Coach Smith poked his head into the dugout. “If you ladies are done with the warm and fuzzies, I’d like you to get your asses on the field with your team.”
“Coming, Coach.” I spoke for the group and we filed out.
We all knew we’d probably never find the guy, but this was their way of trying to right a wrong. And I needed that from them to help work past my anger and disappointment.
We walked the streets after practice looking for him, until my phone rang one evening during the middle of our nightly ritual. “Hold up, guys, it’s Dean,” I yelled toward my scattered teammates.
“What’s up?”
“They got him.” Dean’s voice sounded solid and relieved.
“The guy?” My chest immediately tightened.
“They caught him trying to pawn Cassie’s camera. He’s in jail. I have to head down there to identify him.”
My head spun as anger, relief, and fury all coursed through me at once. “Can I get her camera for her? Do you want me to come with you? I should probably come with you.” My voice changed as my emotions settled on anger and making the coward pay for ever putting his hands on my girl.
“I’ll find out about the camera when I get there, but I think it’s evidence now, so she still can’t have it back.” Dean sounded sympathetic before his tone turned stern. “I’m in the police parking lot now, so I’ll just head in and identify him. You should go tell Cassie they got him.”
I made eye contact with each one of my teammates, who now surrounded me, and attempted to rein in my temper. I ended the call before addressing the group. “They got him. He tried to pawn Cassie’s camera and they arrested him. Dean’s at the police station now.”
“I’ll head down there. I got a good look at the guy too, so I can help,” Brett added quickly, and took off running before waiting for a response.
“You alright?” Matt placed his arm on my shoulder.
“In all honesty, I kind of wanted to be the one to find him.” I shrugged. “I wanted to introduce his face to the pavement,” I added, and they all howled with laughter.
“I bet you did,” Cole said with a wince.
“It’s probably good you didn’t, Jack. Knowing you, you would have killed the guy. You can’t play professional baseball from jail,” Ryan offered, his tone grave.
“I could start a jail baseball league. I’m very resourceful,” I suggested.
Matt ignored my sick humor. “It’s good they got him. This is a good thing.”
“I know. Plus, Cass would never forgive me if I went to jail.”
“Or broke your hand,” Cole chipped in.
I frowned at Cole and snapped, “Who invited you?”
“I’m just saying!” he defended.
“Nah, you’re right. She’d be pissed if I broke my hand.” I sighed heavily, feeling the intensity of my anger dissipating. “I’d better go tell her the news. Thanks for coming out with me, guys.”
I shook hands with each of them as the damage between us slowly healed. We walked toward our cars as a group before dispersing. I’m sure it looked like a scene out of Swingers, that old movie where people drove around the corner because no one walked anywhere.
I found Cassie sitting on her bed, so engrossed in whatever she was reading that she hadn’t noticed me standing in her doorway. It was moments like these where I could stare at her for hours. I watched as her eyes scanned the words on the page, her forehead creasing and her eyes narrowing with her emotions. I cleared my throat and she looked up.
“Jack! How long have you been standing there?”
“Not long.” I smiled and moved next to her bed.
“I didn’t know you were coming over. Is everything okay?”
“I just talked to Dean and they found the guy.”
Her eyes widened as she carefully marked her page, closed her book, and set it down beside her. “They caught him?”
I sat facing her. “He tried to sell your camera to a pawnshop. They have regulations to check if things are stolen goods or not. The shop called the police and they arrested him.”
“Oh my God. Well, that’s good. Do they have my camera? Can I get it back?” Her eyes lit up with hope.
I reached out my hand and felt her relax with my touch. “Sorry, Kitten. The police have it as evidence. It has to stay there until the sentencing is done.”
“How long does that take?”
“It can take months.”
“Months?” she repeated, her voice filled with disappointment.
“I’m sorry.” And I was. Seeing her disappointed, hurt, and sad practically killed me. I repositioned myself next to her before resting my arm on her leg.