Author's note: Thanks a ton to all who liked and followed my little story. I must admit it is my first ever attempt at fan fiction, and it shows. You are all too kind. Pitch has just left me wanting more and I am so happy this little fan community is growing. I have read every single one of the stories and love them all. As to my attempt - I am not even sure where I am going with it, but hopefully - to a happy ending. All comments will be appreciated. Sadly, and obviously, I own nothing.
- Ginny -
Hell, it was tough pretending to be all cool and unperturbed around Mike after that almost kiss. Actually, it was damn near impossible. That is why she was mostly avoiding him in the subtlest way possible.
She came in for practice the next morning, just an hour later, after working out at home, hoping more of the guys would have arrived as well. She was right, he had been there for some time, it seemed, and a few of the guys were filing in and joking around about old man being their old man. He was half laughing when she came in, but gave her a weary look as soon as she walked through the door. Damn, he made her uncomfortable.
He must have seen her put her headphones on and run because he hesitated around her and seemed to decide to let it go and not bother her then. She felt both grateful and a little disappointed when he reluctantly turned for the door, his towel on his shoulder.
Next point of avoidance was when she teamed up with Duarte for pitching practice and spending most of the morning with him. By the end of the day she had ducked Mike no less than half a dozen times, pretending to be on the phone, seeking out Blip or even Al for game pointers, anything to give herself some time to think. She wasn't even sure she was doing the right thing, because with every passing second she felt a stab at her heart for not being able to simply be near him, joke around, throw a few balls, whatever. She noticed him around the clubhouse, even when he wasn't directly in her view, she felt his presence. And it felt accusatory in a way - like he was gauging her reactions, observing her form afar, giving her space. She knew soon she would have to face the end of that space and come up with a reasonable decision.
She had to grow up and face the fact she really really liked Mike Lawson, and that her teenage crush had come back to haunt her in the form of what felt like true love. Hell, it was scary to even think these words. But she had to admit them to herself at least - she knew him know, not as a two-dimensional poster, but as a three-dimensional grumpy bearded guy. She knew some of his faults, guessed at others, and still wanted nothing but to be around him. His presence made her crazy life happy.
And that was her answer. And what scared her the most. She just didn't feel she had a chance with him, or could take on the repercussions of a serious relationship with her captain.
But soon she would have to come up with an answer for his unasked question.