JY RIPPED IT.
The ball took off, this time headed for left field, over the Green Monster, and on to Lansdowne Street.
The smattering of Yankees fans cheered like maniacs, but they were quickly smothered by a stadium packed with Red Sox groans.
Jalen, Cat, and her mom hugged one another and howled with delight, ignoring the dark looks of the Boston fans surrounding them.
Jalen suddenly froze. “I have to go.”
Gregorius crossed home plate, but JY hadn’t yet reached third on his easy tour of the bases. Jalen started to push past Cat toward the aisle.
“Wait.” Cat blocked him from getting by. “This isn’t over.”
“JY isn’t going to be up again, Cat.” Jalen didn’t like the look on her face. It was that stubborn look she sometimes got. “They’ve got the lead. You know that Betances will hold them in the eighth and Chapman will close the ninth. Money in the bank.”
“The Red Sox are going to be at the top of their lineup.” Cat gripped his arm and tugged him toward his seat. “They could come back and tie this. Anything could happen.”
“Yeah, anything could happen.” Jalen pointed to the clock. “I could leave now and help smash Chris and the Rockets, that could happen, but not with me sitting here just in case. Come on, Cat. JY is gonna be the hero, and I already missed at least an inning, maybe two. I gotta get back.”
“I just—”
“You’re the one who said ‘double play,’ Cat. Your words. Tag the bag and make the throw. Something spectacular. Something most people can’t do.” Jalen threw his hands up. “I tagged the bag, now you gotta help me make the throw. Right now.”
In his mind, Jalen was making backup plans. If Cat and her mom wouldn’t take him back, he could get a cab, or if he didn’t have enough money for that, he could figure out the trains. He didn’t want that, though. He wanted Cat with him because he felt like they were a team.
Cat clenched her teeth, and Jalen studied her face to see what it would be.