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“Max and I…we got into an argument in the dugout. And then…He kissed me. I kissed him. We kissed.”
“Max?Maxwell Harrison?Grumpiest Man in Baseball?”
“That’s the one,” I confirm, even though I know that’s not true.
Sure, he’s grumpy, but that’s the Max Harrison that he wants people to see. Anyone watching a game will see the scowls in the dugout, the temper on the mound, or how hetakes out his aggression on the rosin bag or paper cups in the dugout.
They don’t get to see off the field Maxwell. He’s a private person and prefers it that way. The few of us thatreallyknow him, know that he would do anything for the people he loves, that he has a cat as old and grumpy as him, and that he’s most at home in the kitchen listening to pop music that most would never suspect he’d be a fan of.
They don’t get to see his smiles.
Sometimes I wonder if I’m the only one who does.
“It’s the tattoos, isn’t it?” Charlotte asks, throwing me a sidelong glance.
“It’s notnotthe tattoos,” I respond with a laugh. “What about you, Char? What’s new with you?”
“Dave and I are engaged.” There’s a wariness in her voice. The last time Charlotte was in a serious relationship, we were in college. He proposed, and she turned him down. I spent a lot of nights on the phone with Charlotte after that breakup, helping her process. She doesn’t sound all that… “I’m happy about it. I really am.”
“That’s not convincing, Char.”
“I’m fine,” she insists. “It’s…different than last time. But that’s enough about me, tell me more about Max.”
By the time Charlotte pulls up in front of the hotel, she knows about the October incident, my new living situation, and my attempt at setting ground rules with Max.
“Good luck with that,” she gives me a knowing wink before hugging me and sending me into the hotel. “Have fun tomorrow, but not too much fun.”
I laugh as I grab my bag and step into the hotel lobby, where I’m greeted by a familiar face and a warm hug from Levi, before he hands me a key and sends me on my way to the team meeting in the ballroom. Sneaking in the back and taking aseat at one of the tables, I listen to the end of Roger’s usual Opening Day Eve speech.
“We have a blank slate in front of us, team. A brand new season. One hundred sixty two opportunities for joy, or for sorrow. One hundred sixty two opportunities to prove the critics wrong, and show our fans that their optimism isn’t misplaced. Don’t think about how the last season ended, only think about the season that stands in front of us, brand new and filled with hope. Here’s to hope and heartbreak, joy and frustration. Here’s to baseball.”
Roger dismisses the team and holds the coaches back for a few minutes, laying out expectations for tomorrow, and the rest of the road trip before sending us on our way. After the stress of the last few days with moving, and traveling most of the day today, I decide to stay in tonight and order room service instead of going out. After getting to my room, I take a hot shower and change into leggings and a tee shirt before ordering a burger and fries to my room. And I savor every single bite.
Cleaning up after dinner, I pile my dishes on the room service tray, to leave outside my door, which I open to find Max standing in the hall, fist raised and poised to knock.
“Max,” I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips when I see him. We’ve talked on the phone a few times between my last night at spring training and this moment right here, but we haven’t seen each other, and it’s good to see him. He steps back to allow me to leave my tray on the floor and once my hands are empty, they itch to reach for him.
“Coach Davis.” Max gives me a curt nod, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Just wanted to make sure you got into town okay.”
“I did, thanks.” I take a step closer to him, my fingers brushing against his asI reach for him.
The elevator dings nearby, voices traveling down the hall. Max turns as Luca and Nico make their way toward us. I step back toward my door, leaving Max in the middle of the hallway.
“Good. Glad to hear it. Goodnight, Davis.”
“Goodnight…Harrison.” That didn’t feel right, but it’s too late. Luca smirks as he inserts a key card into the door right next to mine.
“Glad to have you back, Coach.”
“Sorry I had to miss the last week of camp.”
“Don’t worry about it. You had more important things to worry about. Sorry to hear about your apartment.” At my inquisitive gaze, Luca continues, “Max told us…well, Roger told us, Max just sort of…grunted a bit.”
“Sounds about right,” I chuckle.
“Well, if you need anything,” Luca pushes his door open and his smirk softens just a bit, “I’m right next door. Just knock. And if you have a habit of cursing out Perez in your sleep, keep your voice down. He’s my roomie on this trip.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Goodnight, Luca.”
