Chapter 9

CHAPTER

NINE

ALEXANDER

I’m wrapping up a meeting with the Operations Team and glance at the clock. The open practice is about halfway through, but I have just enough time to change and join them for a quick batting practice.

I grew up around baseball and starting playing when I was four. I always enjoyed the game. I was an all-star pitcher in high school and a starting pitcher my sophomore year in college. I had my first injury that summer. After surgery my junior year, my arm was never quite the same. I’m lucky to get to work in the sport I love and appreciate that the team humors me during open practice, allowing me to relive my glory days.

I walk out of the tunnel into the bright sun and stop to look around the field. It never gets old. I’m still filled with awe when I step out and feel the fine dirt under my shoes. The smell of the fresh-cut grass fills my lungs, and I exhale all the stress of running this ballpark and team. The pitchers are playing catch with a few kids near the bullpen while the rest of the team has a kid ne xt to them at their position. The kids vary in age from around five to thirteen, but all play well together.

Freddy Swanson is at first base sporting a bright pink glove, embracing his girl dad role. His thirteen-year-old daughter, Maddie, is next to him, ready for the next batter.

“Hey boss,” Freddy calls out. “Want to take some swings so Maddie can practice tagging your sorry butt out at first? You’re getting slow.”

“Better watch it Swanson, or I’ll drop you and sign her,” I tease. She’s a softball superstar. I know because Freddy tells everyone, and I’ll never discourage parental pride.

I grab a batting helmet and take a few practice swings. Tripp is on the mound, and if the kids weren’t out here, I know he’d strike me out in three pitches. Instead, he lobs a slow pitch in my strike zone, and I hit the ball and take off for first base. Luis Rodriguez throws the ball to Maddie, and she catches it, but I was a little faster and round to second. Maddie tosses the ball to Archie Samuels, who drops it, and I jog to third. Archie runs with the ball instead of throwing it and tags me out at third.

“YOUUUURRRREEE OUT!” the kid on third calls. I don’t immediately recognize him, his face hidden under the oversized brim of his hat.

“Great job, Tyler,” Matt says. And it clicks. Tyler Franklin is here. Which hopefully that means his mother is here too. I can’t contain my spontaneous grin.

I tap the bill of his hat. “Wicked call, Tyler. Having fun?”

His grin speaks volumes. “Yes sir. I’m gonna be a Reaper someday.”

“Sooner than later, I’m sure.” I’m tempted to ask about his mom, but I can’t risk Matt jumping to conclusions. The right conclusions, but nothing he needs to be involved in.

I look up at Matt. “Enjoying your first open practice?”

“Sure am.” His grin rivals Tyler’s.

I relieve Tripp at the mound and call all the kids in to bat. It gives the guys extra cardio because they have to run farther infield to catch the ball. And the unofficial rules are to run with the ball so they can tag the runner instead of making the out on base. The kids bat, some with Reaper help, and the bases are loaded. Laughter fills the air, and everyone is having fun. It’s a reminder of what this should be about. Not ticket sales and contracts, but love of the game.

We wrap it up after all the kids get a chance to bat. The players still have an afternoon of meetings and film to watch, but they make time to greet the family members at the tunnel entrance who are there to gather their kids. I walk with Tyler because I’d love to talk to Dani. I can’t deny she’s been on my mind. And in my dreams. She’s consumed my thoughts more than I’d care to admit.

When Tyler stops and wraps his arms around her legs, I’m stunned.

“What did you do to your hair?” I internally smack myself as the words leave my mouth.

Her smile quickly vanishes. “Excuse me?”

“I mean, I barely recognized you.” I’m trying to recover, but I’m afraid this blunder will cost me.

Her hand goes to her sleek, long hair, and her fingers slowly move through the straight strands. Where are those bouncy curls that I loved so much? My hands itch to play with them, wrap my finger around a ringlet and, hell, I really liked her curls. This Dani looks sexy, seductive, beautiful, but maybe a little cold. Her light isn’t as bright as before. I worry something’s happened to the woman I’ve come to think of as my sunshine.

“That sounds like a you problem,” she snaps back. Yep, there’s that sass I knew she had. I have mixed emotions when it’s directed at me. Her fire turns me on, but it’s because I hurt her feelings, and that is the last thing I ever want to do. I never want her to hurt again.

“Mom, did you see me with Matt? Did you watch?” Tyler interrupts.

“Of course I was watching. You ready to go? We’re going to have l unch with Archie and his mom.” She gives him a half smile. Yep. I dimmed her smile down a few notches. Fuck.

“Hey, look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean...”.

“No more apologies, Mr. Decker. I appreciate you letting Tyler come. He had fun, didn’t you, tiger?” She gives him a little squeeze.

“Yeah Mom, it was the best day ever.” He’s bouncing, filled with pent up energy.

“Hey Tyler, want to go run the bases one more time before you leave? Grab Archie, and you can race.” I look at her, and she’s scowling at me. It’s a new look for her but goes with the hair, I guess. Yes, I’m aware I asked him something without asking her. I know it’s against the rules, but I need some time with her. It’s a calculated risk. One I’m hoping will pay off.

Tyler takes off, calling to Archie as he runs. I only have a minute to make one last attempt at resetting this.

“Dani, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to,” I start.

“No, that’s okay. I get it.” Gets what? My brain isn’t fast enough to keep up with the shifting conversation.

“No, no, listen. You caught me by surprise, that’s all. Let me explain. Will you go out with me? Dinner? Coffee? You can wear your hair however you want. I just want,” I say before she interrupts me.

“Thanks for the permission, but I’m good.”

Tyler joins us. She puts her hand on his shoulder and turns him around. His big brown eyes look at me like he knows I’m in trouble, and he feels sorry for me. Yeah kid, I know.

“Dani, wait.” I reach for her and catch myself. I don’t want to be the man who grabs at her. She pauses, but doesn’t turn around. “I’m glad you and Tyler were here today. You’re welcome anytime.”

“Thanks.” She nods as they walk away.

I squat down, my legs not willing to hold me upright. I slam my hat on the ground and run my hands through my sweaty hair. How did I fuck this up so bad? I’ve never had an issue with women. But this one? I’m an idiot.

I’m calling it a day. I grab my things from my office and go home. After showering, I’m still stewing over my interaction with Dani. I don’t know what to do, but I know I need to do something. I reach for my phone, and he picks up almost immediately.

“Jules, I fucked up.”

I tell him what happened, and he laughs at me. “Are you really asking me for help? After all the shit you give me for Team True Love?”

Jules is a hopeless romantic. He claims responsibility for helping couples find their happily ever after with the help of him and our busybody friends he’s dubbed Team True Love. Maybe that’s why I called him, but I’ll never admit it.

“I’m asking for help,” I concede. Me asking for help is as rare as a perfect game. It doesn’t happen often, and when it does, it’s a big fucking deal. But my way isn’t working and I’m a big enough person to admit when I’ve failed.

Julian’s laughter stops, and he clears his throat. I brace myself for the serious advice he’s about to dish out. “Have you ever heard of a grand gesture?”