* * * *
Too many good things had happened within a twenty-four-hour period, and that made me nervous. The date with Sarah, the return of baseball after way too much time off and an email from my lawyer that said previous witnesses were retracting their statements incriminating me. I had done too much shit in my life to think karma owed me anything, and I kept waiting for the ball to drop. My bags were packed for our two-week road trip and while the game was my escape, the thought of not seeing Sarah for two weeks sucked. I tried to time it so I would run into her that morning, but it didn’t work. A text would have to work, and the thought depressed me.
“Yo, Brigs, how pumped are you to be back in the season?” Gideon sat next to me on the flight and grabbed large headphones to put over his ears. He looked ridiculous, but I kept my mouth shut.
“Feels great, man.” I mirrored his action and was about to start my road trip playlist when our coach said my name. “Yeah, sir?”
“Come up here a minute.”
Shit.This had to be the other shoe dropping. I wasn’t playing anymore or I was getting sent down to the minors. That had to be it. My palms sweated and the muscles in my neck tensed to the point of pain as I walked down the narrow aisle to where he sat in one of the first rows. He motioned for me to sit and I did, rubbing my hands over my knees in a rhythmic pattern. “What’s going on, Coach?” I asked, my throat completely dry and scratchy.
“How you doing?”
“Honestly, not great.” I barked out a fake laugh. “Excited to be back. Didn’t like sitting around without a lot to do.”
“Didn’t take some time for your family?” He frowned and took a sip from a plastic coffee cup. He always had sunflower seeds and black coffee. It was his signature move and a familiar scent of salt and grinds.
I shook my head. “No, sir. They don’t live in the area and my lawyer thought it best I stay in the city.”
“Ah, yes. I see. You passed all the drug tests, right?” He scanned a sheet of paper sitting on the empty chair next to him.
“Yes, sir. They tested me for cocaine—hell, they tested me for any substance abuse, and they all came back negative. One of the witnesses in the case originally claimed I was selling it. They are attempting to go that route.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re back. You did your fifteen days. Let’s move forward.”
“Coach,” I said, hating how I had gotten the suspension even though I hadn’t fucking done anything. “It isn’t true. It was a wrong place, wrong time situation. It is important for you to know that.”
“Okay, Brigham,” he said, giving me a curt nod. “Thanks for the conversation.”
And I was dismissed. Just like that. I rolled my shoulders to get the leftover anxiety out and made my way back to my seat. We had a four-game stay in Los Angeles before heading to San Francisco and San Diego. I got my playlist up, relaxed into the seat and thought about Sarah. What would she think of this?
Would she believe me or assume I was guilty?
Just thinking of her made me happier, and I got my phone out.
Brigham: Whatcha up to, Blue Bell?
BB: Baking cookie dough brownies for Fernie. He only glared at me twice today so I’m feeling nice. I started making some for you, too. ?
My chest got tight, thinking about her trying to deliver it to my door. I should’ve told her. I knew it, but being around her was so distracting that baseball didn’t seem as important.
Brigham: I’m an ass. I’m sorry. I’m out of town for ten days.
BB: When do you leave?
Brigham: I’m on the plane now. Fuck, we left early and I tried to run into you.
BB: Ten days. The brownies won’t last that long.
Brigham: I will miss your face.
BB: Is this for sports ball or work? Can I ask that? Is that too personal?
Brigham: You can ask me anything you want. And yes, it’s my job.
BB: I wish you would’ve told me last night. I’ve been fretting over seeing you again after that kiss and now I can settle down for ten days.
Her candor made me chuckle and relieved the worry about making her upset.
