Saving Drew

by Lara Van Hulzen

  Baylee’s smile warmed him. He leaned over and kissed her. Through the movie, he’d thought of their talk in the kitchen. She’d thrown him a curve ball when she wanted to know where their relationship was going, but she was right to throw it. It wasn’t fair to any of them, especially her and Casey, to not talk about things. And he was relieved to find she wanted to give it a shot as much as he did. What warmed him the most though was she didn’t even mention him leaving baseball. She was willing to try and make it work as it was. He still wasn’t sure what to do with that. Most women wanted him for the fame and money, but not the tough stuff that went with it. He’d had one serious girlfriend he’d even considered marrying, but she wanted him to give up baseball. She didn’t want the life.

  But Baylee hadn’t asked a thing of him other than to give them a chance. And he loved her all the more for it. Yeah. Love. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and kissed her again. He was falling and falling hard for the blonde baker. If only he could get rid of the nagging doubts in his head that his world, his life, would be their downfall.

  No. He wouldn’t go there. Not now. Casey was asleep and he had Baylee all to himself. He wasn’t going to waste that time battling negative thoughts. Here. Now. That was what mattered.

  Baylee laid her head in his lap and looked up at him. “What’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours?”

  Man, she was gorgeous. Staring up at him with doe eyes that sparkled, her blonde curls draped over his leg. He rested an arm across her middle and rubbed her hair back from her forehead with his other hand. “Beautiful, huh?”

  “Yes. I recognized at dinner how much you and Casey are alike. Not big talkers but there’s always something going on up there.” She tapped his head lightly with her finger.

  He laughed. “I’m not so sure I would say beautiful. Or assume too much quality stuff is running through this brain. It’s usually baseball stats and not much else.”

  Although his mind was filling up fast with thoughts of her. When they weren’t together, he constantly thought of where she was, what she was doing, if she was okay. And Casey too. The kid had worked his way into Drew’s heart just as much as Baylee. He was aware from the start they were a package deal and he loved everything about the two of them.

  “What was your favorite part about the movie? He wasn’t big on talking about himself and was more than ready to have the conversation be about her and not him.

  “The woman.”

  “What?” His puzzled look made her laugh.

  “It’s always the woman who keeps him grounded. Tells him he’s got what it takes. She gives him confidence. Just like the Rocky movies.”

  Now she really had him confused.

  She laughed again. A sound he could listen to all night.

  “In the Rocky movies, it’s Adrian that keeps him going.”

  “I’m not following.” He’d seen the Rocky movies countless times and never once had he thought of them as anything but a good pump-up flick. Something to watch before a big game or when he needed a boost to go workout.

  “Men think those movies are just about boxing. Winning.”

  “Yeah.” He still wasn’t following.

  “But think about it. In each one, he doesn’t get what he needs to fight and win until he has Adrian. At some point in each movie, she doesn’t like the idea of him fighting, whether it’s because of who he is fighting or why. But once she gets on board, tells him she’s behind him no matter what, that’s when he pushes through and wins.”

  Drew turned this over in his mind as she kept talking.

  “And in The Natural, he didn’t get his focus back until he found his high school sweetheart again. Until she was supporting him. That floozy he was dating wanted him to give up baseball and run away. But not the woman he was meant to be with. She understood him. Knew what it took to get him to play at his best.”

  “Did you just say floozy?”

  “I did.”

  “No one says floozy anymore.”

  She lifted her chin, the movement making her head tilt back and the creamy skin of her neck catch his eye. “My mother says floozy. And so do I.”

  He ran the back of his fingers across her neck and cupped her cheek. Her body shivered.

  “And now you’re just distracting me.” She took his hand in hers and kissed the inside of his palm. Her lips on his skin lit a fire inside him.

  “I heard every word. The movies I’ve gone my whole life thinking were sports films are really chick flicks.”

  She laughed at that as she scooted up on the sofa and curled up in his lap, her arms around his neck.

  “Not chick flicks. I’m only pointing out that if the woman behind the man isn’t supportive, doesn’t believe in him, then he won’t succeed.”

  Never had a he heard a truer statement. And the woman in his arms was proving more and more to be the exact woman for him.

  Drew grunted as he pushed the bar from his chest, the last rep in a set of bench presses. It was the end of his workout for the day with Tyler and yet another good day all around. Even though he’d gotten home late from Baylee’s house, he popped out of bed that morning ready to work hard. Energized more than before, he faced each day with hope now instead of dread. All Baylee’s doing. The woman had turned his life upside down and he couldn’t remember being happier.

  Tyler helped him place the bar back on the rack. Drew sat up and wiped his face with a towel then draped it over his neck.

  “You ever think about Adrian in the Rocky movies?”

  Tyler sat on the bench beside Drew and looked at him like he’d grown a second head. At six foot five with cocoa-colored skin and made of solid muscle, the man was intimidating to say the least. The confused look on his face was almost comical.

  “I mean, that the movies are really almost romances? Rocky doesn’t truly focus until he has Adrian’s support.” Drew tried to explain himself but only succeeded in making things worse.

  “Did you take the wrong vitamins this morning or something? You sound crazy.” Tyler’s scrunched brow smoothed out as he said, “Or maybe there’s a girl in the picture now? I see.” He nodded. “That explains you throwing better.”

  “I never said there was a girl.”

  He trusted Tyler. They were good friends. But he was being uber careful about whom he told about Baylee. He’d already thought of what would happen if the press or anyone on social media found out about them. Once that cat was out of the bag, he wasn’t sure what could go wrong. No. He wanted to control what was known and when. He had to protect her and Casey.

  “Whatever, dude. If you do though, and she’s the reason you’ve got your head screwed on straight again, then I like her already.” Tyler stood and patted him on the shoulder. “But remember, in the Rocky movies, Mickey also said that women weaken the legs. You got a girl now that’s making you happy? I’m happy for you. But don’t lose focus. You need it more than ever now.” He wiped his forehead with a towel and tossed it in the laundry basket by the locker room. “I’m hittin’ the showers. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Drew nodded. Tyler was right. Drew couldn’t lose focus. Not now. There was too much at stake. But meeting Baylee had brought his world into better focus. She brightened everything. Sure, he thought about her 24/7, but like the movies, with her backing him, his confidence was returning. His pitches were less wild and his velocity was improving daily. He wasn’t worried about her weakening his legs. He was worried about having to leave her behind when he went to spring training. Baseball players were superstitious creatures. She was his good luck charm. He needed her, in every way. In the blink of an eye he’d gone from wanting her around to needing her. Not just because he was throwing better, but because she made life better. Everything was more real with Baylee. He didn’t want to lose that. He didn’t want to lose her. But as spring training crept closer, so did his fear that things couldn’t be this good much longer.

  The tinkling of the bell over the bakery door made
Baylee look up. She was behind the counter, frosting cupcakes. A smile crossed her face when she saw it was Kate. The bakery was empty at that moment. Not unusual for a Tuesday afternoon. Mornings were her busiest time. People stopping in to meet for a pastry with friends. Others grabbing a dozen donuts or cookies for a work event. Or tourists wanting a taste of local food. The afternoons were mainly those wanting a sweet after having lunch somewhere, or people picking up a dessert to have after dinner.

  She glanced at her watch. It was already two. Closing time was in an hour. The days were flying by. Her mind now almost always on Drew, she found herself humming as she moved around the kitchen, frosting treats. They’d spent Sunday evening together as well as all day the day before and last night. He didn’t go home until late, but she didn’t care. She’d had no trouble getting up when her alarm went off. Memories from the weekend together filled her with a joy she hadn’t had in a long time. It gave her what she needed to get going.

  “Based on that grin on your face, I’d say you’re as knee-deep in this thing as my brother is.”

  Baylee shook her head and laughed at her friend. “It’s good to see you too.”

  Kate stood on the other side of the counter from Baylee. “Those cupcakes look divine. I’m still working off all the ones I ate at my wedding.”

  “You want one?”

  “No, thanks. But I will take some coffee and a piece of coffee cake if you have any left. Along with a few moments to chat. I haven’t really seen you since I got home from the honeymoon.”

  “I would love that. Give me just a sec.”

  Kate sat down at a table while Baylee finished the cupcakes and placed them in the case. She heated up two pieces of coffee cake and brewed a pot of fresh coffee. With everything on the table, she settled in across from Kate and the two women dove into their treats.

  “So, are you gonna come out and tell me or am I going to have to hound it out of you?” She took a sip of coffee, eyeing Baylee over the mug.

  Baylee finished chewing a bite of coffee cake before answering. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  Kate set down her coffee mug and leaned back in her chair. “Okay. Hounding it out of you it is. You and Drew. Go.”

  Baylee laughed. “You don’t beat around the bush or anything, do you?”

  “You know I don’t.”

  Baylee moved a piece of cake around her plate with her fork. “We’ve decided to give it a chance.”

  “That’s a really loooong distance relationship, Bay.”

  She shrugged. “I know. We know. We talked about it. But I don’t want to go through life wondering...”

  “I’m sorry. I can be nosy, I know. And pushy, yes. I’ve already raked Drew over the coals to the point of him being mad at me, which he doesn’t do. Under the word ‘controlled’ in the dictionary it says, ‘See Drew.’ He doesn’t lose his cool. And I don’t mean to push you either. But I know what his world is like, Baylee. Nothing is sacred. Nothing is private. With the internet and social media, you can get leveled if you’re not careful.”

  “I think Drew is careful.”

  “Yes, he is. But he’s worked at having a thick skin over stuff too. He’s had a few years to get used to it and learn how to maneuver through.” Kate leaned forward in her chair and leaned her elbows on the table. “I’m worried about you and Casey. You’ve said yourself you like the quiet here. How neighbors know each other’s business but because they care, not to be hurtful. Women throw themselves at Drew after games. They send him pictures of themselves via twitter. Yes, his assistant handles most of that, but it’s still there. I just don’t want to see you hurt.”

  Baylee looked into her friend’s eyes. Eyes similar in shape to Drew’s but more hazel than blue.

  “Drew would never hurt me.” She believed that with all her heart.

  “No. He wouldn’t. But the world he lives and moves in can be full of lots of negatives. I just want you to be fully aware of that before you commit to this.”

  “We’ve talked. And I hear you. I do. I understand what you’re saying.”

  The two friends finished their cake and coffee, their discussion moving to Kate’s honeymoon trip and how the wedding went off without a hitch. But Baylee’s mind was elsewhere. Yes, she and Drew had talked about them. About the distance and what that would mean. But he’d never mentioned the press or attention that came with his fame. Baylee wasn’t on social media. She’d gone off Facebook when she moved, not wanting to deal with all the people who knew about her and Erik. It got old being “unfriended” by people who chose his side over hers. She had no hard feelings. It was the way of things. People broke up. Friends picked a side. It happened.

  And she had an Instagram account for the bakery, mainly because her young workers said it would be good for business, but that was all work. Nothing personal. And Eva ran the account. Posted pictures. People liked it. But she had nothing to do with it herself.

  Was she really ready for all that came with being in Drew’s life? The high she was on from spending the past two days with Drew began to fade. She was falling in love with him, yes, but was that enough? Could he love her enough to ignore what the world said or did? She believed in Drew. Believed in them. Only time would tell if her faith could keep things together.

  Chapter Twelve

  The days began to fly by. Drew and Baylee fell into a routine of him going to San Jose for workouts while she was at the bakery. Then they’d spend the evenings at her house for dinner and watching a movie or baseball. Casey had become obsessed with the game. Loved it. Everywhere he went, he carried the book around that Drew had bought for him. He recited baseball stats all through dinner and asked Drew countless questions about the game. She’d watch both, leaning forward on the sofa after dinner, intent on every play of a game, Drew pointing out things to Casey while Casey quietly retained it all. He’d ask something now and then, or throw in a stat he’d read.

  Drew never once lost patience with Casey. Like Kate said, he was control personified. And his eyes lit up too, talking so much about the sport he loved. He never focused on the fame or money, just his love of the game. It made Baylee fall for him even more.

  It was Saturday and the bakery was hopping. The weather was a near perfect seventy degrees with clear blue skies. A blue that made her think of Drew’s eyes when he was relaxed. Content. They turned more of a smoky color right before he kissed her. Heat flushed her cheeks as she thought of the many kisses they’d shared over the past few days. The man was as skilled a kisser as he was at throwing a baseball.

  “Um, boss lady. You’re frosting the coffee cake.”

  Eva’s voice brought Baylee from her thoughts. She looked at her friend, who insisted on the horrible nickname of boss lady, then down at the counter in front of her. Sure enough, instead of grabbing the cupcakes to frost, she’d grabbed the coffee cake.

  “Darn it all! I’ve gone and ruined it.”

  Eva laughed and scooted the pan away from Baylee. “Only a couple pieces. But the silver lining is that now we can eat them. And I’m thinking frosting on these babies will be yumeee.”

  Eva whisked away to the kitchen while Baylee slid the tray of cupcakes in front of her. The cupcakes she was supposed to be frosting but her head was so far in the clouds she’d messed up.

  “Good gracious. This man has me turned upside down and sideways,” she mumbled to herself.

  “If I had a man like Drew, I’d let him turn me any way he wanted.”

  Baylee jumped at Eva’s voice. She’d returned from the kitchen without Baylee noticing.

  Baylee rolled her eyes and shooed Eva away. “Go. Go do... whatever it is I need you to do. It’s busy. Help Janie at the counter. She looks swamped.”

  Eva looked towards Janie who was helping the one person at the register then back to Baylee. “Whatever you say, boss lady.”

  Baylee fought back the urge to roll her eyes again. She adored Eva. She was her right hand around here. But she did l
ove to tease. She eyed the bakery. It was still busy but most everyone had purchased their goodies and sat at tables. Janie had a handle on the register, the line now dying down.

  The bell over the door chimed and Kate walked in with Maggie. Again, her middle had grown since Baylee had seen her last. At the rate she was going, it could be twins. Baylee smiled at the thought. Wouldn’t that be something?

  They waved to Baylee then went to the register to place an order. Maggie breezed by her on the way to a table and said, “If you get a second, join us.”

  “Okay.” Baylee watched as her friends sat down.

  Maggie eyes lit up at the donut in front of her, but Kate seemed... off. She’d smiled when she came in, but something was bugging her. What could it be? Hopefully things were okay with the store. Baylee had noticed customer traffic in and out looked good lately, with Kate being her store neighbor.

  The conversation they’d had about Drew came to mind. Maybe Kate was still worried about her and Drew together. She’d thought of asking Drew about it, but whenever they were together, she was so happy and peaceful. Bringing up all that could go wrong between them wasn’t how she wanted to spend the precious time she had with him.

  She finished frosting the cupcakes and left them to Eva to put away. After getting a glass of water, she joined her friends.

  “What are you two up to today?”

  “I’ve been shopping for stuff for the baby’s room. I wandered in to visit Kate at Atmosphere and she said she had time to pop in here with me for a treat.”

  “A treat is something you have every once in a while, dear sister. At the rate you’re going, pastries are your daily meals.”

  In response, Maggie took huge bite of donut and added, “Hmmmm.” Once she was done chewing, she stuck out her tongue at her sibling.

  Kate shook her head. “Real mature.”

  Maggie dismissed her with a wave and took another bite of donut.