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“I’m not, really. I like understanding the data, using it to make decisions and predictions. I was never great at math in high school, so when I told my dad I wanted to study math at college, he thought I was making a mistake. I have to study extra hard to understand some of the concepts, but it’s worth it.”

Raine was so animated when he talked, I had to know why it mattered to him. Other than baseball, I don’t think I’d ever been as excited about anything. “What’s your plan once you graduate? Are you going to stay in baseball and go into one of the analytics departments?”

“That was my original plan. If I couldn’t play baseball, I could still have a career in the sport. Now maybe I’ll get to do both.”

Until my accident I had never spent a lot of time thinking about life after baseball. Since then, I’d thought about it; I’d had offers of all kinds, from broadcasting to sponsorships. One day, I’d have to look at them seriously, but not yet. “Sounds like you’ve got a solid plan. I’ll leave you to your homework.”

Raine slipped on a set of noise-cancelling headphones as I went to change and find the hot tub.

At this time on a weekday, the pool was deserted. I slipped into the tub after turning on the jets, knowing I would need to book some time with Ari or her sister, Cindy, for physio or a massage when we got back. Staying healthy was critical. For today the hot tub would be enough. Even better, I was alone and could risk a call to Jane.

I hit her name before I could second-guess myself. I didn’t want to think too hard about why she was the first person I wanted to talk to. She was my friend, and we were sleeping together, but the rules had been clear from the beginning. We were both looking for temporary. Her being my first call after arriving in a new city for a road game didn’t feel temporary.

“Carter. I’m so glad you called.”

I heard the smile on her face, and I relaxed a little, the heated jets soothing away my anxiety. In the background, a vehicle door slammed shut. “I wanted to let you know we made it to Billings. I didn’t get to say goodbye before we left this morning.”

I trailed off, uncertain what to say next. I wanted to tell her I missed her, but she might think that was offside, considering she was the one who had set the rules. I felt like a jerk, leaving this morning before she woke up, but with both Ethan and Chad in the house, there was no way to wake her without risking someone finding out. Besides, it had been her day off and I hadn’t wanted to disturb her after how busy she’d been all weekend.

“It’s fine. I should have been up, but Ethan got himself to school, and I thoroughly enjoyed sleeping in. Now I’m running around picking up supplies to replace what we used last weekend. Even with no games for a week, I know we’ll be steady. More custom requests are coming in already. We are going to have so many orders, it will be a challenge to keep up with it all.”

Jane was rambling a little, and I loved that she wanted to share all the mundane things about her business with me. I wished I was there with her, but this was just how baseball was. The fact she was willing to tell me everything told me our friendship was intact, and that mattered to me. After the accident it had been easy to see who my real friends were, and I’d been disappointed to find out there had been few real friends willing to stick with me through the hard times. I suspected that had Jane and I still been friends then, she’d have been there for me during the worst of it.

“Of course people are coming in. Your stuff is incredible, and now that everyone sees you working with the Fliers, you’re no longer the best-kept secret in town.”

Her sigh was audible. “I’m sorry. I talk too much when I’m nervous, and as much as I’m glad you called, this is weird for me. It’s been a long time since I’ve missed someone like this. I want to keep us a secret, but it will make it hard to talk sometimes.”

I smothered a laugh. Her uncertainty, and her willingness to share it, made this easier. “I understand. I have a roommate while I’m on the road, so privacy will be tough to find. I won’t be able to call often, but this doesn’t have to get awkward. This is nothing more than one friend calling another to check in. We can talk about the bakery, or baseball, or anything else you want. No pressure.”

Saying the words out loud made me realize it was true. All I wanted was to hear her voice. I didn’t care what we talked about.

“Tell me about today. How does it feel to be back in the minors, riding busses and staying in discount hotels? It’s got to be an adjustment. I know a lot of ex–all-stars who wouldn’t be willing to humble themselves like this.”

She was talking about Chad, even if she didn’t say it. I knew what she was getting at—once players had tasted the majors, few were willing to go back to the minors for more than a brief rehab stint.

“The bus ride was rough, and some of my injuries are acting up after being stuck sitting for so long. But Vancouver gave me a shot, and I refuse to complain about it. I don’t view this as humbling. This is a necessary step in getting back what I lost when that truck hit me.” It was true. It was the only way to achieve my promise to my mom.

“Tell me about the trip,” she said.

I settled back in the tub and focused on Jane.

Chapter 21

Jane

Late April

I pulled the last pan of ginger cookies out of the oven, the spicy sweet smell filling the kitchen and soothing my nerves. These were Brooke’s favourites, and they were a combination welcome home and congratulations. She was due any minute, and I wanted to celebrate the end of her second year of university.

The slam of a car door was followed by the exterior door to the kitchen swinging open, and Brooke’s strong arms enveloped me in a hug.

“Missed you, Mom. It’s good to be home.”

I relaxed a little at her exuberance, cautiously hopeful that she wasn’t too wound up about Chad. She didn’t often get emotional, but she was still only nineteen, and Chad was the one thing that could set her off like nothing else.

I hugged her back, noting that she seemed to be thinner than the last time I saw her. At a guess, she’d been running more during her finals. Probably nothing to worry about. Brooke was smart and driven, and blessed with her father’s lean, lithe frame, but she forgot to eat and ran a lot when she was stressed. Keeping enough calories in her had been a challenge in high school when she ran cross-country.

“Are these for me?” She grinned and snagged two fresh cookies off the cooling racks. “I’m starving. I’ve been eating takeout all week because I was too busy to buy groceries.”