Adam ran a hand through his damp hair as he remembered the friends who’d been more like extended family. Having those guys in his life kept him sane. There’d been more than a few nights when he’d missed Jenny so much he’d stayed at the fields practicing until he could barely stand. They’d taken him home. At the time, he’d been determined to make her proud, as if playing his best would show her he hadn’t left in vain. Proving he was good enough to be there was all he could do, so he gave it his all.
“Hey,” Jenny ran a hand down his arm, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you sad.”
He shook off the memories and turned to her. “You didn’t.” He kissed her.
She leaned into him and deepened the kiss, letting her tongue caress his mouth. He returned the gesture. When his phone rang out in the bedroom he ignored it.
“You should get that,” she said against his lips.
“Get what?” He kissed her again, this time, pulling her against him. The ringing stopped and then started again.
With one hand on his chest, she pushed him away. “I really think someone’s trying to get a hold of you.”
“So?”
As he moved in on her neck, her head tilted back. “It could be an emergency.”
He growled. “It better be.”
Her giggle echoed in the bathroom when he left her to finish getting ready. The sweet sound made him curse the unknown caller again under his breath. Whoever it is better be bleeding from the head. He seized his phone off the bedside table and his eyes widened. “Hey, Mark. I didn’t expect to hear from you today. What’s up?”
“Who’s the best agent in the world?”
“If you’re calling me about another hemorrhoid cream ad, I already told you it isn’t happening.”
Mark barked out a laugh. “Adam, my man, I wouldn’t do that to you. Well, not again anyway. I got your message loud and clear.”
Adam’s shoulder’s relaxed. “Glad to hear it. So, what’s up?”
“What if I told you I found a team who wants you to come out and be a designated hitter? Maybe a little first base action. What do you think?”
Adam dropped down onto the edge of the bed as all the feeling rushed out of his legs. “Wait, what?”
“Cincinnati wants a sit down. You’d fly up and be back in a day or two.”
There was a long pause while Adam’s brain tried to comprehend what his agent was saying. In the background, other voices spoke quickly and earnestly as other agents worked hard to make the next big deal happen.
Tapping sounded and then his agent spoke up. “You still there?”
The room spun. Adam ran a hand through his hair and pulled. “But, why would they want me? I’m washed up.”
“Oh, you know how it is. They want your name. You may not have the heat anymore, but you could handle first, right?”
Adam struggled to find his voice. “Yeah, yeah, I guess I could, I just didn’t think—”
“Don’t worry about that,” Mark cut in the way he always did once he had the answer he wanted. “Just remember who’s looking out for you. So, the day after tomorrow you’ll head up there? I’ll have my assistant email you the details. This could be your way back in.”
Adam swallowed the lump in his throat. “Yeah.”
“Come on, Adam. Try to sound a little more excited. You said you missed it. Well, here’s your chance.”
“Yeah, no, it’s great. Thanks, Mark.” Adam hung up the phone and let his arms hang lifeless between his knees. He could play again. Actually go back to the one thing he was good at. The game which could fill the missing part of his soul.
“So, was it an emergency?” Wearing only her skirt and bra, Jenny walked to the closet.
His body responded at the sight of her as his mind spiraled into a whirlwind of what ifs. “What? Oh, no. No emergency.” He felt like he was moving in slow motion, his brain still muddled.
She stepped back out of the closet, now wearing a blue top and paused with her hand halfway to her ear. “Adam, are you okay?”
“Yeah, of course. Never better. I’d better get ready.” He pushed off the bed, ducked into the closet and started throwing on clothes. When he noticed his shirt didn’t match, he yanked it back off and tossed it on the floor. He needed to calm down. He stepped out of the closet and found her slipping into her shoes. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes, nearly. Why are you in such a hurry all of a sudden? I thought you had an hour?” She tilted her head to the side and eyed him.
“I do, but I was thinking about running by the hardware store. I need some knobs for the kitchen cabinets.”
Her nose wrinkled. “Didn’t you get those yesterday?”
“Yes, you’re right. I didn’t mean knobs, I meant shelf liners.”
“If you say so.” She continued to watch him as she stood and they made their way to the front porch. “You’re sure you’re okay?”
“I’m more than okay.” He gave her a quick peck on the lips. “I’ll see you tonight.” He waited by his truck as she pulled out of the driveway and waved.
He waved back and then banged his head against the window. He couldn’t get his thoughts in order. The life he wanted was within reach, but it was beginning to unravel as the chance to play dangled in front of him like a steak in front of a starving man. Why hadn’t he told Jenny about the call? He banged his head against the glass again. What was he doing?
The drive to the school was a blur as Adam’s mind continued to churn with uncertainty. He loved the game. It was part of who he was, but he also loved Jenny and he wouldn’t hurt her again. Whatever happened, this time would be different.
As the ball field came into view, his hands tightened on the wheel. The one place which usually brought him peace added to his anxiety. Instead of the freshly cut grass and red Georgia clay reminding him of his youth, it dug into him like a knife laced with guilt. He needed to tell her, but he didn’t want to upset her over nothing. He hadn’t taken the meeting yet and it was possible it wouldn’t turn into anything. He didn’t even believe it. But, when other players he’d known were offered similar meetings, they’d always ended in offers.
He pulled into a parking spot as words Jenny said came back to him and lightened his burden: they weren’t children anymore. He didn’t have to make the decision on his own. Maybe she would go with him. A light smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. As long as they were together, they could make a life anywhere.
He cut the engine, but lingered inside his truck while he tried to picture them there; Cincinnati, surrounded by tall buildings and shoveling snow. He blew out a breath.
He couldn’t do it. Whenever he thought of Jenny, he thought of home and home was Warm Springs.
Coach Pritchard emerged from the dugout and waved. The sight of his old coach lifted his spirits and forced Adam to table his current worries. There was nothing he could do about it at the moment, and he wanted to be completely focused when he spoke to the kids.
After pulling on his cap, he jogged over to where Coach was waiting and shook his hand.
“I’m glad you could stop by, Adam.”
“Same here.” Adam fell in beside the old man as they walked toward the waiting players who stood around the fence. At a glance, the teenage boys looked exactly as Adam, Spencer, and Jake had, standing around with their teammates, but their time had passed. “No matter how much time goes by, it never changes does it?”
“The people do,” Coach replied, “but not the game.”
Adam nodded and then after a flattering, if not slightly embarrassing, introduction from Coach Pritchard, he spent the next hour answering questions and giving out pointers. It wasn’t until the final kid left the field that he realized how much fun he’d had. Working with the team hadn’t felt like a typical speakin
g engagement. He felt like he’d done something useful and even more surprising, he’d had fun.
“Adam,” Coach said as they made their way back to the dugout, “I wanted to mention something to you.”
“Sure thing.”
“As you know, I’m going to be retiring this year. Well now, so far, the school board doesn’t have a replacement picked out to take my place.”
Adam paused to lean a couple of bats against the painted cinderblock wall. “I’d expect they need to decide that pretty quickly, don’t they?” He glanced up at Coach and noticed the light dancing in the man’s eyes.
“That they do. According to the principal, they need to get it approved at the next meeting.”
Adam let out a whistle. “Do they have anyone in mind?”
“I may’ve mentioned someone.” Coach tucked his hands in his pockets and leaned back on his heels, his lips splitting into a wide grin.
“You can’t be serious. Me? You want me to be the new coach?” He shook his head. “That’s crazy. I don’t know anything about coaching.”
“You know more about the game than most.”
“The game, yes. Working with teenagers, not so much.” Adam placed one of his feet on a concrete step and stared out over the field. The day just kept throwing him curveballs. First Cincinnati and now this. Never once had the thought of coaching crossed his mind.
“Now, Adam, I know what I’m talking about isn’t glamorous like what you’re used to, but you’re a good man, and I think the boys could learn a lot from you.”
Adam shook his head. “I wouldn’t even know where to begin.”
“We have the rest of the year and all summer to work out the details.”
Silence filled the space between them while the idea took root in Adam’s mind and began to spread. Could he do it? Could he be an effective coach? Did he want to be?
“Tell you what,” Coach said, “think about it for a few days and get back to me. You don’t have to give me an answer today.”
Adam squinted at Coach Pritchard. “I can do that.”
“Good.” Coach brought his hand down hard on Adam’s shoulder. “I’d better get going. I’ll be waiting to hear from you.”
“Yes, sir.” With slow, distracted steps, Adam made his way out to the pitcher’s mound and gazed at the school field where he’d formed a dream for his future. He never expected to end up back at the beginning.
Although unsure he could do it, Coach Pritchard thought he was up to the task. Coach had always believed in him. Coach Pritchard and Jenny. And, they believed in him still. The only question left was whether or not it was what he wanted.
Chapter 23
Adam climbed into his truck and drove. What he needed was a voice of reason; someone to talk him down and help him sort out his jumbled thoughts. As he pulled up to the curb, he saw his sister stretch to reach some of his grandmother’s hanging plants with a watering can. It was the same silver can with yellow flowers painted on the side they’d given her twenty years ago for Mother’s Day.
“We weren’t expecting you today,” Avery stopped watering mid-pour and set the can down with a clang. After scrutinizing his face, she placed one hand on her hip. “What’s up?”
He should’ve known she’d see through him before he had a chance to explain, or even to get all the way up the porch steps. “How do you know something’s wrong?” He hugged his sister and then took a step back, studying the tips of his shoes.
“Oh, I don’t know. Could it be the crease between your eyes or the nervous energy radiating off of you? Or, maybe the lack of eye contact?”
He laughed. “Okay, okay. Point made. I see your keen sense of observation hasn’t been dampened by your residency.”
“If anything, it’s stronger.” She looped an arm through his and led him inside. “I have a feeling you didn’t come here to see me.” Stopping by the living room, she released him. “Honey’s in the kitchen reading the paper.”
“Thanks.” He removed his cap as he entered the kitchen and when his grandmother’s eyes lit up at the sight of him, some of his angst lessened.
“This is a nice surprise.” She leaned into the kiss he placed on her cheek and eyed him more closely. “What’s going on, Adam?”
He slapped his cap across his thigh and shrugged. “In the past twenty-four hours my life has turned inside out, and I have no idea what to do.”
“Sit down. It can’t be as bad as all that.” She folded her paper and put it to the side. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
Adam settled into the chair beside his grandmother’s and crossed his ankle over his knee. “I don’t even know where to start.”
“The beginning always seems to work.” She winked at him.
Adam smiled despite his mood and proceeded to tell her about the phone call from his agent.
“Oh, Adam.” She leaned across the table and laid a soft hand over his. “What did you say? Are you going to go?”
He shrugged. “I guess so, but I don’t feel the way I thought I would.”
She tilted her head to the side.
Blowing out a breath, he tried to find the right words. “I guess I thought if I had the chance to play again it’d be the best thing that could happen to me, but now that the opportunity’s happening . . .” His leg shook under the table. “It doesn’t feel right. I love to play, you know that, but it doesn’t feel like enough. And, there’s something else.”
“Oh?” She released his hand and leaned back in her chair. “Well, you’d better tell me the rest.”
He nodded. “I went over to the high school and spent some time with Coach Pritchard today. I also talked to some of the players.” Adam blew out a breath. “He offered me his job.” Even as he was saying the words, it didn’t seem true.
“Doesn’t that just beat all?” She slapped the table. “You’ve had quite a day today haven’t you?”
He smiled again. His grandmother’s familiar laugh helped cut through the seriousness and ease some of his anxiety. “Yes, ma’am. That I have.”
“I suppose you think I can make sense of everything?”
“You’re the wisest woman I know.”
Her laugh rang out through the kitchen again. “Adam, you’ve been making your own decisions for years. What’s different now?” She eyed him again in a way that suggested she already knew the answer to her question.
His smile faded. “I don’t want to lose her again. I love her.”
“You’ve always loved Jenny, and she’s always loved you. What’s the problem?”
“She belongs here.”
“And, where do you belong?”
He met his grandmother’s eyes and suddenly the answer was clear. “Wherever she is.”
She nodded. “Then, you have your answer.”
“Thank you.” He rose and hugged his grandmother.
“I didn’t do anything. You already know what you want. You just need to make it happen.”
He straightened and smiled down at his grandmother. “It’s been a long time coming.”
“That it has.”
When he stepped back outside onto the porch, he found Avery swaying gently on the porch swing.
“You seem better.”
He sat down beside her and stared out over the yard. “I am better.”
“The power of Honey’s wisdom.”
“Yep.” They continued to swing as a gentle fall breeze swept across the yard, carrying dried leaves with it. “Maybe you can talk to her and get some wisdom of your own.”
Avery’s eyes cut to his. “I could use some that’s for sure.”
“Are you ever going to tell me why you’re really here?”
“I told you. I’m on break.” Her voice rose the same way it used t
o when she’d been caught lying to their mother.
“Avery.” He didn’t know much about her potential line of work, but he knew enough to know her break had gone on longer than any break he’d ever heard of. “You don’t have to tell me, but you don’t have to lie either. Whatever your reason for being here, I’m glad you are.”
Her shoulders relaxed and she nudged him. “These past few weeks, you’ve been happier than I’ve seen you in a long time.”
He dropped his gaze to his feet and smiled. He was happy and would be even more so after he had a chance to talk to Jenny about his plans for the future. He glanced at the cell phone hanging off his belt and stood. “You still planning to head out this weekend?”
“Yeah. I have to get back.” She stood up beside him and bumped his shoulder with hers. “Are you going to come see me off?”
“I’ll be here.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed, then jogged down the steps toward his truck. He had just enough time to change into his suit before he needed to pick Jenny up. As he walked down the sidewalk, his steps were lighter with the promise of a future with her.
Jenny thanked the lady at the dry cleaners and plucked her navy suit off the hook. With luck, she’d have time to tie up a few loose ends before Adam arrived at her office. Outside, she hurried down the sidewalk and paused to dig her keys out of her purse.
“Jen. Jen Fillmore.”
The familiar voice prompted a heavy weight to settle in her chest. Abandoning the search for her keys, she braced herself and met the eyes of the man she’d wronged. “Hello, James. You’re looking well.”
Running Home (Warm Springs Trilogy Book 2) Page 21