Grand Slam

by Heidi McLaughlin

  “That’ll be all. Thanks for coming,” Saylor says as she grabs my arm and pulls me toward the door.

  As soon as we’re inside, I realize what she’s done. While her intentions may have been in my best interest, I look guilty as fuck to the people out there and the ones watching at home. “What the fuck, Saylor? Let me defend myself.” I point toward the door and step toward it but she stops me. She may be short but she’s strong, and I’m weak when it comes to her.

  “You froze, Travis. I was protecting you. As of now, Irvin doesn’t have any idea who these other women are, and for all we know, they could be after money. Let Irvin and me do our jobs. It’s what you pay us for. Can you please just trust me?” she asks softly. She pleads with me to do this because then she doesn’t have to. I will get to the bottom of why she can’t come forward, and it will be tonight.

  Irvin motions for me to walk down the hall and points toward a room that I enter, with Saylor following behind. A female police officer is there, waiting for me.

  “Sir, before I begin, can you confirm that you are here under your own free will?”

  “Yes,” I say.

  “Please open your mouth.” I do as she says, and she takes a long cotton swab and sticks it in my mouth, rubbing it against my cheek. And within seconds, it is done. She slips the stick into a bag and exits the room.

  “That’s it?”

  “Yeah, that’s it,” Saylor says with a sigh.

  Irvin walks to the window and lifts a slat in the blinds to peek outside. “Everyone is still outside. I was hoping they would leave.”

  “I figured. They’ll have questions, but we are going to ignore them. We’ll walk out there with our heads held high and with smiles on our faces,” she states as if nothing is wrong.

  We do as she says. Saylor even waves at a few of them. I think about flipping them off but figure that would be all over social media, and right now I don’t need any more negative press.

  Irvin offers to have his car drive us to our respective homes. When his driver pulls up in front of Saylor’s apartment complex, I get out to help her out of the car. As soon as she’s on the curb, I tap the car and watch it speed away.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Taking you to an early dinner. I need to thank you for today, for believing in me.”

  “It’s my job, Travis.”

  I pretend that her comment doesn’t sting, but it does. I want her to believe in me as a person, not the athlete. “Well, as your client, I would like to take you to dinner.”

  “Travis!” The little squeal catches my attention. By the time I can react, tiny arms are wrapped around my legs, and I stumble slightly.

  “Hey, Lucy. What are you doing out here by yourself?” I look at Saylor, who looks pissed.

  “I’m with my grammy,” she says, pointing behind her. Saylor follows her daughter’s finger and shakes her head. I wave at Saylor’s mom, Norma, remembering her from previous encounters.

  “Lucy, you shouldn’t run off like that,” Saylor scolds. She says something quickly to her mother, who waves goodbye.

  “But, Mommy, I was so excited that you invited Travis for dinner that I forgot.”

  I look up and can’t keep the smile off my face. Saylor is fuming. Her toe is tapping, and if I’m not mistaken, she’s clenching her jaw rather tightly by the look on her face.

  “What’s for dinner?”

  “Chicken nuggets,” Lucy says with a shrug.

  I squat down so I’m her height, and while looking between Lucy and Saylor, I say, “How about we go out for pizza? I know a great place that I think you and your mom will like.”

  Twelve

  Saylor

  She’s five. That is what I keep reminding myself. And to her, Travis is like a shiny toy. An annoying doesn’t-ever-shut-off toy that is trying to weasel his way into my life despite the fact that I’ve told him nothing is going to change between us.

  This is one of the hazards of my job. The too-cute, too-sweet athletes who try to sweep me off my feet and show me that they’re interested in me. I’d be interested, too, especially with Travis, if I knew the outcome. If I were guaranteed a happy-ever-after, I’d jump at the opportunity. Unfortunately, not even Travis can give me that.

  Travis holds Lucy’s hand all the way to the restaurant. Watching them together really makes me long for a partner, someone for Lucy to have in her life. And maybe even have another child. When I found out I was pregnant with her, I imagined a life with Elijah, with a house full of love and children. Sadly, I don’t see any of those dreams coming true, and I’m okay with that. I’m happy with my life, happy with it being Lucy and me.

  He holds the door for us and places his hand on the small of my back when he steps in behind me. The thick fabric of my coat acts as a barrier, preventing me from feeling his hand against my skin. Last night, when he held me, my skin ignited. The warmth that he made me feel by that simple act was enough to make me run from him. It would’ve been so easy for me to sleep there, nestled in his arms, but I can’t do that to myself.

  Travis asks that we be seated in the kid section, causing me to give him a confused look. Even parents don’t like sitting there, but we do because it makes our children happy.

  Lucy’s eyes light up, and she starts clapping. “Mommy, can I go play?”

  “Yes, but give me your stuff first,” I tell her as I reach for her hat while she takes off her coat and mittens. Her hair is standing every which way due to static, and I try to tame it before she runs off.

  “My hair used to do that when I was a kid,” Travis says as he takes his cap off and runs his hand through his hair.

  “It still does.” I sit down across from him and remove my scarf and unbutton my coat.

  “Nah, now it’s cool for a guy to have hair like this. They call it sex hair.” He smiles, and against my better judgment, I smile back. We stare at each other. His blue eyes dance around, taking in the way I’m looking at him. His eyes seem to change color, maybe with his mood, but tonight they’re vibrant and full of life. Nothing like the dull version they were earlier. Or maybe it’s the fluorescent lights playing tricks and I’m making excuses to stare at him, because there’s no way his crooked smile is reeling me in, except it is, and I know that I could easily get lost in him, in his world.

  His hand reaches across the table for mine. Before I let him take it so I can torture myself with what I can’t have, I look around the section we’re in and see that the only other family here is tucked into the corner. They seem lost in their own world and not paying attention to the man sitting across from me. Our fingers thread together, and his thumb brushes idly against my skin.

  That night with him is so vivid in my mind—the way he made me feel like I was the only one that mattered to him. I knew what I was doing when I left with him. I wanted it. I needed the escape from my reality. And I was lonely. Travis filled that void. As his knee brushes mine under the table, my leg slides forward and rests against his. The subtle flirting is agonizing and needs to stop, but he makes me feel desired, and that’s something I haven’t felt since the last time we were together. He doesn’t need to know that I haven’t been with anyone since him.

  “Can I take your order?” The young waitress interrupts us, causing us to break apart. I feel the loss of him more than I care to admit.

  “Uh, yeah,” Travis says as he reaches for the menu. “What kind of pizza does Lucy like?” he asks.

  “Cheese is fine.”

  “And you?” he asks, looking me in the eye.

  “I’ll have a salad.”

  He shakes his head and orders our dinner and drinks while I focus on Lucy. She’s playing with a few other children. Their laughter carries throughout the room, and it’s heartwarming to see her enjoying herself. We don’t get to do things like this often.

  “Thank you for bringing us here,” I say to Travis. With my hours, by the time I’m home it’s a quick dinner if she hasn’t eaten at my mother’s. Even
my weekends can be consumed by work.

  “It’s my pleasure, Saylor. Lucy looks like she’s having a good time.”

  He motions toward her, and I turn around to watch her again. Now she’s with a few kids, riding the mini-carousel. “She is. I try to do things like this for her, but being a single mom is hard sometimes.”

  “Where’s her father?”

  His question gives me pause. I slowly turn back around to face him as the waitress delivers our drinks. He’s ordered us water and a pitcher of root beer, because everyone needs the frothy soda with pizza. “He’s in Virginia with his wife.”

  “Oh.” His tone makes me feel that he’s thinking the worst about me.

  I shake my head, hoping to stop where his mind is going. “It wasn’t like that. The relationship was still taboo, but he wasn’t married when we started dating. Honestly, I don’t know what he was doing. He was my professor. We started dating and moved in with each other. I thought he was going to propose, and I was going to live this fairy-tale life. When I found out I was pregnant, it was like life was lining up, only a bit out of order. Anyway, I told him, and he replied that he was married.”

  “And that’s it?”

  “Yeah, pretty much.” I don’t tell him that I was depressed for months after the fact or that I was homeless for a time. Or that I gave up a career in law because keeping my baby was more important to me. And I definitely don’t tell him that Elijah is coming to town this week and that I’m scared he’s going to take Lucy away from me.

  “Well, since you gave me something about you, here’s something about me.”

  “This isn’t a tit for tat, Travis.”

  He shrugs. “I want you to know me. The real me,” he says as he leans forward. Instead of having his hand on the table and reaching for mine, his fingers graze my knee and continue to do so as shivers run up and down my spine.

  “My home life was shit. My dad owns multiple Ford dealerships. I own a Chevy because I know it pisses him off. He worked all the time and was never home. There was always gossip when I was growing up about him cheating on my mom. My mom believed that he was faithful, but rumors…Well, you know what those do to people. Anyway, I did whatever I could to stay out of the house, so I played baseball, basketball, and football. I was the all-American kid with a supportive mom in the stands and a father who couldn’t come see his kid play because he either screwed someone on a deal or they were part of the rumor mill and he wouldn’t do that to my mom.” Travis shrugs.

  “Is that why you are the way you are?”

  Travis pulls his hand away from my leg, sits back, and finishes off his glass of water. He fiddles with the straw wrapper that sits on the table. “It’s not like that.”

  “It’s not?”

  He shakes his head. “These women…”

  “Look, you don’t have to explain yourself to me. The question was rude, and I’m sorry for asking it.”

  Travis reaches for my hand, and I give it to him willingly. “I want to, Saylor. I never set out to be a womanizer or anything like that. When I first entered the league…the women—they chased me. At first, I was focused on my career, but I gave in to temptation. I dated a few of them but never longer than a few weeks, because they would whine about my schedule and I didn’t have time for that. So I started having one-night stands because they’re free of drama, at least up until now.”

  “But she wasn’t a one-night stand?” I refuse to say Rachel’s name in public. By the look Travis gives me, he knows who I’m referring to.

  “No, she wasn’t. I became interested in someone else,” he says, dropping his voice low. It’s easy to see why women gravitate toward him. Not only is he very good looking, but he’s also charming and has a smile that makes you weak at the knees. It would be so easy to fall into his arms. It would be so nice to be the one who comforts him during this crisis, to be the one he comes home to at night. It’s not only my job keeping me from him; it’s also the fact that I’m not sure I could trust him enough.

  I look around the room for Lucy, spotting her instantly. I need to be in mom mode and not under the spell of Travis Kidd. I keep my focus on her so I don’t have to face him, because every time I do, I start to remember how I ended up here. If Elijah hadn’t sent the letter, I wouldn’t have gone to the bar and run into Travis. If that hadn’t happened, he wouldn’t be in this mess and we wouldn’t be sitting across from each other, sharing subtle glances and shy touches. I shouldn’t be here, but honestly, I like where I am.

  “What do I have to do, Saylor?”

  Turning back to face him, I get lost in his eyes. My head is screaming that he’s doing everything right, that he’s making his intentions known, and he’s where he should be when I least expect him. But I can’t. The little girl running around and telling everyone that her name is Cinderella depends on me. And I refuse to ask her father for any more child support than what he already pays. I can’t let my heart get in the way of my job. Besides, who’s to say he’ll feel this way next week or next month?

  “Are you in a relationship with someone else?” he asks.

  I shake my head quickly. “It’s not that.”

  “Look,” he says. “I don’t blame you for telling me no. I can’t make any excuses for my reputation, but I can promise you that if you give me a chance, I won’t let you down.”

  “It’s not that, Travis.”

  “Then what is it?” he pleads.

  Before I can answer, our food is delivered, and my stomach embarrasses me by gurgling loud enough for him to hear. He laughs and motions toward Lucy. “I’ll get her,” he says as he slides out of the booth. I can’t help but follow him as he goes to my daughter. She comes running to him and jumps into his arms. I need to caution her on some boundaries, except the look on not only her face but his as well makes me feel differently. She doesn’t even know him, and she’s smitten with him.

  I work quickly to put Lucy’s plate together, making sure the pizza is cut into bite-size pieces, and pour her a small glass of root beer. She rarely gets soda, but tonight is special, even if I don’t want to admit it.

  “I’m so hungry,” Lucy says as she climbs into the booth, choosing to sit next to Travis. I shouldn’t let it bother me, but it does. I’ve never had to share her except with my mom.

  “Do you mind watching her so I can go to the salad bar?” I ask, waving my plate in the air because I’m suddenly nervous.

  “Of course,” he says, and as I step past him, he grabs my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. “I want to make myself very clear here, Saylor. I would do anything for you and Lucy. I want to be here with the both of you.”

  I nod and stumble away in a daze, wondering who the hell Travis Kidd is. I only know him as my client, someone I’m required to keep in a positive light with the media. As I look back at Lucy and Travis, his head is turned toward hers, and she’s talking animatedly. Not once does he take his eyes off of her. He doesn’t frown or try to eat his own food. He’s totally lost in the world of my five-year-old daughter, and she in his.

  He’s exactly what she needs in life.

  After dinner, Lucy is able to convince Travis that he needs to play with her. I start to open my mouth to remind her that she should ask first, when Travis winks at me and slides out of the booth.

  For most parents the reprieve is nice when you visit an eatery that has a room for children to burn off energy, but because it’s my daughter and the man who is trying to win my affection, which under normal circumstances I’d be willing to give, I feel anything but abated, because I can’t take my eyes off of them.

  Lucy squeals in delight as Travis chases her around the jungle gym in what looks to be a game of tag. Each time it’s her turn to go after him, he dodges her a few times before letting her win the game.

  “Excuse me, but is that Travis Kidd you’re with?”

  I startle at the man who is standing at my table, who seemingly appeared out of nowhere, or has he been here the entire time and I’ve
been too focused on watching Travis and Lucy that I didn’t see him approach me?

  His question puts me on alert, and I shift into work mode. “Who’s asking?”

  He laughs, not in a ha-ha-funny sort of way, but in a menacing way, causing the fine hairs on my neck to stand tall. I try to seek out Travis, but the man is blocking my path.

  “Why are you with a rapist?” he asks in the same moment that Travis steps up to him with my daughter in his arms.

  “That’s enough,” Travis says to the man. I motion for Lucy to come to me and she does as Travis hands her easily to me. “I suggest you leave,” he tells the man, going chest to chest with him.

  “Or what?” he asks.

  “Or I’ll make you,” Travis warns.

  I work quickly to get Lucy’s coat on and when Travis turns to look at me, I see anger. While my body is coursing with fear, Travis’s has to be filled with murderous rage.

  Thirteen

  Travis

  It’s been two days since I’ve seen Saylor, and not by choice. She has other clients that need her attention today as well. I try not to let the fact that she’s with other men today bother me, but it does. I know she’s not exclusive to me, but it would be nice if she were.

  We are still waiting for the rape kit analysis to come back, along with the DNA test that I took. Irvin doesn’t understand the holdup and has been on the DA’s ass to make everything public. I want this nightmare behind me. I didn’t do what I’m being accused of, not to Rachel and definitely not to anyone else, so the fact that it’s taking so long is really starting to make me worry. I have a feeling that the state’s attorney is sitting on something huge. Otherwise, why’s he stalling? There are so many questions that I can’t get answers to, because no one knows.

  I’m back at the clubhouse today. This is the only place aside from Irvin’s office that I can have any privacy. I was stupid to take Saylor and Lucy out to dinner the other night. Halfway through, a patron was brazen enough to go up to Saylor. I had spotted him earlier, lurking in the corner of the kid room but without a kid. I was careful to keep an eye on Lucy, more so than Saylor and I had done earlier before dinner came.