Текст книги "Third Base"
Автор книги: Heidi McLaughlin
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Текущая страница: 3 (всего у книги 15 страниц)
Well… well… well… it seems Mr. Davenport has found himself a “friend”. There will be more on that in a minute.
Today’s loss hurt, especially after Davenport set a two-run shot into the bleachers. Renegade fans thought for sure that after Saturday’s loss, we wouldn’t see our guys drop back-to-back L’s.
The Orioles, on the other hand, shelled starting pitcher, Max Tadashi, bringing in early relief, who didn’t fare much better.
Steve Bainbridge looks like the rumors of his impending retirement or trade are starting to get to him as he looked stiff and out of sorts, committing two errors on the night.
The Renegades are home Monday night with Hank Sinclair taking the mound. The fans hope to see a better showing than the previous night.
GOSSIP WIRE:
This year is shaping up to be entertaining and this section might become my favorite part! I, the BoRe Blogger, often receive tips about the players. Some pan out to be juicy details and others fizzle. Last night’s tweet from a patron at the Tasty Burger, in particular, turned out to be a gem.
Yesterday during the game, fans were shocked and some elated to watch Davenport openly flirt with a Renegade fan. I suppose we should be happy that she is a fan of our beloved Boston team and not the Yankees where our wonderful General Manager, Ryan Stone, joined us from. Davenport gave this fan the first foul ball of the game – is there a significance? I’m not sure.
What I am sure about is this: Davenport asked an usher to retrieve the fan and have her meet him somewhere… the wives club maybe? From there we know, thanks to the Tasty Burger’s customer, that they went to dinner. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking Ethan Davenport can afford someplace better...but that’s just me.
I, of course, asked Davenport for a comment, but all I got was, “Call my agent.” My sources tell me that Davenport’s newest conquest left the stadium with him well after eleven wearing his team sweatshirt. Now if that doesn’t say “hook-up” or, at the very least, mean there’s some kind of romance going on...I don’t know what does.
The BoRe Blogger
One thing I learned last night about Daisy is that she’s stubborn. When we arrived at the train station, I asked for her number. She actually balked until I reminded her that we were supposed to be having breakfast in the morning. When she tried to tell me breakfast wasn’t necessary, I told her she could either let me take her or I could make sure she gets every foul ball I catch so everyone could see her face on the Jumbo Tron. Once she realized that I wasn’t giving up, she finally relented and gave me her number.
Now I’m sitting outside the restaurant she chose, waiting for her to get here. We’re close to Boston University and it never occurred to me to find out what Daisy does. I guess I assumed she works but now that I think about it, I’ve seen her at afternoon games before. So unless she has a flexible work schedule, she’s most likely a student.
I pull out my phone and scroll through my notifications. My Twitter is going crazy with the new BoRe Blogger post that went live at five a.m. I’d really like to find this guy and pound his face into the bricks along the Freedom Trail. He doesn’t know jack shit about me, yet he runs his mouth behind the cloak of the internet, never showing his face or telling us his identity. In my book that’s a coward. The shit he wrote about last night makes my time with Daisy feel cheapened. If I didn’t think he’d misconstrue my words, I’d give him the interview he so desperately wants… all we need is a dark alley with no witnesses.
I spot Daisy walking down the street and take a moment to watch her. She’s focused on her phone and is wearing her ear buds, making herself completely oblivious to her surroundings. I have the sudden urge to yell at her and show her how much danger she’s putting herself in right now, but also to protect her by making sure she’s being driven from her house to every single destination she needs to get to.
Thinking like that is only going to get me in trouble. I doubt Daisy wants me as a knight in shining armor. Her shoulder bag is in the same spot as yesterday but this time she’s carrying another bag and I’m really hoping it’s not my sweatshirt. There’s a part of me that doesn’t want it back, that wants to see her in it again, but getting a fine for not having my uniform isn’t really my cup of tea.
When she’s closer, I get out of my SUV and wait for her at the rear of it. I rest against the back with my hands in my pockets. As she steps into the parking lot, she looks up. Even from this distance I can see her smile. I have no choice but to return one as well. It’s automatic whether I want to or not.
“Good morning,” I say, reaching out and moving a windblown piece of hair away from her face. I know I’ve caught her off guard when her lips part. Hell, I’ve caught myself off guard, but it feels good to touch her. I wish we had shared a kiss last night because the urge to kiss her now is at the forefront of my thoughts. I’d give anything to be able to cup her delicate face in my hands and to press my lips against hers.
“Sorry, I’m late. I missed my train.”
“It’s okay. You know I could’ve come to pick you up.”
She looks away, fumbling with her phone. “It doesn’t look busy; we should be able to get a table right away.”
She deflects my statement about picking her up. Maybe that’s a hint, and I shouldn’t ask about anything that has to do with where she lives. Either that or I’m being friend-zoned. I’ve never been friend-zoned before, and not sure I’m going to like it here.
Daisy pushes the bag in her hand toward me. “Your sweatshirt,” she explains.
“Thanks.” I take the bag and push off my car so I can put it in the backseat. My luggage for our six-day road trip is in back and ready to be transported by Renegades staff. The timing really can’t be any worse, especially when I’m trying to get to know someone. Not that any time between February and October will ever be convenient. I get the impression that Daisy is different from the others. It’s hard to put my finger on why. Maybe it’s the thrill or the fact that she doesn’t give a rat’s ass about who I am.
Daisy is by my side when I shut the car door. Her being there gives me a glimmer of hope, although I don’t know why I’m worried about whether she’s into me or not. If not, I’ll move on, no big deal. Thing is though, I want to test the water and see where this could go. I know that means spending time together, which I don’t have, but with creative scheduling, and some flexibility on her part, we can see each other a lot. She’s the first woman that has held my attention longer than one night, even if she doesn’t know I’ve been watching her from the field.
I place my hand on her shoulder and open the door, guiding her in. She tells the hostess “two” and follows her to where we’re going to sit. The booth – if that’s what it can be called – is small and does not accommodate my six-foot-two frame.
“Good game last night,” the hostess says as she shoots a flirtatious smile in my direction.
“Thanks,” I say as I sit down. The game sucked and the fact that she thinks I played well means she’s not a true fan. A real fan would point out my flaws and tell me to do better next time.
The table is small and my knees almost touch the underneath. If I stretch out, I’ll take up the space that Daisy is occupying too.
“Do you think we could sit in that booth over there?” I point to one a few rows down and near the window. The hostess sighs as she picks up our menus and walks over. I let Daisy lead the way with me following close behind.
“We’ll take some coffee, please.” The hostess nods and walks away.
Daisy leans forward and says, “She wanted to stay and flirt with you.”
I look over my shoulder to find her returning with our coffee. She sets down two full mugs, along with a carafe and a bowl of creamer, before walking way. I push one mug toward Daisy and wrap my left hand around the other one. I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but if my hand is holding something it may not twitch that bad. With my free hand, I decide to take a gamble and pick up Daisy’s hand, threading our fingers together.
“She doesn’t interest me. I’d rather flirt with you.”
Daisy goes rigid and fear rushes through me. I’ve crossed the line. I pull my hand back and slide it under my leg.
“I’m sorry, I was out of line.”
“No, it’s –”
I hold my hand up. “It’s cool, Daisy. We just met and I’m being pushy. We’re good.” I hand her the menu and hold mine in front of me. I don’t want her to see the look of annoyance on my face. I’m Ethan Davenport; starting third basemen for the Boston Renegades, getting women isn’t a problem for me.
We order breakfast engulfed in an awkward silence. I shouldn’t have tried to force anything on her. We just met and we’re both sober... and it’s not like we’re playing off residual feelings from a night between the sheets.
“Do you work?” I finally ask, breaking the tension.
Daisy sets her fork down and places her hands in her lap. “No, not exactly.” Her answer is curt and to the point. No elaboration on what she does during the day, or when she’s not at the stadium watching the game.
My frustration level is growing by leaps and bounds and I’m tempted to pay the check and bail, but something holds me back. I lean forward and pull her chin up with my index finger.
“Okay, I’ll start. I’m twenty-two years old. I graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Communications. I play third base for the Boston Renegades. My name’s Ethan Davenport, what’s yours?”
“Daisy Robinson.”
“Hi Daisy, it’s nice to meet you. Where are you from?”
“Boston, born and bred, how about you?”
“Seattle, Washington.” I can’t help but smile, happy that she’s playing along. “When you leave here today, what are you going to do?” I ask before she has a chance to ask me another question. She sighs and looks out the window.
“I’m a student at Boston University. I study journalism.”
Now we’re getting somewhere. “How old are you?” Please be legal.
“I’m twenty. My birthday is April thirtieth, and before you check, it’s an off day,” she says with a small smile and a roll of her eyes.
A grin creeps across my face as I pull out my phone to verify that she is, in fact, correct. “That’s a shame. I would’ve had everyone sing to you. What time’s your first class?”
“I missed it. My next one is at ten.”
I lean back, flabbergasted that she’d skip class if she weren’t interested in me. “Why would you do that?”
Daisy shrugs. “I needed to return your sweatshirt.”
“You could’ve brought it to the park tonight.”
“Yes, but then people will talk and you don’t need any more rumors being spread around. You have enough.”
I smirk and lean forward. “You shouldn’t believe everything you read.”
“I’m sure some of them are true.”
“If they were true, they wouldn’t be rumors.” I say, shrugging. I need this conversation to go somewhere else because I don’t like the current direction. I’m not perfect. I never claim to be. I’m also no different than any other single man in the league. I like women and they like me. Some just like to blab louder. She stares at me like I’m supposed to dispel or confirm what has been written about me and that pisses me off.
My mood changes in an instant. Here I am trying to figure this girl out, get to know her and she’s bringing up the rumors floating around about me. I finish my coffee and signal for the check. I can’t change her mind, and I honestly think she’s okay with that. I have a game to prepare for, a title to win.
“I’d offer you a ride, but you’re going to tell me no or ignore me so… I guess I’ll see you at the game or something.” I throw down some money and leave her sitting at the table. I don’t look back to see if she’s watching me walk away, or getting up to chase after me. I already know she’s not. I have the feeling she met with me out of obligation and that’s it, just to appease me. And I don’t need those kinds of people in my life.
It sucks because I think she’s hot and she definitely causes a reaction, but so will the next one, and the one after that. Besides, with the road trip coming up, there will be plenty of opportunities to take out my frustrations.
As I drive toward the ballpark, hours before I’m due to be there, I think about the almost kiss last night. I’m not stupid enough to read into things, she felt something and whatever happened after we parted last night has changed her mind. When I had her in the clubhouse, she was in her own world, getting lost in the memorabilia that we keep in there. I was able to do that for her, and that brought something out in her. I guess it just wasn’t enough. It’s not like I was asking for a commitment or professing my love; I was just hoping to hang out and see where things go. No pressure.
My phone starts beeping and I reach for it, even though we’re in a hands free state. If it’s Daisy texting, I want to know what she has to say. Thankfully my light turns red and I’m able to check. It’s not from Daisy, but from Sarah.
Sarah Miller: 25 days / dinner with my folks?
Is this a countdown to sex?
Sarah Miller: Yes. I miss you. Work sucks. M&D say hi!
Miss you too. See you in 25
Daisy’s name is right below Sarah’s. It’s funny, here I am trying to put the moves on Daisy and my ex is texting about hooking up when I get to town. My relationship with Sarah is the one thing the BoRe Blogger doesn’t know about, and hopefully never will. I don’t know what I’d do if he found out about her and starting posting shit. Besides, I’m not the only guy on the team who has women in the towns we visit.
I think about erasing Daisy’s number. I don’t need it and will probably never use it again. Thing is though, I can’t bring myself to swipe left and hit the red delete button. And that, alone, speaks volumes.
I strike out for the third time in this game, ending the inning. I slam my bat down, breaking it in two, and throw the piece left in my hand toward the bat boy. The umpire says something, but I’m walking away from him so I can’t hear him. My batting gloves and helmet are next as I throw them toward the dugout and walk to third base. The only saving grace is that we’re winning.
The bat boy brings my glove out without saying a word to me. Usually, he has something sarcastic about the umpire to offer up after I strike out, but not today, and it’s probably for the best. My current mood is less than stellar. Not only did my morning not go as planned, but as the guys started showing up so did the razzing. I get it. I do the same thing when one of the guys hooks-up. It just sucked that it was over before it even started. Everyone had a comment about Daisy and each one pissed me off more than the last. I know we’re family, but sometimes shit goes too far.
During warm-ups, I positioned myself so I could watch for her to come down the stairs to her seat. When she finally appeared, I changed positions and kept my back to her. Part of me was hoping she’d bring someone with her to show me she’s with someone and it’s not just that she’s not interested in me. But, as always, she showed up alone, wearing the same hat, with her long hair in a braid, and her bag crossed over the shoulder of her white and black Renegades shirt. I didn’t want to see her looking for me, or catch me looking at her. I haven’t looked over once since she arrived. I refuse to acknowledge her. It’s petty, but my damn feelings are hurt because she thinks the rumors she’s read about me are true. She didn’t even try to get to know me to form her own opinion, just went straight to what she’s been led to believe by people who know me about as much as she does.
“I think someone is trying to get your attention.” Easton Bennett, phenomenal short-stop for my beloved Renegades, motions toward the stands. He’s standing next to me as we take practice grounders while our closer, Kenjiro Tomita, warms-up.
“Eh, she’s just another fan,” I say, shrugging it off as if she’s no big deal. In the grand scheme of things, she’s not. I shouldn’t care about what happened this morning, but I do. I had hoped she and I could have a good time together. That’s what I get for thinking.
“Hit it and quit it already?” He bends to field the ball and does some twisty shit to get it back to first basemen, Kayden Cross.
“Not even close.” I field the ball and send it back to first. “I think I came on too strong and scared her away.”
“I’d say she probably wants a second chance.” Bennett walks over to his spot on the field and pushes the dirt around where he’s going to stand. I’m tempted to look over at her, but it’s not worth the aggravation.
I want to get this game finished and get on the plane. Three days in Florida will be welcome reprieve from the cold weather. I’m ready for the sun, the sand and plenty of women. I think that’s what I need, someone to get my mind off the little mind fuckery I was trying to play on it last night and this morning. Thinking that I could get to know a fan was a momentary lapse of judgment and something I’ll never do again. I’m better at the no name ladies that like to pay attention to me. It’s better that way. They know what they want and how to get it – and most don’t ask a lot of questions. Plus, I’m usually drunker than shit.
The top of the ninth gets underway and just like that; Tomita has two batters already sitting down. I raise two fingers in the air for the outfielders even though all they have to do is turn around and look at the scoreboard to see the outs. It’s a practice from little league through high school and college. It makes me feel better knowing I told my teammates, just in case.
There’s one batter left and then we’re on the road for six days. After Tampa Bay, we’re heading to Baltimore to face the Orioles again. Hopefully we fair better than the two and two we did for this home stand. A sweep would be nice.
The last pitch is sent toward home; it’s a swing and miss, with another broken bat. I feel his frustration. We meet at the pitcher’s mound, raise our hats and start tapping each other’s in a sign of solidarity in our win. Most of us wave to the crowd, as I usually do after the game, but not today, especially not toward my favorite side of the field.
I’m the first one off the field and quickly make my way to the clubhouse. As usual, the reporters call my name but after today’s performance, even if I were allowed to talk, I’d have nothing to say. I played like shit. I let a chick get in my head and distract me from my game and that can’t happen. Even back when Sarah and I broke up, I was focused. I have to be focused at all times because at any given moment my name could be on the waiver wire. I don’t want to give General Manager Stone any reason to trade me.
As soon as I’m in the clubhouse, my gear is coming off. My hat and glove are the first, followed by my dirt filled cleats. My mother used to make me undress in the garage when I was younger, saying her house isn’t a locker room. I never understood it until I got to high school and had a locker room to change in. After the first time I took off my cleats and dirt piled up in front of my door, I was thankful I didn’t have to clean up the mess.
The guys come in, loud and rowdy. They’re satisfied with the win. Most played well and have reason to celebrate. I exchange some high-fives with them before I head to the shower. The night before a road trip, things are hectic. We leave right from the stadium and fly at night. By the time we get out of here, two buses will be waiting for us, one for the team and the other for personnel. The best part is we don’t have to go through security. We have our own TSA personnel on site that checks each of us before we board the bus. Then the police escort by Boston’s finest gets us to Logan Airport.
Our chartered flight, on our custom plane, will be ready when we arrive. Each flight has the same flight crew, which makes it easy. They know what we want without asking. The flight attendants are strictly off limits; at least that is what Diamond says. He doesn’t want anyone screwing up the relationship we have with the crew. I don’t blame him and think maybe the same rule should apply for fans, although, if that rule existed none of us would ever find dates.
As soon as we land, I’m jostled awake by Kidd. I slept through the three-hour flight and feel like complete shit. My neck is stiff, my mouth is dry and my ears are plugged. I don’t even remember getting on the plane, much less deciding to take a nap.
“Now you’ll be good to hit the bar,” Kidd says. His words are muffled, but it’s the same thing every time we land someplace. I move my jaw back and forth, trying to unplug my ears, but it’s not working. He takes my head movement as a positive response and slaps me on the back. He’s ready to party and get laid.
The air is stifling when we step off the plane, but the heat is welcomed. It’s unusually warm for Tampa Bay this time of year and an early heat wave mixed with the ocean air has laid down a thick blanket of humidity. Still, the heat is a welcome reprieve from the cold of Boston. I’m cautious to hold the handrail as I descend the stairs onto the tarmac. My head is still in a fog from my impromptu nap, mix that with the heat and I’m feeling less than stellar at the moment.
Two charter buses and a U-Haul truck idle not far from the plane. The second bus is always for the players; it’s how the Renegades staff has set it up. Traveling, at least for the team, is easy. All we have to do is check our travel bag in, the same one every member uses, and get on the bus. Renegades staff does everything else for us. We’re spoiled, but we appreciate it.
I follow my other teammates as we step onto the bus. A few of the guys have their ‘usual’ seats and most of us know not to even think about sitting in them, but for the most part it’s a free for all. I like to sit in the third row, left side and next to the window.
Kidd sits down next to me and pats my leg. “You, me and a dozen single ladies.”
Sometimes his enthusiasm is overboard and other times it’s catching. I can’t help but smile. I’m game to go out and have a good time even if that just means the hotel bar. We can usually find a few girls to party with and have a good time. The only thing that sucks is that Kidd and I share a room. We’re not the only ones, but I do dream of the day when my contract says I get my own room.
The hotel is nice. A six-star resort as my mom would call it. I don’t pay attention to shit like that. I only care if the room is clean, food is hot, and the bed is comfortable. Everything else is just a luxury and makes me wonder if it’d be cheaper for teams to start buying hotels in each town they travel to. It might save them money and be able to offer lower ticket prices to fans. But what do I know? I’m only a baseball player.
By the time we’re ready to get off the bus, our room keys are being distributed. Kidd and I take ours, exit the bus and head straight to the bar. As soon as we walk in, the bartender tells us we have an hour. Kidd and I sit down and order.
“No way are we picking up chicks in an hour.” I turn, resting my elbows on the bar and look out over the patrons. There are four, not including the two of us. The other people are couples and looking very cozy with each other.
“I guess you’re my date for the night.” Kidd puts his arm around me and bats his eyelashes. I push him away and turn back toward the bar. Sports highlights are playing on the television. Right now we have basketball, baseball and hockey – its fan central overload for a true sports fan. On any given night, you can flip through at least three channels to watch some type of sporting event.
I fish my phone out of my pocket and take it off airport mode. It’s only a matter of seconds before the notifications come in.
“Why do you even have notifications on?” Kidd is looking over my shoulder, watching as my phone keeps registering text messages, Twitter alerts and Facebook posts.
“I like to see what people are saying about me,” I say, shrugging. I pick up my drink and almost spit it out when I see Daisy’s name come in as a text message. I angle my phone away from Kidd and contemplate whether I want to know what she has to say. I opt to read my twitter alerts first.
BoRe Blogger @BoReRenBlog – 4hrs
Renegades win despite @TheRealEthanD striking out 4xs! 2 much hype?
My temperature starts to rise as I read the tweet that started the flurry of notifications. This blogger is a piece of work and I can pretty much guarantee you that he’s never played a professional game in his life. If he had, he would show a bit more respect in his posts. These people who hide behind screen names and do nothing but incite hate piss me off. There needs to be a law about this kind of crap.
I scroll through the responses. Some agree, while others disagree. A few women tweet that I’m hot, sexy and they don’t care if I strike out, as long as they don’t. Classy. Another tweet by the blogger catches my attention.
BoRe Blogger @BoReRenBlog – 3hrs
Seems @TheRealEthanD didn’t bother exchanging numbers...
There’s an image attached and I’m almost afraid to scroll up to see it. I can tell by the small sliver showing that there are people in the background. I down the rest of my drink, letting my thumb hover over my screen. When there isn’t a drop left, I push down, dragging my thumb up.
Fuck me. It’s a picture of Daisy holding a sign that says “Call Me”. This has to be what Bennett was referring to during the game when he said she wants a second chance. I shake my glass for a refill and look over at Kidd, who is engrossed in his phone. We’re a sad, sad example of single men. Once my drink is refilled, I down it, needing the liquid courage to read Daisy’s text message.
I close Twitter and click on the green message button. My mom, dad, sister and Sarah have all texted, along with my agent, but it’s only Daisy’s message that I’m interested in. The first line is visible without even opening the message.
Daisy: Sorry…
That’s all I can see without opening the rest. It makes me wonder what exactly she’s sorry for. The sign? Or the fact that she mentioned rumors? The guy that wanted to get to know her yesterday wants to hear what she has to say, but the asshole in me doesn’t care. She’s just another chick in the pool of millions. Unfortunately, I’m my own worst enemy and I love to torture myself.
Daisy: Sorry…
I’m sorry for the stupid remarks I made, how closed off I am & the sign. I tried calling you but couldn’t bring myself to actually press your name. I thought the sign would work but I guess it didn’t. I just wanted to say thank you for breakfast and I’m sorry.
I read and reread her babbling message. She’s sorry for being closed off? Doesn’t she realize that most of us want to be like that, but our privacy is invaded? We’re followed, spied on and can’t do a simple thing like go to the mall without being hounded. She’s lucky that she can be closed off, especially from ridiculous media agencies. They tell the world everything and would probably even like to document when we take a shit if they could.
“I’m going to head out,” I tell Kidd, who nods. We both throw a couple of twenties down on the bar and tell the bartender we’ll see him later. He’ll likely be our best friend for the next couple of nights. “I need to call home,” I tell Kidd as he turns for the elevator. I walk toward the door, slipping off my sports coat as I step outside. The grounds of the hotel are expansive and illuminated by ground lighting. I walk down a path until I come to a bench and sit down.
I look at my phone and read her message again. This time I don’t hesitate when I think about calling her. I press down on her name and listen to the ringing on the other end.
“It’s two a.m.” her voice is hoarse, sexy. The sound of her on the other line is like music to my ears and sends chills down my spine. I know in this moment that unless I cut her off completely and ignore her, I’m going to fall hard for her. There’s something about her that I can’t put my finger on and it’s driving me crazy. I don’t know if it’s the innocence in her eyes, the pinkness in her cheeks or the fact that she’s a baseball fan, but she’s doing something to me and I’m not sure I’m going to survive whatever it is.
“You didn’t specify what time you wanted me to call you,” I tell her, trying to keep things light when I really want to ask her what she’s wearing and if she’s been thinking about me.
“Hmm, I guess I didn’t.” The way she hums sends a jolt to my system. I adjust the way I’m sitting to circumvent any building pressure.
“Do you want me to hang up and let you get some sleep?” Please say no. Please stay on the line and give me some hint that we can go on a date, or at least get coffee.
“No, I wanted you to call.”
I let out a sigh but hold back the “thank God” from escaping my lips.
“Oh yeah?” I ask.
“Yes, I need to apologize. I was wrong to assume. And I’m very closed off, but for good reason. I thought that maybe I could treat you to breakfast when you get back?”
“I’d love that,” I tell her without hesitation. We talk for another hour until we’re both yawning and trying to find the words to continue.
“Sweet dreams, Daisy,” I say as I hang up. I hold the edge of my phone pressed against my chin for a beat longer before I tell the world how I feel.
EDavenport @TheRealEthanD
I’m falling…
