Chapter Five #3
“Yes,” Nancy said. “We need to make sure it’s not in danger of toppling over at the first hard hit.”
Razor took her position beside the tee, shifted her weight back, and hit the ball square with the bat. Ashton watched the ball sail to the top of the cage and roll up into the netting. The cage wobbled a little but held its structure soundly.
“Wow,” Ashton whispered in awe of Razor’s power and effortless movements.
From her weight shifts to her twists, there was no wasted energy.
Razor was efficient in her swing from beginning to end.
She continued to hit a few more balls, making minor adjustments when she wanted to aim.
Her breathing sounded labored after about twenty balls, and Ashton made a cutting motion across her throat to signal Stop.
“I think we can safely say the cage is sturdy. We don’t need Razor wearing herself out before practice.”
Razor stopped and leaned on the knob of the bat. Ashton turned back and noticed a glazed-over look in Nancy’s eyes. She waved her hand in front of her friend’s face, effectively breaking her out of wherever she had drifted.
“Sorry,” Nancy said. “She’s just so hypnotic to watch. I’m not one to find mechanics sexy, but that swing sure as hell is.”
The word sexy referring to Razor had Ashton thinking about something other than her swing, but she couldn’t fall down that hole again. Nancy already suspected her feelings for Razor. The last thing she needed was Razor to suspect as well.
“As fun as this has been,” she said, “we need to finish setting up the rest of the equipment.”
Nancy groaned. “I know. Let me go grab the mitts, and then I’ll help with the rest.”
Nancy ran up the tunnel, and Ashton turned back and noticed Razor was bent over. “You better get your second wind soon,” she said teasingly. “Nancy may like your swing, but it’s your prowess as a catcher she wants.”
She laid a hand on Razor’s shoulder, and Razor recoiled, fear and panic in her eyes. Her breathing was ragged, and she stumbled backward, dropping the bat to the turf.
“Razor, what’s wrong?”
“I don’t know,” Razor stuttered, pulling on her shirt collar as a makeshift fan. “I feel lightheaded, and I…I can’t catch my breath.”
Oh no. Razor stumbled again, and Ashton wrapped her arm around Razor’s waist and guided her over to the nearby bench.
“Put your head between your legs,” Ashton commanded, relieved when Razor listened, and rubbed soothing circles across her back.
“What’s…happening?” Razor gasped.
“I think you’re having a panic attack.”
“I…don’t get…panic attacks.”
“Apparently, you do now,” Ashton said, never ceasing her soothing movements.
Ashton watched and listened for any signs that the anxiety was receding, but if anything, the breaths became faster.
“Razor, is it okay if I hold you for a minute, help you regulate your breathing?” At the nod of Razor’s head, Ashton embraced Razor and set her head on Razor’s shoulder, as she whispered words of comfort.
This extra measure appeared to help, as Ashton felt, more than heard, Razor’s breathing return to normal.
She moved to pull away, but Razor grabbed her hand.
“A couple more minutes. Please.”
Ashton complied, and she waited until Razor’s breath steadied. She eased away but let her hand continue to rest on Razor’s back. She looked into Razor’s eyes, no longer laced with fear, and gave a small smile.
“Better?”
Razor nodded and seemed about to say something when Nancy strolled in.
“What’s going on here?”
Ashton removed her hand and scooted away from Razor, knowing it made her look guilty. “Razor had a panic attack. I was helping her work through it.”
“Uh-huh,” Nancy said, skepticism in her tone.
“It’s true,” Razor said. “I suddenly felt dizzy, sweaty, and couldn’t breathe. Ashton calmed me.” The kindness in those brown eyes directed at Ashton was the best thank you she ever got.
“Any idea what caused it?” Nancy asked.
“No,” Razor replied. “Maybe being in the cage, setting up for practice, going to class. I think it all just caught up with me that I’m doing this again.” Razor’s reasoning sounded plausible, but Ashton felt she was holding something back.
“Are you okay to practice today?” Nancy asked matter-of-factly.
“Absolutely!” Razor exclaimed. “But if it’s okay, can I bow out of helping with the rest of the setup?”
Nancy nodded in agreement. “Good idea. I need you at your best today, so take the time you need. Ashton and I can finish up here.”
Ashton watched closely as Razor walked up the ramp, stumbling slightly, then disappeared.
“Glad she’s okay,” Nancy said.
“Do you truly believe she is?”
Nancy shrugged. “Until she shows me otherwise.”
Nancy grabbed the pieces of the aluminum frame and began fitting the slots together.
Ashton sighed and turned her attention to positioning the bases around the field, relieved Nancy didn’t bring up the hug she’d given Razor in comfort.
She hoped Razor was telling the truth and really was okay, but she wouldn’t push, for now.
Maybe that pact they’d made earlier would come in handy sooner rather than later.