The Man For Me

by Gemma Bruce

  “I feel sorry for the kid.” Bernie pulled out a fresh cigar. He tore the wrapper open with his teeth and spit it out.

  And Tommy flashed on the number of condoms he’d opened in the past few days.

  Bernie lit the cigar and puffed furiously to get it going. Then he stared toward the Night n Day. “I shoulda told Skinny we couldn’t use her. Women always cause trouble. Just the nature of things, I guess. Even if it was just an interview like she said, she’s lost a lot of credibility here.”

  And with the whole baseball community, thought Tommy. And if her relationship with him was made public, it would just add fuel to the fire. He didn’t know whether to be thankful she’d protected him from that, or angry for putting him in the position. “What are they saying inside?”

  Bernie shrugged and blew out smoke. “It ain’t good and I sure as hell don’t know how to fix it.”

  The door opened again and Larry joined them.

  “Goddamn it. You’ve been taken in by road bait. She’ll have us all looking like the assholes we are. Hanging out with the team, interviewing them, giving advice. Hell, Tommy, did it ever occur to you that she came here just to have a go at you?”

  Tommy clenched his fists. He felt like punching Larry, but he couldn’t go around hitting everybody just because he felt so ineffectual.

  “I’m sorry, Tommy. I can tell you really took to her, but if this got out, you’d look like a fool. Aging pitcher succumbs to the orgy queen.”

  “Larry,” Bernie said, “if you don’t shut up, I’m gonna shut you up. Tommy’s got enough on his plate without you adding to it.”

  But Tommy knew Larry was right. He could see how it would play. Aging, retired pitcher, young happening sportswriter out for a fling. Is that how his career would end? On the tabloids of every grocery store across the country? The thought made him sick.

  “I’m going to find out the truth.” Tommy pulled out his cell phone. He knew one of the players. He was on Tommy’s speed dial. He started the call.

  “Yo, Tommy,” said the voice at the other end. “Never been so surprised in my life. You retiring. You musta heard that I figured out how to hit your slider. But seriously, best of luck.”

  “Yeah, thanks, but my slider can still strike you out. And don’t forget it. But listen, the reason I called is I need some information.” He told him about the photo and the team’s reaction.

  Bernie and Larry stood by while he got the specifics, and the player corroborated J.T.’s story. “Hell, Tommy. She’s Abe Green’s daughter. I’ve known her since she was a kid running around with a plastic bat. We were doing her a favor. Now I hear she got fired from ST.”

  “Not fired, just sent to Gilbeytown.”

  The player laughed. “I’d rather be fired.”

  “Would you mind talking to a couple of the guys on the team here? They don’t know what to think, and I’m afraid they, uh, won’t believe me.”

  “Sounds interesting. Sure, put them on.”

  Tommy carried the cell into the tavern. Pulled Boskey, Brown, and Lou Pisano outside. “Listen to this.”

  They crowded around the cell phone while the player told them the true story of the tabloid picture.

  When they hung up, all three men looked relieved.

  “Pass it around,” said Tommy.

  “Maybe we should go get her and bring her back to the bar. We all have some serious apologizing to do,” said Boskey.

  “I’m going to get her, though I doubt she’ll come back tonight. If we’re lucky she’ll be back tomorrow. If we’re not…” He walked away from them and across the darkened highway.

  She didn’t answer his knock. He waited. Knocked again.

  Still nothing.

  “J.T. I know you’re in there. It’s been fixed. Everyone knows the real story. Now open up.”

  “No. Sorry. I’m sorry about everything. Go away.”

  He could tell from her voice she’d been crying. Women always got that unmistakable throaty sound when the tears started. “Well, I’m not. Open up or I’ll break the door down.”

  She opened the door but turned away from him when he walked inside. She was dressed in sweats and a big T-shirt. Her laptop was open. Tommy had to smile. A die-hard reporter to the bitter end.

  “I’m sorry you got involved. I shouldn’t have insinuated myself on you. I’m sorry.” Her voice cracked. “Now please leave and try to forget all this.”

  Tommy closed the door. “The team sends its apologies. It was just so out of left field, so to speak.” That got him a fleeting smile. “They know it was just yellow journalism.”

  “How? Because the great Tommy B. said so?”

  “No. Because the retired Tommy B. called one of the guys in the photo. He talked to Boskey, Brown, and Pisano. I’m pretty sure the whole team knows the truth by now. They want you to come back to the party.”

  She shook her head. “Thanks for doing that. But.” She shook her head again. “I can’t.”

  He stepped toward her. “Then let’s have our own party right here.”

  “Tommy, you can’t. I can’t. What if you end up on the front page of some rag just like the other guys did?”

  “At least I’ll be smiling.”

  She barked out a laugh that was close to a sob.

  “Come on, Jess. Hang tough. God knows you’ve had the practice. Don’t let a nobody like Kurtz ruin it for you.”

  He’d been gradually edging toward her. He grabbed her hand and pulled her against him. She was stiff and unresponsive. He maneuvered her to the bed and sat down with her. And just sat there while she fought tears and finally pulled herself together.

  “Thanks,” J.T. said, drawing away.

  “No problem.”

  “But you should be going, before…”

  “Anybody sees?” No more, Jess. The drapes are closed. I locked the door. And besides, everybody knows where I am.”

  She started up. He pulled her back down. “We don’t have to do the sex thing. But I’m staying. You can go to sleep. I’ll sit in the chair and watch you.”

  “You’re being crazy.”

  “Yeah. Well, it’s because you make me that way.” He stood up and pulled back the covers. “Climb in.”

  She shook her head.

  He scooped her up and laid her on the bed. Then he pulled the comforter up to her chin. “There. All right and tight.” He couldn’t help the smile that came to his lips. “I’ll just hang for a little while and make sure you’re okay.” He stretched out beside her. “See I’m on top of the covers. I still have my shoes on.”

  “You’re ridiculous.”

  “Yeah, but I’m warm and I have a big shoulder.”

  “Thanks.”

  She nestled against him and he lay there toying with her hair until her breathing evened and he knew she’d fallen asleep. She’d had a big day. A tough one. And he thought, What the hell. He kicked off his shoes, slipped out of his pants, and climbed in beside her.

  J.T. awoke to the green screensaver of her laptop, shining out of total darkness. Then she saw Tommy asleep beside her. She didn’t remember him staying, but she did remember the horrible things Kurtz had said to her. And the team’s reaction. She shuddered in sheer disgust.

  Tommy stirred, turned over, and reached for her.

  “You shouldn’t be here.”

  “Well, I am. And I’m staying unless you mean to kick me out in my underwear.”

  She flopped back onto the bed.

  “I didn’t think so.” He rolled so that he could look down at her. “But we’ve got to work on the night wear.” He had her out of her sweatpants before she’d finished laughing.

  Tommy left at first light, not that he thought they were fooling anyone. He’d heard the team come in during the early hours. It was pretty hard to miss the Beemer parked outside J.T.’s door.

  But J.T. had kept him too busy to care. God the things she did to him, the way touching her made him feel. He couldn’t get enough of her.
r />   But he’d certainly tried for the past few hours.

  It had started gently, between the sheets. And ended up on the floor, in the closet of all places, and finally even in the shower, but by that time, she was too blitzed to know what he had in mind.

  Then back to the bed, where they fell asleep with her hand cradling his balls. That was nice. He wouldn’t mind sleeping like that every night. It was the most peaceful hour-and-a-half sleep he’d had in months.

  He wasn’t even tired this morning. Of course, he’d probably fall over if someone touched him. It was a good thing he didn’t have to pitch today.

  He wouldn’t have to pitch ever again. Except maybe with his kids when he had them. Only if they wanted to. He wouldn’t force them to play baseball just because he loved it. Fortunately, he had enough money to send them and all their cousins to college without having to worry.

  Of course, he couldn’t have kids until he had a wife. He looked back at the motel room door. Considered going back inside and asking J.T. to marry him.

  His rational self kept his hands glued to the steering wheel. It was too soon. Hell, it might not even be a possibility. J.T. was pretty damn responsive when they were making love, but she kind of treated him like one of the guys when they weren’t.

  Maybe she wasn’t serious about him. Maybe he was becoming a neurotic mess. Maybe he’d just think about it again after he’d had more sleep.

  It took every ounce of courage for J.T. to open the door to the players’ entrance the next morning. Her first instinct after Tommy had left that morning was to pack up and go. It was what she did best. Back down and get out of sight.

  But she knew if she didn’t stick up for herself this time, she might never be able to respect herself again. She deserved that much. She owed the team that much.

  She drove straight to the field.

  Instead of barging into the locker room, she knocked on the door, then opened it enough to see inside. She could hear the television and Bernie’s voice going over plays. She walked across the empty room and stopped in the doorway.

  She saw Tommy. She knew he must have arrived early to smooth her way. J.T. appreciated it, though a small part of her resented it. She seemed to get herself in trouble easily enough by herself, why couldn’t she make a go of her life without the interference of men?

  He saw her and smiled, and she was glad to have someone after all.

  Bernie stopped talking. J.T. swallowed. Waited for him to kick her out.

  “Hey. It’s the banana split guru. ’Bout time you showed up.”

  Boskey jumped up from the sofa and nearly fell over himself getting to the door. “Man, we’re sorry we didn’t beat Kurtz to a pulp for you. He just took us by surprise. We know you didn’t do that stuff.”

  “Yeah,” Danny Lewis said.

  “We were kinda slow on the uptake.” Lou Pisano gave her a rueful smile. “We’re sorry.”

  “Can you forgive us?” Boz.

  “Have a seat.” Rob Brown.

  “Take my place.”

  “No, take mine.” J.T. took the spot Gogo Benitez had vacated. Hector Dela Rocha was sitting next to her. “I never believed. You helped Sanchez.”

  Blinking furiously, she smiled at him. “Thanks, Hector. You did a great job yesterday.”

  He nodded vigorously. “Yes.” And crossed himself.

  “Could we get back to work here?” J.T. got out her notepad. Bernie groaned, just like he did everytime he saw her open it. But she knew for once, he didn’t really mind.

  The Bucks were in rare spirits that afternoon. Tommy and J.T. were greeted by cries of “We won! We won!”

  They couldn’t have been happier if it had been their own team. The Beavers were their own team, thought J.T. Just like Tommy had said. They were more than a bush league baseball team. They were a symbol. Stability. Community. Hope.

  J.T. stifled the warm fuzzy feeling the thought gave her, picked up the bases, and started around the track to place them. She loved these kids, she loved the Beavers, she loved the whole damn town, including its hometown hero.

  There was no getting around it. She loved Tommy Bainbridge.

  The practice was stellar and she and Tommy talked excitedly about the kids all the way back to the field.

  Jeff Whitelaw’s sheriff’s car was parked in the lot.

  “Jesus,” Tommy said. “Now what?” He broke into a run, J.T. right behind him.

  Jeff, Larry, and Bernie were waiting at the door. Whatever had happened, it was bad. J.T. had never seen three such tragic faces.

  “What is it?” asked Tommy.

  “I think you’d better come into my office.” Larry took his arm.

  Tommy shook it off, looked at Bernie. “Tell me. Ma? Gran? Grace?”

  Bernie had already started shaking his head. “It’s not that. It’s—aw hell, Tommy. Kurtz has accused you of selling him steroids.”

  Tommy laughed incredulously.

  Looking like he’d rather be any place but where he was, Jeff Whitelaw said, “It’s no laughing matter. Steroids are a controlled substance.”

  Tommy’s head snapped toward the sheriff. “You’re kidding, right?”

  Jeff shook his head. “Mind if we take a look in the Beemer?”

  “No—of course not.” Tommy opened the office door.

  Jeff stepped in front of him. “Where are you going?”

  “To the locker room to get my keys.” J.T. was getting a terrible feeling that they were about to find drugs in Tommy’s car. This smacked of a setup. “He always leaves his keys in his locker,” she said. She stopped. She would do better to let the sheriff make his own conclusions.

  Tommy returned with the keys. He walked past them and beeped open the doors.

  Jeff crawled inside.

  The sheriff searched the glove compartment, under the seats, and found nothing. He went around to the trunk. He pulled back a Galaxies blanket and found just what J.T. knew he’d find. A box filled with bottles of designer steroids.

  Tommy stared, shaking his head. Bernie muttered an expletive under his breath. Larry said nothing.

  “Jeff, you ass,” Bernie said. “You know Tommy would never take steroids, much less sell them. You’ve known him all his life.”

  J.T. interrupted him. Appeals based on a man’s character didn’t hold much sway with the law. She went to the reality of the situation. “It’s obviously a plant. Anyone had plenty of opportunity to lift his keys from his locker. There’s not a lock on it.”

  She saw Tommy cut her a quick look. So she’d noticed where he kept his keys. She was a reporter. “And besides, do you think Tommy would be stupid enough to drive around with contraband in his trunk?”

  “I don’t know what to think,” Jeff said. “But I got a job to do. Tommy, I’ll have to ask you to come downtown with me.”

  Bernie snatched his cigar out of his mouth and threw it on the ground. “Jeff, you’re making me mad now.”

  “I’m sorry. Tommy, you have the right to remain—”

  “You can’t arrest Tommy.”

  “Bernie, don’t make me arrest you for obstruction of justice.”

  “It’s okay, Bernie. Jeff’s just doing his job.” Tommy’s voice was calm, but all the color had drained from his face. “Tell Ma and the others not to worry.”

  “Hell. I’m not telling them anything. I’m gonna bail you out before Jeff finishes the paperwork.” He got in Jeff’s face. “Do you know how many lawyers Tommy has?”

  “No, but you better start calling them.”

  “I intend to.”

  “Just for the record,” Tommy said. “I didn’t put those in my trunk. I have never taken steroids or any other drug. And I certainly have never sold them or given them away.”

  “Of course not,” snapped Bernie.

  But Tommy’s words hadn’t been for Bernie or the sheriff. He’d been looking at J.T.

  She nodded. “I know. I’m on it.”

  Jeff confiscated Tommy’s keys
, impounded the Beemer, and called Lojek’s Garage for a tow truck. Then he put Tommy in the backseat of the cruiser and drove away. Tommy sat upright in the back. J.T. knew he would walk into the station with his head held high because he was innocent.

  “I can’t believe it. Tommy of all people.” Larry let out a huge sigh.

  Bernie turned on him so fast that he nearly tripped over his crutches. “Because it ain’t true. Kurtz has it out for J.T. and Tommy both, ever since they busted him. And when I find him, I’m gonna fire him, them I’m gonna break his balls.”

  “You leave Kurtz alone. I don’t want to be bailing you outta jail. I don’t have the cash. Didn’t even make my child support this month.” Larry shook his head and went back inside.

  Bernie turned his fury on J.T. “And don’t you write about it.”

  “Cross my heart,” she said, and did. She wasn’t going to write about this, not until she knew the whole truth. She was going after Kurtz.

  Chapter 25

  Kurtz was either gone or laying low. His SUV wasn’t at the motel. A quick talk with Harriett told J.T. that he hadn’t checked out of his room. “Though if he doesn’t soon, I’ll kick him out. Doing something like that to Tommy.”

  “Tommy didn’t sell him those drugs.”

  “Of course he didn’t. I’ve known Tommy since he was a teenager. He was always a good boy. And now he’s a good man.”

  J.T. hoped the whole town would show the same loyalty. She couldn’t figure why Kurtz was still at the motel. The other players were ready to kill him, and if he thought the Beavers would take him back after this, he was crazier than the steroids alone could make him.

  J.T. considered going to look for him, but knew the odds of catching him at the Night n Day were better. She positioned herself behind half-closed drapes and waited.

  Tommy called at five. He was out on bail. She knew he was innocent, right? Did she want to go to dinner?

  “Yes. But I can’t. I’m staking out Kurtz’s motel room.” She knew it sounded silly the moment she said it. She was no investigative reporter. She did scores and RBIs and human interest. But she wasn’t going to let Kurtz slip through their fingers.