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“Thanks.”
As I exited the building, I put my head back down. I stepped outside from the balmy air, and even though it was hotter than Hades’ asshole, it was a reprieve from the brewing anxiety attack I felt creeping up and the stifling air of the office.
I never used to experience things like this—sure, I had nerves before a game, but who didn’t? But this wasn’t something like once in the heat of the moment, the feeling passed or could be fixed by imagining the crowd in their underwear during a speech. Crouching down, I leaned back against the brick wall, closed my eyes, and tried to calm my racing heart. Was this shit ever going to get easier?
“Excuse me, Cooper?” a small voice said, and I blinked my eyes open and came face-to-face with a young kid wearing a Red Sox baseball jersey. “Can I have your autograph?”
“Umm.” I stood up straight and gripped the back of my neck. It wasn’t the first time I’d been asked for autographs from kids. Coach took us all to the elementary school to help with the younger players once in a while.
“Beau.” An older woman, who I assumed was his mother, rushed over to us. “You can’t just run off from me like that.”
“But Mama, it’s Cooper. I asked him for an autograph.”
“Leave him alone, sweetie.”
I rose to my feet and adjusted my hat. “No, it’s totally fine, ma’am. It’s no trouble at all.” She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something but instead shut it and nodded.
“I’m sorry, buddy, but I don’t seem to have a pen.” I felt my back pockets just in case one magically appeared.
“Mama, Mama.” Beau tugged on his mother’s arm. “Do you have a pen, please, please, please,” he pleaded with a pout.
She searched her bag, and moments later, she revealed one and held it out. Before I could reach for it, Beau grabbed it and all but shoved it in my face. I chuckled while his mother looked absolutely horrified by her son’s behavior. I accepted the pen, and he did the same with his hat, showing that was what he would like me to sign.
“You like playin’ ball, Beau?”
“Oh yes.” He nodded enthusiastically, and I couldn’t help but laugh again, feeling slightly lighter than before. Maybe laughter was food for the soul, as Mama said.
“What position do you play?” I asked as I scribbled my name on the inside brim of his hat.
“I’m a catcher.” He crouched down into his catcher’s stance and pretended to catch balls.
“You know, my best friend is—” My words caught in my throat. He was—he never would be anything again.
I set the hat down on his head and tapped the brim with my finger. “Be good, kid.”
“Thanks, Cooper.” He smiled as if today was the best day of his life. “You’re my hero,” he shouted over his shoulder as his mother led him away.
Once he was out of range, I scoffed. Hero?Some hero, I am.
I pulled out my phone and saw I still had about ten more minutes left until Riley was supposed to be done.I think I can manage that much back in the waiting room.I was almost to the front door when my phone buzzed. I glanced down at the screen to see “unknown caller.”
“Umm, hello?”
A throat cleared on the other end of the line. “Hi, is this Cooper Graham?”
“Yes, this is he.”Please don’t be another reporter looking for a statement.
“Cooper, this is Simon Dunn. I’m the general manager of the—”
“Chicago Knights,” I finished for him.” I wasn’t expecting that. “Umm, what can I do for you, sir?”
“Well, Cooper, I’m hoping you can do a lot for me, actually. I was sorry to hear about Tanner Hayes.” I swallowed the emotion that crept up my throat, and my eyes instantly glossed over with unshed tears. Fuck, there was no way that he was calling just to offer his condolences. “You know, son, we’ve had our eyes on both of you for most of your high school career, honestly.”
“Yes, sir. Coach Benson had made us aware.” I wasn’t really sure where this conversation was going.
“I wanted to talk to you, Coop.” His voice grew more serious. “Look, I know you backed out of the offer, but you have some serious talent, and I saw your potential at just fifteen. Over the years, you’ve only gotten better and better. I know that you have a lot going on with…” He trailed off. “But you have honest-to-God natural talent, and I want you on our team. What do I need to do to make that happen?”
“But like you said, I missed the date.”
