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I swallow the lump in my throat as we take a seat and I launch into the story. I miss Sammy already, but remembering the look on Josh’s face, and the easy way Sammy stuck by his side, makes it easier to manage.
“And come March I’ll be gone more than I’m home,” I finish. “Sammy deserves full-time love and attention and now she’ll have it.” Not that my job influenced my decision. I only recalled my long absences after the fact.
“No doubt, you’ve made those boys very happy,” Casey praises.
“He very much did,” Chloe says.
Chloe.
I sneak a glance at her and catch her sneaking one at me before her gaze drops to her plate. She’s another reason the sting of giving Sammy away isn’t so bad. I can’t get her off my mind. She’s in my every thought, making me smile. Making me think for the first time that she’s a woman I don’t want to let go of.
If only she was on board with getting caught.
“How’s the rehab coming?” Casey asks.
“So far so good.”
“Glad to hear it,” Casey says. “Rumor has it the Landsharks are in active trade discussions rather than free agent negotiations.”
“That’s what I hear.” I put my fork down, unable to take another bite.
“It looks like they’re focusing on their starting rotation, inquiring on almost every starter available on the trade market,” Chloe says. “Thank goodness. They have close to MLB’s best one-two starting pitcher combination, but they’re losing a couple of guys to free agency and Tommy John’s surgery, so that leaves the back end of the rotation very unstable.”
It’s like she just told me a dirty story. Her love of the game is so fucking sexy.
“What?” she asks, looking at me funny.
Shit. It’s a miracle I’m not drooling. “Nothing. Just thinking our catcher position is also a major need with Boseman retiring.”
“True. I read just yesterday that the Landsharks are a viable destination for Cavallero despite his high price tag. I hope you get him. He’s phenomenal behind the plateandat bat, ending the season with a .323 batting average.”
I can’t help but grin at her. She is spectacular.
Casey pushes his plate away with a satisfied groan. “Looks like it’s time I brought up the elephant in the room.”
I erase my smile.Stay chill.He doesn’t necessarily mean the crush you’ve got on his daughter.
Chloe pushes her chair back and stands. “If you say so.”
I have no idea what is going on. Chloe’s gaze flits briefly to me before she turns and walks to the fridge. She pulls out a cake. It’s homemade from the looks of it, with white frosting. She brings it to the table and sets it down in front of me. On top of the cake, spelled out in tiny red candies, isSecond Place is still Red Hot.
The sentiment is in reference to my second-place finish in the MVP award. The announcement was made yesterday. I laugh, overcome with gratitude. “You think so, huh?”
“Definitely,” Chloe says.
“You had an outstanding year, Finn,” Casey says. “Congratulations.”
I’m not so sure a second-place finish deserves praise, but the fact that Chloe and her dad took the time to recognize it means more than I can say. In my head, the standing means I’ve got to work even harder during the upcoming season, and until then I need to jack up my workouts. I discreetly roll my shoulder back. I’m sore, Dwayne’s words popping up in my head.If we do too much too soon, you’re going to reinjure yourself.
“Thank you.”
“FYI, those are red hot candies. Get it?” Chloe says, like candy is a foreign substance to me. She’s not too far off the mark, but I don’t live under a rock.
“I’m familiar with Red Hots. Nice touch, Webster.”
“Webster?” Casey asks just as a phone rings from across the room. He stands to answer it, noting the caller before bringing the cell to his ear. “It’s Aunt Becky,” he tells Chloe. “Hey Becks. Happy Thanksgiving. I’m going to put you on speaker. Chloe’s here and her friend, Finn.”
“Happy Thanksgiving,” Chloe half shouts.
