Dedicated to TheRedDelilah for the amazing new cover, banner on the side, and a little helpful inspiration:) It worked girl!

Warning: I'm not a baseball expert so I apologize if I got anything wrong. Can you blame me, everytime I watch a game I get distracted by the uniforms...H-O-T-T hot! Lol!

******************************************************************

The game was intense. I was smack dab in the middle of Keri and Leah, the latter of who was cuddled up to her boyfriend Bryce. They were official now and totally adorable. I couldn’t wait to make things official with Caleb, and as corny as it may seem I was excited for all the triple dates we could go on. I was proudly sporting Lance’s jersey while Keri now wore Leroy’s, but hoped one day soon I would be wearing Caleb’s.

The crowd erupted bringing my attention back to the game. Number 23 had just been struck out by Blayne who had been playing one of his best games so far. I had texted him Caleb’s advice this morning, making sure not to say who gave it even though I’m sure he knew. He’d put it into action therefore not allowing number 23 to get off one of his signature home runs.

It was the last inning and our team was down by two. They were switching sides and this would be our last chance to take the game. If I was a nail biter, mine would have been bitten completely off, the tension was that thick. Lance was up to bat and he struck out on the first pitch. He took a step back and rolled his shoulders, then approached the plate once again. The pitcher threw a fast ball that Lance barely connected with, but it had enough force behind it that it sent the fielders scrambling to pick it up. It was all the time my brother needed to reach first base.

I breathed a sigh of relief, until the next batter was up. Koa appeared to be his usual confident self, but the way he cricked his neck told me he was far from relaxed. Regardless of his nerves, his bat connected with the ball after the first pitch and traveled much the same path as Lance’s did allowing him to make it to first and Lance to advance to second.

Next up to bat was our catcher, Connor, who unfortunately struck out. Our second baseman, Andrew, met the same fate. The crowd was vibrating with anxiety, putting all our hopes in the next couple of batters to bring us a run. Blayne was up, and I took a moment to study him. He swung the bat a few times, then rubbed his shoe in the dirt for a bit. How many times had I watched this familiar routine and shared in his anticipation? How many times had I been anxious to give him a victory kiss if he won or a consolatory kiss if he lost? At this moment I wanted him to get a good hit, but not for the reasons of the past. Just because I wanted the best for him.

With that thought in mind, I crossed my fingers and sent silent words of encouragement his way. At that moment he looked at me as if I were speaking directly into his ear, then smiled before stepping up to the plate. He seemed determined to get a hit, the intensity of his gaze must have shook the pitcher because he threw ball one and two before earning a strike on his third pitch. One strike was all Blayne would allow, and on the next pitch he hit it with such force the ball went flying. Unfortunately not far enough to bring Lance home, but a good enough distance to now have the bases loaded.

With Lance on third, Koa on second, and Blayne on first, the outcome of the game rested on the shoulders of the next batter who just so happened to be Leroy. After a few words with the coach, he was patted on the back and made his way to the plate. The other teams catcher must’ve made a snide comment when he got there because Leroy tensed and ignored him.

“Classic move, he’s probably talking some crap to get into Leroy’s head,” Bryce commented.

“Well he better shut his trap or I’ll beat him with his catcher’s mask so bad he won’t be able to talk at all.” This outburst from Keri had Leah, Bryce, and I staring at her curiously. “What? He’s messing with my man. Nobody does that but me.”

We laughed and I slung my arm over her shoulder for a side hug. I was so happy she and my brother were together, she was good for him. Leroy turned toward us and sent a wink Keri’s way which she quickly reciprocated with a saucy wink of her own. The crowd was silent as the pitcher wound up. His first pitch came a little two close for Leroy’s comfort causing him to flinch back a little. It was obviously a tactic to intimidate my brother. It wouldn’t work and if he kept pitching like that it would end up with Lance walking home from third. The other teams coach must’ve thought the same thing because he made some signals from their dug out that the pitcher obviously didn’t like.

Once again he wound up his pitch causing Leroy to strike. It was now one ball and one strike. The tension mounted with every second that ticked by and no doubt Leroy was feeling the pressure. The next pitch was another strike and everyone in the crowd held their breath, not daring to distract the batter in any way. Before we knew it, the ball was once again in motion. It only took a couple seconds for the ball to reach the bat, but it seemed to be happening in slow motion for me. Then, the glorious sound of bat meeting ball was heard as Leroy connected perfectly sending the ball up and out. It sailed above the heads of the pitcher, second basemen, left and right fielders, leaving a showdown with it and the center fielder. Meanwhile Lance, Koa, Blayne, and Leroy were in motion. Without a doubt it was looking like a home run. The center fielder jumped up on the fence with every intention of catching the ball and ending this game.

The crowd was on their feet, praying he wouldn’t make such a catch. The ball was falling, faster and faster, just when it seemed we would be taking a loss the ball finally made it’s destination. 

It landed on the green grass on the other side of the fence not two feet away from where the center fielder was standing. Cheers erupted then as Leroy finished his home run lap and the entire team was on the field tackling him to the ground.

We had just won the State Championship game with my brother scoring the winning home run hit. Hugs were exchanged, shouts were heard, and on the field the team was ecstatic. This would mean so many great opportunities  for my brothers and friends knowing all the scouts that were present for this game. I watched with pride as our team was awarded with the trophy and Leroy was lifted up onto the shoulders of his teammates.

The crowd dispersed and everyone was making their way to their cars, but I knew there was one more thing I needed to take care of first. “Keri, are you going to meet Leroy at the locker room?”

“No way, I might just jump his bones in front of everyone! That last hit was so hot!” 

“Gross, Keri!”

She laughed, “Sorry babes, but it was. We promised to meet up at the party and I plan on congratulating him then. In the privacy of one of the vacant rooms.”

“Definitely gross,” I teased. “Okay, well there’s something I have to do so I’ll meet you guys at the car and we can head to my house.”

Leah and Keri exchanged a look before facing me. They knew what I was about to do. “You need us to come with you?” Leah asked.

I smiled, thankful yet again to have such great friends, “Thanks, but no. This is something I need to do on my own. Besides, I doubt Leah really wants to leave Bryce’s side.”

Without awaiting their response, I pushed through the crowd and headed to the locker rooms. I spotted Blayne instantly, because he seemed to have been searching for someone as well. His face lit up when he saw me only then causing me to realize it was me he sought out. Before I could say a word, he picked me up with a joyous smile on his face and spun me around.

“We did it, Lylah! We won!” He shouted. His happiness was contagious and I found myself smiling at his excitement. He put me back on the ground but kept his arms around me.

“Congratulations! You played a great game,” I said trying to put some space between us.’

He let me but refused to move his arms. We were standing off to the corner of the locker room entrance and as the last of the players entered it, we were completely alone.

“Thanks to the tip you sent me. It really meant a lot. I love you Lylah,” The truth in his words didn’t make what I was about to say any easier.

Looking up into the hazel eyes that held me captivated for the past two years, my heart ached again for all that was lost with a simple decision. “I love you too Blayne, a part of me always will.”

I didn’t realize it was possible for his smile to brighten, but it did. There was a noise behind me, but Blayne’s next words had me ignoring it and concentrating on him, “I knew you’d forgive me. I’m so hap-”

I put a hand up to stop him, “Blayne wait. Yes, I’ve forgiven you but that doesn’t mean I want to get back together. You didn’t let me finish. I love you but I’m no longer ‘in love’ with you. I love what we had, and what we were to each other, but we don’t have that anymore. I know people make mistakes, and you’ve already admitted to making a big one, but you realized it too late. Someone else has put their stamp on my heart, and helped put it back together when you broke it.”

All happiness was erased with that speech, causing Blayne to take a step back. It didn’t take a psychiatrist to figure out he was angry, “Just like that? You were with me for two years. You’ve spent what, a couple weeks with this guy and you’re already in love with him? Enough to just decide you don’t want to give us another chance?”

“I fell in love with you within a couple of weeks. Why is it so hard to believe?”

“Because you weren’t in love with anyone else when we got together. Even though you were mad at me when things ended, I know you still loved me. You can’t erase feelings that strong so fast.”

Now I was getting angry, “You did. All it took was a blast from your past to do that. Yet you can’t seem to understand that someone new could come in and sweep me off my feet. Filling the holes your confusion left behind.”

“I already told you how sorry I was for that? Can’t you let it go?”

“No Blayne, I can’t. That’s another reason why I can’t get back together with you. It’s something I’ll never be able to forget, and that won’t be fair to either of us. We’ll only end up hating each other and I don’t want to hate you anymore Blayne. I want us to be-”

“Don’t say it Lylah. Don’t even ask that of me. I love you, there’s no way I can be just your friend while you move on with someone else.” He spoke those words with his back to me, as if he couldn’t bear to look my way. I understood his pain, why couldn’t he understand mine?

“I’m sorry Blayne. Not for falling in love with someone else, but for the loss of us. I really wish I could forget it all, but if I did that would mean forgetting Caleb and that’s something I’m not willing to do.” He still refused to look at me, but I continued on, “I’m sorry to rain on your parade like this, but I couldn’t keep you wondering any longer.” He finally faced me and the pain in his eyes was tangible. Though I felt for him, I wasn’t wavering from my decision. Blayne was my past, and I wanted to hold on to the good memories of it before the pain. But I also wanted to move forward. “I hope we can be friends again some day, Blayne.”

I would have kissed his cheek in farewell then, but the look on his face told me it wouldn’t be welcome just yet. His coach shouted his name from the locker room entrance as Blayne just stared at me. “Blayne, come on. You’re missing the celebration.”

“I’ll be there in a minute coach,” he stated tersely, not removing his gaze from mine. As soon as his coach was gone, he spoke to me, “You’re sure about this? This is really what you want. Him.” He said ‘him’ with so much venom in his voice there was no doubt about his feelings toward Caleb.

“I’m sure,” I said with conviction.

His shoulders sagged then, whatever fight he had gone. I felt like the worst kind of evil villain, but I knew the pain he was feeling was his fault. I would have never had to make this choice if he hadn’t made his. No use playing the blame game though. It is what it is now, and we needed to move on. After a lengthy silence, I think he realized that as well. “I guess there’s nothing else to say then.”

He was right. There wasn’t.

“No, there isn’t,” I agreed.

He started to walk away, but as he reached the doors he turned to face me once more, “I’m sorry Lylah. I never should have let you go.” With that I was left alone. I let a tear fall promising myself it would be the last tear I cried for Blayne.

When I reached my car, Leah and Keri looked at me curiously. “What happened with Caleb?”

I gave them a confused look, “Don’t you mean Blayne?”

Keri answered, “No. Caleb went looking for you after you left us. Said something about his aunty relieving him early and wanting to see you. We told him you were headed to the locker rooms and he went looking for you.”

“Then not five minutes later he came back with a strange look on his face. He seemed almost…sad. Bryce picked up on it too and followed after him. Caleb didn’t say a word to us, just headed for his car. Did you guys fight?” Leah asked.

My heart was hammering in my chest, “I didn’t even know he was here! I never talked to him, only Blayne.” A million thoughts filled my head. Why was he upset? Did something happen to his mom or Theo? “Was he upset when he first saw you?”

“No. He was in a good mood, just anxious to find you.” Keri answered.

Nothing must be wrong at home then. Maybe he heard my conversation with Blayne, but why would that upset him. Unless he no longer felt something for me anymore, but that was crazy right? Our talk last night told me he was still interested. What could have happened in the last twelve hours to change that? My worry must have shown because the girls were quick to reassure me, “Don’t worry, Lylah. I’m sure everything is okay. Bryce said he would take him to the party and we could meet up with them there. You guys just need to talk whatever it is out.”

I let her lead me to the car and didn’t resist when she took my keys from my pocket. I buckled myself in on auto pilot worrying the whole way.

Had I lost Caleb before I ever really had him?

************************************************************

Don't hate me, I hate cliff hangers myself but I had to end it here or the rest would have been crap. Before you ask, this is not the end. I wouldn't be so cruel as to leave you hanging indefinitely. The next update will be soon so bear with me and thank you for all your supportive and understanding comments. I'm truly lucky to have such amazing fans as you all:-)