Eagle's Destiny by C. J. Corbin

say that?”
    Lewis laughed and nodded his head, “Gotcha!” he teased again.  He waved at Angel.  “You know me just trying to start rumors.”
    “Oh get out of here.”  I pointed to the dugout.
    Our team did well and I managed to keep it together.  The small group of women yelled every time Michael came up to bat and with every out at first base.  It was obvious they were throwing his timing off and he looked embarrassed with each scream.  Our team did not make it any easier as we all ragged on him in the dugout when we were up for bat.
    After the game, a few of the bolder women came down to speak with him.  I recognized two of them from the restaurant last Sunday.  News traveled fast in a small town.  Even though Michael did not consider himself a celebrity, he was still a well-known photographer, and he was cute.  He shot me a look that pleaded.  Leaning over to Debi who watched with me, “So should I go over and save him?”
    “Is he a good boy?”  Debi laughed.
    “Yeah, pretty good.”  I nodded looking at him .
    “Well then you better hurry before he goes with them.”  She laughed again.
    When I walked over to the group , the women barely moved for me.  I had to push my way through to Michael.  “Okay ladies, sorry, this one’s mine.  You need to give him back now.” 
    He took my hand and grinned at me.  A few of the women gave me killing looks.  I ignored them.
    Michael slipped his arm around my waist, “Nice to meet you ladies.”  He waved as we walked back over to the team.  “Thanks for coming to the game.”  When we were out of earshot Michael leaned over, “So am I really yours?”
    “Debi thought you needed saving.”
    “I think I owe you my life.”  He bent over and kissed me on the cheek before he released me.
    I blushed.  The entire team was looking our way .
    We drove over to the restaurant together.  “I enjoyed our date last night.”  He said.
    “So did I, it was fun.  Thank you again.”  I shifted in my seat to be able to look at him directly.  He had a beautiful profile and when he grinned, I could see the little dimple at the corner of his mouth.
    “I thought maybe if you’d like we go could out again next Saturday, you know, if you don’t have anything else to do?” 
    It wasn’t like him to stumble over the words.  It was sweet to hear he could be a little nervous with me too.
    “I’d enjoy that.  Are you going to be able to come out waterskiing this week?”
    When we stopped at the stoplight, he turned to look at me.  His eyes looked like a liquid sky, “Yeah, if you let me drive the boat.”
    I smiled, “It’s a date then.”
    He pulled into the restaurant parking lot, “It’s a date.”
    I reached into the backseat to get my bag as he opened my door.
    “Are you changing your clothes?”  Michael asked as he closed the jeep door.  “I don’t know if it is the baseball uniform, but it seems like whenever you do you are a lot more outgoing.”
    I looked at him with a puzzled face.  “What do you mean?”
    “Look at the way you handled those women at the field, or how about you getting up to sing every Sunday night?”  Michael opened the door to the restaurant and suddenly the darkness enveloped us as we entered.
    I laughed, “No, I’m just bolder when I’m around my friends.”
    Michael shook his head and smiled, “I don’t know if that’s it.”
    “I wouldn’t know that it is anything else .  I’m going to go change.  Could you make sure Debi has saved us a seat?  It would be just like her to make me sit with that group of forlorn looking women that were following you around today.”
    He flashed a grin at me.  “Don’t worry I’ll take care of you.” 
    I popped inside the women’s room with my bag and entered the handicap stall.  As I started to change my clothes, three women came through the main door of the restroom.  I recognized the voices of the women who had been talking to Michael earlier.