by Karen Rock
A few of the Falcons lost their angry expressions, and others eyed her speculatively. She pushed back her bangs. “Obviously we owe Garrett Wolf some of the credit for jump-starting our turnaround.”
Hopson looked at Waitman and shrugged. “He pitched a great game. Helped us get the shutout to kick off our winning streak.”
Heather’s eyes moved from one nodding team member to another. “I also heard that he called a players-only meeting that day and motivated you with a pep talk.”
Rob swatted the air. “I worked hard for you, Skip. We all did.”
A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd, and Heather’s heart squeezed. So she hadn’t needed Garrett’s help. She’d gotten through to the team on her own.
The thought was swiftly followed by another. Hadn’t Garrett said that she’d motivated the guys? Not him. Her old insecurities had drowned him out. What else had he said that she’d missed? Or chosen not to hear?
“Me too!” shouted Valdez. “You came to practice a week after your Dad passed. That took guts.”
“Dedication,” added Waitman. “You put us to shame.”
Hopson took off his hat, and a number of the guys followed suit. “Skipper, we couldn’t have had this season without you. Wolf knows it, too. His speech was all about you, anyway. His belief in your abilities as a manager. How you were the only one who’d ever helped his pitching. He said he trusted your coaching ability and so should we.”
Heather’s lungs seized. Garrett had called the meeting to reinforce her authority. Not take charge. He’d believed in her. What was more, the guys had faith in her leadership, too. She’d blamed her father for not trusting her abilities, but she hadn’t trusted herself, either. Garrett’s meeting shouldn’t have shaken her confidence. She should have known that she was getting through to the players—no matter what he might have added to the conversation. Light filled her, and everything swam into focus.
“You were great out there,” she said, speaking over the thoughts whirling through her brain. “I hate to see the season end. It’s been a good one. We came together, and next year, we’ll be unstoppable.”
“You said it!”
“Yes!”
“Falcons are number one!”
Heather smiled at the enthusiastic responses erupting around her. Now that’s what she loved to hear.
“To Skipper,” shouted Valdez.
A number of the guys whirled hand towels over their heads. “To Skipper!” they roared back.
“Thank you. That means a lot to me.” She wagged a finger and smiled. “Remember this feeling when I hand out your season critiques and lay out your individual off-season expectations. The schedule for tonight’s meetings is posted outside my office. See you in a few minutes.” She stepped off the bench and put a hand on Hopson’s arm. “May I have a word?”
Hopson followed her out into the tunnel, his jovial expression vanishing. He shoved his hat further off his forehead and peered down at her.
“You don’t have to tell me,” he said. “I know my contract ends this year, and I haven’t had the best season. I’m not coming back in February for spring training, am I?”
“Let’s speak in my office.”
Inside the lit space, she faced him across her desk. “In the first half of the season, as you know, I had concerns with effort issues. That can affect the entire team. During the second half, I noticed a big improvement, and you played to your potential. I expect that next year you’re going to start the season the same way you finished this one.”
He looked at her, shocked. “What? I’m coming back?”
She nodded, her lips curling. “I’ve met with Mr. Williams, our Minor League director. Based on my recommendation, he’s decided to invite you to spring training, and you’ll be offered a contract contingent on your play. Please keep that last part between us, as technically you’ll be a free agent.”
His mouth worked for a moment as he struggled to get himself under control. When he spoke, it came out in a rush, relief evident in his voice. “What should I focus on during the off-season, Skipper?”
Heather looked down at her notes, though she knew her plan for him. For each of them. Her team. “You need to get on a weight training program because you’re getting older now. Work on building strength and add some daily sprints for speed.”
Hopson nodded, the creases in his forehead smoothing. “Got it.” He stood and held out a hand. “Thanks for the opportunity, Skip. See you in February.”
She shook his hand, smiling warmly. “Enjoy your time off.”
When the door shut, she dropped her chin into her palm and stared out the window. Her reflection looked back at her, and she didn’t like what she saw. She’d just given Hopson a second chance, yet she’d refused to give Garrett one. He’d been the first on the team to give her his support. His faith had never wavered. So why hadn’t she returned it?
Fear.
Plain and simple.
She was afraid to love someone who could hurt her again. But those were childhood issues. These past months had taught her a lot. She was stronger than she gave herself credit for. Despite losing her father, grief she lived with every day, she’d gone on. Had led her team to one of their best seasons in years. Even better, she’d forgiven her mother.
Fear of being hurt shouldn’t control her. Hold her back. Pain was a part of life. But joy filled it too. You couldn’t have one without the other. Playing it safe meant living half a life, and she wanted it all.
With Garrett.
Time to let it go. Once and for all. Garrett was an alcoholic. Always would be. But she wasn’t a young girl anymore and didn’t need to be afraid. If he relapsed, they’d deal with it. Together. He deserved the chance, and she should have given it to him.
Only now it was too late, she realized. He was a Major League pitcher. Had moved on to the future he’d always wanted. One that had no room for her.
* * *
A KNOCK SOUNDED on her office door, and Heather raised bleary eyes. She glanced at her cell phone. 12:30 a.m. She’d seen her last player fifteen minutes ago. Had Smythe stopped by to discuss his retirement? If so, she hoped they could postpone the conversation until tomorrow, before his party.
“Come in,” she called. The door opened, and a tall man with golden hair and blue eyes stepped inside.
Her lungs stalled. She blinked a few times, wondering if her tired eyes had conjured the man she loved.
“Hello, Heather.” His deep voice made her pulse leap.
“Garrett,” she breathed, struggling to take in that he was here.
He put a hand over his heart and gave a short bow, his lips twisting in an irresistible smile. “In the flesh. May I come in?”
“Of course.” She gripped the edge of her desk. It was all she could do not to run to him. His evergreen scent floated beneath her nose, making her light-headed. She wanted to burrow in his strong arms and feel him against her. “What are you doing here? Aren’t the Buccaneers playing tomorrow in Florida?”
The tender look in his eyes made her melt. They’d parted on such bad terms, but seeing him made it all disappear.
“They are,” he said. “I’m not.”
She scanned the ceiling, as if the answer to this puzzle was hidden there. “I don’t understand.”
“Let’s take a walk. Are you finished for the night?”
“Yes.” She grabbed her bag and followed him outside, locking the building behind her.
They strolled in and out of the shadowed shapes created by the moon and trees, stopping near the pond in front of the stadium. A light breeze ruffled Heather’s hair, rippling across the water’s inky surface. Frogs called to one another from the fringe of rushes, their throaty sound as powerful as the emotions surging in her veins.
Garrett pointed to a small wrought-iron bench. “Let’s sit there.”
Heather nodded. She didn’t trust her shaking knees to take her any farther. None of this made sense. Garrett should be fa
r away. Not here. Especially not with her, given how they’d left things.
They sat side by side, his arm brushing hers and sending warm shivers through her. A frog slipped into the water, and moonlit rings spiraled outward. Stars danced on the undulating water, sparklers that fizzed and popped.
She turned and met his soulful eyes. “What are you doing here, Garrett?”
“I came for you.”
His words set off a firestorm within her, making her tremble.
“But your contract?”
“I resigned.”
Her mouth fell open. “But playing in the Majors is your dream.”
He wrapped a curl of her hair around his finger. “I’m hoping for a better one now. A future for us.”
“Garrett. No,” she protested, despite the adrenaline rushing through her. “I can’t let you do that.”
He lowered his eyes, and his hand fell to his lap. “Can’t or won’t?”
She swallowed hard. “No. I want to. I mean—it’s just that your career is so much more important.”
“Than you and me?” One of his eyebrows rose, and the expression in his eyes nearly undid her. “Not a chance. I wasn’t happy with the Buccaneers. They’re a great team. But it wasn’t home. This—” he gestured to the stadium “—you—” he cupped her chin and brushed his thumb across her cheekbone “—are home. I should have stayed. Fought harder for the woman I love.”
She leaned into his palm, enjoying the rough skin against her soft flesh. “I love you too.”
His eyes glowed, his wide smile stealing her breath. “You love me.”
She nodded, grinning back. “I should have told you earlier. Wanted to call and tell you...”
He tipped up her chin and searched her eyes. “What else were you going to say?”
For a moment, she worried her words would vanish, but they leaped out instead, fearless. Eager for freedom.
“That I’m sorry for not believing you. I’m done with letting the past dictate my future. Being afraid. I want a life with you, Garrett. Whatever challenges come with it, we’ll face together. If you falter, I’ll be there. That’s my guarantee.”
Tenderly, he traced the line of her jaw, making the fine hairs on the back of her neck stand up. “You’re the strongest, most incredible woman I know. I’m never going to let you get hurt again. That’s my vow.”
Heather rested her head on his shoulder, overcome. Had he come back to Holly Springs—and her—for good? He’d called this home. It seemed he meant it. “I wondered if you’d be interested in taking Smythe’s job next year. Become the Falcons pitching coach?”
Garrett tucked a stray lock behind her ear, his fingers lingering on her sensitive skin. “I’d like that. I believe in you, Heather. You’re a great manager. It’d be an honor to work with you and the camp, if they’ll let me.”
A deep sigh escaped her. She hadn’t realized until then that she’d been holding her breath. “Levi’s been bragging about your daily phone calls. He calls himself your second manager. I’m impressed that you’ve stayed close, despite what he did. I know Mr. Lettles is, too. I’m sure they’ll let you work with the foster kids, including Levi.”
She felt Garrett’s nod. “He’s a good kid.”
When she peered up at him, his eyes roamed the darkness, his expression even farther away. “You’re forgiving and I’ve been terrible,” she said. “You kept the bottles from me, but I shouldn’t have accused you of having a relapse, of lying to me. That was fear talking. I didn’t want to get hurt again, so I lashed out.”
He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. “I’m sorry, Heather. I wasn’t open with you and broke your trust when you’d risked so much to give it to me. I want you to believe in me again.”
“I do. There’s always going to be a part of me that’ll feel nervous, that might watch you harder than I should, but I trust that you’re going to try. We’ll take it one day at a time.”
His fingertips grazed her waist, then rose along her rib cage, making her stomach jump. “A part of me will always be tempted to drink. But I’ll never stop fighting it. And I won’t keep anything from you again. I’ll get help if I’m tempted. I’m a flawed man, but I love you with all that I am.”
“I’m not perfect, either. I jump to conclusions, make accusations, believe the worst in others, but I’m working on it,” she said, meaning it. “I don’t want to lose you again.”
His arm tightened around her. “You won’t. I’ll work hard every day to keep us together.”
Her heart swelled. “I love you, Garrett.”
“I love you, too.”
In an instant, his arms encircled her, pulling her against him. His heart thundered beneath hers, and he lowered his lips. She knotted her arms around his neck, pleasure flooding her at the crush of his mouth. When she caressed the back of his head, a shudder ran through him. His deep groan carried in the still summer air.
His hands skimmed across her jittery stomach, then rose to her face, cupping it. Sensation after sensation rolled through her: love, acceptance, forgiveness and a deep sense of rightness. He angled her head, his mouth slanting across hers as he kissed her still more deeply. Her breath slipped away, too fast for her to catch. At last he pulled away, and she snuggled her head in the crook of his neck. Her breath came in fits and starts until it gradually slowed, her nerves calming with it.
When she opened her eyes, he was staring at her with more love than she’d ever seen. Gone were the days of not feeling good enough. His expression said it all.
They weren’t perfect.
But they were perfect for each other.
She rested her head on his shoulder, and he leaned his cheek against the crown of her head. He turned her palm over and traced what felt like the number 8 in its center.
“What’s that?” she asked, the world around them feeling slow and dreamlike.
“Infinity,” he whispered against the part in her hair. “It’s how long I’m going to fight to deserve you.”
She pulled back and met his eyes, her hands cupping his cheeks. “Sweet man. You already do.”
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781460344279
A League of Her Own
Copyright © 2014 by Karen Rock
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