Dropped Third Strike (Portland Pioneers #1) (18 page)

“I appreciate that, but my career is very demanding. I just don’t know how much I have to offer right now.”

“All I’m asking is that you enjoy dating and leave yourself open to the possibility of something more.”

“I can do that.”

Kate didn’t think that was promising too much, and the idea didn’t completely scare her. She just honestly didn’t know if she was ready for any kind of relationship. Mostly she just wanted to meet someone who could help her forget about Reid, even if only briefly. Running into him in the hotel lobby had been a bit unsettling although she had enjoyed his reaction and compliment. It flattered her that he still found her attractive. But she reminded herself that his opinion of her appearance shouldn’t matter anymore. He’d had his chance. Two chances in fact, and he’d blown both of them. She was ready to let someone else have a chance.

As far as she could tell, Neal Bruton might be just that person. They had spoken on the phone twice since Jill shared Kate’s number with Neal two weeks earlier. Their phone conversations, although brief, hadn’t been nearly as awkward as she thought they might be. He was intelligent, funny, and easy to talk to, and she was looking forward to putting a face with his kind voice. Looks weren’t everything, but attraction was important, and Kate had no idea what he looked like. Jill wasn’t much help either. The only thing she could offer was that he looked “like a good Midwest boy.”

When she spotted Neal outside the restaurant, she wasn’t the least bit disappointed. He looked to be about 5’10” with a build that backed his claim that he played league hockey and was a casual runner. His dark hair was cut short, in a way that looked low maintenance yet not too juvenile. When she approached him and introduced herself, his dark brown eyes seemed to light up.

“Hi,” he said, looking her over. “Jill told me you were pretty, but she undersold you. You’re gorgeous.”

The compliment warmed her.

“Thank you,” Kate said, smiling. “And you’re just as handsome as she said you were.”

Neal grinned and took her hand, leading her inside. They were seated quickly, and he advised her on his favorite menu items. Conversation flowed just as easily as it had on the phone, and as the meal went on, Kate felt very relaxed.

Neal was smart and very easy going. He had a good sense of humor, and his laugh was unique but charming. Kate was surprised and grateful that he wasn’t a huge baseball fan. He enjoyed catching a game now and then, but he claimed he couldn’t even name five players on the Twins’ roster let alone any other MLB team. He saved that passion for hockey, a sport Kate admitted she knew very little about. It was kind of refreshing to talk to someone about something other than baseball. Every guy she’d previously dated had been in awe of her profession, which often made dates feel like extended workdays. She’d even had a few guys ask for free tickets and player autographs. It was nice to know she wouldn’t have to worry about that with Neal.

He was a breath of fresh air in a lot of ways. He was polite to the wait staff. He was athletic without being a complete meathead. Most significantly, he listened as much as he talked. That was new for Kate. She was used to men who liked hearing the sound of their own voice and didn’t seem to absorb anything she said. Neal was different. He leaned in, nodding and asking appropriate questions as Kate told him about growing up in Arizona with four sisters and the challenge of working in a male-dominated field.

“It took me a little while to get used to the banter and humor men use to communicate,” Kate admitted. “I grew up with all girls, so I was used to tears, hugs, and compliments. Men don’t do that.”

“They definitely don’t,” Neal agreed, chuckling.

“At first, I was confused about why they were so mean to each other. It’s still weird to me, but I eventually figured it out. They show their affection and respect by picking on each other.”

“Yeah, there’s a difference between insults and teasing.”

“The difference used to be subtle, but now I recognize it more easily.”

“And do you ever join in their style of banter?”

“Sometimes. I try anyway. I have to if I want to fit in. But it still feels awkward to me. It just doesn’t come naturally, I guess.”

“Well, that’s because you’re a woman.”

“Yes, but sometimes I think they forget that.”

“I don’t know how that’s possible, but I promise I won’t.”

Kate blushed at his words. She liked his subtle yet honest flirting style.

“So, how did you know you wanted to work in baseball?” he asked.

“I grew up watching baseball with my dad, and then I went to a lot of baseball games in high school. Mostly because I had a crush on one of the players.”

He laughed. “Of course. I should have guessed.”

“I know. It’s so cliché. And I really I didn’t want to be that girl, but somehow I was,” she said. “I was already into the game, but this guy helped me see it from a player’s perspective, and I realized how cerebral it was. I originally wanted to be in sports marketing, but I somehow found my way into the GM office. I still can’t believe it sometimes.”

“It seems like it’d be a high stress job.”

“It is sometimes. I was really intimidated at first, so afraid of making a mistake.”

“Everyone makes mistakes in their job.”

“Yes, but my every move is scrutinized – by the team owner, the media, the fans. It’s like I have thousands of bosses sometimes. But I’ve kind of gotten over that. And I haven’t made too many mistakes, so I think I’ve settled in pretty well.”

When it was his turn, Neal shared stories from his childhood in the Minneapolis suburbs and his job as an air traffic control specialist. Kate was more intrigued by his job than he was by hers.

“I still don’t really know how I got into it,” Neal said. “I’ve just always been intrigued by weather and weather patterns. I thought about meteorology, but that required a lot of school, and jobs aren’t that easy to come by. I talked to a college advisor, and he suggested this. So I finished my science degree and then went to air traffic control school.”

“That’s still a lot of school,” Kate said.

“Yeah, but I didn’t mind it. I was really into what I was studying, so it didn’t feel like work.”

“I guess that’s a sign you’ve found your calling.”

“I guess so. There are definitely stressful days, but overall, I enjoy my work. I don’t wake up dreading it.”

“Same here. I think we’re lucky in that.”

“I think so too. I can’t imagine what my days would be like if I hated my job,” he said.

She was a bit unprepared when he shifted gears, although she suspected the topic would come up eventually.

“So do you date a lot?” he asked.

“Not really,” she replied. “With my schedule, it’s hard to meet guys who aren’t in the business. And when I date guys in the business, it feels like work never ends.”

“I can see that.”

“What about you? Do you date a lot?”

“A lot of the guys in my hockey league are attached. They try to set me up with their girls’ friends, but none of them have really worked out.”

“Why do you think that is?”

“Well, my friends say it’s because I’m too picky, but I just think it’s because I’m not in a rush. I know what I want and I’m fine with waiting until I find it.”

“So what is it you want?”

Neal laughed a little. “Everyone asks that, and I’m not sure how to describe it. I guess I’ll just know it when I find it.”

“And what if you don’t?”

“Don’t find it?”             

“Well, I meant what if you don’t know it when you find it, but I suppose you could also consider how you would feel if you don’t find it.”

“Why wouldn’t I find it?” He seemed curious, not offended.

“I don’t know,” she said, shrugging. “I’m just not sure I subscribe to that theory that there’s someone for everyone.”

“Why not?”

“Because it sounds too easy. Too perfect. And life isn’t easy or perfect.”

He was quiet for a few moments, apparently thinking over her words.

“You make a good point,” Neal said. “I didn’t mean to imply that I think finding love is easy. Obviously it’s not, or I wouldn’t still be single. I just think it’s worth waiting for the real thing. I have been accused of being a hopeless romantic. I haven’t decided if I like that label or not.”

Kate shrugged. “I’ve been told I’m jaded. And I probably am.”

“Maybe I can change your mind,” he said, smiling and reaching for her hand.

“We’ll see,” Kate said, smiling back at him.

As he put her in a cab back to her hotel a little while later, Neal kissed her cheek and told her he wanted to see her again. He didn’t pressure her for a concrete date and seemed satisfied when she said, “I’d like that.”

And she meant it. The date had been a complete success – far better than she’d expected. For a few hours, she was able to forget she was a baseball executive. More importantly, she was able to forget about Reid.

When Reid went to the ballpark the next day, he was still thinking about his evening with Derek. Seeing the young pitcher with that drink and hearing the sadness in his voice had struck a major chord, and it had been on his mind most of the night. He still hadn’t decided what he should do next or if he should keep it to himself. On one hand, the situation was diffused. Derek seemed fine by the end of the evening, and he wasn’t sure it had been a big enough deal to alert management. On the other hand, he wondered if Kate should be aware of the young man’s emotional state. With Derek’s history, it might be a good idea to be careful with him.

While he was still pondering his decision, he spotted the young man in question headed out to the field to play catch with Zach Sutter. Reid called out to him, and Derek signaled to the other pitcher that he’d join him in a minute.

“How’s your day going?” Reid asked.

“Not bad. I’m better than when you found me last night.”

“Glad to hear it. A good night’s sleep can help. One day at a time, like I told you.”

Derek nodded. “Yeah, I know.”

“I hope you know you can talk to me anytime. If you’re thinking about drinking or using or just feeling down, you have my number – use it. No matter what time it is.”

“Thanks Coach. Are you going to tell Miss Marks about last night?”

“I haven’t decided yet. How would you feel about me doing that?”

Derek shrugged. “I suppose she has a right to know. But I feel like I got it under control. I don’t want her to worry I’m going to relapse. And I definitely don’t want anyone else thinking I’m mental or something.”

“You’re not mental. Let’s just clear that up right away,” Reid said. “Second, I’ll refrain from telling her for now. Unless I see it becomes a more serious issue. I just want to look out for you, Derek. I’ve known other guys like you, and I don’t want to see you go down like they did.”

Derek nodded. “Thanks. I promise I’ll get it together.”

“Just fake it ‘til you make it if you have to. And let’s plan on getting some good pizza next week in Chicago.”

Derek grinned and nodded before jogging out to the outfield where Sutter was waiting.

Feeling good about the discussion, Reid continued on toward the clubhouse to see if Carson Slater was ready for a quick batting cage session. The young catcher hadn’t seen a ton of playing time yet, but as the season went on, he was likely to get a few more turns behind the dish to rest the starting catcher. Carson’s offense was still a concern for everyone involved – except Reid. He wasn’t worried about Carson at all. He’d been watching Carson in batting practice and the few at bats he’d gotten to take. The catcher’s batting average wasn’t anything impressive, but Reid saw progress. He knew it was only a matter of time before Carson really started hitting. Still, he agreed to some extra cage sessions in attempt to ease everyone else’s concerns.

When he found Carson, he didn’t look the least bit concerned. In fact, he was whistling as he finished tying his shoes. Reid didn’t recognize the tune, but it sounded like it was off-key. Carson looked up and the whistling stopped, but only because his face split into an ear-to-ear grin.

“Hey Coach B!” Carson exclaimed.

“Wow, you’re really excited about this batting cage session,” Reid said.

“Well, I’m always excited about that,” Carson said, smiling. “But today, there’s another reason I’m happy.”

Reid studied Carson, waiting for him to reveal what had gotten into him. The guy was practically shaking with excitement. If he’d been a dog, Reid was pretty sure his tail would be wagging.

“I’m gonna be a dad!” Carson said, unable to drag out the silence or mystery for very long.

“Congratulations. Your first?”

“Yeah. Due in December. We weren’t really trying, but we weren’t really preventing either, if you know what I mean. And it just happened. I can’t wait.”

“Good going. That’ll be perfect time. You’ll get to spend time with the kid before baseball starts up again.”

“Right. Like I said, we weren’t planning on this, but I think it’s perfect timing. This feels like my year.”