Menace to Society
Whatever you tell yourself to feel better! See you soon!
When I put my phone down, I realize how awkward this situation is. We finish our meals in silence, never getting to the other topics I planned.
Chapter Eight
Baseball is so sexy,and I’m not talking about the men.
Pure athleticism is what makes this sport so captivating. There’s beauty in every position. The catcher’s incredible mobility and strength. The pitcher, throwing baseballs faster than most highways allow cars to drive. Infielders with their quick reflexes. Outfielders, who can rocket the ball across the entire field.
“Man, I love this sport!” Adri cheers, whipping a Pilots towel in the air above her head. “Best asses ever!”
Snapping a photo of the field, I send it to my dad. “You need help, my friend.”
When I told Trevor I was studying for the baseball certification exam, he decided it was his civic duty to tell me that baseball players are usually married or in long-term relationships, as if I was only taking the exam to find a man.
He couldn’t have been more wrong.
I’m here for the way baseball makes me feel. The electricity that crackles along my spine every time the ball connects with the bat. The roar of blood that fills my ears when someone makes an amazing stop. The players’ proud smiles that I can’t help but mirror as they make their homerun lap. The way each player wears their heart on their sleeve, beating so hard, I practically feel it in my own body.
My watch lights up with a text, and I grin.
Daddio
I’m so jealous. Take me next time! Work or fun?
One of my many bullet points to discuss earlier with Cade went unanswered, but the biggest is what happened with Jon, and how we should announce his new representation. Thankfully, my family doesn’t know about Cade’s and my history. Dad and Myles might not care, but Mom would blow a gasket if she knew. My professionalism is her main priority.
An unintelligible garble of sound leaves my lips when Cade darts to the right, stopping a ball from rocketing into the outfield. “Yes!” I squeal, writing on my legal pad.Incredible speed!
“Your boy is doing well,” Adri says, red lips slanted into a smirk.
I attempt to pinch her thigh, but she pulls down the white Pilots jersey she’s wearing as a dress. “Adrienne,” I hiss. “Someone might hear you.”
Worries of being overheard disappear when I notice every agent is absorbed in their phones. Cade kindly offered to upgrade our seating, but as badly as I wanted the best seats in the house, I declined. I’m his agent, not his friend. Professional boundaries are important if this is going to work.
Adri fans herself with a scorecard. “I meant your athlete, of course. Nothing more.”
I roll my eyes. “I should have let you die of boredom.”
My notepad is filled with notes from the last four innings, questions for the Pilots’ general manager, and praise for Cade’s game. Maybe it’s not the worst thing to already know what kind of player Cade is. Sittingin the stands between Mallory and Kenneth is how I spent my evenings during college baseball season.
“Remember when you got injured during soccer playoffs your freshman year?”
Adri nods, fingers ghosting over her hip. “Coach almost benched me during the championship game. Why?”
I follow Cade’s movement as he jogs to the dugout with his arms extended like an airplane, the Pilots’ celebratory dance. It’s barely noticeable, but there’s a slight dip in his gait as he crosses the field.
“No reason,” I say. I don’t like thinking my player is possibly injured, especially while he seems so okay, but Cade has always been like that. You think you know him, but then you realize he hides other parts of himself. It’s always sunshine with him.
“Daaaamn,” Adri whispers, scrunching her curls. “Hottie alert.”
Although I’m on the clock, Adri calling someone hot is the real deal, so I sneak a peek over my shoulder and immediately wish I hadn’t.
Smoothing my slacks, I straighten as Andy takes a seat behind me. “Hey, Turner.”
Back when we were interns at Permian, Andy was my friend. After we signed our contracts, I confided in him about the way Trevor excluded me. The next day, Trevor told me if I had a problem with him, I should say it to his face. I went from being in hot water with my boss to being scalded every time I entered the office.
