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I forced myself to smile. So we had that in common. I had yet to Google Bryson’s ex. Whenever I started to type in her name, I stopped myself before hitting Enter.
“Well, anyway, I’ve been watching the games and was curious about what all this meant.”
Nathan smiled. “You thought he was cute, didn’t you?”
“He was rather handsome, yes.”
“Man, too bad you didn’t start dating him. Can you imagine what the guys on my team would say if I told them my cousin was dating Bryson Robinson. Or Josh got to say his sister was dating one of the greatest pitchers ever. Well, maybe not ever.”
If he only knew.
Frowning, I said, “I live in Montana, Nathan. How in the world would that work?”
He shrugged. “I know it would never happen, but how cool would it be if it did?”
I shook my head and took my phone back out of his hands.
“Speaking of, you should come to one of my games.”
Putting my hands on my hips, I gave him an inquisitive look. “Why would I come to one of your games?”
He feigned being hurt. “Because I’m your favorite cousin, and once I tell all the guys, they’re going to want to meet you. Even the coach! Just think how great that could be for me.”
The horse Nathan had been working with walked up and nudged him on the back, knocking him off balance for a moment.
“Looks like he wants to work some more. As far as attending a game, I’ll see.”
Turning, I climbed the fence and started to walk toward my Bronco.
“Come on, Rose Marie! I’ll owe you one!”
I lifted my hand and waved as I laughed and walked away.
Chapter Four
BRYSON
Lewis rotated my arm and lifted it as I winced. He sighed, then rotated it the other way, causing me to flinch.
“Cold baths aren’t going to help this, Bryson,” Lewis stated dryly.
I smiled but knew by the look on his face he wouldn’t pretend not to notice my pain any longer. Lewis Carpenter was the lead physical therapist for the Mariners and worked mainly with the pitchers. My shoulder had started to bother me last year, but I pushed through the pain. With the start of the current season, though, it grew worse after each game I pitched. Not even a few days’ break gave it enough time to recover.
He crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at me with a hard look. “You need to tell him.”
By him, he meant Trent Hill. The pitching coach. Standing, I rotated my arm. “I’m going to go sit in an ice bath. I’ll talk to Trent today.”
“You need to, Bryson. If you don’t, you know I will. I can’t ignore the look of pain on your face today.”
I hit him on the side of the arm. “I’m meeting with him at four, Lewis. I’ll talk to him.”
He seemed relieved. After gathering his stuff, he turned and headed toward the exit. Caleb walked in, and they exchanged hellos. I watched as Caleb made his way over to the door where the hot and ice tubs were. I slid off the table, grabbed my towel, and headed in the same direction.
When I walked into the room, I saw Caleb already getting into the ice tub, or trying to, at least. He was hovering over it like a fucking crab. I walked over, pulled my shirt off, and slid in. The hot and ice tubs held around two to three guys each.
Caleb looked like he was about to die as he slowly lowered himself. I, on the other hand, sank all the way in.
“Fuck, how do you just get in like that?” he asked.
“Got to bite the bullet and do it.”
He let out a gasp as he finally submerged his entire body.
“Fucking hell,” he said, and I swore I heard his teeth chattering.
“The ice bath is going to be your friend, Caleb. The quicker you get used to it, the better.”
He nodded but didn’t speak.
“After a hot shower, turn it to cold and stand under it for as long as you can stand it. Then keep increasing the time. Before you know it, you’ll be sliding right on into the ice tub.”
Caleb rolled his eyes. “If you say so.”
“You did good out there today.”
He smiled. “Thanks. That means a lot coming from you. I appreciate you letting me do drills with you today. I’ve really been learning a lot by watching you.”
After the game in Boston, Caleb asked for me to pretty much be his mentor. I, of course, agreed to do it. Someday he would most likely be taking over my spot. Sooner rather than later, by the way he pitched the other night.
“Someday, you’ll be the Ace pitcher, so watch all of us as much as you can. The warm-ups, the stretches, all of it. You’ll find your rhythm once you start doing it all, but don’t do it simply because you see me doing it. Find what works best for you and your arm.”
