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The man’s deep chuckle vibrated through the phone. “All good, I hope.”
“Yes. All good. I promise.” Baylee’s heart rate sped up and she tried to tamp down the anxious thoughts that ran through her mind.
Why was Drew’s trainer calling? Was Drew hurt again? Was he cut from the team already and couldn’t bring himself to call her?
“Look, I’ll cut to the chase, here. Drew isn’t throwing well. And it’s not because of his arm. It’s in tip-top shape. Our ace? It’s all mental. My gut tells me, it’s you. He needs you.”
He needs you. He needs you. He needs you.
His words rang through her head like a bell chime. All she could think was get to Drew.
To her surprise, what came out her mouth was, “I’ll be on the next plane out.”
The next few hours ran by in a blur. After talking to Tyler, Baylee called her mom who kicked into gear, getting Baylee a flight to Florida, a hotel near the field where they held spring training, a shuttle from the airport, and a promise that Casey would be fine in her care for as long as Baylee needed her. All the while, Eva stepped up and covered all the needs at the bakery for the next few days.
By nightfall, Baylee was on a plane to Florida, doing the most spontaneous, crazy thing she’d ever done in her life. And yet, as she leaned against the window to look out at the night sky, everything in her world had never felt more in place.
*
Drew wiped hisbrow with his forearm and put his cap back on. He’d thrown like crap the past few days. The first day was his best, but it had all gone to hell after that.
He’d played his conversation with Fred in his mind over and over again. And deep down, he believed he and Baylee could make things work. But he missed her down to the core of his soul. Their goodbye had uncertainty all over it, and the air between them when they talked was laced with tension. Unknowns. It ate at his gut.
He finished practice, throwing the worst he’d thrown since camp started. Maybe the right thing was to walk away? Maybe it was his time. He could move to California, be with Baylee, put baseball in his past. His heart sank a bit at the thought. Yes, he wanted Baylee, but he still didn’t want to end his career on a low note.
As he walked off the field, he scuffed his cleats into the dirt. He raised his eyes to the stands for a moment, catching a glimpse of gold right above the dugout. He put a hand up to block the sun. The heat had to be playing tricks on him. It couldn’t be her.
He moved closer to the stands, his vision getting clearer. Like an apparition from his dreams, she sat in a stadium chair about ten rows up. Her golden curls moved in the breeze, her green sleeveless sundress showcasing her tanned, well-toned arms. Their eyes met and she smiled wide. Still in shock, he could only stand there.
Baylee? She was really here?
She stood and came down the steps to him and didn’t stop until they were toe to toe. He blinked, afraid to reach out and touch her, afraid if he did that she’d disappear, a figment of his imagination.
“Hey you.” Her emerald eyes shined up at him.
Still not trusting himself, all he could do was stand there and stare.
Tyler walked by, patted Drew on the shoulder. He stuck out a hand for Baylee to shake, which she did. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Baylee. Glad you came.” He moved on without another word, disappearing into the dugout.
Baylee’s gaze followed him as he left then turned back to Drew who still hadn’t taken his eyes off Baylee.
“You just gonna stand there?”
“You’re here.”
“I’m here.”
She took his hand in hers, the one without a baseball glove on it. He rubbed his thumb along her skin, soaking in the reality of her standing in front of him. It was real. Not his mind messing with him.
Other players walked by, nodded at her, told Drew they’d see him later. After a minute or so, all that was left were a few workers doing field maintenance.
They stood alone on the field.
“Tyler said you’re struggling. Talk to me.”
Drew shook his head. “Tyler?”
“Yes. He called me. Said you weren’t throwing well. That it was mental. Your arm is fine.”
