Stealing His Heart
AJ Jarrett
Nehalem Pack 25
Stealing His Heart
Chapter One
"Breathe, son." His dad, Caleb, put his big, warm hand on Kamden's neck, but it did nothing to calm his raging nerves. "Remember they wanted to meet you. They want you to play for them."
"Yeah." Kamden pulled at the collar of his light blue button-down dress shirt. It suddenly felt too tight. He winced as another drop of sweat dripped down his back. "They wanted to see me. I have nothing to worry about," Kamden mumbled to himself. "I'm the greatest shortstop who's ever lived." He wasn't, but Kamden liked to pump himself up. It helped a little.
"Yes you are." His dad moved his arm to Kamden's shoulders. "You're the best ballplayer I've ever seen. They'd be crazy to not want you."
"You have to say that." Kamden cocked his head to the side and stared at his father. "I'm your son."
"True, but even if you weren't I'd feel the same way." His dad tightened his hand. "Son, your stats speak for themselves. Last season at Louisiana State you had no errors and you had a three sixty-two batting average. You're an amazing athlete. The athletic director at the college said that Coach Henson is eager to have you play for them. According to Sean, Henson thinks you'd make a great addition to an already successful team."
"Why though? I mean any player can look good on paper, but you need to watch them in action to really know what kind of player they are." This was the one thing he didn't understand. PJ Henson had never met Kamden or actually seen him play. He'd come to Silver Creek after Kamden had graduated high school. They'd never met.
"He talked to your high school coach." His dad, with one arm on Kam's shoulder, guided him toward the entrance into the baseball stadium where the coaches' offices were. "According to Henson, Coach Clevenger raved about your talents, and Henson did get some of your game footage from the coaches at Louisiana State."
"I guess. I'm just nervous." Kamden shrugged. It wasn't surprising. His coaches down in Louisiana knew he was having a meeting at Hemsworth.
Kamden had played down in Louisiana for the past two years. He liked it there-he really did-but he was homesick. His best friend Carson had moved back to Silver Creek, and his brother Ryan and his little boy were there now, too. When he left Silver Creek, Kamden wasn't on speaking terms with Carson and Ryan had gone off to college in Texas. Kamden felt it was his turn to go off and do his own thing, but the shine wore off that real quick. Sure he'd made friends, but nothing long-lasting. He just wanted to be at home where things were familiar and where he was comfortable, and if he could still play baseball it was a bonus to him.
"It's good to be nervous." His dad smiled at him. "It means you haven't gotten cocky. You're a great ballplayer, but you don't act like it. That's a great character trait to have."
"I guess but what if after all this they don't want me?"
"Then they're bat-shit crazy."
Kamden chuckled at his father's words. His dad pulled him to a stop in front of the front entrance.
"Kam, you might be my kid, but I would never lie to you about this. You're an amazing ballplayer. Have a little faith in your ability." His dad gave him a quick pat on the arm. "Now let's go see what they have to say."
"Thanks, Dad." Kamden took a deep breath, grabbed the handle on the glass door, and pulled it open. The cool air rushed against his face as he walked inside the building. An older lady with short blonde hair and a friendly smile on her face sat behind a narrow high top desk ten feet from the door. "Hi. I'm here to see Coach Henson."
"You must be Kamden Kline-Kemp. My name is Lisa, and it's very nice to meet you." Lisa stood and came around her desk to shake his hand. "Henson is expecting you." She waved for them to follow her. "Just follow me, sweetie." She looked back over her shoulder. "Henson and Baxter are down on the field."
Kamden glanced over at his father, then followed Lisa down the hallway. The walls were lined with pictures of past baseball players who had played at Hemsworth. Halfway down the hallway a glass case displayed trophies. It was impressive. Hemsworth had made it to the College World Series the previous year, but Florida had taken home the title. It was a little intimidating. Kamden had been sought out by recruiters from Hemsworth while he was still in high school, but after his falling out with Carson, he needed to get far away from Silver Creek.
"There's a pitching practice going on right now," Lisa said. "One of the starting pitchers pulled a muscle while on vacation. They're hoping he won't be out for the season."
Kamden nodded. His hands started to shake, and he shoved them into his pockets to hide just how nervous he truly was. He knew he shouldn't be so anxious. Hemsworth had wanted him in the first place, but damn that didn't make a difference to his queasy stomach.
Kamden and his father followed a talkative Lisa through a series of hallways that ultimately led out on to the vast baseball field. She took them right out through the dugout lining the first base side. The sun was so bright Kamden had to bring his hand up to shield his eyes from the hot rays.
"It's beautiful," Kamden said in awe as he took in the field. The grass was a vibrant green, and even the dirt in the infield looked spectacular, soft and brown. Fresh chalk lined the baselines and the batter's box.
"I'm glad you think so, sweetie." Lisa put a warm, wrinkled hand on his forearm. She waved over toward an older man, then turned back to Kamden. "That's Mr. Baxter. He's the head of athletics here at Hemsworth. He'll take good care of you until Henson is free. It was nice meeting both of you, and I hope to see you here this fall." Lisa winked at him then turned and headed back the way she came in.
An older tall man with short white hair smiled as he walked over to greet them. "Hello there, Kamden. I'm Sean Baxter." He held out his hand for Kamden, then for his father. "Good to see you again, Caleb." Mr. Baxter turned his focus back toward Kamden. "I can't tell you how excited we here at Hemsworth are that you finally agreed to meet with us."
"I'm happy to be here, sir." Kamden looked out toward the field again.
"Caleb, I owe you one for getting your boy to agree to this."
"Oh, Sean, I can't take the credit on this one." Caleb nodded over at Kamden. "This is all Kam."
"Whatever the reason I'm just glad you're here."
"Thank you, sir." Kamden smiled.
"Enough with that sir crap." The older man chuckled. "Call me, Sean. Everyone does. Now come on." Sean started to walk toward the bull pen in the outfield. "Henson is out there with one of our pitchers."
The closer they got to the outfield Kamden could hear a man talking loud with a stern edge to his tone. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and a weird energy surrounded him. It was as if the air around him grew heavy and dense like fog. The wind picked up, and a deep, rich smell of burning wood fluttered under his nose. Kamden's eyes fell shut, and a lazy smiled curled his lips. Suddenly his shaking hands and nervous stomach disappeared. Kamden felt as if he could do anything. With the next step he took he stumbled over his feet and nearly fell face-first toward the ground.
"Son, you okay?" His dad asked, his strong hands holding Kamden tightly on the shoulders, keeping him from falling.
"Yeah, sorry." Kamden felt his cheeks flush with heat, and he dropped his gaze to look at the ground. He didn't know what had come over him.
"Henson, get over here!" Sean shouted.
Kamden moved closer to the fence that enclosed the bullpen. He watched the pitcher prepare for the next pitch. His shoulder came back, then forward in an easy glide. The ball soared through the air and into the catcher's mitt. Kamden's eyes widened when he heard the hard smack of the ball hitting the catcher's glove.
"Ross, do about fifteen more pitches. Then call it a day. We don't want to over work that arm."
A tall man that Kamden hadn't noticed stepped out of the shadows. He glanced in Kamden's direction and smiled, and Kam's mouth suddenly felt as dry as a desert. This man must be Coach Henson. He wore a baseball hat pulled down over his eyes, and the shadow from the bill made it hard to see his face, but Kam could see short black hair peeking out the sides. Henson said something else to the other player, then headed in his direction.
Henson jogged toward them with a smile on his face. His eyes were locked on Kam's and Kam couldn't look away. Kam shifted uncomfortable from foot to foot as his gaze traveled over Henson. The man was huge. He had to be at least four inches taller than Kam's six-foot height. And the man seemed to be made up of only muscle. Kam could see the way they flexed through the material of his clothes. He wore a pair of black Under Armour gym shorts and a gray T-shirt that had the school's name written across the front.