Chapter 6

"How are you adjusting?" Coach Lee asked, standing before him as he sat on the bench with the current members of his new team.

He arrived a few weeks ago after transferring to his new home team. He had settled into his newly acquired multimillion-dollar mansion in the hills.

In the last few weeks, he had gotten acquainted with his teammates, building the necessary connections to create a more cohesive unit for their team.

"I couldn't be more at home." He satisfactorily said, turning to his team, especially his two buddies who had shown him the ropes.

Although he knew his tenure with the team could be temporary, he still intended to maximize his stay while working with his new teammates.

He believed he had a lot to contribute to the team while he could also learn from them. In his opinion, that was the only way to build a winning team.

"We are so glad to have you on the team, Noah." Joe, the manager, and the other coaches welcomed him to his first practice.

Although this city had once been his home, this would be the first time he would play for his hometown. He did not know what to expect, but he would undoubtedly do his best.

"Damn! Is that Lefty Shilling?" Andrew gasped, surprised to see one of the most promising left-handed pitchers of their time.

He also turned, following his friend's line of sight. Then, he saw the man that he had competed in many of their previous games.

He would not say they were friends or enemies either. But there had been a competitive rivalry between them on the field.

Lefty threw the ball while he hit it. It was as simple as that.

But what was he doing here? He guessed he would soon find out with the rest of the team as they watched the man nod, acknowledging him and the team.

"He threw one of the best curve balls in the league," Tyler remarked, watching the newcomer enter the center of the diamond field, taking his place at the pitcher's spot.

He could vouch for that, remembering the numerous times he had encountered his famous pitch. The man did throw a mean curveball.

"What is he doing here?" Another one of their teammates asked. He believed he was a young rookie pitcher who started a few months earlier than him.

"He'd be joining us from now on," Joe, their team manager, announced to the group in the dugout. "Make sure to welcome him, just like we welcome Noah."

But the manager directed his words especially to him, ordering him to show them what he could do. Of course, he understood what the boss meant.

Automatically, he pulled his batting gloves out of his back pocket, tightening the strap around his wrist.

Then, he grabbed his bat and helmet before walking into the field to test what the newcomer could do.

"Give him the best you got, Noah." Coach Lee slapped him on the butt as he passed him by.

The best way to welcome a comrade was to test what they could do.

"You know I ate curveball for breakfast." He was not being arrogant, just confident with his skill.

He immediately walked into the plate, twisted his body from side to side, and tapped his bat on his helmet before beating it to the ground, signaling that he was ready for the pitch.

Lefty nodded his head, signaling to the catcher behind him. He knew it was time as he positioned his bat on the other side of his shoulder.

"Give me your best pitch." He mumbled, more to himself, as his eyes zeroed in on his arms and then on the ball, watching it closely as his hands released it into the air.

Instinctively, as if his body knew what to do, his arms swung the bat until it made contact with the ball. As he anticipated, it was indeed a curve ball.

He let his hand fly together with the bat and the white ball. But instead of running, he stood his ground, watching the ball zoom across the field.

"I'll be damn!" The catcher behind him shouted as he stood beside him, watching the ball as it flew high in the air.

"Fuck it, Noah! You knock that ball out of the ballpark." The field coach yelled at him as the ball crossed over the fence.

"That is what you are paying me for." He shrugged his shoulder. That was the deal. The team acquired him to bring this team to the championship.

"Fucking unbelievable. I still could not beat you with my curve ball." Lefty disappointedly mumbled. "I'm glad we're now playing on the same team."

He also felt the same sentiment. Although he could hit most of his pitches, Lefty was still one of the best pitchers in the league.

He believed Lefty would be a great addition to the team, watching his new teammate throw another pitch to another batter.

He sat beside his two new friends as they watched the others take turns, missing each throw completely.

"We're going out tonight for a drink with Lefty. Come with us." Tyler informed him as he chugged the cold water into his mouth before crushing the paper cup and throwing it in the trash.

"Sorry, but I have to take a raincheck. I already have plans for tonight." He walked past his friends and sat back on the bench while checking his phone for the nth time.

"You're ditching us?" Andrew suspiciously asked, furrowing his eyebrows in question. "Does that have anything to do with the girl from last night?"

"Yeah, I saw how you were eyeing her." Tyler joined in.

Of course, he did not miss the taunting in his friend's voice. He knew what his friends were thinking. He was once a player, after all.

However, he believed she was unlike the other girls he went out with. Like it or not, she reminded him of his past. But she is not her. He kept telling himself.

"Her name is Sky. And yes, I asked her out for dinner tonight." He did not need to elaborate on the details. But he could not wait to see her again.

One thing, his friends were correct. He could not take his eyes off her. Truthfully, he could not stop thinking about her. He knew he had to see her again.

"Damn! I thought I had a shot. But it was clear she also only had the hots for you." Andrew said, slightly looking disappointed.

"So, you are going out on a date tonight?" Tyler asked, seemingly curious. "Where are you taking her?"

So far, he had no idea since it had been a while since he had been out on a genuine date. But that was the least of his worries.

"That is not the problem." He thought about it. "She still hasn't said yes." He had been waiting for her response all day.

Indisputably, she had already received all the flowers he had sent her. After all, they were hard to miss. But she still ignored his calls.

"Damn! Don't tell me that you are about to strike out again." His friend had been visibly mocking him, throwing a glove at him, which he easily caught.

Of course not!

"Not if I can help it."