Hotbox by Delia Delaney Page B

there was no way she could get out of that one.
    At five-oh-five we were ready to go, and each uniformed team faced the flag to hear our nation’s a nthem. When Jayden’s name was announced, she received loads of applause from the spectators. Over the last couple o f weeks I had come to realize how well known she really was in this town, and I was sure many people in the stands knew her.
    I had a different feeling as I stood there and listened to her sing a song I hear performed twice a week. The singing of the anthem was always a reflective tim e for me. It gave me the opportunity to appreciate my country and celebrate the great sport of baseball. I always prayed before every game during the anthem , particularly for the safety of the players and the ability to do my best. This time, I found myself thanking God for the incredible girl standing on the pitcher’s mound.
    When s he was done, the stands roared with applause . I wished I could go to Jayden and give her a hug, but I was stuck on the field for the duration of team introductions. When we were dismissed and the playing teams went to their dugouts, I walked with my team to the stands to watch the first game that started at six .
    “I owe you one, Ty,” Tucker said on my way to find my girlfriend .
    “No, you owe Jayden a hot dog. I suggest you go get her one .”
    He laughed. “ Will do .”
    I trekked the bleachers and found her sitting with Cali again. Jayden slid over and patted the spot next to her, so I sat down, put my arm aroun d her , and gave her a kiss .
    “You were amazing. Can’t you do that for every home game?”
    She smiled and replied, “I don’t know, t hat was pretty intimidating.”
              “We don’t normally have people sing from the mound—that’s a tournament thing—but if you hid somewhere…would you do it?”
    She laughed and said, “Maybe.”
    “Come over and sit with me,” I told her, motioning to where my team was.
    “With the elite?” she joked. “Am I allowed?”
    “Of course. This is a free country, right?”
    “Right.”
    “ And you said you were going to stay and watch the game with me.” I stood, pulling Jayden up with me. “Come on, Cali, come sit with Devin.”
    We headed for the team and Cali easily took a place by Devin. Megan was also there with Jack, and a few friends of the other guys. I took a detour , though, and led Jayden down a set of stairs to the backside of the bleachers.
    “W here are we going?”
    I dragged her over to the batting barn and slipped inside the door, shutting it behind us and leaning her up against it. She put her arms around my neck as I kissed her. It wa s all I wanted to do and I was glad for the privacy.
     
     
     
    “Where have you two been?” Cali asked when we returned to the stands .
    Jayden only smiled as we sat down together. Cali looked at both of us before finally shaking her head with a smile and turning her attention back to the field. It was six-oh-five and the game must have just begun .
    “Hey, Ty, remember these guys?” Jack smiled knowingly . “Check out your buddy at short .”
    I looked onto the field and had to smile . Garrett Freeman .
    “ Think he’ll say something the next time we play ‘em?” he asked.
    “Nah , I doubt it,” Aaron replied. “ I think beating them in regionals last year was enough to shut him up. ”
    “I don’t know,” Devin chuckled, “I think he’s out for blood this year. I heard he’s still bitching about what Ty did to him.”
    “W hat happened?” Jayden asked .
    “ Collision at home plate our first game of the season,” Jack answered. “ Garrett didn’t really appreciate the contact. He hurt his wrist on the slide and had to sit out half of the season.”
    “He blamed it on me,” I told her with a shrug .
    “He also said he was gonna kick your ass,” Aaron laughed. “Has that happened yet?”
    Coach Tucker arrived and handed Jayden a hot dog and a drink. He must have heard