Afterward, Alex autographed baseballs and pictures and stood for a class photo. Mrs. Rome next suggested that Louie give Holly and Alex a tour of the classroom. Louie introduced them to the class guinea pig, Cute as a Button or Button for short.
“Clown fish aren’t funny,” Louie whispered to Holly when they stopped before a large aquarium near the teacher’s desk. “They just have pretty colors.”
Holly admired the fish with the orange and white stripes. She was also quite taken by three small turtles in a separate tank.
“Huey, Dewey, and Louie.” The boy smiled. “Louie always sits on the center island under the sun lamp. He’s the warmest.”
Mrs. Rome clapped her hands and gained everyone’s attention. “We have time for a quick game of kickball before lunch,” she announced. “Team captains will be Alex Boxer and Sarah Hanover. The boys will play the girls.”
The girls’ team proved one player short and Holly was nominated to play. Growing streaks had left the girls several inches taller than most of the boys. Louie was the shortest kid in the class.
“We’ll take the outfield first.” Alex positioned his players, then looked indecisive about Louie.
“He’d make a great pitcher,” Holly called to Alex.
She could see by the pull of his mouth, Alex didn’t quite agree. Louie, however, thought her idea brilliant. The kid grabbed the rubber ball and trotted out to pitch.
Alex’s jaw shifted as he took over as catcher.
The girls cheered Holly, who was up first to kick. She was glad she’d worn a pair of navy Keds. Louie’s first roll of the ball stopped well before it crossed the plate. His second and third tries also fell short.
Alex jogged to Louie, gave the boy a quick lesson in pitching. Alex demonstrated by rolling a ball to Holly.
“We’re not bowling,” she reminded Alex as he aimed the ball hard and fast at her ankles, attempting to knock down pins. “It’s third-grade kickball.”
“Nothing wrong with friendly competition,” he returned.
Alex was far from friendly. He played to win.
Holly had once been good at kickball. When Louie finally got the ball over the plate, she skimmed it with the side of her foot, a kick that sent the ball straight back to the pitcher.
Louie fell all over himself, but finally scooped up the ball. He then ran after Holly in an attempt to throw and tag her out.
Today was Louie’s day, and Holly wanted the kid to perform well. She gave him a chance to put her out. Louie’s toss at her hip was a foot ahead of her stride. She had to pick up speed to get hit. She feigned frustration at not reaching first.
The boys all jumped, pumped their arms, praised Louie. Holly walked back to the girls’ bench. A few of them patted her arm, consoled her.
Alex Boxer’s eyes narrowed on her. He had the look of a man who wanted to win, but he didn’t want success handed to him.
Two additional outs and the boys went on to kick. Holly watched as Alex set himself up to kick third. If the first two boys could get on base, Alex would then boot the ball across the street. His team would be ahead by three runs.
Very unsportsmanlike in Holly’s eyes.
The girls insisted she pitch, and Holly picked up the ball. The first boy kicked hard, and the ball shot between second and third base. The boys now had a runner on first.
Louie was up next and missed the first two pitches by a mile. Alex pulled the boy aside and gave him a pep talk. Louie promised to do better.
With the third pitch, he connected, a soft roller back to Holly. She scooped up the ball, threw to second, got the lead runner out. Louie held at first.
Alex sauntered to home plate. He stood before Holly in his Rogues uniform, looking big and badass and ready to kick the ball down her throat.
She didn’t like him much at that moment.
Alex knew Holly expected him to run up the score. He planned to do the opposite. He wanted to confuse this woman who’d rejected his kisses on the carousel. She’d shut him down when he’d felt lucky.
No one stole his luck.
He had every intention of kissing her again. Most women found him irresistible. Next time, she’d kiss him back.
Holly rolled the ball, and Alex let it pass.
“Strike one,” from Mrs. Rome.
Alex swore the teacher was blind.
Alex caught the second roller with his toe. He popped the ball up, a double-bouncer to the girl at third. He’d provided just enough time to get Louie to second, if the kid ran all out.
Louie made it, but just barely. The girl at third had a wicked arm. She threw like a boy.
Runners were now on first and second. The next kicker punted a fly ball to Holly. She caught it easily. Two down.
From the corner of his eye, Alex caught Louie take off for third. The kid was trying to steal a base, looking to be a hero. Alex understood the boy’s need to succeed.
A diversion, Alex thought, and he started for second. He needed to pull Holly’s attention off Louie and onto him.
Holly took the bait; she wanted Alex out.
She came at him with quickness and grace. The boys went wild as Alex danced about, attempted to dodge her throw. The girls screamed just as loudly for Holly to nail him.
She had a good eye and decent aim, Alex was soon to find out. A double-arm toss caught his hip. But though he was out, Louie had snuck home. The kid scored the only run of the game.
Louie may have been small, but he was definitely mighty. His team cheered him loudly.
Mrs. Rome soon called her class to lunch. Alex snagged his glove off the bench and followed Holly into the cafeteria. He stuffed himself on macaroni and weenie winks.
Louie hugged him good-bye and Alex patted his shoulder. The kid would grow. He’d no doubt shoot up several inches over the next year.
Returning to the parking lot, Holly glanced at her watch, scrunched her nose. “It’s time to return to the mall. Try to conjure a little holiday spirit.”
Alex glared at her from across the hood of her car. “I’ve run out of cheer,” he said. “I want to go to the beach, catch some rays.”
“You need to serve your community hours,” she said as she ducked into her VW. “The judge ordered you into a Santa suit—there’s no beach break.”
“I’m chafed from red velvet and have a rash under my chin from the beard,” he complained.
“Use more talcum powder,” she suggested.
“I’m not a baby.”