Chapter 4

Chapter Four

Donovan

Two Months Later

C oaching was almost as hard on my body as playing. I sank into the small tub of my hotel room and tried to remember what day it was. I knew the Cruisers had just finished a three-day winning streak in Ohio, but other than that, I wasn’t sure.

My eyelids closed. Then they opened. Tomorrow I’d be home, and Saturday, Margot was going to cook for us. We’d had a few quick meals and lots of kisses during brief visits home, but in two days, it would be our first big date together.

It was surprising at how easy it was to keep things going on the road. We’d even managed some flirty Facetimes, though quiet, as often Margot was in her extended stay suite in Kentucky and I was in some hotel room, or in my small apartment in Lombard. Liam was trying to convince me to put my stuff in storage and lease a studio in his building. It was less rent, and I needed to do it. My apartment was noise and bare bones. Maybe I could help some shifts at the bar i the off-season as a thank you.

I heard my phone ding and cursed. I’d left it near my bed. It was worth getting out of the tub, even as my arm ached from catching balls from pitchers as they warmed up. We were short a catcher right now because of injuries.

As I wrapped a too-small towel around my waist, I hurried to talk to my best friend and our girlfriend.

We had one more game because of an earlier rainout in the season. After, I saw Liam was trying to reach me. Four calls.

“Donovan. Finally,” he said, his voice clipped.

“Hey,” I said. “Sorry. I fell asleep in the tub. How’re things?”

He sighed. “One owner pulled out. If we want to do this, we need another 200k, as soon as possible.”

I sat heavily on the edge of my bed. “I have some savings, but I don’t know how I could raise that.”

He paused. “I could mortgage the building.”

The bar would be at risk too, then. “The team might not make money right away. I don’t think we can do this.”

Disappointment spread through me. I had been eyeing guys and teams all season, thinking about who we would recommend for our new team. If I was an owner, I wouldn’t have to keep coaching full time. Or maybe I’d help some with the team. I could stay in one place, or travel with Margot.

I ran a hand through my damp hair.

“I really wanted this. I can’t believe how disappointed I am,” he said. “A full-time job in baseball again. Maybe we’d make enough to pay the mortgage.”

“Your whole family owns that building. Are your sisters going to agree to this?” His parents had signed the building over to them. Liam’s two sisters had young families but still came to the bar to help with some bigger events.

“They might agree to sell.”

This didn’t feel right, but I didn’t know how to put that into words. “Let’s talk about it tomorrow. ”

Two nights later, I was wearing my favorite green shirt and dress slacks. Liam was wearing a similar outfit. We both sensed that tonight was important. I had flowers, and he’d brought wine. We’d been up half the night before trying to figure out the finances. His sisters agreed to help mortgage the building but it felt risky.

“You’re here!” She said from her open doorway as we got off the elevator. She’d buzzed us up, but seemed as excited as we were.

I was suddenly glad I’d dressed up, as she looked lovely in a blue wrap dress with small flowers on it. She had sandals that showed her lovely legs and pink polished toenails, and I didn’t think I’d even seen a sexier woman in my life.

“You are so beautiful,” I said, stepping towards her. I bumped Liam a little, but I got to her first, kissing her right in the hallway.

We smashed the flowers a little between us, but she still smiled about receiving them when we finally broke apart.

I yanked them away again before they got smashed between her and Liam.