Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    All or Nothing
    All or Nothing
    All or Nothing
    Ebook218 pages2 hours

    All or Nothing

    By Chrissy Wissler

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    In high school softball, competition remains fierce and cutthroat and never-ending. Every year girls across the country swing harder, pitch faster. All competing for only a handful of college scholarships.

    Few succeed.

    But a few find a new dream...

    Theirs.

    These ten stories in Chrissy Wissler's popular Little League Series, follows ten young women. Each find the courage to walk a new path, to stand up for themselves, and just maybe, the spark of love. Included in this collection are "Prom Dates & Softball Bats," "Throw Like a Girl, Catch a Date," "Fly Away," "No Crying in Softball," "More to Life than Softball," "A Pitcher's Unexpected Date," "A Catcher's Christmas Wish," "Stolen Bases, Stolen Kisses," "Softball Baby," and "Off-Balance."

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBlue Cedar Publishing
    Release dateSep 8, 2014
    ISBN9781311703316
    All or Nothing
    Author

    Chrissy Wissler

    Chrissy’s short fiction has appeared in the anthologies: Fiction River: Risk-Takers, Fiction River Presents: Legacies, Fiction River Presents: Readers' Choice, Deep Magic, and When Dreams Come True (writing as Christen Anne Kelley). She writes fantasy and science fiction, as well as a softball, contemporary series for both romance and young adult (Little League Series and Home Run). Before turning to fiction, Chrissy also wrote many nonfiction articles for publications such as Montana Outdoors, Women in the Outdoors, and Jakes Magazine. In 2009, Inside Kung Fu magazine awarded her with their ‘Writer of the Year’ award. Follow her blog on being a parent-writer at Parents and Prose.

    Read more from Chrissy Wissler

    Related to All or Nothing

    Related ebooks

    YA Romance For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      My Big Little Sis

      Oct 8, 2020

      My Big Little Sis
      3 min read

    • Article

      Ace Up His Sleeves

      Jul 19, 2022

      Ace Up His Sleeves
      7 min read

    • Article

      Finding peace Jessica Rowe

      Nov 30, 2022

      Finding peace Jessica Rowe
      9 min read

    • Article

      I Confronted My School Bullies

      Jul 3, 2019

      I Confronted My School Bullies
      6 min read

    • Article

      The Truth As We Know It

      Dec 10, 2021

      Celia had just finished prepping meals for the week when she first heard the sound. She was stacking entrees in the fridge for the coming week. A mountain of dishes slid into the sink. She was wearing her apron, the one she always wore, over her stan

      15 min read

    • Article

      A New Ranger in Town

      Jan 26, 2021

      A New Ranger in Town
      3 min read

    • Article

      Heartstopper

      Apr 29, 2022

      Heartstopper
      6 min read

    • Article

      Excerpt

      Nov 12, 2019

      I didn’t see him come in, but I felt it. There was a stillness in the room, the kind that happens with fresh meat in shark-filled waters. No doubt everyone was sizing the newbie up, taking in his age and build, worrying whether they would be kicked o

      5 min read

    • Article

      Hazel Down the Rabbit Hole

      May 1, 2020

      Hazel Down the Rabbit Hole
      6 min read

    • Article

      No Regrets

      May 31, 2022

      No Regrets
      6 min read

    • Article

      Chrissie Swan

      Nov 30, 2023

      Chrissie Swan
      6 min read

    • Article

      Bex Taylor Klaus.

      Sep 27, 2019

      Bex Taylor Klaus.
      8 min read

    • Article

      You Need To Be PUNISHED

      Jan 27, 2022

      You Need To Be PUNISHED
      5 min read

    • Article

      Kanya Sesser

      Nov 23, 2021

      Kanya Sesser
      2 min read

    • Article

      Keeping A Low Profile

      Jun 30, 2020

      Keeping A Low Profile
      6 min read

    • Article

      Larger Than Life

      Nov 16, 2020

      Larger Than Life
      4 min read

    • Article

      Wednesday, September 4

      Aug 14, 2019

      THERE’S A SONG I LOVE by contemporary Christian band Big Daddy Weave called “My Story.” My favorite lyric talks about the kindness of Jesus and how it draws us in. There are a lot of other concepts like grace, hope, life, etc., in the song, but it’s

      1 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      May 19, 2023

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      7 min read

    • Article

      Elle The Great

      Sep 21, 2022

      Elle The Great
      6 min read

    • Article

      All About Eve

      Apr 14, 2020

      All About Eve
      5 min read

    • Article

      The Divine Miss DOVE

      Mar 2, 2022

      The Divine Miss DOVE
      3 min read

    • Article

      ‘You Have To Let The Game Come To You’

      Jun 24, 2022

      IF TITLE IX DIDN’T EXIST, women simply wouldn’t have equal opportunities to play the sports that we love. And I personally wouldn’t have had the experiences of being recruited to a top college basketball team and winning a national championship. Or h

      5 min read

    • Article

      THE RISE & RISE OF SADIE SINK

      Dec 21, 2022

      THE RISE & RISE OF SADIE SINK
      10 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for All or Nothing

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      All or Nothing - Chrissy Wissler

      All or Nothing

      All or Nothing

      A Little League Collection

      Chrissy Wissler

      Blue Cedar Publishing

      Contents

      Introduction

      Prom Dates & Softball Bats

      Throw Like a Girl, Catch a Date

      Fly Away

      No Crying in Softball

      More to Life than Softball

      A Pitcher’s Unexpected Date

      A Catcher’s Christmas Wish

      Stolen Bases Stolen Kisses

      Softball Baby

      Off-Balance

      Enjoy your free book

      About the Author

      Also by Chrissy Wissler

      Introduction

      Here’s the thing: I like to write about what I know. Sure times have changed since I lugged around seriously heavy backpacks and stuffed books into lockers that were far too-crammed (and dirty), but I’m sure one thing hasn’t changed: that ridiculous confusion that goes hand-in-hand with high school.

      You know.

      That figuring stuff out as we move from child into adults. The friendships. The who-we-are and what-we’re-going-to-do-with-our-lives.

      Here’s the thing about high school: it’s a mine field of traps and explosions. From where you fit in the school’s pecking order, to college, and everything else that falls in between.

      Oh, and you also need to figure out who you are on top of all that.

      Not who the popular group that styles the newest fashion or shiniest cars thinks is cool.

      Not who your friends think is cool.

      Who you are.

      Sometimes, figuring that out means making some mistakes. Big Mistakes. And sometimes it means taking chances. Big Chances. And sometimes, even then, you haven’t gotten it quite right and need to just keep plugging along because some day, at some point, it’ll click. And that’s okay too.

      If you couldn’t tell, yes, I’ve done all the above. (Many that kept on going right out of high school and into the great big thing called Life.)

      The ten stories I’ve written in this collection all revolve around this idea—these young women, who each have loved softball at some point in their life, now being thrust in a position to either stand strong, to find themselves, and face whatever their fears are—or to fail. To just be that person everyone else wants or expects them to be, instead of who they truly are.

      From facing overbearing, know-it-all-parents, to friends who turn out to be not-so-great-friends (not to mention not-so-great-boyfriends), it’s not easy to believe in yourself. Especially when the people you care about most are the ones standing in your way. The ones telling you no. That you can’t do something.

      Sure, some of these stories have a dash of romance (or even a bit more—I do enjoy a good love story), but really, the decision comes from each of these women. They’re the ones who find their own strength, who look within themselves at the core of who they are, despite the confusion and craziness that’s often going on, and make a decision.

      To take a chance.

      On themselves.

      I hope you take a chance on yourself and who you are—whoever that turns out to be. Even if it’s the ‘you’ you hadn’t quite expected.

      Life’s kinda fun that way (and kinda of mean, too).

      Enjoy.

      —Chrissy Wissler

      Torrance, CA

      August, 2014

      Prom Dates & Softball Bats

      Prom Dates & Softball Bats

      Jenny, like any good pitcher, knew when to throw at a batter, knew when to throw a change-up pitch, and more importantly, knew her reflexes were top-notch for those line drive hits smacked right back at her head. And yes, like any good pitcher, she’d had plenty of practice .

      With Sunny View High School star player Lacey Starr (convenient last name, huh?) towering over Jenny, all six feet of legs and pure muscle, clenching the softball in her meaty paw, Jenny knew it was time to back down.

      At least this particular show-down hadn’t occurred in the middle of a game. Of course, having the coach arrive on time for try-outs would be nice.

      This is my team, Lacey growled. We don’t need some little upstart transfer kid playing on our field. We don’t need you and we sure as hell don’t want you.

      Her little posse—which also conveniently consisted of the entire team, including the lowly freshman bench warmers—snickered behind Lacey. A few even smacked fist into gloves for good measure.

      I’m here for the try-out. Jenny had the flyer safely tucked in her bat bag. She’d been through this routine before and would go through it again. The posting said ‘Walk-Ons Welcome’ unless Coach Steele changed her mind?

      Lacey frowned, her fingers twitching at her side.

      Damn. Jenny hadn’t even thrown a ball yet and already the team wanted to jump her.

      We don’t need you or your famous daddy anywhere near our field. Go home. Lacey leaned closer. The faint scent of stale sweat and dirt drifted from her.

      Jenny tried not to cough. Or faint. Lacey’s knee-pads probably hadn’t been washed in years.

      I came to play ball, Jenny said. I’m not leaving until Coach Steele asks me too.

      You leave or I’ll make you leave.

      Jenny raised her head. Then I guess you’ll have to make me.

      All 150 lbs.—give or take—of muscle leaped towards Jenny. She sidestepped, easy and graceful, and turned. Hands out in a fighting stance, perfectly balanced, waiting for the slow sweeping arc of a punch every amateur-idiot insisted on throwing.

      Except the punch never came. Actually, it couldn’t because Lacey’s arm was being held by a wrist, which was connected to a quite defined bicep, which was then attached to one of the cutest boys (if someone that tall could be considered a boy), Jenny had seen since moving to the Southern California coast.

      And if you’d ever visited a Southern California beach, you know that’s saying a lot.

      Lace, the boy rumbled, you’re not being very nice.

      Get your hand off me, Jason.

      Jason shook his head. You hit the new transfer student, on her first day no less, what do you think Mom’s gonna say?

      Lacey’s face reddened. Neither did it help her little support group had started whispering—and fawning over her apparently very hot brother. She’s not going to know. She’s not around to know.

      I’ll tell her.

      If you tell her I’ll break your—

      Okay! Jenny stepped forward, though didn’t step between the two fighting siblings; she wasn’t that stupid.

      Look. I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot. I’m just here for the try-outs. I’m not here to steal someone’s position or knock them off the starter list.

      Okay, she was—at least that was her dad's reasons for her being here—but that really wasn’t the point. Not at the moment anyway.

      Lacey’s face, apparently forever stretched in the growl grimace, didn’t change.

      You want to hit me, go ahead, Jenny said. But I’m damn sure the Principal won’t like that and I’m damn sure you’ll be suspended for a few games if not half the season.

      Jenny crossed her arms over her chest. I’m not a senior like you. I have three more seasons to impress the college scouts. I can afford to sit out if I need too.

      It was a stupid thing to say. After all, who try to piss off a bull dog and then expected to live? Still, she’d said it anyway, fully expecting the full-force of an angry star pitcher and home run hitter, but Jason merely tightened his hold and Lacey…didn’t go anywhere.

      She tried though, pulling and straining her big muscles. Meanwhile the girls egged her on.

      A whistle, sharp and piercing, cut through the cheers and bets. Coach Steele, who thankfully a head taller (and wider) than Lacey, finally arrived.

      Jason let go and Lacey backed down.

      What the hell is going on here? Coach Steele tossed her bag onto the ground, hardly breaking stride as she rounded on the group. Lacey? Jason?

      Triumph lit Lacey’s eyes and for a brief moment, Jenny saw her future spot on the team zip by. Just great. If she got kicked off even before she put on her cleats—crap, her dad would have another transfer set up within days.

      Jenny took another deep, long breath. There were only so places they could move, only so many high schools and teams in the local area.

      But then, Jason beat Lacey to it. And, surprisingly, he told the truth. He apparently had seen the whole thing, saw when Lacey had stormed up to Jenny, practically grabbing her shirt (or would have if Jenny hadn’t dodged).

      He didn’t protect his sister, didn't protect the other girls who looked everywhere but at Coach Steele, and he didn’t protect Jenny either.

      Coach Steele’s mouth pinched. We talked about this, Lacey. I warned you.

      It’s nothing, Coach. I just wanted to scare off the new kids, the ones who are only here to look good. The ones who aren’t serious.

      Considering this kid here was the freshman star of Mountain Lake High, I have a hard time believing she’s not serious.

      Coach Steele swung her attention to Jenny and Jenny nearly stumbled back. The woman had the same intensity as her dad, and he was a pro baseball player.

      There went Jenny’s dreams of having fun for another one or two years.

      Fun? In softball? Yeah, right.

      So, Coach Steele hummed though it sounded more doom and gloom than comforting. You’re Jenny Tyler.

      Jenny gave Coach Steele the same look she’d given her dad this morning. That’s right.

      And you want to play on my team?

      Yes. Even if it wasn’t true, Jenny didn’t hesitate, didn’t shuffle her feet or glance the other way. This was the game. This was what her dad, and people like Coach Steele and Lacey, had turned it into.

      I’m here to play. Jenny looked pointedly at Jason, then at Lacey. Unless your team has other ideas.

      They know the rules and if they forget, I’ll remind them. Coach Steele thrust her hand out. No try-outs required. I’ve seen you pitch. Welcome to the team.

      Part of Jenny had hoped Lacey would punch her. At least then Jenny’s mother would insist she be sent to another school, try another team, another group of girls. If it hadn’t been for Jason, she would have gotten punched. Talk about terrible timing.

      Thanks. Jenny smiled and shook Coach Steele’s hand.

      The rest of practice, and the team for that matter, simply fell away. Not quite fall exactly, but blurred together to the point where Jenny couldn't pinpoint what she did, who she practiced with, hell she even forgot the catcher's name about two seconds after the girl shook Jenny's hand.

      Jenny wiped the sweat from her forehead. You’d think she'd be used to this by now, forgetting everyone’s names, forgetting which team she’d played on. She didn’t like it, but it was easier this way.

      Easier so when her dad yanked her and shoved her onto a better, more advanced team.

      Coach Steele had her eyes glued on Jenny the entire practice, even now as she pulled off her cleats, there was that look, that watching. This didn't make the other girls any happier with her, didn't make Lacey and her fuming anger any easier to deal with.

      You did good out at there, Jason said from behind her.

      Jenny dropped her cleat and spun in the grass. Tried too, anyway. Didn't work so well since she nearly tipped over.

      Jason merely laughed. Not a making fun of her kind of laugh, Jenny could tell those a mile out. No, this was a different kind of laugh, the kind that made her blush, the kind that reminded her she was a woman, she was single, and he was a very attractive...senior.

      Not cool. Not if her dad found she was breaking rule number 683. It was easier to stick with the softball rules than his anti-social ones.

      Thanks. She didn't offer her hand.

      Sorry about my sister back there. She's like this every year. Jason knelt beside her, right beside her upturned cleat.

      And no, they didn’t smell pretty. Jenny worked out, practiced constantly, and there was nothing put a mingled smell of sweat and dirt pouring off her and her shoes.

      Jason didn’t move, though. In fact, he seemed to lean a little closer—which was way too close. Jenny scooted back.

      When it came to boys, cute, hot or not, her dad was right. Best to head off this potentially bad interest at the start, especially since she had no idea how long her ‘stay’ in this school would be.

      Look. Thanks for your help, you didn't need to stop Lacey from pummeling me.

      Jason lifted an eyebrow. She hated it when guys could do that.

      But you did, Jenny continued. And I'm grateful, however, I am absolutely not interested in a boyfriend, a date, or even going to the movies. So, if that’s why you’re here you can forget it.

      She snatched her cleat from Jason's offered hand—how he could stand to touch the smelly thing she had no idea—and tossed it into her bag. She headed towards the locker rooms, a slightly awkward walk since she only had on one shoe.

      Jason didn't take the hint. He actually followed after her. And ohh, he was laughing again.

      I see they were right about you.

      Jenny's fingers tightened on the straps of her bag. About what?

      She heard him stop behind her, and if she wanted to hear his answer, which she didn't, she'd have to face him. Somehow, that was exactly what her body did. It stopped. And then it wouldn’t keep moving.

      Already a few of the girls were lingering, as if leaning closer to catch what they were arguing about. Great. Another gossip team.

      Jason shrugged. You're intense. No social life, no texting, hell I'll bet you've never attended a school dance.

      Why would I want too?

      That's what girls do. They like to get all dressed up and get nice flowers.

      I'm not most girls.

      Jason tilted his head. That's my point.

      It was a stupid point. There was nothing wrong with her. I'm not in a school long enough to be invited to a dance.

      Jason smiled. Bigger this time and she swore there was a gleam of triumph. She needed to get out of here.

      Jenny spun, and for good measure, tossed her pony-tail over her shoulder. Whatever you heard, like I care. I have work to do.

      See? This was the attitude of a girl who didn't care. Not one bit, not a tiny...

      Problem, brother? Lacey’s voice grated behind her.

      Where the hell did she come from? Jenny kept walking. Slow and steady, not in the least afraid. And she wasn't afraid, she just didn't like showing her back to potential enemies—and yes, Lacey definitely counted.

      No problem, Jason said. "But I think Jenny's just asked me to the

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1