Bernie:“This is not looking good for Shane Michaels, Ollz.”
Oliver:“It’s really not, Bern. It’s like all that rain the other night doused whatever fire he had going.”
Bernie:“Completely flamed out.”
Oliver:“You hate to see it. After his early struggles when he first came up, and now this…it’s not exactly instilling confidence in the Jetties’ front office.”
Bernie:“Slumps happen. That’s baseball. Let’s hope he can dig his way out.”
Oliver:“Might have to wait until next game, Bern. The way he’s tracking tonight…”
Bernie:“Right there with you, Ollz. He’s one strikeout away from a GoldenSombrero.”
Oliver [Tsks]:“Not an achievement you want attached to your name.”
Bernie:“And we just walked into June. The Clippers can’t afford stretches like this if they want any shot at the first-half winner’s spot.”
Oliver:“Not with the way the standings look right now.”
THIRTY-NINE
JED
I’m leaningagainst the rail in the dugout, gaze glued to Shane in the batter’s box.
Caught looking. Strike two.
Paulie grunts next to me.
Big swing—at a ball way outside. Went fishing.
We both groan in unison. That’s Shane’s tenth strikeout. He hasn’t gotten on base the last three games. I don’t know where Shane’s disappeared to, but the ghost-like version that’s walking back to the dugout isn’t him. He hasn’t spoken in the locker room since that night with his father.Wehaven’t spoken, though it hasn’t been much better with the rest of the crew. I’ve still been over at their place the majority of the time. Paulie and East refused to let me be exiled to my apartment.
I discreetly glance at Paulie. He’s studying Shane, dark brows crushed together. I’m so damn grateful for them, for the whole crew, really. I’ve gained some incredible friends this year and hadn’t realized how much I’d been missing by going it alone all these years.
“He’s gotten worse,” Paulie murmurs. “Since Shelby left.”
My heart gives a weak flop. It’s been settled on the floor of my chest since that night. It’s torture; seeing someone you love drowning in pain. Shane’s put a wall of distance between all of us—except Shelby. She’d slept in his room every night until she had to go back to Connecticut. There had been a modicum of comfort knowing she was with him while he’s in this dark place.
Even with that, my nights alone in my apartment were sleepless. And now? I’m pulled tight, my anxiety scraping at every nerve. I know what it’s like to be in the space he’s in right now. He’s slipped below the surface, and I’m on top of a frozen pond, desperately searching for him below the ice. But I can’t find him.
I’m terrified he doesn’t want to be found.
Dominguez pulls him aside. Shane doesn’t even try to offer his fake smile.
I know a team is just that—a team—but there’s no denying seeing the life of our team…die out…has everyone subdued and dragging. The guys have been watching Shane, and I’ve fielded a few questions about what the hell is going on. He’s still managing to show up on the field, but the drain of what he’s battling in his head has been bleeding into every at bat.
Olander slides in next to me and Paulie. “I think we need to go out tonight. The whole team. We need to boost morale.” He throws his thumb over his shoulder to where Shane and Dominguez are murmuring quietly. “We need to help Michaels get past whatever it is that’s brought him low. He’s our boy. It’s our job to help him out.”
That’s…the first time Olander has said anything I’ve actually respected.
“I can’t see him agreeing to go out,” Paulie says.
Olander scoffs. “Dude. He doesn’tagree. We just drag him out. Remind him how to have fun. Maybe find some ladies to cheer him up.” He bounces his eyebrows while I try to keep the contents of my stomach down.
I grab my helmet and head toward the entrance of the dugout. I’m in-the-hole, and Easton is on-deck. I pass Shane, who’s sitting on the bench, gaze trained on the ground. My hope that we would work back to where we were has withered more and more each day. I don’t even know what we are at this point. We haven’t talked about it, but it sure as hell doesn’t seem like we’re together anymore.
Maybe find some ladies to cheer him up.Olander might be right.
