Play For Keeps - Chapter 1: Chapter 1

May 2024
Ezra Lawson rolled his shoulders back, exhaling slowly.
His first practice had been smooth, no mistakes, no stumbles- every pitch had hit the zone perfectly. He felt untouchable.
Ezra had just arrived to the team, stepping into a new world with high expectations and instant pressure. Signing with the organization was the easy part- but now came the real challenge. Every rookie had to prove themselves, and this first practice wasn't just about shaking off rust. It was showing he belonged.
"Good work out there," Deion, the seasoned team leader, said walking past him, nodding approvingly.
Ezra smirked. "You already know."
But Deion stopped, shifting his stance. "Listen man, just because you're signed doesn't mean you've made it."
Ezra's smirk faded slightly.
"Come to practice ready to learn, not acting like you know everything," Deion added, his voice even. "That's how careers last."
A beat passed. Then, he patted Ezra's back and walked away.
"Damn, already getting in trouble?" Malik teased, jogging up with Trey right behind him.
Ezra scoffed. "His old ass just hating."
Malik shook his head. "Nah, you just cocky as hell." Ezra shrugged with a smirk. "Anyways, we got the hookup for a game tonight."
"What game?" Ezra asked before finishing off his Powerade.
"Softball. Texas versus LSU." Malik replied.
"I know this finna be a good game." Trey said as he rubbed his hands together. Ezra frowned.
"Softball? People really watch that shit?"
Trey smirked. "Softball players got way more heart than baseball players, man."
Ezra laughed, shaking his head. "Nah, they got way more heart than you wit yo pandering ass."
Trey shrugged and Malik sighed, he hated the way Ezra talked about Softball as if the sport was lesser than. He agreed with Trey in Softball players having way more heart than them. It wasn't an opinion, it was a fact.
"Stop being weird and be ready in an hour and a half. Game starts at 7."
Ezra shrugged. "Whatever."
Softball? He still wasn't convinced.
The evening crept closer, and while he was half-heartedly prepping to head out, another locker room, miles away, was overflowing with music, laughter, and anticipation.
The beat of Rihanna's Only Girl (In the World) shook the locker room, blasting from a speaker near the entrance. The air was alive with hype, bouncing off metal lockers and team chatter like an unspoken promise- tonight was gonna be big.
Imani stood on the bench, one foot planted like she was commanding an arena, gripping a bat like a microphone, eyes closed in full pop-star mode.
"WANT YOU TO MAKE ME FEEL- LIKE IM THE ONLY GIRL IN THE WORLD!"
Her teammates lost it- cheering, waving their arms, some fake crying like crazed fans watching the real Rihanna perform live.
Lovie flicked the locker light switch on and off, creating a messy, strobe- like effect. Riley grabbed Talia by the shoulders, shaking her aggressively and dramatically, almost making Imani break character.
Coach walked in, hands in her hips, watching the chaos unfold.
Imani, still in character, grabbed the imaginary mic with both hands, dropped to her knees, and belted the last note like she was on the stage at the Grammys.
The moment Coach's voice cut through, Imani froze mid-note, looking up innocently.
"Imani, get your narrow behind down."
She gasped, placing a hand on her hip. "Oop, now Coach, ain't nothin narrow about whats back here. You see all this booty you helped me build?"
The locker room exploded with laughter, players slapping lockers, Lovie doubling over, even Coach fighting a smirk.
Then came the shift.
"Alright, alright, settle down. Tonight's game matters."
The room quieted, excitement settling into focused determination.
"After tonight, we find out if we make the Conference Tournament. Yes we are the number 3 seed, and we will most likely make the Tournament, but that doesn't mean we go out here and look a mess."
The girls exchanged looks, the weight of the moment finally settling in.
Coach scanned the room, nodding. "Let's play smart, play hard - but most importantly, let's have fun."
Then- her grin returned.
"Now turn on my jam."
Lovie wasted no time- Tambourine by Eve filled the space, and the energy roared back to life.
Everyone present in the locker room began to dance and hype Coach as she danced in the middle of the circle they made around her.
"Shine on me, shine on three- one, two, three- SHINE!"
And just like that the Texas softball team was locked in.
The sun was dipping low, casting warm streaks of orange across the stadium. The lights flickered on, illuminating the field in a sharp contrast of deep blue and brilliant white.
Ezra, Malik, and Trey slipped into their prime seats, right near the first baseline- close enough to catch every movement, but just far enough to avoid getting pulled into the action.
The crowd was already buzzing, a steady hum of voices layered with the occasional burst of laughter or excited chatter. Fans in Texas jerseys leaned against the rails, some clutching foam fingers. others with their faces painted in burnt orange.
Ezra barely paid attention. Softball wasn't his thing.
On the field, LSU warmed up- infielders tossing crisp, controlled throws to each other, outfielders jogging across the turf. Their pitcher stood in the bullpen, rocking slightly, eyes locked in focus, as she prepped for the first inning.
Ezra watched absently, seeing the movements but not really caring.
"Who you got Trey?" Malik asked with a smile.
Trey frowned playfully. "Type of stupid ass question is that? Texas all day."
Malik nodded in agreement, stretching his arms behind his head. "I hope my lil LSU bae don't see me over here."
Ezra and Trey laughed, shaking their heads.
Then- the first pitch was thrown.
Texas was at bat.
Base hit- runner thrown out at first.
Strikeout- quick and effortless.
Then- a double- crowd energy rising slightly.
Then, the shift.
The stadium's speakers boomed to life, and suddenly, the murmuring voices merged into one unified wave of sound.
Then- Cardi B's Money filled the air.
The bass hit hard, the beat rolling through the stadium like an anthem, and Ezra immediately noticed how the energy shifted.
The crowd didn't just watch- they felt the moment.
Then- the kids nearby lost their minds.
"IMANIII!!!"
"HEY IMANIIII, OVER HERE!!"
Ezra glanced over.
A group of young fans- maybe middle schoolers, decked out in Texas caps and jerseys- were practically hanging over the railing, screaming her name with pure, unfiltered excitement.
But she didn't hear them. She was locked in.
Ezra sat forward slightly, resting his forearms on his knees.
Just watching.
Ball.
Strike.
Foul.
Ball.
Ball.
Full count.
Ezra could feel the weight of the moment, even if he wasn't fully invested yet. The entire stadium seemed to pause, locked into the tension of the pitch.
Imani stood firm at the plate, gripping her bat, feet planted, locked in.
The pitcher wound up.
Then- contact.
The ball launched off the bat, cutting through the night air like a bullet.
Ezra barely had time to track it before the stadium erupted. A home run.
The cheers were instant, deafening, a full-body wave of noise that hit every corner of the park.
Imani trotted down the first- base line, head high, eyes locked forward- not with arrogance, but with the same laser- sharp focus she'd had at the plate.
Her teammates exploded out of the dugout, hands flying up, some bouncing on their toes, others already crowding home plate to meet her.
Ezra leaned forward, eyes narrowing.
Not because of the home run. Because of her.
When she crossed home, her teammates swallowed her into their swarm, hands grabbing at her jersey, patting her helmet, shouting over each other.
She laughed- a real, unapologetic laugh- and tossed her head back, eyes gleaming under the stadium lights.
Ezra's gaze flickered.
It wasn't just excitement. She gave back everything she got- hyping them up the same way they hyped her up.
Then- the kids near the stands screamed louder.
"IMANIIII!!"
And this time- she heard them.
She turned, face still lit with adrenaline, and pulled off her helmet.
She smoothed back her curly, half up and half down style, eyes locking onto the young fans. She grinned wide, waving excitedly, then lifted her fingers to her lips and blew them a kiss.
Ezra's jaw tensed and he began to feel a little nervous.
That was for them.
But somehow- he felt it too.
Malik nudged him with a smirk. "Damn, you staring hard."
Ezra scoffed. "Shut up. I'm looking at everybody, not just her."
Malik laughed. "Yeah right."
Then after another out- Texas hustled onto the field.
Imani moved like she belonged there, adjusting her glove, rolling her shoulders as she jogged out to third base. She called out to shortstop, clapped her glove twice, then crouched into position- ready, waiting.
Ezra exhaled.
For the first time, he watched the field.