“So why do they get to practice hitting first?”
“Just to keep sharp, I guess.” Rachel sat back, as if she was merely an observer. “Like I said earlier, you never know what can happen. A game can go extra innings and the manager might not want to burn all his pitchers so he might give them a turn at the plate. Especially if it’s a bunt situation.”
“What’s a bunt situation? I thought that was a kind of cake. You know, with the hole in the middle.”
“That’s a Bundt cake. No, a bunt is where the batter squares up and hits the ball really softly, so that the infielders will have to come up to field it, and most of the time, their only chance is to get the batter out at first base.”
“Why would they make an out on purpose?”
“It’s called a sacrifice. The runner who was at first moves over to second, and is more likely to score on a ground ball to the outfield.”
“A sacrifice.” Hailey filed the information away.
“It’s not as exciting as a home run, but sometimes a sacrifice makes all the difference in the game.”
And sometimes a sacrifice could make all the difference in life.
Bryce had sacrificed everything to bring Hailey here. To keep her safe. He’d put his job in jeopardy, even his marriage.
The question was, would it be enough?
Chapter 28
Bryce had never let himself get distracted by ladies in the stands. At least not in the regular season. Spring training had been a different animal. Flirting before the games was part of the ritual, part of the game. Or it had been.
Now, as he waited his turn for batting practice his attention was drawn to two special ladies. Rachel had brought Hailey down to the prime seats at field level. As the in-game reporter, she had access regular fans didn’t have. He glanced over to see Rachel cheerfully explaining the game to his daughter. Yes. She was his daughter. Even if she wasn’t his flesh and blood.
At least the two of them seemed to be getting along. He’d made a big assumption in thinking that Rachel would help him with looking after Hailey. Especially since he’d given her absolutely no warning. And yet she’d stepped up to the plate. She was doing a better job at making Hailey feel at home than he had.
He would be forever grateful for her help. But he had to wonder if she was only sticking around for Hailey’s sake. He’d seen the packed bags. Knew exactly what they’d meant. She was done with him. With his thoughtlessness. His past had finally caught up to him. She couldn’t trust him. When he’d been out of reach, she’d believed the worst.
And he had no way of making it up to her. He couldn’t buy his way out of this. Couldn’t charm his way, either. He’d already married her, so he couldn’t just drop down on one knee and propose.
The only thing he could do would be to be there for both of them. To be steady and strong. And he’d have to fight for them. Even though he didn’t deserve either of them.
But he loved them. He loved Hailey more than he’d ever thought possible. Hearing that she might not be his had been devastating. But it didn’t make him love her any less.
His love for Rachel was different, but just as fierce. Only he hadn’t told her. He’d been too afraid of spooking her. Funny, considering he was the one who was supposed to be the player. He was supposed to be the one afraid of commitment. But he’d come to realize that Rachel had been just as scared to give her whole heart as he’d been.
Somehow this crisis with Jillian had made him realize that hiding how he really felt wasn’t doing anyone any good. Sure, there had never been any love between him and his ex-wife. But maybe if he’d told her how much he’d admired the job she’d done raising Hailey, or if he’d stepped up and taken some of the burden off her… Well, he couldn’t undo the past. But he could do better in the future.
And he’d start by focusing on the present. He stepped into the batter’s box and missed the first two pitches. He fouled off a third. It took him a little longer than usual to find his stroke. But once he found it, he was dialed in. The ball sailed over the fences and he was able to hit to all fields. True, it was only batting practice and having a good BP didn’t always translate into success in a game, but it added to his confidence and sometimes that did carry over.
Tonight felt like one of those nights.
When he came up in the first inning with the first two runners on, he hit a screaming double down the left field line to give the Goliaths a quick two-run lead. Santiago knocked him in with a double to the gap in right center and the rally was on.
Bryce ended the night going three for four, with a double, single, and a home run to cap off the six to two win. It felt good to get back on track. The whole team was back to where they’d been last October, playing as a smooth-running machine. The starting pitching was solid, the bullpen held the lead, and the hitters were making a contribution up and down the lineup.
Last year, he’d been just as lucky off the field when things were going well. Maybe he could get that back on track, too.
Rachel approached him with her microphone in hand, her cameraman in tow.
“That’s the Bryce Baxter we all know and love.” She started the interview with her signature line. “You looked like the same team that was tearing it up last fall.”
“Thanks.” He tried not to think about whether or not she meant the love part.
“We could tell right off the bat that you would have a great night.”
“I felt it, too.” He often got a sixth sense kind of thing going when he had a particularly good game. There was a buzzing feeling when he stepped onto the field. Of course, maybe he always had that feeling, he just ignored it when he had a bad game.
“You’ve gained some of the ground you lost in the early part of the season. L.A. has dropped a few games but San Diego is starting to pick up some momentum.”
“And we face both of those teams in the next couple of weeks. In their house.” He tried not to look ahead. “But we’ve got to take care of business at home first.”
“Yes. We do.”
He looked around, wondering where his daughter was. He hadn’t seen her since the game started, but then he didn’t look into the crowd once the first pitch was thrown. It was just a big blur of color and noise and support.
“Where’s Hailey?” he asked, forgetting he was on camera still.
“She’s up in the booth with Kip and Kurt. They’re showing your daughter a behind-the-scenes look at broadcasting from the most beautiful ballpark in the world.”
Smooth. She’d answered his question in a way that wouldn’t confuse the viewers.
“Maybe you can start a junior broadcasters program.”
“I’ll run it by the studio.” Her smile was genuine, not just for TV. He liked the way she lit up when she was doing her job. It was obvious she enjoyed her work. “Until then, I’ll just say congratulations on another great game.”
“Thank you.” He tipped his hat to her and to the fans and trotted into the clubhouse to shower.
When he reached his locker, he found a text from Rachel. Hailey had fallen asleep upstairs in the broadcast booth and she didn’t want to wake her until he was ready.
I’m ready now.
Okay. Will meet you at the car.
I can come up.
It’s easier for us to come down.
Bryce beat them to the parking lot. He was just about to start the engine when he saw Rachel leading a swaying Hailey. She looked about as steady as he had after he first learned of Jillian’s betrayal.
“Let’s get you home and into bed.” Bryce realized how tired he was now that the adrenaline from the win had worn off.
“Okay, Daddy.” Hailey leaned against him and he wrapped his arm around her.
Rachel undid the locks and went around to the driver’s side while he got Hailey into the backseat and buckled into her seatbelt.
“Do you want me to drive?” he asked, but it didn’t really matter to him.
“I’m okay.” Rache
l slid behind the wheel.
“You know, I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for Hailey.” He climbed into the passenger’s seat.
“She’s a great kid,” Rachel acknowledged. “We had a good time tonight. Didn’t we?”
She glanced back in the rearview mirror and smiled.
“Uh-huh,” came a sleepy voice from the backseat.
“I’m going to call Kaitlyn Dwyer tomorrow. She’s home from college and might be available to look after Hailey at night so she doesn’t have to sleep in the corner of the booth.” Leave it to Rachel to start looking for a nanny, even if it was only for the summer.
He’d have to find someone permanently if he was able to get custody of Hailey.
“Thanks. I appreciate it.” He leaned back into the leather seat. It really was a nice car. Or SUV or crossover, whatever they were calling this kind of vehicle these days. “Have you met her before?”
“Oh yeah. She’s a great girl. She’s going to school to be a teacher, so she loves kids. She’ll be terrific.” Rachel had it all figured out. She was going to be one hell of a mother. “If she’s available.”
“That will be a big help.”
“The nights can get pretty late at the ballpark.” They were down to making small talk. Like an old married couple. Or estranged lovers.
They rode the rest of the way in quiet. Hailey had fallen asleep on the short drive and he carried her into the elevator and up to the apartment. He tucked her in bed still wearing her skinny jeans and long sleeved t-shirt.
“Don’t you think you should get her undressed?” Rachel stood in the doorway.
How did he explain why he didn’t feel comfortable undressing the child? He had to be very careful if he was going to pursue custody.
“I don’t want to wake her.” He stepped away from the bed and ran his hand through his hair.
“We should at least get her jeans off.” Rachel approached. She seemed to have no qualms about stepping right in. She gently peeled off Hailey’s pants. Hailey grumbled and then rolled over, reaching for her jersey pillow.
Bryce couldn’t breathe. Both of his girls had taken hold of his heart.
He followed Rachel out into the hall.
“So shall I take the couch tonight?” The packed suitcases still weighed heavily on his mind.
“What? Why?”
“I get the feeling the only reason you’re still here is because of Hailey.” He felt raw. Exposed.
Rachel shook her head, pasted on a smile, and marched into their bedroom.
Not sure if he should follow, in case she was heading straight for the packed bags, he took a deep breath before going after her.
“I was hurt.” Rachel sat on the edge of the bed. Her smile had faded and a weary expression had taken its place. “I didn’t know what was going on and I didn’t want to stick around to have you throw an affair in my face.”
“I didn’t have an affair.” He could see now how it could look like he had.
“I know that now.” She lifted her shoulders in a half-shrug. “But at the time I couldn’t imagine any other reason why you wouldn’t talk to me.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t think to keep you in the loop. I was too scared, I guess.”
“Scared of what? That I wouldn’t understand? That I’d be jealous of your ex-wife?”
“No.” Well, maybe. But that was only part of it. “I was scared that Jillian wouldn’t make it. And it was all my fault. I was afraid dragging you into it would only make things worse.”
Without another word, Rachel rose, and headed for the bathroom.
He fell to the bed. The bed he would share with Rachel. At least for now. He had no illusions of them spending the night in each other’s arms. First of all, Hailey was just down the hall. But he also knew Rachel didn’t trust him.
He only had himself to blame.
* * * *
Rachel brushed her teeth and put on her pajamas. Hopefully, she wasn’t being a fool by sleeping in the same bed with Bryce. Her heart was a jumbled mess. She loved him, but he had hurt her. And it wasn’t just because she’d thought he was with another woman. That would have almost been easier. Then she would be justified in feeling betrayed.
No. He’d simply been dealing with an accidental (or not) overdose by his ex-wife. He’d gone from being the fun-time dad who spent more money than time on his daughter to being the full-time caregiver to the precious little girl.
Maybe she was being unreasonable, but the fact that he didn’t trust her enough with the information was what hurt the most. It was as if Hailey and his ex were his first family. His real family. And Rachel wasn’t even an afterthought.
Only now he needed her. He couldn’t take care of his little girl on his own. Even if the rules hadn’t changed and Hailey could serve as bat girl—after a near collision with the three-year-old bat boy during the 2002 World Series, they now had to be fourteen—life at the ballpark night after night would be tough on a young girl.
It wasn’t much easier having her tag along as Rachel did her in-game interviews and highlights around the ballpark. But at least she wasn’t stuck inside the clubhouse, watching the game on the monitors. Hailey had been able to see her father’s double and home run. She’d watched him turn two double plays, and she’d been swept up in the excitement of the game.
The girl had also been given tutelage from two of the best TV broadcasters in all of baseball. At least in Rachel’s opinion. As well as the opinion of Goliaths fans who’d been dismayed to find the World Series had been called by national broadcasters and not their hometown guys.
Hailey had asked a lot of questions and listened to their answers. She was a great kid. But a month of being dragged to work with her father and stepmother would try the patience of the most saintly child. Eventually she’d want to go home to her mother, her friends, and everything that was familiar.
Right now was a honeymoon phase. She was eager to please her dad, but that would change when he told her no for the first time. Or when she wouldn’t eat her dinner or pick up her clothes or when she wanted to watch a show that he didn’t think was appropriate for someone her age.
And it would be even harder when Rachel had to be the one to step in and correct the child. Not only wasn’t she the girl’s mother, but at some point, just the fact that Rachel was here and her mother wasn’t would become an issue. And who knew how she’d deal with her worry and fear and uncertainty.
She wasn’t sure she was up for all of this.
But she also knew she couldn’t just walk away either. From Hailey or Bryce.
Chapter 29
The rest of the home stand had gone smoothly. Kaitlyn Dwyer had been more than happy to stay with Hailey at night. They paid her a modest sum, just enough to keep her from sponging off her father but not so much that she’d abandon her dream of becoming a teacher for a more lucrative career as nanny to the stars.
Now they were in San Diego for the first leg of a road trip. Hailey had been excited to fly on the chartered jet with the team. She’d received the royal treatment as the daughter of the reigning World Series MVP. It probably helped that Bryce had been named player of the week for his offensive production over the last several games.
Although, the more he thought about it, he realized that she would have been welcomed by the Goliaths family no matter what his stats were. They were indeed a family. Many players’ wives and kids were along for this trip. Who wouldn’t want to spend a few days in San Diego in mid-June? Perfect weather, sandy beaches, and a friendly, yet competitive rivalry from their opponents and their fans.
Hunter Collins-Santiago had made the trip. She told stories about growing up in the Goliaths’ clubhouse and made Hailey feel like a part of the family.
Annabelle Jones had joined her fiancé Nathan Cooper and brought her twins. Sophie and Olivia were a few years younger than Hailey, but the girls had become fast friends on the flight down.
They had barely dropped their suitcases
in the hotel room when Hailey asked if she could go swimming with the twins. Rachel volunteered to go down to the pool to help supervise. That would give him time to chill for a little while before he had to head to the ballpark for tonight’s game.
Bryce stretched out on the bed while Hailey raced into the adjoining room to change into her swimsuit. When she came back out in a tiny little string bikini, he sat up.
“What are you wearing?” His eyes must be playing tricks on him. No way was that skimpy thing designed for a little girl.
“My bathing suit.” Hailey had a look of innocence on her face.
“I don’t think so.” Bryce shook his head. “You’re not going out in public in that. Don’t you have something more…um, appropriate for a girl your age? Where did you even get such a thing?”
“Mommy bought it for me.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “We had a girls’ day with shopping and pedicures and…” Her bottom lip started to quiver. She wrapped her arms around herself as if she suddenly realized how exposed she was. “She was happy then.” Hailey said quietly before returning to her room and slamming the door.
Shit. Bryce rubbed his hands over his face.
“Maybe I can help her find a tank top or something to wear over it,” Rachel offered. “Then maybe we can look for a more modest suit.”
“No.” He didn’t mean to take his frustration out on Rachel. “I mean, I don’t know if it would help. What the hell was Jillian thinking? The damn thing looks like it came from Victoria’s Secret. Do they have a little girls’ section?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you think I’m being unreasonable?” He ran his hand through his hair. “I mean, she’s a little girl. She shouldn’t dress like a twenty-two-year-old.”
“I’m afraid it’s only going to get worse,” Rachel informed him. “As she gets older and wants to look more grown up. But right now the important thing is that she’s upset and thinking about her mother.”
Earning a Ring (More Than a Game Series Book 4) Page 25