Dropped Third Strike (Portland Pioneers #1)

by Micah K. Chaplin

  After depositing his bag in his hotel room and re-checking his hair, he headed out to hit up his favorite bar in the Twin Cities. He was looking up the number of a cab company when he saw Derek Beaman sitting alone in the hotel bar staring at an amber-colored beverage. Reid approached him slowly.

  “Derek,” he said. “You okay, kid?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t know why I ordered this.”

  Reid wasn’t sure what was in the glass, but he was certain Derek should not drink it.

  “Do you want it?” Reid asked, trying not to sound judgmental.

  “I don’t know. I thought I did. Obviously I ordered it. But then the bartender put it in front of me, and now I’m not sure.”

  “And why did you order it?”

  “I just want to be numb for a little while.”

  “Is this about the game? You had a rough night, but it happens to everyone.”

  “It’s not that.”

  “Then what happened?”

  “Keely. She’s dating someone. I saw it on Facebook. Fucking Facebook.”

  He knew from past conversations that Keely was Derek’s ex-wife. The ex part only became legal recently too, if Reid recalled correctly.

  Reid sighed and sat down. “That sucks. I’m sorry, Derek.”

  Derek shook his head and reached toward the drink. He was just tracing the rim of the glass with his finger, but Reid still knew the young man could go a step further at any moment.

  “I know I messed up, but she was my everything, Coach B. She was my world, and I threw it all away. I deserved to lose her. I know that. But I’m trying to make it right. Make my life better again. I thought if I proved I wasn’t a waste, she might come back,” Derek said. “But if she’s not coming back, what’s the point of any of this? What’s the point of staying sober? What’s the point of living? I don’t know if I want to live without her.”

  Derek’s words cut through him, and Reid went rigid. They sounded familiar, except this time they were spoken instead of just written on college ruled notebook paper. Tony’s lifeless face flashed through Reid’s mind and he sucked in a breath. He couldn’t let Derek go down that road, so he tried to think about what he would have said to Tony if he’d had the opportunity. He’d gone over his words in his head a million times, and now he had a chance to actually have that conversation – even if it was with Derek and not Tony.

  “What else is important to you besides Keely?” he asked.

  “Nothing. Nothing else matters.”

  “There must be something. Or someone. Think about it for a minute.”

  Derek sat in silence for several moments and Reid just waited.

  “My daughter, I guess,” Derek said finally. “And baseball. And my parents and brother.”

  Reid nodded. “That’s a pretty good list. That’s more than a lot of people have.”

  Derek’s face scrunched up in thought.

  “You should focus on them,” Reid said. “Build a relationship with your daughter, keep working on your career, and stay in touch with your family. They’ll get you through this a lot better than that drink will.”

  Derek looked back at the still full glass.

  “I promise you the booze will not help,” Reid said. “In fact, that drink could cost you everything you just listed. Are you ready to risk that?”

  Derek didn’t say anything. When he pushed the drink aside and stood up, Reid felt the tension leave his body.

  “Good job, now let’s go get some food,” Reid said to Derek.

  “Sure. I still owe you dinner anyway,” Derek said.

  Reid started to argue, but decided against it. Maybe it would make Derek feel better to pick up the bill.

  “You’re on,” Reid said, patting Derek’s shoulder.

  While they ate, the men exchanged more minor league stories and laughs. There seemed to be an endless supply of both, and by the end of the night, Derek seemed to be feeling better. Reid was feeling pretty good too. Not only had he helped a young player in a time of need, but the evening was good for him too. It was the distraction both men needed to keep from thinking – or drinking – about the women in their respective pasts.

  Kate didn’t usually let friends set her up, but in a recent e-mail, Jill mentioned her husband had a high school friend living in Minneapolis, and Kate gave in. Midwest guys were supposed to be nice, and the e-mail came at just the right time. In recent weeks, Kate had decided it might be time to start dating again.

  She hadn’t had any kind of relationship in three years. Not since Jonathan. They had met at Winter Meetings and immediately hit it off. He was a ballplayer turned big league scout. He was handsome, charming, and very smart. It broke her self-imposed rule about dating former baseball players, but she hadn’t felt that kind of instant connection with someone in a long time, so she jumped on the chance to explore it.

  Their relationship started off hotter than an August day in Texas. After Winter Meetings, she spent several days and nights in his company and his bed, where she was quickly reminded of the perks of sex with an athlete. He’d been out of the game for a few years, but his body was still in prime shape. Much better than most of the bankers, lawyers, and accountants she’d dated in recent years. She lost a lot of sleep in those first few weeks, but she didn’t regret a moment of it. She knew things would change as the season got closer, but Kate figured since he was in the business, Jonathan would understand the demands on her time and energy. And he did, but that didn’t make their relationship any easier. They saw each other monthly and talked via phone and Skype almost daily. But at some point, they realized it wasn’t enough. They both wanted and needed more physical contact, and it was impossible to make that happen without one of them making a career change. Since neither of them was interested in doing that, they called it quits after eight fragmented months.

  The split gave Kate increased doubts about her romantic future. If she couldn’t make it work with someone who could relate to her schedule, how could she make it work with anyone else? She gave up trying to find the answer or a relationship.

  She wasn’t even completely sure she wanted anything serious now, and she made sure Jill understood she was only looking for dates.

  “Dates are a good start. Especially for you,” Jill said. “But don’t be so closed off to something long-term.”

  “I’m not ... I just don’t know how anything long-term would work with my schedule,” Kate said.

  “You know, someday your work excuse will get old. And so will you.”

  “Hey! You’re older than I am.”

  “Yes, and I’m married with a 5-year-old and a 2-year-old. What’s your point?”

  “My point is that we all have different goals. You’ve always wanted the husband, house, and kids.”

  “You used to want that too.”

  “Yeah, well, I own a house and I’m in a job I love.”

  “That’s great, and I’m proud of you, Kate, but someday those things will seem cold and insignificant. You’ll wish you had a family.”

  “I do have a family. A rather large one, if you’ll recall.”

  “How can I forget? I went to one Thanksgiving at your house, and I had a headache after just a few hours.”

  The girls laughed together as they recalled Jill’s introduction to the Marks’ menagerie. As an only child, Jill had been completely unprepared for the level of noise and chaos in Kate’s house. She was so overwhelmed that she insisted on complete silence as the girls drove back to campus a few days later.

  “Really, Kate,” Jill said, bringing them back to the present. “I hope you give Neal a chance. And any other guy you might meet too. You’re more than just a great GM, you’re also a woman. And a pretty fantastic one at that. I think you could make some guy very happy.”

  “I appreciate that, but my career is very demanding. I just don’t know how much I have to offer right now.”

  “All I’m asking is that you enjoy dating and leave yourself open to the pos
sibility of something more.”

  “I can do that.”

  Kate didn’t think that was promising too much, and the idea didn’t completely scare her. She just honestly didn’t know if she was ready for any kind of relationship. Mostly she just wanted to meet someone who could help her forget about Reid, even if only briefly. Running into him in the hotel lobby had been a bit unsettling although she had enjoyed his reaction and compliment. It flattered her that he still found her attractive. But she reminded herself that his opinion of her appearance shouldn’t matter anymore. He’d had his chance. Two chances in fact, and he’d blown both of them. She was ready to let someone else have a chance.

  As far as she could tell, Neal Bruton might be just that person. They had spoken on the phone twice since Jill shared Kate’s number with Neal two weeks earlier. Their phone conversations, although brief, hadn’t been nearly as awkward as she thought they might be. He was intelligent, funny, and easy to talk to, and she was looking forward to putting a face with his kind voice. Looks weren’t everything, but attraction was important, and Kate had no idea what he looked like. Jill wasn’t much help either. The only thing she could offer was that he looked “like a good Midwest boy.”

  When she spotted Neal outside the restaurant, she wasn’t the least bit disappointed. He looked to be about 5’10” with a build that backed his claim that he played league hockey and was a casual runner. His dark hair was cut short, in a way that looked low maintenance yet not too juvenile. When she approached him and introduced herself, his dark brown eyes seemed to light up.

  “Hi,” he said, looking her over. “Jill told me you were pretty, but she undersold you. You’re gorgeous.”

  The compliment warmed her.

  “Thank you,” Kate said, smiling. “And you’re just as handsome as she said you were.”

  Neal grinned and took her hand, leading her inside. They were seated quickly, and he advised her on his favorite menu items. Conversation flowed just as easily as it had on the phone, and as the meal went on, Kate felt very relaxed.

  Neal was smart and very easy going. He had a good sense of humor, and his laugh was unique but charming. Kate was surprised and grateful that he wasn’t a huge baseball fan. He enjoyed catching a game now and then, but he claimed he couldn’t even name five players on the Twins’ roster let alone any other MLB team. He saved that passion for hockey, a sport Kate admitted she knew very little about. It was kind of refreshing to talk to someone about something other than baseball. Every guy she’d previously dated had been in awe of her profession, which often made dates feel like extended workdays. She’d even had a few guys ask for free tickets and player autographs. It was nice to know she wouldn’t have to worry about that with Neal.

  He was a breath of fresh air in a lot of ways. He was polite to the wait staff. He was athletic without being a complete meathead. Most significantly, he listened as much as he talked. That was new for Kate. She was used to men who liked hearing the sound of their own voice and didn’t seem to absorb anything she said. Neal was different. He leaned in, nodding and asking appropriate questions as Kate told him about growing up in Arizona with four sisters and the challenge of working in a male-dominated field.

  “It took me a little while to get used to the banter and humor men use to communicate,” Kate admitted. “I grew up with all girls, so I was used to tears, hugs, and compliments. Men don’t do that.”

  “They definitely don’t,” Neal agreed, chuckling.

  “At first, I was confused about why they were so mean to each other. It’s still weird to me, but I eventually figured it out. They show their affection and respect by picking on each other.”

  “Yeah, there’s a difference between insults and teasing.”

  “The difference used to be subtle, but now I recognize it more easily.”

  “And do you ever join in their style of banter?”

  “Sometimes. I try anyway. I have to if I want to fit in. But it still feels awkward to me. It just doesn’t come naturally, I guess.”

  “Well, that’s because you’re a woman.”

  “Yes, but sometimes I think they forget that.”

  “I don’t know how that’s possible, but I promise I won’t.”

  Kate blushed at his words. She liked his subtle yet honest flirting style.

  “So, how did you know you wanted to work in baseball?” he asked.

  “I grew up watching baseball with my dad, and then I went to a lot of baseball games in high school. Mostly because I had a crush on one of the players.”

  He laughed. “Of course. I should have guessed.”

  “I know. It’s so cliché. And I really I didn’t want to be that girl, but somehow I was,” she said. “I was already into the game, but this guy helped me see it from a player’s perspective, and I realized how cerebral it was. I originally wanted to be in sports marketing, but I somehow found my way into the GM office. I still can’t believe it sometimes.”

  “It seems like it’d be a high stress job.”

  “It is sometimes. I was really intimidated at first, so afraid of making a mistake.”

  “Everyone makes mistakes in their job.”

  “Yes, but my every move is scrutinized – by the team owner, the media, the fans. It’s like I have thousands of bosses sometimes. But I’ve kind of gotten over that. And I haven’t made too many mistakes, so I think I’ve settled in pretty well.”

  When it was his turn, Neal shared stories from his childhood in the Minneapolis suburbs and his job as an air traffic control specialist. Kate was more intrigued by his job than he was by hers.

  “I still don’t really know how I got into it,” Neal said. “I’ve just always been intrigued by weather and weather patterns. I thought about meteorology, but that required a lot of school, and jobs aren’t that easy to come by. I talked to a college advisor, and he suggested this. So I finished my science degree and then went to air traffic control school.”

  “That’s still a lot of school,” Kate said.

  “Yeah, but I didn’t mind it. I was really into what I was studying, so it didn’t feel like work.”

  “I guess that’s a sign you’ve found your calling.”

  “I guess so. There are definitely stressful days, but overall, I enjoy my work. I don’t wake up dreading it.”

  “Same here. I think we’re lucky in that.”

  “I think so too. I can’t imagine what my days would be like if I hated my job,” he said.

  She was a bit unprepared when he shifted gears, although she suspected the topic would come up eventually.

  “So do you date a lot?” he asked.

  “Not really,” she replied. “With my schedule, it’s hard to meet guys who aren’t in the business. And when I date guys in the business, it feels like work never ends.”

  “I can see that.”

  “What about you? Do you date a lot?”

  “A lot of the guys in my hockey league are attached. They try to set me up with their girls’ friends, but none of them have really worked out.”

  “Why do you think that is?”

  “Well, my friends say it’s because I’m too picky, but I just think it’s because I’m not in a rush. I know what I want and I’m fine with waiting until I find it.”

  “So what is it you want?”

  Neal laughed a little. “Everyone asks that, and I’m not sure how to describe it. I guess I’ll just know it when I find it.”

  “And what if you don’t?”

  “Don’t find it?”

  “Well, I meant what if you don’t know it when you find it, but I suppose you could also consider how you would feel if you don’t find it.”

  “Why wouldn’t I find it?” He seemed curious, not offended.

  “I don’t know,” she said, shrugging. “I’m just not sure I subscribe to that theory that there’s someone for everyone.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because it sounds too easy. Too perfect. And life isn’t easy or
perfect.”

  He was quiet for a few moments, apparently thinking over her words.

  “You make a good point,” Neal said. “I didn’t mean to imply that I think finding love is easy. Obviously it’s not, or I wouldn’t still be single. I just think it’s worth waiting for the real thing. I have been accused of being a hopeless romantic. I haven’t decided if I like that label or not.”

  Kate shrugged. “I’ve been told I’m jaded. And I probably am.”

  “Maybe I can change your mind,” he said, smiling and reaching for her hand.

  “We’ll see,” Kate said, smiling back at him.

  As he put her in a cab back to her hotel a little while later, Neal kissed her cheek and told her he wanted to see her again. He didn’t pressure her for a concrete date and seemed satisfied when she said, “I’d like that.”

  And she meant it. The date had been a complete success – far better than she’d expected. For a few hours, she was able to forget she was a baseball executive. More importantly, she was able to forget about Reid.

  When Reid went to the ballpark the next day, he was still thinking about his evening with Derek. Seeing the young pitcher with that drink and hearing the sadness in his voice had struck a major chord, and it had been on his mind most of the night. He still hadn’t decided what he should do next or if he should keep it to himself. On one hand, the situation was diffused. Derek seemed fine by the end of the evening, and he wasn’t sure it had been a big enough deal to alert management. On the other hand, he wondered if Kate should be aware of the young man’s emotional state. With Derek’s history, it might be a good idea to be careful with him.

  While he was still pondering his decision, he spotted the young man in question headed out to the field to play catch with Zach Sutter. Reid called out to him, and Derek signaled to the other pitcher that he’d join him in a minute.

  “How’s your day going?” Reid asked.

  “Not bad. I’m better than when you found me last night.”

  “Glad to hear it. A good night’s sleep can help. One day at a time, like I told you.”