Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
I tossed my bag into the trunk next to Nick’s, and he laughed. “Judging by that look on your face, I’d say you’re officially a man with a plan.”
With a wink, I slipped into the car and pulled out my phone and searched for a real estate agent. “Yeah, I have a plan…let’s hope it works.”
I loved Boston and was thrilled anytime we played against the Sox. Since I was considered the “Ace” pitcher, I would start and be expected to pitch deep into the game. I just wished I could get my mind on said game. Thoughts of Rose and the dull ache in my shoulder were sidetracking me.
“Bryson, how’s it going?”
Turning to see Caleb Monty walk up behind me, I smiled. He was our number-five pitcher in our rotation and a great ball player. Kid was like me, he could pitch and hit. It was rare for a pitcher to be able to also hit well. And most never did anything but pitch. I liked to hit, though, and was lucky enough that the coaches let me.
“Hey, Caleb, how’s the arm?”
He moved his arm in a circular pattern and smiled. “Itching for some pitches.”
I laughed. “All in good time, kid. What do you think about all of this so far?”
“It’s like a dream come true if I’m being honest. All I’ve ever dreamed of doing is playing baseball.”
“Enjoy it,” I said as I slapped him on the back, and we walked into the visitor locker room.
“Bryson, I was, ummm, wondering if I might be able to talk to you later after the game.”
I nodded and wondered what Caleb wanted to talk about. The serious look on his face concerned me.
“Of course, I’m grabbing dinner with Nick at the hotel restaurant, if you don’t mind him being there, we can talk over dinner.”
He smiled. “I don’t mind at all. Was hoping to get some pointers from you. It’s a hell of a lot harder than I thought it was going to be.”
Letting out a lighthearted chuckle, I nodded. “You can pick our brains all you want. I’ll talk to you after the game.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
I watched as he headed toward his locker and couldn’t help but smile. I remember the day I came up from the minors, and how confident I thought I was, only to realize no one gave a shit that I was a star high school pitcher and dominated the minors. The MLB was a whole other beast.
Thankfully, once I walked out to that mound, it didn’t take long to get my head in the game where it needed to be. Although, a certain blonde with blue eyes popped into my mind every so often. I drew in a long breath and exhaled, hoping for at least some reprieve from Rose haunting my every thought.
Chapter Three
ROSE
I set my glass of wine down on the coffee table along with a cheese and fruit plate I had made. I was dressed in sweats, a T-shirt, and Bryson’s Mariners sweatshirt I had accidentally taken.
Okay, that was a lie. I knew I had it on, but it smelled like him, and if I was honest, I wanted something to remember that night. Since I couldn’t have the man, I’d take his sweatshirt.
Hitting the button on my remote to unmute the TV, I watched as the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners started. My heart did a flip when the camera went to Bryson. It had been two weeks since we’d been together, and I had dreamed of him every single night.
I held my breath as the first batter walked up to the plate. Then I screamed when Bryson struck him out.
My phone buzzed on the coffee table, and I saw it was Loren. I had been avoiding her as much as I could since I returned home from my trip to Seattle. The few times I did text or answer her calls, I gave excuses as to why I couldn’t talk.
With a deep breath, I slid my finger over the phone. “Hey! How’s it going?”
“It’s going,” Loren said. “I just got home from work, and I’m exhausted.”
Loren worked for the Seattle Mariners as an executive assistant to some big shot in the office. It was how she and Nick had first met.
“Do you ever get tired of Nick being on the road so much?”
“That’s a random question.”
Laughing, I replied, “No, it’s not. I was curious, that’s all.”
She paused for a moment. “Well, I mean sometimes it sucks having him gone so much, but when he’s here, he makes up for it, if you know what I mean.”
I laughed. “I can guess.”
“When were you going to tell me that you slept with Bryson?”
My mouth dropped open, and it took me a hot second to find my words. “I’m sorry?”