Felix (The Ninth Inning #1) Read Online Free Page A

seat.
    “What the hell?” I look at her. “I’m in some type of ESPN blooper reel, right?”
    “No, and make sure that you eat that hot dog before the warm-ups are over like last time,” she rushes me.
    I sigh deeply. “LA, I can’t believe you’re going along with this.”
    “Are you kidding me? When I told Harry about this, he practically threw the tickets at me and grilled me about what I was wearing to make sure that I wouldn’t change outfits for this game.” She holds out her arms and she is wearing the same thing.
    “Oh my God. This is insane.” I shake my head and the team comes out to the field.
    “Eat the damn hot dog!” LA yells.
    “All right,” I say back and eat the food and chug the beer like last time.
    When the team begins to head back to the dugout, Felix whistles at me again and holds up a ball. “Can you catch?” he yells.
    Is he serious? This is becoming a bit childish. LA shoves my shoulder.
    “Yes,” I say back and he tosses the ball. Like last time, I catch with one hand.
    “Didn’t spill your beer either.”
    I laugh at this game. “I’m a pro,” I say like the time and he winks heading into the dugout.
    “Oh shit, this is great!” LA squeals. She actually squeals with delight. I roll my eyes and drink more beer.
    Felix isn’t pitching, but I can see him across the field in the bullpen. Well, I can somewhat see him since he’s clear on the other side, but I know that he’s watching me.
    Each inning, I pray that the Angels will lose. However, no one seems to be listening to me because at the beginning of the ninth, we’re up...by six. I drop my head in my hands and groan.
    “This is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.” LA is shaking me again.
    “Aren’t you supposed to be saying that about your wedding day?”
    “Fuck that. We’re going to win the championship at this rate. Aren’t you happy?”
    I look at her with the meanest eyes. “Do I look it?”
    “Yep, you looked thrilled.” She laughs and I hear the crowd cheer.
    The Angels won.
    “Son of a—” I growl with my jaw clenched tight. “Let’s get out of here.” I grab her arm and drag her out of the stadium.

 
     
    I KNOCK ON Abigail’s door. A few seconds later, she opens it. Once again, she’s wearing shorts and a tank top with her hair thrown up in a bun. She looks good, that’s for sure.
    “So? Do you believe me now? You’re my good luck charm, Abigail,” I say, folding my arms over my chest and leaning against her doorframe.
    “You are so full of it. I’m not a good luck charm.”
    “How are you still in denial? You came again and we won again. There’s no room for denial when all the facts are there.”
    She rolls her eyes. “Well, you’ll be happy to know my brother-in-law, who is now your number one fan, told me tonight that he’s giving up his season ticket to me if you sign a baseball for him. I told him you’re probably too busy.”
    “I’m never too busy to sign my name, especially if it helps get my good luck charm to the games. I’ll sign a ball for him.”
    “And what do I get?” She folds her arms over her chest as if the defensive posture will come in handy with our apparent negotiations. “I’m going to have to rearrange my schedule. I’m sure as hell not going on any road games. So, what do I get?”
    “What do you want? Name it and I’ll see what I can do.” I’m willing to give her whatever she wants because I want to see more of her, especially at my games.
    “This is your superstition. I wouldn’t want to break any of your invisible rules of baseball good luck charms.”
    I laugh. “I’m sure whatever you ask for wouldn’t interfere with the rules. Do you want free food at the games? Do you want a signed baseball, too? Do you want a signed book by an author you like? What do you want?”
    “Hmm...free food is out because I have to have LA buy the beer and hot dog because of the good luck routine.” She rolls her eyes. “Plus,