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Chapter Seven
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Drew sat on the sofa, a glass of sweet iced tea in his hand. Baylee was on the other end of the couch, her feet curled up under her in a way where she could look at both him and the television with ease.
They’d decided to start with watching a baseball game on TV since a—it wasn’t baseball season so it would be tough to get to a game and b—she was worried about how Casey would do in a crowd. During their conversation on the park bench, she’d asked Drew if he meant for them to go to a game alone or have Casey join them. Of course he’d meant the three of them. And he didn’t like how she tended towards Casey not being accepted as part of her. Her world, her life, who she was. The men in her past must have been some serious idiots.
Casey sat on the floor, mesmerized by screen in front of him. Drew was able to stream an old game from the previous season and link it to her TV. Not one of his games, although she’d asked if they could watch him play. But he wasn’t ready for that. He watched video of himself pitching but alone on his iPad, studying his motion, trying to get it back in his mind again. But he wasn’t ready to talk about that either. She’d said she understood when he offered to find another game to see. He picked a good one too. It was the Dodgers versus the Mariners. Vin Scully’s voice filled the room, drawing Casey in, exactly as Drew thought it might.
He’d done some reading on Asperger’s Syndrome since Baylee told him about Casey. Kids with it sometimes find a subject matter they deemed interesting and soak it in like a sponge. There was nothing like baseball, in Drew’s opinion, to fill a young mind with. The statistics and strategy alone could make up a lifetime of study.
“He’s really liking this,” Baylee said, as if reading Drew’s mind.
“I thought he might.” Drew drained his glass of the sweet tea and set it on the coaster atop the coffee table in front of him. “But I’m curious as to how his mother is feeling about the sport. Seeing as how this is her maiden voyage and all.” He tilted his head down but raised his eyebrows beneath the Empires ball cap he wore.
“You’re bound and determined to win me over to this sport aren’t you?”
He lifted a shoulder and let it fall. “Maybe.”
“You’re a bad liar.”
He laughed at that. “You got me there.”
Laughter felt good. So did sitting in Baylee’s living room with only a mere foot or so between them. Baseball on in the background, a full stomach from the dinner she’d made them, and sweet tea dancing over his taste buds. He could get used to this.
The thought punched him in the gut. Sure, he’d thought of settling down someday. But not like this. Not with an injury ending his career. He envied the guys on the team with families. It was a tough life, but it was one they shared. Someone to go home to after a rough game. Someone to see cheering him on in the stands. But he always pictured retirement happening when he chose, not have it chosen for him. He glanced at Baylee who now rested her head on her hand as she watched her son watch the game.
Who was he kidding? His life in New York was so far from this place. This cozy living room in a small town thousands a miles from the craziness that was major league baseball. And he’d never wanted to be anywhere but the east coast before. Until now. He liked growing up in Boston and had adjusted easy to life in New York as well. But being with Baylee was causing him to consider things he hadn’t with anyone else before. One kiss and he was on his way to being a total goner.
No. He’d spend some time with her while he was here, as friends, but he had to be careful. Even if Baylee wanted to be with him, he could never ask her to change her life for him. It might break his heart to walk away, but he’d be damned if he every broke hers.
“Kate gets home tomorrow.”
Baylee’s words brought him back to the room and away from his thoughts.
He was well aware of when his sister returned from her honeymoon. She’d already texted him about when she could see him.
“Oh, I know. She’s already dragging me out to lunch the day after her return. I might need to have a talk with Jack about how to keep her more occupied.”
Baylee laughed. “Oh, he does that plenty. But you know Kate. Can’t keep a determined woman down.”
Drew smiled at that. “Determined is a good word for her. I have a few others.”
Baylee laughed and stood while taking his tea glass. “Let me get you some more.”
“Thank you.” His phone rang in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw it was his manager calling.
Baylee saw the screen as well. “Go ahead. Take the call. I don’t mind. Casey and I will get dessert set out.”
Drew nodded and watched as she and Casey went into the kitchen. It was as if a piece of him were leaving the room. His phone vibrated in his hand, his manager’s number glaring up at him. A symbol of his actual life somewhere far away now battling something else he wanted.
“MacIntire.” He stood and went out to the front porch for some privacy.
“Hey, Drew. Just checking in. You doing your PT?” Emmerson Crane was man who did not, under any circumstance, beat around the bush.
“Yes, sir. Of course.”
“Good. I heard you’re still in California. I thought you’d be back by now.”
