Making a Comeback

by Kristina Mathews

“What if she’s not?”

  “Then you’ll have a chance to apologize. Make it right.” He reached up and tilted her chin, offering a warm smile. “I know you’ll regret not going.”

  “You have to come with me, please.”

  “As if I could ever deny you anything, Annabelle.” He dropped a kiss on her temple, somehow making her think that it was a good idea to go, maybe even speak in front of the live television audience about her experience.

  * * * *

  “Tell me it isn’t true,” Cooper was on the phone with his agent as soon as he got home. “Tell me they’re not seriously going to give me a ring.”

  “It’s in the contract. I’m sure they can mail it to you if you don’t want to accept it in person.”

  “I don’t want to accept it at all. I don’t deserve it.”

  “There have been other guys who’ve accepted their rings gladly after serving a suspension or being traded.”

  “I don’t want a ring unless I earn it.”

  “So are you ready to get back to work? Earn the next one?”

  “Yeah. I’m ready.” Cooper ran his hands through his hair. “I’m more than ready to get back on the mound. I feel great. Stronger than ever.”

  “Are you sure you’re ready?”

  “I just told you I was.”

  “It sounds to me like there’s something holding you back. Is it guilt over the ring?”

  “No. I’ll take the damned thing. I’ll put it on my bathroom sink and let it remind me every day what I could have had.”

  “So what aren’t you telling me?”

  What, was he supposed to tell his agent he was in love? That he didn’t want to have to deal with a long-distance relationship on top of carrying around his 220 pounds of guilt every time he looked in the mirror?

  “I guess I’m just a little nervous about going to a new team. The Goliaths were like family and I let them down.” He didn’t know how else to describe the difference in the two clubhouses. “I had a hard time adjusting in St. Louis. I felt like everyone was waiting for me to disappoint them. And then I did.”

  “Look. I’m not going to lie to you,” his agent said. “You’re not going to find another organization like the Goliaths. But then, they’re going through some changes right now with the ownership shakeup. It’s going to be hard for them to repeat their championship season.”

  “They’ve got their core group of guys. If anyone can do it, they can.”

  “Are you looking for a team that’s going to contend?”

  “That’s always one consideration.” Damn. He’d hoped to avoid the whole free agency thing. His goal had been to sign a long-term deal with San Francisco before he became a free agent. Hadn’t exactly worked out that way.

  “Most of the top teams have already got their lineups in place. There’s always a chance someone gets hurt.”

  “So what have we got in the middle of the pack? A team on their way up, maybe someone who’ll have a chance to sneak in on a wild card or get hot at the right time.”

  “I’ll ask around.”

  “Great. I’ll keep working out. I’ve been throwing some bullpen sessions. Even threw some batting practice. And the arm feels good. It really does.”

  “That’s good news.” His agent’s words were encouraging but Cooper could hear an underlying but. “How would you feel about overseas clubs? I know of at least one Japanese club who’s very interested in what you have to offer.”

  And leave Annabelle and the girls? No way.

  “I’ll think about it.”

  Chapter 24

  “What the hell happened to your face?” Clayton Barry barged right in when Annabelle opened the front door.

  “It’s nice to see you, too.” Annabelle stepped aside so she didn’t get knocked over. “I had no idea you were coming for a visit.”

  “So where are the girls?” He looked around as if he was going to make himself at home.

  “In school.”

  “Oh, right. They’re in school now.” He walked over to the bookcase and picked up Sophie’s school photo. The one taken in San Francisco in the fall.

  “I was in a car accident.” She saved him from having to ask again what was wrong with her face. “I’m fine by the way. I couldn’t drive for about a week. But I’m doing much better.”

  “I’m sorry. I had no idea.” He almost sounded as if he meant it.

  “Well, you’ve had plenty of other things to deal with.” She led him to the sofa, inviting him to sit down. “Have you wrapped up the hearings in Florida?”

  “Yes.” He flopped down on the couch, stretching his legs out and resting them on her coffee table. “What a nightmare. You’d think I was stealing old ladies’ pensions or selling drugs to kids.”

  “You were selling drugs. And some of those players were kids,” she reminded him.

  “I wasn’t the one selling the drugs. I wasn’t the one injecting the players.” The whine in his voice grated on her nerves.

  “No. You were just profiting from it.” Annabelle had looked the other way too long. “You didn’t care what was sold or to whom, as long as you were making a profit.”

  “The business plan I was presented with was completely legitimate,” he complained. “I had no idea it was a front.”

  “But you spent an awful lot of time in Florida,” She’d thought he was having an affair. “What were you doing there? Counting your money?”

  “You never complained about spending my money.”

  “No. And I never questioned where it came from.” She was ashamed of how much she’d let slide. How much she’d ignored the little feeling in her gut that something wasn’t right with her marriage. The obvious thought was that he’d been cheating on her. Why else would he spend more time in Florida than with his family—his children?

  “You never worried about where it went, either,” he said, bitterly. “I see you’ve got a shiny new Mercedes sitting in the driveway. How much did that set me back?”

  “The reason I have a new vehicle is because the old one was totaled.” He used to encourage her to buy new things. No, he’d pressured her to always have the best. “And I’ve been careful with my money.”

  “Your money?”

  “Yes. The money I saved from the sale of the house, the money we agreed on instead of alimony, and the money I earned from my last job.”

  “You’ve never had a real job.”

  “Modeling is a job. And I was good at it.”

  Was.

  “How much do you have left?”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  “Let’s not fight over money.” He changed his tone abruptly. “We never used to fight. I can’t tell you how shocked I was when you filed for divorce. I mean, we always got along.”

  “No, I always went along.” She brushed her hair off her face, exposing her scars, but she didn’t care. Let Clayton see her at her worst.

  “Can you get that fixed?”

  “Get what fixed?”

  “Your face.” He couldn’t look at the scars. “Could you have some work done, and go back to modeling?”

  “No. I don’t think they can fix this.” She traced the largest scar from her temple to her jaw. “It’s permanent. But that’s okay. I don’t need to be perfect. Not anymore.”

  “What about modeling? Can you get work that doesn’t require them to see your face?”

  “You mean like underwear ads?”

  “I don’t know, something.” He shrugged.

  “I think my modeling days are behind me.” And over the last couple of weeks, she’d been fine with it. “I was actually thinking of going to college.”

  “College?” Clayton couldn’t have looked more shocked if she’d suggested she take up prostitution or space exploration.

  “Yes. I want to show our daughters that it’s never too late to follow a dream.” She had no idea where that dream would lead her, only
that she needed to start dreaming. “Besides, I know the money I’ve saved won’t last forever.”

  “I don’t know if college is right for you.”

  “You don’t think I’m smart enough?” Sure, her grades hadn’t been the best in high school. But that was mostly because she hadn’t worked as hard as she could have. She did enough to not get hassled by her cheerleading coach, but no one really pushed her into taking more challenging courses or preparing for anything beyond finding herself a husband.

  “What about the girls? Who will watch them while you’re in class? Or studying?”

  “I’ll take classes while they’re in school. And we can do homework together.” She’d really only been toying with the idea of going back to school. But the more Clayton doubted her, the more determined she was to make it work.

  “I just don’t know…” He stood up and walked over to the window. His shoulders were slumped and he let out a big sigh. “I can’t take any more financial pressure right now.”

  “What do you mean, ‘financial pressure’?”

  “Look, babe. This FITNatural thing has cleaned me out.” He turned around, and with an apologetic smile he moved toward her. “Maybe we should take some time and re-think our future. Maybe even hold off on the divorce.”

  “What?” She slipped away before he could reach up and brush her hair off her shoulder. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “No, babe.” He tried to move closer, but she dodged him again. “I’m sorry. I should have stayed away from that company. I should have at least gotten out when I found out what they were into. But baby, I only did it to keep you happy.”

  “You thought I was happy?”

  “Yes. You had everything you ever wanted. Money, fame, the glamorous life. Do you have any idea how much it cost to give you the best of everything?”

  “So you’re saying it’s my fault you invested in that company?” Unbelievable.

  “Oh come on, babe…”

  “Don’t call me ‘babe.’” She was getting a headache over her left eye. “Please. Just don’t.”

  “Look, Annabelle, sweetheart…” He really didn’t get it. “Give me another chance. We’ll start fresh. You and me and… Sophie and Olivia.”

  The way he’d hesitated it was almost as if he couldn’t remember the names of his own daughters. But that was crazy. Of course he remembered. He was just upset. And apparently broke.

  “I think you should leave.”

  “No. I have a right to see my wife. My daughters.”

  “I’m your ex-wife. It’s over between us.” He didn’t really think he could come back here and give her this sob story about how he’d spent all his money and he wanted a second chance?

  “I want to spend time with my daughters.” His tone changed, no more hey-baby-let’s-start-over. “I know my rights.”

  “Sure. You can see the girls. When they get home from school.” She didn’t want to make this any more difficult on them. They were doing so well, she didn’t want them to get caught in the middle of a battle between their parents. “You can even stay for dinner.”

  She’d have to get word to Cooper that she had company. And she’d have to ask him to stay away until Clayton left.

  “Could I stay longer than that?” he asked. “I have nowhere else to go.”

  “What do you mean you have nowhere else to go?”

  “I had to sell my condo.” He hung his head in shame. “Between the lawyers in Florida, and the divorce lawyers… I’m sure they’ll come after the car next.”

  “Can’t you sell the Ferrari?” Surely he could get a tidy sum for it. “What about your share of the money from selling the Goliaths?”

  “It’s gone. And as for the car…” He shook his head. “I haven’t kept up the payments. They’re going to take it back. I just need a place to stay for a few days until I can figure something out. At best, I think I can hold off for a few more months. But I’m probably going to have to file for bankruptcy.”

  “No. You can’t do that.” She was furious now. They were still married. It would affect her credit, too. “Not until the divorce is final.”

  “Come on babe, you’re not going to make me go through with the divorce. I need you.”

  “How much do you need?”

  “How much did you make modeling?” He eyed her suspiciously.

  “Not much. But I can give you a loan.” The last thing she wanted to do was touch the money she’d put away for her daughters’ future. But she didn’t want to be dragged into bankruptcy on top of everything else. “I can get you enough to stay afloat until the divorce is final. And hopefully by then you’ll have something figured out.”

  “Sure, except for the child support.”

  “We don’t need your child support.” She would contact her own lawyer and see what kind of arrangement could be made without delaying the divorce any longer.

  “Yeah, right. What are you going to do? You’re sure as hell not going to model.” He grabbed her face, stroking her scar in an unpleasant way. “No one would pay to see this.”

  He was trying to hurt her. And even just a few months ago, his words would have cut her to the bone. But she was stronger now. She’d been through a horrifying accident, and she’d survived. She could survive a few days of her ex-husband.

  * * * *

  There was a red Ferrari parked in front of Annabelle’s house. Not that unusual of a car in this part of the state, but the only person he knew of who drove one was his former owner, Annabelle’s ex-husband. Things had been going too good lately for it to be a coincidence. A quick text to Annabelle confirmed his fears. Clayton Barry was in town. She wasn’t sure how long he’d be staying.

  Well, shit. So much for topping off a great workout with an even better one.

  He hopped into the shower and tried to ease the tension that had returned to his muscles the minute he saw that damned Ferrari. Was his shoulder tightening up? His gut sure was. He didn’t want to think about the man who’d married his Annabelle. Who’d given her children. The man who’d slept in the same bed with her and didn’t have to sneak out in the morning.

  Cooper didn’t want to think about the man who had provided the capital to get FITNatural up and running. If it hadn’t been for his investment, who knows? Maybe Cooper wouldn’t have tried the cream that sent him down the slippery slope from therapeutic remedies to banned substances.

  Yeah, and if he was low enough to blame the other man for his transgressions, he didn’t deserve Annabelle.

  He toweled off and went to find his guitar. His music had been a source of comfort for him since he was a kid. He needed that comfort now.

  Too bad he’d left his guitar in Annabelle’s bedroom.

  Time for plan C. If he couldn’t spend the evening with Annabelle and the twins, and he couldn’t play his music, he’d have to go out and catch one of his favorite bands he’d jammed with a time or two. They were playing in Oceanside, about an hour away. Perfect. He’d take a drive. Have a beer—just one—and listen to some music. He could give Annabelle space to entertain her husband and…

  He knew he was overreacting. Annabelle wanted him, not her soon-to-be-ex-husband. He just needed to chill. Hell, at some point, he’d even need to find a way to deal with the man face to face. If he was going to be a part of Annabelle’s life, he was bound to have to deal with the ex. Sophie and Olivia would see their father on their birthdays, graduations, their weddings.

  Whoa. Talk about getting ahead of himself. Cooper shook that thought off and headed for his Escalade. The sound of the girls’ laughter stopped him in his tracks.

  “Daddy, Daddy, let’s play catch.” Sophie had been hooked on the game since that day at the beach.

  “No. Let’s play dress up.” Olivia loved her princess gowns. His chest tightened at the memory of her tossing the ball around while wearing a ball gown. God he loved that little girl. Both of them.

  But they already had
a father.

  With a heavy heart, he climbed into his SUV and shut the door. He cranked the engine and turned up the stereo as loud as he dared without drawing attention to himself. The last thing he wanted was for his girls to have to choose between him and their father.

  As he drove south on Highway 1, he thought about what was best for Annabelle and her daughters. If she had a chance to reconcile with the father of her children, shouldn’t she take it? Especially since Cooper had nothing to offer her except great sex, good food, and a decent singing voice.

  By the time he pulled into the club where Bryan and the Stowaways were playing, he’d made a decision to at least think about playing in Japan. That is, if his agent wasn’t only dangling that out there to keep him from getting depressed about his chances.

  He sent a text requesting the details. He’d need to know more about the offer, if there really was one, before he made a major decision like that.

  He’d been watching the Hot Stove reports. He knew more than he wanted to about which free agents were in demand, and who had already signed. He knew which teams still needed a lefty in the bullpen, and there weren’t that many. It had been a busy offseason for everyone but him.

  Maybe Japan was his only shot. But he couldn’t very well ask Annabelle to follow him overseas. Not with two young children who’d already been through a big move. He couldn’t imagine leaving them behind, either. Not unless it was his only chance at playing baseball again.

  The image of that Ferrari made him realize that Annabelle was used to the finer things. She’d grown up the daughter of a wealthy Texas businessman. She’d had a short-lived, yet successful career as one of the world’s top models. And she was married to a man who’d owned a Major League Baseball team, among other things.

  She was used to living large. He wasn’t going to be able to impress her with an assistant pitching coach’s salary.

  He had to get back to the majors. And if he had to go through a foreign country to get there, he’d just have to suck it up. But he wouldn’t sign a long-term deal. One year. That’s all he’d give.

  Unless Annabelle got back together with her husband. Then he didn’t give a shit about where he went or for how long.