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“This season, I’m going to work on being calm, but I also intend to work on clearer communication.”
Not only with the Revs coaching staff and my team, but with this man’s daughter. And as soon as I was back in Boston, that would be my top priority.
“In that regard. I want you to hear me out. I appreciate the time you gave me to take care of my dad. It means more than you know that no one questioned my need to leave and no one expected me to rush back. So thank you.”
He nodded and steepled his fingers in front of him. “You’re welcome. We understand family comes first.”
“Now,” I said, “I’m telling you that my dad is stable and cared for. And for me to be a successful member of this team, I need to start pitching. I’m ready.”
He glared at me for a good minute before he finally huffed a big breath out of his nose.
“You’ve grown a lot this last year. I see that. When you showed up, you were a hothead who couldn’t control himself. But the man sitting here today is one who’s obviously making smarter choices.” He leaned his forearms on the desk. “And I will do my best to listen when you talk and hear what you are saying.”
“Thank you.” I lowered my chin and left it at that.
For a long moment, neither of us moved.
He raised a brow like he wondered if I had more to say. But I didn’t. And after another minute, he gestured to the door. “If you’re playing today, then you better warm up and get dressed.”
I almost smiled, but instead stood and held out my hand. “Thanks, Coach.”
He sighed but stood and took it. “Now shut the door on your way out.”
A huff of a laugh worked its way out of me at that. Some things would probably never change.
Chris: You okay?
Me: Yup
Chris: You’re really quiet
Me: Just busy with the birds. It’s been a long three weeks, but I think we finally have the bird flu problem under control.
Chris: I’m glad they’re all getting better, especially Sarge
Me: Me too
Me: You pitched a good game yesterday.
Chris: Thanks
Me: Did you land in NY yet?
Chris: Yeah in the Uber on the way to Pop
Me: Give everyonea hug for me.
Chris: They would all think it’s weird if I hugged them. I don’t hug
Me: You hug me
Chris: You’re different
I setmy phone down and sighed. Yeah, I was different. But what did that mean to him?
Kissing him had been a colossal mistake. Since that moment, things had been weird. We were both trying to be normal but doing a terrible job. The proverbial ostrich in the room made our conversations stilted and awkward, which meant we’d been talking less.
What I’d hoped would be an opening to explore our relationship had instead had the opposite effect. The moment I kissed him, Chris slammed that door between us shut. I could have sworn he had been sending signals for a while. Like maybe he was hoping for more from our relationship, like I was. But his reaction was in direct opposition to that. I was confused and couldn’t say I was thrilled for theI think we should be friendsconversation that we were going to have when he got home. I had no idea how I’d misread everything so badly.
