Read Online Hector (Season One: The Ninth Inning #3) by Lindsay Paige, Mary Smith - Free Book Online

the wave. For a moment, I wonder if Zoey and her aunts are taking part. I shake my head and turn my attention to the game just as the next batter swings for a ball, missing it.
    The runner on my base is an eager guy, that’s for sure. He keeps taking steps farther and farther from the base, itching to make a steal. I eye Felix since he seems to be taking his time with the next pitch. The guy is far enough away that if Felix wanted to try and get him, it’d be a good gamble.
    I flex my fingers in my glove, hoping he takes the opportunity as the guy moves one small step farther away. In the blink of an eye, Felix is throwing me the ball. His aim is spot on, the ball making the sweet thunking sound into my glove, and then the even sweeter sound as my glove connects with the runner’s chest as he tries to come back to base.
    I smile to myself. If we lose, at least I can say I played well. The rest of the world effectively falls away after that. There’s a few times I wonder if we’ll win, noticing there’s a lot of back and forth in this game. We’re soon down to the last inning and we’re behind by a run. I’m up at bat. The sun has started lowering in the sky, providing the perfect angle to glare in my eyes.
    Turning my grip on the handle until I find the familiar hold, I bend my knees, ready for the pitch. The pitcher’s face is stone and he keeps wiping his hand on his pants. Finally, he rears his arm back and pitches a curveball. Batting might just be my favorite thing about the game. I love the twist my body makes, the transitions my arms do as I follow through. Even better is the cracking as the ball smacks into the bat and is sent flying in the opposite direction with such force.
    My hit soars high in the air as I pump my legs and start running. I make it to second with a wide grin on my face. That feeling must be contagious. Or at least lucky because we finish the game with a home run from Tanner to send me home and give us a win.
    After the game, I try to be quick, so I can head out. I have a little time before I’m supposed to meet Zoey and her aunts at an Italian restaurant, but I don’t want to be late. I shower with super speed, change into a dark pair of jeans and a white t-shirt, and finally climb into my Jeep.
    I’ve just parked when Zoey texts that they’re in the waiting area since the place is packed. I don’t reply, stuffing my phone in my back pocket after making sure it’s on silent, and head inside.
    I easily spot Zoey’s jet black hair with that killer body and tattoos covering her skin. There are two women sitting next to her. One of them spots me as I walk closer and she pats Zoey’s knee, saying something to her.
    She looks up, and I grin.
    “Hey,” I say once I’m close enough.
    “Hector, that was a great game.” She smiles before motioning to the ladies next to her. “Let me introduce you to my aunts. This is Lanny and Minnie. This is Hector.”
    “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. Zoey talks about how great you both are so I wanted to meet you myself,” I say as I shake each of their hands.
    “She didn’t mention you at all to me. I had to hear it from Minnie that you were the famous muse.” Lanny gives Zoey a mean look and I try not to smile.
    “I told you all about him today when we were driving here. Don’t you remember?”
    “Really, Zoey?” Lanny rolls her eyes and makes a show of looking a little disappointed. “Old lady jokes in front of Hector. Did I raise you like that?”
    “Hector,” Minnie starts, patting Lanny’s knee. “Please excuse this crazy woman. I, on the other hand, had a blast at the game. It must have been incredible feeling getting that out.”
    I grin. “It was. I’m glad you had fun. What about you, Zoey?”
    “I’ll be honest; it was fun. I think I figured everything out as it was going along, but overall, I had a great time.”
    I pat myself on the back, feeling accomplished as if I am singlehandedly responsible for her enjoying