture. I think your mom’s gotten into my head,” Meg replies, then starts laughing.
I laugh along with her, so beyond happy, and I didn’t even do anything but love the boy who hit the home run.
***
“Are you ready?” Meg says from the edge of the bathroom.
I look at myself in the mirror. Am I ready?
Yes on all accounts. I’m still in my jersey, but I’ve changed into the little red corset underneath.
I have a few condoms in my back pocket. I’m leaving my phone with Meg in case my parents text, so she can answer them.
“Ok, because Craig is in the stairwell—he just texted me,” Meg tells me.
“I’ll text Drew tomorrow if your parents are getting suspicious.
” She gives me a little hug before continuing, “Have a lot of fun, but remember this is a hotel, so maybe moan into a pillow or something?” I laugh so hard. “Ok, noted.”
***
Craig is in the stairwell when I arrive.
He hands over the key card and reminds me to get to room 326 without being seen.
“Thanks, Craig.” He shakes his head of half-red curls.
“Let’s pretend for the next thirty years that I didn’t help you have sex after State, and we will call it even.
” “Deal,” I tell him, and he heads downstairs in the direction of the room with Meg.
I open the door to the third floor. I peek my head out and don’t see anyone.
I know from looking at the hotel map that I need to go down this little hall and make a left turn, and the room should be right there.
I don’t run, but I walk at a fast clip, do a little peek around the corner, then slide up to the door labeled 326 and tap the card against the reader.
It seems like it is never going to flash green.
I hear the click of the lock, and I turn the handle and swing the door, rushing inside.
I have my back resting against the door, breathing heavily.
Who knew that sneaking around a hotel would make you out of breath?
“Man, that was the longest ice run in history.” Drew’s voice comes from the part of the room with the beds.
“Fair warning, I couldn’t get a hold of Annie while you were gone, so she could call back at any minute, and before you say it again, no, we aren’t playing a game of I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.
” I have to cover my mouth so I don't laugh while Drew thinks he is talking to Craig.
I make my way to the wall blocking the door and say, “And here I was thinking we could play that one.”
***