Excerpt for Dec Release HQ Heartwarming A LEAGUE OF HER OWN !

[Karen]

A LEAGUE OF HER OWN Excerpt:

Garrett's grumbling teammates filed out of the pre-game meeting, followed by the coaches and Heather's father. Garrett, however, remained in his seat, watching the lithe young woman as she stood by the door.

At last she turned to him.

"We meet again. Garrett, right?"

He stood and strode to the door. When he stopped, her eyes widened, caution swimming in their depths.

"You mentioned having individual meetings," he said, keeping his voice even, hiding the irritation shimmering through him. "I thought we'd have ours now."

She blinked up at him, and her lips moved. Though he strained to hear, he couldn't make out what she'd said.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that."

A bright pink suffused her cheeks, and he forced himself not to notice how pretty the color made her.

"I said that I haven't finished my notes for you yet. I'll watch you pitch tomorrow. We'll meet after that."

He had to give it to her. Soft-spoken or not, she had a direct way about her. He didn't doubt that she could lead...just not professional baseball players. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I'm requesting to be released from my contract. This isn't the right place for me to advance in my career."

Her mobile face stilled. "And why would that be?"

"Look, I'll be blunt." He tapped his fingers on the sides of his legs. "This team isn't hustling, and it'll be a long time before they come around to supporting you. Things will get worse instead of better. I have a limited window of opportunity to advance. Given these factors, my bottom-line pitching won't look good with a losing team behind me. I'd like to help you, but selfishly, this is my last shot."

A speculative gleam entered her eyes. "So you're asking to be released because you think I can't help you reach your goals."

A long breath rushed out of him. She was going to be reasonable. "That'd be great. Thank you."

She arched an eyebrow. "You're wrong, and I'll be as frank with you as you were with me."

His relief turned to irritation. So she wasn't going to make this easy. He held his tongue and waited to hear her out.

"I think you're overvaluing yourself." She nodded when his mouth dropped open.

Guys talked this way to each other. Not women...especially not pretty women...to him.

"Your control isn't where it should be, and if that's not addressed, you'll also be another reason why this team isn't doing well. But you have potential, and I can help you."

"Right," he scoffed. What could a softball pitcher do for him? "No offense, but I need someone with more experience."

She tapped her chin and angled her head, her eyes flashing up at him. "If I can change your mind about that, will you drop your request and give me your support and a hundred percent effort?"

He held in a laugh. Was she for real? There wasn't a chance she could change his decision. "What do you have in mind?"

She stepped closer, and her subtle citrus scent curled beneath his nose.

"A contest. If I get more strikes out of twenty pitches than you do, you stay. If you have more, then I'll release you."

He stared at her. Processing. She couldn't be serious. Sure, he had control issues, but he was still better than a college-level player. She was making this easy. But if she was foolish enough to offer him this out, he'd take it.

They eyed each other for a long, tense moment before he jerked his chin at her.

"You're on."

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