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Chapter Seventeen
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Baylee sat at the counter of Meg’s Diner. It was late in the afternoon, the bakery closed and her workday done. Her mom was watching Casey and Drew was in San Jose training with Tyler, so she decided to hang out with Meg. She was working, but Baylee didn’t mind.
She picked at her piece of apple pie with her fork, the vanilla ice cream now melted and pooling along the edges of the plate. Since her talk with Drew about the picture of her posted online, she hadn’t slept well and her appetite was waning.
Drew left in ten days for spring training. Ten days. As much as she tried to not count them down, it was like watching each minute fall off a cliff. Gone. Couldn’t get it back again. Sure, he wasn’t moving to Mars or leaving for years, but it sure was beginning to feel that way. And as much as she told herself she could handle the press and the attention, the reality of it was scary.
She was a simple woman. Not nosy. She cared for her family and friends and liked keeping her focus on her community, those within her reach. The whole social media thing wasn’t her scene. To go from total control of her privacy to what felt like none at all was a force she was beginning to doubt she could stomach.
“Okay. I’ve got a few minutes break and based on how you’re playing with that pie more than eating it, we really need to talk.” Meg stood across from her behind the counter. “You have never, and I do mean never, not finished my homemade apple pie.”
Baylee put her hands in her lap and sighed. “I’m sorry. I don’t seem to have much of an appetite right now.”
“Wow. This is bad. You’ve been on cloud nine since baseball boy strolled into town. Why the long face? Is it the social media stuff?”
“Mostly. I guess…” Baylee had told Meg about all that had happened and being as protective as Casey as Baylee was, Meg wasn’t happy.
“Mostly. You guess? Is there something else beyond that I don’t know about?”
Meg leaned back against the opposite counter and crossed her arms over her chest.
“No. No. Everything else is fine, it’s just…” She picked up her fork and started toying with the pie again. “I don’t know, Meg. I want so badly to make the best decisions for Casey that I can.”
“You’re a great mom.”
“Thanks.” She smiled at her friend. “But being with Drew will open up a whole can of worms I’m just not sure is good for Casey.”
“But Drew is good for you.”
Baylee met her friend’s eyes, surprised at the response.
Meg shook her head. “Don’t get me wrong. I’d take a bullet for that kid. I would. And as much as I hate seeing what you’re going through with this, I have to say that Drew isn’t just good for you, he’s good for Casey too.”
Meg was right. Drew had been nothing but great with Casey. And although he wasn’t one to show much emotion, Casey adored Drew. He asked about him all the time when Drew wasn’t with them. He even wanted to throw a ball again the next time Drew was over.
“You just have to ask yourself if it’s all worth it,” Meg continued. “Drew’s career comes with extra… stuff. And I think you’re tough enough to take it. But do you think you are?”
“But what if they start posting pictures and things about Casey?”
Meg unfolded her arms and tucked her hands in the front pocket of her jeans. “Another question you have to work through. And it’s really not an ‘if’ but more of a ‘when’, in truth. But you said yourself that Drew’s assistant is ready to play offense instead of defense. If Drew trusts her, then maybe you can too.”
Baylee took a deep breath and let it out.
“Excuse me a sec. I’ll be right back.” Meg held up a finger as she walked towards the front door to greet a customer. It wasn’t a meal time so the diner wasn’t jammed. Just a few tourists in for pie or a snack.
Baylee leaned both elbows on the counter, placed her head in her hands. What she wouldn’t give for some sort of way to see the future. Sure, she’d prayed about it all, found a peace about being in a relationship with Drew, but the rest of it was fuzzy. Not knowing exactly what they would face was unnerving. The first two pictures had popped up without warning. What else would surprise them and knock them off-kilter?
Meg returned and patted Baylee’s arm. She rested her chin in her hand and looked at her friend. “Look, Bay, you are the wisest, most attentive, wonderful mother I have ever seen. Casey is so lucky to have you. And I don’t know Erik all that well– in truth, based on all you’ve told me, I don’t want to know– but from what I’ve seen of Drew, giving this a shot with him is worth it.” She shrugged. “It will bring challenges, I’m sure, but you’re up for it.”
The door to the diner opened and two firefighters in uniform entered. Meg stood taller, her shoulders back. It was by no means a defensive stance, but her demeanor shifted, for sure.
Baylee looked from the two men to Meg and back again. “You okay?” She tried to hide a grin, but failed.
“Get that smirk off your face, Bay, before I knock it off.”
Baylee held up both hands in surrender. “No smirking here. Just noticed you… uh… changed a bit when cute Firefighter Chet walked in.”
