“Well, we need to see what the league is going to do. I’d rather wait to make a statement until after that determination is made. Then, we should hold a press conference. Give the media time to settle down and then come forward as a united front with a proactive resolution and actionable steps. Show the community that the Music City Organization is taking this seriously and not sweeping it under the rug for points and standings.”
“Like so many others do.”
“Exactly. If you want to be an example, then you need to lead by example. Chase is a great player, but there are no actions without consequences. You need to come off strong and united on making amends. I have no doubt based on Chase’s words today that he will follow through on the conditions we laid out. Now, it’s the team’s turn to hold him accountable and support him through it.”
“Hopefully by the time the team is back from their away series after the break, we’ll be ready to hold the press conference. I don’t want to wait too long.”
“We can get everything wrapped up by then,” I promise him. If I know Gabby, she’ll start working on the MLB investigation immediately so Chase can be back on the field as soon as possible.
“Send over your engagement letter so we can make it official, but you have free rein to work with Mary and the communicationsteam. Whatever you need, let me know and I’ll make sure you have it.”
With a nod, I exit Grant’s office knowing one thing for certain—I still want my husband. What’s less certain is how I feel about that revelation.
Summer Two Years Ago
“Teresa, can you get Ben on the line?” I ask, walking past her desk and into my office overlooking the Manhattan skyline. New York has been my home all my life. Growing up as a Davenport, all eyes were on me as the next generation to the billion-dollar company, which included hotels, media, real-estate development, and golf resorts around the world.
I chose a different route—baseball.
It pissed my parents off, which was an added bonus to pursuing my dreams. A dream that was cut short when a Tommy John injury ended my pitching career in my twenties. Instead of joining the family business, I started my own with the money I made playing professionally. And when the opportunity presented itself to stay in baseball as an owner of a new expansion team, I threw my hat in the ring.
“Ben is on the line,” Teresa’s voice sounds from the speaker on my desk. I answer the call, put it on speaker, and start to pace my office.
“Ben, we need a new Skipper,” I tell the general manager of the Music City Troubadours baseball club—the team I own in Nashville, Tennessee. At 36, I’m the youngest principal owner in history. We had the unfortunate luck of the Troubadours’inaugural season being last year during the pandemic. It was a bumpy start to say the least. I was hoping after acquiring Preston Fields and Ryan Miller at the trade deadline that our luck would change.
It seems our problems go higher than the current roster. We need a new coach.
“There’s still a chance we make the Wild Card this year,” Ben offers.
“That’s not good enough. This team is too talented to be floundering like this. We need someone stronger at the helm.” My gut tells me Ben is the right man to have at the GM spot. He knows the game inside and out and is respected in the league. That’s the kind of boots-on-the-ground guy I need while I manage things from New York.
“Who do you have in mind?”
“Crenshaw,” I say.
Ben pauses. “Crenshaw? As in Mike Crenshaw? He’s been in Tampa for ages.”
Mike Crenshaw played for the Dodgers before he retired and moved into coaching. He coached me once upon a time, and if anyone can steer the ship in Nashville, it’s him.
I shrug, as if he can see me through the phone. “Word on the street is he’s not very happy there anymore, especially after losing Fields and Miller.”
“I can look into it. See if the rumors are correct, but Grant, I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”
“We’ll just have to make him an offer he can’t refuse.” Just like I did for Fields and Miller. I knew Fields would take anything to be close to his girlfriend, but he’s a damn good second baseman and a leader on the team. We paid top dollar for him. And then we sweetened the pot when we reached out to Miller to see if he’d be interested in joining him. Those two are inseparable and the deal was done before we hung up the phone.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Ben says.
“Tampa’s in New York next week. Let’s set a meeting.”
“A bit premature, don’t you think?”
“Nope. Get it done.” There’s a reason I’m successful. I don’t take no for an answer when it’s something I truly want.
Except when it comes to the one person I truly want. I’ve taken no from her for way too long.
Present Day
After Taylor leaves my office, I walk to the window and look out at the stadium below, taking in all that I’ve built in her absence. This team. This company. I’d give it all up to have her back. I hope I don’t have to. I hope we can run it together. That is, if she’ll join me on this venture. Having her here to help with this crisis feels like a step in the right direction. Rounding my desk, I press the speed dial on my phone to handle the Mark and Ricardo situation.
