by Faith O'Shea
She glanced at Fiona’s fiancé, then over to her own man. They were both hot-blooded but there was only one she wanted.
“I’ve been cursed with the same kind of luck.”
“I prefer to look at it as a gift but sometimes…I worry. I am so not what he was looking for. My fear is that he wakes up one day and sees the error of his ways.”
She remembered what Mateo had told her and paid it forward. “He’s been surrounded by love his whole life. He knew what he wanted.”
“Not. He wanted a woman who could cook. He wanted a woman to stay home and cater to him. He wanted a woman who could host his parties and mingle with his friends. I can’t or won’t do any of that.”
“He might have thought that’s what he wanted, but obviously he found other things that were more important. Like brains, ambition, and goals.”
“That’s what Izabella said. I have to trust she’s right.”
“You have to trust what’s between you. The way he looks at you says it all.”
A dazed look came over her face.
“Crazy, isn’t it?”
Crazy was the perfect word for it. She was doing her own form of crazy and it was making her…nuts.
They gathered round the table to eat, the food a mix of barbeque and Latin American, while soft rock played in the background. Fiona seemed to be keeping up with it all, regardless of what she’d said about not liking crowds. She was easy to be with, didn’t lord her intelligence over them, and she could have, and her knowledge of baseball must have grown exponentially since meeting Rique. She held her end of the conversation about launch angles, curve balls and the batting line-up. The next few hours were spent talking and laughing. Once Mo Reyes and Manny Heredia got over Allie’s attachment to one of them, the looks stopped, and she felt much more at home as a partner than as part of the front office. It wasn’t as tricky a line to walk as she’d thought it would be. She was brought into the conversations about Mac, about their shot of winning the ring, about who was a sure bet for the upcoming roster, and she didn’t have to hold any cards close to her vest. She’d always been honest and open with them.
Fiona’s assistant, Bodan, sat in rapt attention, listening to the inside gossip of his favorite team, his wife chatting with the other wives as they cleaned up the kitchen.
At close to eleven, Rique began to coax them out.
“Some of us have practice tomorrow and I’ve got to get my eight hours of sleep.”
Reyes joked as he picked his coat up off the chair where Rique had dropped them, “Wait until you have kids. Eight hours of sleep will be a pie-in-the-sky dream.”
Allie knew he and his wife, Lynelle, had two, one born just six months ago. They’d only been able to join the party because Lynelle’s mother was in visiting from New York and had agreed to babysit.
Mateo suggested, “Why don’t you drop in tomorrow. See the triumvirate in action.”
“It’s an odd three-some. Usually it’s catcher, shortstop, and center fielder that forms the backbone of the team, the guys who play up the middle.”
Rique offered his opinion. “Last year’s catcher, shortstop, and center fielder didn’t get the job done, now, did they? You’ll see better days ahead with us out there.”
Fiona gave her fiancé a smirk. “See how well he does in making himself a million-dollar man? He doesn’t need me as his cheerleader.”
He threw his arm around her neck and squeezed. “Maybe not but I need you for all the important things.”
On the drive back to the condo, Allie couldn’t help thinking, she needed Mateo for all the important things too, without even having known she needed them at all.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The next morning, Mateo snuck back for another kiss goodbye before he left for Harborside, not wanting to go but needing to. He was already running late and couldn’t make any more excuses about going. Allie was catching a plane to the Dominican Republic this morning and she’d be gone until the end of the week and he already missed her. Like breath. Like baseball. Those months in Brazil had been torture even though the dos Santos’ had found him a place to work out and some batting cages to keep his swing in shape. When something was in your blood, it needed to flow.
Standing at the open door, one foot out, one foot still inside, he prompted, “You will text me when you get there?”
“I promise.”
“And you won’t find another player who you find marriage material.”
She looked up from her notes at that and gave him a sardonic smile.
“I can only do one of them at a time. There are laws against bigamy.”
“You cannot even be tempted.”
The smile dipped into a reflective frown, but she met his eyes and admitted, “You’re enough of a temptation for me. My heart couldn’t handle another.”
Satisfied that she felt some kind of connection, he said, “Okay. Good. Goodbye. Miss me.”
She approached, gave him another kiss for good measure then quipped, “I can’t miss you if you don’t go away.”
“I’m going.”
“Say hi to everyone for me.”
He didn’t take his eyes off her until the elevator opened and closed.
He leaned against the wall, his head back, wondering where this love had come from. When he was sitting at that bar in Cancun, his only thought was how to get to America and play ball. It was still a driving force, but Allie had become even more important. He’d lived twenty-six years without her, but now, he wasn’t sure how he’d resolve to live life if she was no longer there. She’d brought color, texture, sound, and emotion, sensory delights he didn’t even know existed. And he’d lived in a country where all of that permeated the air, the sea, the cities and towns.
As he exited the elevator and headed for his car, he resolved to move outside this prison, this tangle of fear that had knotted in his gut. He could not think the worst while she was away, that she’d find someone else. She might not love him, but she did feel tied to him. She’d said as much on her return from Cuba. She would not betray their vows any more than he would.
Was this her worry? That he would? How could he explain his feelings? That there was no one who could tempt him away from her. He couldn’t deny that there’d been many nights he’d satisfied his need with an available woman. They were everywhere, crowding, flirting, desirous, and he’d taken what they offered without thought or regret. It had never evolved into more. He’d never dated anyone seriously, too intent on his game, too focused on his future once the decision was made to defect. He gave a half-hearted laugh as he left the garage. It looked like he’d lost any opportunity for that ritual as soon as she’d walked into that bar.
When he arrived at Calipari’s, he heard voices coming from the virtual field. Rique was already here, talking to Leo and someone he didn’t recognize. He carried his gear into the illuminated space and was introduced to the new batting coach, Brad Purcell. He’d forgotten that Mac would have hired his own staff, and as he shook the man’s hand, firm and steady, he instantly liked him.
“You are a coach’s dream, Alvarez. I’ve watched some of your videos and you’re a natural, born hitter. That’ll be clutch for us this year. As always, Allie’s done a bang-up job.”
He was skeptical about that assessment.
“I’m not sure I’m a natural. I would not have to practice so many hours if I was.”
“Then your work ethic is to be admired, as well. I was just telling Rique here, he could take lessons from you.”
Rique protested, “Hey, my ethic is getting better, along with my hitting, and I am taking lessons from him.”
Leo agreed. “Mattie here’s been giving him pointers and the kid’s listening.”
Rique said easily, “You listen to people who have your best interests at heart.”
The sound of running feet caught their attention, and Seb was all but out of breath when he joined them.
“Sorry. I was up late watching the Bruins
game. Didn’t hear the alarm go off.”
“You’re lucky we haven’t started yet. I heard you dropped by to mentor some of the kids here over the weekend.”
“I promised Mac I’d make it part of my community service. It was fun, though, so it’s no biggie.”
He went and dropped his bag over by the bench on the first base line, and on his way back, excitement in his voice, he said, “I was with the older kids, little leaguers, ten to twelve, but on the opposite side of the field, the seven-to-ten-year-old’s were doing drills. There was this one girl. Shit, she was kick-ass. I could have watched her all day. Funny thing. She was wearing Mac’s number. If she were a boy, I’d say she’d outstat him one day.”
Leo exchanged looks with Brad, but it seemed Mattie was the only one who noticed the arched brows. It had flown right over Seb’s head. The kid was someone, but who?
He didn’t have much time to think about it once the fielding drills started. He fell into the routine with the same kind of energy he always did, and by the end of the morning he was soaked with sweat. It felt good and it had also taken his mind off of Allie.
He dropped down on the bench and pulled out his phone.
There was a text waiting. He hadn’t expected to hear from her yet and his heart soared.
Will be landing soon. Going right to stadium and field. Might be too busy to call once I get there. Hope you’re playing well with the others. How’s the new batting coach?
She’d only left it a few minutes before, so he texted right back.
Batting practice is this afternoon, so I have nothing to report yet. He appreciates my talents though, so I’m in the running for a gold star.
That’s my guy.
Missing you.
If you have time for that, they’re not pushing you enough.
They are pushing us plenty. I’m covered in sweat.
Mm. You do your best work covered in sweat.
There was a surge of hormonal juice. She wasn’t only thinking of him. She was thinking of him in a sexual context. That soothed the jagged edges of his wariness about her trip.
Glad to hear you’re missing me, too.
I have nothing better to do than to sit here looking out the window. All I see is sky. There’s a natural correlation now between the sky and you.
That is good. The sky is everywhere.
Wheels are going down. I have to swipe. Talk to you later.
He smiled. His confidence was back, and he spent the afternoon hitting home run after home run, helping Rique learn to do the same.
When Leo excused them for the day, Rique asked, “Want to grab supper? Fifi’s already warned me she’ll be late. First full day there and she has a lot of organizing to do.”
“Allie left for the DR this morning and she’ll be gone for a few days. I could use the company.”
“Finalizing who’ll be in Sanford?”
“Yes. She’s visiting most of the minor league teams.”
“Looks like we can be work widowers together until spring training.”
Seb had come over, a towel around his neck. “You planning something without me?”
“We’re grabbing dinner.”
“Sounds good. Let’s shower. I’m starved.”
Before they left, Leo had come over and told them they’d only be doing half a day tomorrow. The field had been rented out and he had a lot of work to do to get ready for the coming Grapefruit season.
“Besides, you guys are way ahead of where I thought you’d be. All you need now is a bit of batting practice, a couple of drills for repetition sake. Sleep in and be here by one o’clock. A few hours should do it.”
As they walked toward the showers, Rique asked, “I wonder if that means we’ve got a spot on the roster?”
Seb laughed. “We’ve always had a job on the roster.” Then added, “Talent wise. I wasn’t so sure Mac would let me on due to other factors.”
“But he asked you to work with kids. He can’t be holding that much of a grudge.”
“Yeah. That came out of left field. I guess he remembered I liked working with them. I used to be one of the assistant coaches at his summer camp.”
They continued the conversation at the same bar they’d hit after Farina’s heart attack. Or at least tried to. There were a lot of women skirting their table until they’d convinced them that they were nobodies and didn’t warrant the attention. When the last persistent one moved away with a smoldering backward glance, Mattie asked, “Do you think he’ll still hold the camp?”
“Yeah. It’s one of his pet causes. Already on the calendar for the second week in June.”
Rique said, “We must have a night game that weekend.”
Mattie asked, “Do you think he would let me volunteer?”
“You probably won’t have to. He drafts and you’ll be high on his list.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“Un, hello. Have you seen how you hit?”
“That is why he will draft me?”
“You have an easy way about you and you’re a great teacher.”
“I did some work with the kids on my provincial team. I enjoyed it.”
“Let him know. You’ll go up a notch in his estimation.”
The ping of Mateo’s phone alerted him to an incoming text.
“Sorry. I think this is Allie.”
He couldn’t help but notice Seb’s all-knowing grin before he opened it.
Would you pick heart over talent or talent over heart?
He rubbed his chin, thinking, and then typed.
Heart as long as there’s a decent amount of talent that goes with it.
That’s what I thought, but the talented guy HAS TALENT.
No room for both to see what they can do?
UGH. This one has me stymied.
That is not like you, is it?
No. You’ve got me crazy. I can’t even do my job anymore. I’m surrounded here by a moonlit sky.
He smiled.
When I go back outside, I will look up and think of you.
You haven’t been?
I can think of nothing else. Let me rephrase. I will look up and know we are under the same moon. The distance between us won’t seem as far.
Okay. Good. I’m going with heart this time.
As am I.
A few minutes went by before she texted back.
I’ll call you later.
I will be waiting.
When the call came, it was just past ten. Waiting for it had taken all his control. He’d wanted to reach out as soon as he got back from the bar but didn’t want to interrupt her. He also didn’t want to look too needy.
“Hello, querida.”
“Hi. I almost didn’t call. It’s been a long day. I had to cram everything in so I can fly out tomorrow without any unfinished business.”
He had a feeling she was rushing this trip because of him. Instead of feeling guilty that she had so much on her plate, he was elated that she wanted to get home earlier than planned.
He let the relief fill his voice.
“I’m glad you did. How did Mr. Talented take your decision?”
He’d been curious, thought about it all day. Her job had a downside to it he hadn’t given much thought to.
“I had to finesses the hell out of the dismissal, make it seem less of a rejection than it was. It helped that the coach down here agreed with my decision. I’m putting you in charge of mentoring Mr. Heart.”
“I will be glad to. What position does he play?”
“Infield. I’m afraid he might beat out Nap, which weighs heavily on my conscience.”
Her tone was tinged with regret. She wasn’t as hard as nails as some thought but a lot more empathetic than she let on.
“It will ultimately be Mac’s decision, won’t it?”
“Yup. That’s why he makes the big bucks.”
He heard some kind of rustling, which prodded him to ask, “Where are you?”
“Hotel room. I h
ave an early morning flight to San Juan, so I’m getting my clothes ready so I don’t have to make decisions before coffee. I’m enjoying the weather. It’s balmy, palm trees swaying in the breeze instead of being covered in snow. I heard you got several inches.”
“We did. It is warmer when it snows than when it doesn’t. How can that be?”
“Have no idea. Ask Fiona. She’s become our resident scientist.”
“I will if I ever see her again. She’s barricaded herself in her lab, and after we had dinner Rique went over to see her.”
“You guys had dinner together?”
“Yeah. We commiserated about our women being unavailable.”
“What did Seb commiserate about?”
“Must I remind you of my promise that what happens in triumvirate land stays there?”
“It appears you do. And I respect that. But I’m curious. You can trust me.”
“I can, yes. With my heart. With my friends’ confidences, not so much.”
He heard a huff of breath and then a bristling accusation. “If Rique starts cheating on Fiona, you’ll keep his secret?”
The words were tightly restrained, and it sounded as if she was clenching her teeth when she’d asked.
There was no need to defend his friend. Besides, he knew where this was coming from. Her own fear. He stated without reservation, “I don’t believe that will ever be a problem.”
“Says a man. I know what that feels like to be the object of pity.”
“And I’m sorry that you were. But Rique loves Fiona. When there is true love and a steadfast heart, such a thing can’t happen.”
“Says Rumi?”
“Says me.”
“I don’t want to argue about this. I just need you to understand, there’s a men’s club among the players, and its members prohibit infidelity from getting out.”
He understood that, for her, in her position with the club, it would be far more humiliating than for other wives. What she needed to understand is that he could not be friends with someone who could play that kind of game.
“Alicia, I am not a member of that club. If Rique did something like that, I would not allow it to go unchallenged.” He paused and asked, “If Casey started cheating on her husband, would you tell him?”