Debbie White - Perfect Pitch

H e enjoyed the game too, or maybe it was the beer that he got sloshed on he loved more? She didnt miss the belittling he was so great at, but she did miss the magic she felt when he touched her. Cierra could hear her sisters words now. Now that she was single again, baseball could be front and center, and she liked the idea of going it alone. Her mind drifted to all the times he became an obnoxious fan yelling obscenities to the other team, or when he dumped a beer on the opposing team fans head. Shaking her head, glad this was all behind her, maybe she could get on with her life. A slow smile turned up on the corners of her mouth. She let out a sigh.

Cierra was in between projects. She needed some encouragement; she needed some stimulation to help her creativity flow once more. Of course she could dwell on her recent breakup, but shed already done that. For the past six months shed been dwelling on it. Her head told her it was time to move on, but her heart, well that was a different story. Cierra could hear her sisters words now. Get over him. Hes a dirt bag. Hes not worth you thinking about! She was right. He wasnt.

She didnt love frequently but when she did, she loved deeply. Isnt that what all girls do? She was angry at herself for falling for the bad boy. But, isnt that what all girls do, too? Every girl has to have her heart broken, her spirit crushed, and her self-worth torn apart at least once in her lifetime. Dont they? Cierra frowned. She never hated anyone so much as she did him. He shattered her self-confidence almost beyond repair.

Cierra didnt have much of a life outside of her career and her love of baseball, specifically the Golden Bears. Who needed a social life when you had baseball? She loved the sport. She lived for all the games, and when she couldnt see it performed live from her reserved box seat, shed watch from the comfort of her overstuffed easy chair, with her miniature dachshund, Dash, by her side. Some would categorize her life as boring, but Cierra begged to differ. True, ballgames were more fun when others came along who shared her same fixated belief that there was no better team on earth than the San Francisco Golden Bears, and many a Saturday, Cierra tried to convince her sister, Courtney of that. She would attend most games with her if she didnt have anything better brewing on the side.

Cierra loved her sister, but she was a free spirit, and no matter how hard Cierra tried, Courtney would not budge if she had other plans. Courtney was not now, nor ever would be the die-hard Golden Bears fan that Cierra was..

Hey, Sis. What about going to the game with me? Cierra flashed her sister a wide smile.

With her hands on her hips, Courtney frowned. Really, Cierra? Youre attending another ballgame? I swear, thats your favorite pastime. Shouldnt you be creating or something?

Trying to lighten the mood, Cierra squeezed her sister in a hug. Itll be funpeanuts, Cracker Jacks, and ice-cold beer! And dont forget all the cute guys thatll be there, she added.

Dont forget the nachos. You really love the nachos, Courtney bantered back

The two girls each stood their ground.

My idea of a good time is getting my nails polished, or sipping delicious coffee while people-watching. Not sitting on a hard bench watching baseball. Courtney tightened her brows.

Theyre not hard bench seats. I pay for the great seats and you know it, Cierra said frustrated with her sisters lack of attention to detail.

Whatever. Im going to find a nice stool with a view and sip on a foaming latte. She threw Cierra a kiss and then ran out the front door. She raised her hand and tossed back a wave to her sister. Next time. I promise. She laughed as she descended the couple of steps to the sidewalk.

Cierra gave her sister a sloppy wave back. She knew perfectly well that there wouldnt be a next time. She then gathered her well-worn mitt, her sunglasses, and grabbed her car keys on the hallway table. At the last minute, she gave Dash a treat and patted him on the head. Ill be back in a few hours, she told him and off she went.

Cierra started the ignition and turned up the radio. Kelly Clarksons new Heartbeat Song was playing. That song always made her smile. She took a quick peek in the vanity mirror. Satisfied with the way she looked, she put the sun visor back in position and began to drive. Cierra hummed to all her favorite tunes as she made her way to the ferry that would take her to the Golden Bears stadium in San Francisco. The teams ballpark was one of the best in the league. Shed traveled to several, and this park was the best by far. Not only was the park nice, but the food was also delicious, and the fans were the absolute best. As a season ticket holder, she had access to all the games. However, sometimes she just couldnt make a game. When she knew ahead of time shed not be able to attend, shed post it on StubHub for sale. She never had a problem selling her tickets, eitherthe Golden Bears were that popular. Theyd won the championships in 2010, 2012, and 2014. They were hot, and the fans loved them.

The hour flew by and soon Cierra was pulling into the ferry terminal parking lot. She waited in line with all the other noisy Golden Bears fans, many of them decked out from head to toe in orange and black. Children were carrying hats that represented brown bears in honor of one of the players affectionately named Baby Bear. One by one, fans showed their credentials to board the ferry. The excitement of attending a game on a beautiful day grew with the crowd as they walked up the gangway in single file to enter the boat. When it was Cierras turn to show her ticket, the purser smiled at her as hed done with every fan that he interacted with. From the ticket master to the hands on the dock, Cierra could tell they all loved their jobs.

She found a window seat and sat down, anxious to get going. No matter how many games shed been to, she was always excited to see her boys play. Cierras thoughts drifted to Courtney. Shed wished theyd share the love of baseball like they shared so many other things. She could at least fake it, Cierra mused. The ferry had barely pulled out into the water when the fans began ordering drinks from the bar. These fans knew how to get ready for a game. She was about to get up and order herself a drink when she noticed a gentleman eyeing her first and then the empty seat beside her.

Is this seat taken? he asked.

Cierra looked up to find a handsome man staring down at her. He had the most intense brown eyes that seemed to smile. His lashes were long and curled up at the very edges. His face was ruggedly handsome, and he had just enough stubble that Cierra found sexy. With her eyes widening slightly, delighted hed chosen her to sit by, Cierra was momentarily speechless.

No, this seat is not taken, but I was just going to get myself a drink, she said, eyeing the bar beyond him.