Chapter 45
Alfie pulled on his jersey and didn’t let his gaze roam over toward Rhys’s stall. He’d barely spoken to Alfie since they’d gotten dinner the night before. Rhys seemed distracted when he put his phone away, and when they’d gone back to their room, Rhys had gone straight to his bed.
He hadn’t slept. Alfie was sure of that. It was like he could hear Rhys’s brain working as he’d been laying still in his own bed. He hadn’t asked Alfie to join him. Not even to hold onto him like he had earlier.
Had Alfie messed up somehow?
Rhys had already been up and out of the room when Alfie woke up this morning. He’d been sitting at breakfast with Caleb, Brock, and Nik. Talking and laughing, like normal. Why had it made Alfie feel like a heavy weight settled in his stomach?
He wasn’t sure there had ever been so much distance between them. Even when they were on different continents. He wasn’t sure how he could close it. Especially if Rhys wouldn’t talk to him.
He’d been off working with Isaac for most of practice, so Alfie hadn’t had a chance to talk to him. He hadn’t come into the lounge until it was time to get dressed for the game. Alfie didn’t know where he’d been during that time. Not in the video room or the training room.
He had not been able to find him anywhere, and it had driven his own worry higher.
Then he’d been there in the locker room, dressing for the game. Quieter than Alfie could remember seeing him. His face drawn into tight lines, and his lips pressed together. His usual grin and laughter were nowhere in sight.
Rhys was on the lineup card, and Alfie would have thought that would have had Rhys in a better mood. There seemed to be something tugging him down. Alfie wished he knew what it was.
Right now it was time to go out to the field. Rhys would be all about the game until it was over. Figuring out what was going on would have to wait a little while longer.
He headed out through the tunnel and stopped in the dugout for a moment.
He needed to go out and stretch before the game started.
Rhys was already out there. He was third in the lineup, with Alfie two spots behind him.
He probably wouldn’t be up in this first inning. Not unless everyone else got on base.
Well, not everyone. As long as not more than half of them got out. Then, he could step up to the plate in the first inning. He didn’t know how likely that was.
He took another look at Rhys as they lined up for the National Anthem. There was a slight smile on his face, but his shoulders were stiff. That smile felt more like a mask. Why did Rhys never think he could take it off, even only around Alfie?
They headed into the dugout where Ryder grabbed his helmet and bat before heading to the plate. Nik stood in the on-deck circle. Rhys tried to push those thoughts out of his head. He couldn’t dwell on them when they had a game to play.
Rhys was talking with Brock and Caleb as both Rhys and Brock waited for their turns at the plate. Caleb leaned forward, his hand brushing against Brock’s thigh as they talked.
Alfie felt a twist in his stomach as he watched. Just to be able to touch each other so easily. Getting there might not have been easy for them, but they had each other now.
All Alfie could think about was the way he would mess this up. He had each time when he’d developed feelings for a friend. It was better to leave it where it was.
Except it was too late, wasn’t it?
Ryder struck out, and Nik hit a single, meaning it was likely Alfie would get his chance this inning. He picked up his helmet and bat and headed toward the steps out of the dugout.
Rhys sent the ball toward the wall in right field, and ended up on first, while Nik slid into third base. Brock headed out to home plate and Alfie stepped into the on-deck circle. Rhys should have a chance to swing the bat before they took the field.
Brock sent the ball sailing out into the outfield.
The center fielder, Brad Tanley, barely even moved to get under it.
Too close for Nik to take a chance on making it home.
That was two outs as Alfie stepped into the batter’s box.
He could bring at least one of them home.
It would be an excellent way to start the game.
And take a little pressure off of Isaac as he came out to the mound.
The first pitch went well wide of the zone, and Alfie kept the bat up on his shoulder. The second was closer. He managed to catch it on the tip of the bat and sent it sharply foul.
He took a moment as the catcher tossed a fresh ball to the pitcher and resumed his stance.
The next pitch had him jumping out of the box.
He shot a hard look at the pitcher, but he brought his glove up in front of his face as if saying words into it.
He shook his arms out before going into the beginning of his windup.
This time Alfie could tell it was going to be in the zone. Not down the middle. A little high, but he should be able to make contact. Hopefully it would touch the grass in the outfield so Nik could get home.
Sure enough it bounced in front of Tanley. You’d think a veteran player like him would dive for that, but Alfie wouldn’t complain. The other player grabbed it and threw it hard toward third even as Alfie ran through first base.
“Carajo, Rhys,” Alfie muttered, watching as he dove toward third base, but the ball was already in the third baseman’s glove. Alfie could see Rhys twist his body away from the glove as he tried to get his hand to the base.
Not enough though as the umpire called, “Out!”
Alfie let out a long breath then jogged toward the dugout. At least they’d been able to score one run. Now it was time for them to take the field and keep the Infernoes from doing the same to them.