Chapter 13

MATT

* * *

After Cole's call with Darcy, I knew I'd be next and didn't want to have this conversation in front of her. Could I ignore his call and finish what we started? Sure. Was it the right thing to do? Probably not.

In frustration, I slammed the door harder than I'd meant. Then the horn honked, and before I could reach the front door, Darcy was down the stairs and headed to the car waiting in the driveway. The thought of her in a stranger's car fills me with panic. I open the door, and the older gentleman gives me a friendly wave as he backs out of the driveway with Darcy in the back seat. She's clutching her purse and looking down, probably running scared from me and my slamming doors.

"Fuck!" I shout and slam the front door.

My phone buzzes. And just as I predicted, Cole is calling.

"Hey." My frustration barely contained.

"Hey, what's up, brother?" Brother. Oh, that's fresh. I almost kissed his sister. FML.

"Um, not much. What's new with you?"

"Just wanted to let you know I'm coming down tomorrow. I already texted your dad, and he's excited about having the dynamic duo back together."

"Yeah, it'll be great. I know Leigh will have fun with Darcy, and your mom will be excited to have you guys for Sunday brunch."

"How did you know those are the plans?" Oh shit. Thank God we aren't on FaceTime.

"What else would they be? It's not like you'll leave Leigh alone, and your mom would skin you alive if you missed Sunday brunch." Fuck. My stomach churns. I hate lying to Cole, but I can't exactly say his sister was at my house this morning because she was drunk, and I woke up with her in my arms. Nope. Can't go there.

"Yeah, you're right about that. But Saturday night, let's get everyone together for dinner and drinks downtown?"

"Sounds good. It'll be fun. You bankrolling this party, superstar?"

Cole lets out a hearty laugh. "You stuff your mattress with that signing bonus? I thought Julian got you a pretty sweet deal."

"Oh, I'm fine. But I'm not rocking a music career in my off time and engaged to a billionaire's daughter, either." I honestly have more money than any twenty-three-year-old needs at this point. Busting his balls about being a kept man is one of my life's little pleasures.

"I'm living the dream and I'm not complaining one little bit."

A girl's voice says, "Hey, trouble," and I hear lips smacking. Another reason I'm grateful we aren't on FaceTime.

"Okay, that's enough. I've gotta run. Tell Leigh I can't wait to see her this weekend. You know she likes me best."

"I do, Matt!" she yells, and the phone floods with giggles.

"Later." I hang up before I hear any more of their love fest.

A weekend of their happiness while I use all my willpower to stay away from Darcy. This should be fun.

* * *

I head to my old high school to work out and spend time in the batting cages. I need to ground my thoughts and figure out what to do.

"What's got you rattled?" My dad's comment startles me. I step away from the box and let the next ball fly by. I give him a curious glare. How does he know I'm rattled? Is that what I am? Have my thoughts about Darcy rattled me?

He gives me a knowing smile. "You always dip your shoulder when you're working through a problem."

Do I? My dad has been my coach for twenty years now. I guess he's noticed a thing or two about me. The last thing I need is a tell. Catchers notice those things, and there goes your batting average.

I hit the button to stop the pitching machine, remove the helmet, and run my fingers through my hair. With a deep sigh, I look at him and nod slightly.

"Want to talk about it?"

Not really. I can't confess to my dad what I almost did with Darcy. He usually gives good advice, so I take a different tactic. "How do you know whether to do the right thing or the right thing for you?"

"Wow. Philosophy so early in the morning? That sounds like a question Cole likes to debate over Fruit Loops." He gives me a warm smile, encouraging me to continue.

"Yeah, can't talk to him about this," I mumble.

"Everything okay with you two?"

"Yeah, yeah, we're good. It'll be good to see him. It's just…." I don't know what to say. My dad and I are close, and we talk about a lot of things, but never about girls.

"It's hard moving on to the next chapter, isn't it?" I'm not exactly sure what he means.

"Even though you both knew you'd go in different directions, it's hard to make your way through that. But the secret to any good relationship is open and honest communication. You guys hold on to that. The life of a ball player isn't easy. You'll be frustrated, lonely, uncertain, and a million other things. Having someone who's on the same journey is special, and someone who knows how you tick? Even more rare. Don't let that go. Because even when baseball is over, that friendship will last a lifetime."

Dad's right. My friendship with Cole is valuable and, if I'm being honest, part of my DNA. If I lost Cole, it would crush me. But what I feel with Darcy is special too. I know his words were meant to help me, but I'm more conflicted now than ever.

"What's wrong?" Dad's question breaks me out of my thoughts.

I shake my head. "Huh? What? Oh, nothing. Just thinking about how Leigh has changed Cole, for the better, of course."

"The love of a woman does that for us. Makes us practically human." He winks and claps my shoulder. "You'll see. Once she captures your heart, you'll do anything to hold on to that feeling. She becomes your home base."

"Yeah, I guess." Anything? Like risk a lifetime friendship?

"I'm proud of you." My dad's a lot like me, not used to talking about feelings and such, so when he says this, it hits me hard. "But the question about doing the right thing versus what's right for you? What if it's both?"

"Huh?"

"You'll do the right thing, son. You always do." He goes to leave and turns the machine back on. "Get out of your head and square your shoulders. Don't practice bad habits."

"Yeah, sure." What if it's both? I don't think Darcy and I can be both, can we?

I hit a few more balls, paying attention to my shoulders. Focus on what you know. Women are distractions. That's why I haven't had a relationship in years. Focus on the goal. And that has served me well. I'm a professional baseball player now. With hard work and focus, I'll play for the Reapers soon. That's what's important. But what if it's not?