Page 21 of Pretty and Loco

“Just the two of us?” she asked.

I explained the rules of the game and how each hit would determine the bases we were on. She had a good game face, but I knew that she barely understood what I was explaining.

“Uhhh… I may or may not have a confession.” She yelled as I pulled over the bucket of balls that I had left when I was here with the guys earlier.

“What’s up?” I asked as she looked at me with a smile.

“I have never held a bat in my life.” She admitted, confirming what I already knew. But that didn’t stop her from shit-talking.

She continued. “You can teach me, but once I learn, Coach Newman will be begging me to replace you.”

“Just like that, overnight, huh?” I scoffed sarcastically as I went over to the pitcher’s mound and then stood there ready to pitch her the ball.

She walked up confidently, looking good as hell. She was still wearing the dress that she had worn at dinner. It was a short brown dress with a split that looked good against her skin. She had her hair put up into a bun, and she looked like she really was about to hit a home run.

“You’re left-handed, right, Leah?” I asked as she took her position at the plate.

“Yes.”

“Then why you standing on that side of the plate?” I asked as I did a light jog over to her and repositioned her to the other side. “Hold the bat like this.”

She backed against me as I reached around her to adjust her hands.

“Nah, not so tight,” I told her. “Loosen your grip for me.”

For the first time she didn’t have a smart-ass rebuttal. She was listening; her fingers relaxed.

“There you go. Atta girl.” I said as I tapped her butt.

I felt her body stiffen, but I didn’t pay it any attention, moving her top hand a little higher so she could get more power behind her swing.

“Right there. Keep it just like that.”

“Like this?”

“Exactly like that.”

I put my hands on her hips and turned her slightly.

“Now bend your knees for me.”

She did.

“A little bit more, Leah.” I tapped her thigh.

She lowered herself another inch.

“That’s good. You see? You can follow my directions when you want to.”

A quiet laugh escaped, and I saw her shake her head.

“What?”

“Nothing, Rocko.”

“Aight, then. Focus.”

“Well, I’m trying.”