Noted. So no sex stuff.
“I’ll text you when I have your hotel details, and text me when you land on Thursday so I can set up transportation,” he says.
“You don’t have to do that,” I protest.
“I want to. I’ve never seen Archer like this. Not even after he and Tatum ended things. And when I see family in need, I do what I can to fix it.”
Tears well in my eyes at his words.
Family in need.
That’s exactly what Archer needs in his life. Family who won’t let him down the way his father did. The way his brother did. I don’t know much about the rest of his siblings, but I hope I’ll get the chance to—if it’s what he wants.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“Happy to help.” He says goodbye, and we hang up.
I turn back to Chip and Jackie. “Welp, guess I need to get packing,” I say, and they both let out grunts of frustration as they wait for me to tell them every single detail of my call, which I then proceed to do. While I pack.
CHAPTER 46: Archer Bradley
Lineup
I’m anxious as I drive to the stadium. Tonight’s game starts at seven, and I’m getting there earlier than I usually would.
I was fully reinstated as of yesterday, though, and I’m ready to be there—even if nobody else is just yet.
Guys will be around. Pitchers are always here early warming up, and besides, I have quick meetings to get to with the team trainer, hitting coach, PR director, and Troy.
The last week seemed to slow to a crawl, and I think I learned something. That old saying about time healing all wounds isn’t true. Or if it is, maybe it has some caveats.
If anything, time has made things worse. A little distance from the island is only a reminder about how much I fell for someone I wasn’t supposed to. How I let her in only to be disappointed once again.
Despite all that, I wish there was some solution here. I miss the dynamic we shared, and I know it’s affectingme. I’m not sleeping well without her in my arms. Everything feels like a chore. The only reprieve I seem to get is playing baseball, and I’m hopeful that being back in the game tonight will be a literal game-changer for me. That I’ll get back to being myself. I keep thinking that maybe all this hurt is sitting with me because I don’t have the game to focus on.
All that changes today. Right now.
I took a ton of reps off Rush yesterday, and we’re both ready for tonight.
I head right for the main bulletin board near the hallway leading to the field, and nerves climb my chest as I study it, looking for today’s lineup card. It’s not there yet. I guess it’s usually posted just a few hours before game time. I’m too early.
I know I’m starting today, but seeing my name on that card will make it feel real.
I head to my locker next, and I set everything up. I check my bats, my cleats, and my glove. I’m less worried about playing and more worried about how the post-game interviews will go. I’m not thrilled about answering questions about my suspension, which is surely what we’ll touch on in today’s meeting with the PR team.
I greet some of the players I haven’t seen since spring training, and the vibe in here is mostly warm and welcoming. Like I never left.
I meet quickly with the trainer and hitting coach, and then I head up to the offices to meet with the publicity team. The PR director, Natalie, is waiting for me, and she waves me into her office. She goes over what to say and, more specifically, what not to say.
“Keep the focus tightly on the game,” Natalie tells me. “No rambling. Don’t answer questions about your personal life or your time off the field. Shift to your teammates, baseball, and how excited you are to be back. Be sure to say how grateful you are to the team, theorganization, and the league. Be positive. No negativity, no anger. Remember, keep it general.It’s been tough, notI’ve been so depressed and spiraled all the way down to the Bahamas. Any questions?” she asks.
I press my lips together and shake my head. I’ve been to enough of these PR prep meetings that I know what to say and what not to say to keep myself off Natalie’s list of problem players.
“What will you say if you’re asked whether your suspension was fair?” she asks, clearly poking at me.
I clear my throat. “That I served my time, and I’m glad to be back on the field.”
She nods. “Acceptable. What about if someone asks for a comment on your vacation?”
