Dropped Third Strike (Portland Pioneers #1) (21 page)

“What about me?”

“Well, I trusted you twice and you hurt me twice. The first time was your fault, but the second time was all on me. If I’d based my judgments on your past, I would never have let you back in. So, you’ve definitely done your share of proving me wrong about people.”

Reid shook his head. “How did this get to be about you and me? I thought you didn’t want to discuss our past.”

“I didn’t. I mean, I don’t,” she said, clearly frustrated. “This is about Derek Beaman. I’m not judging him personally based on his past. I’m judging him professionally. Which is exactly what I’ve done with you. I hired you because I think you’ll do a good job as a coach, not because I trust you in any other way.”

“So I suppose that’s your professional prediction for me too, right? That I’m a coach now and my playing days are done.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You don’t have to. You’ve already said guys like Derek who have major issues won’t ever get past them to succeed.”

“You don’t have issues like he does.”

“If that’s what you believe, you definitely don’t know me.”

She eyed him curiously. “What are you saying?”

“If you won’t discuss our past so I can figure out where I went wrong, I’m not going to discuss my past so you can see where you’re wrong. Two can play this game, Kate.”

“It’s not a game.”

“Well, it sure feels like one.”

Kate was about to say something else, but Reid didn’t care to stick around to hear it. He climbed into his car and pulled away without another word. He fumed all the way to the ballpark where he jogged laps around the perimeter of the field to try and burn off some of his frustration. Preferably before the players arrived to start their pre-game routines. As he plodded around the warning track, he tried to clear his head, but he just kept replaying his conversation with Kate.

No one pushed his buttons like she did. Almost every time they talked, tension rose between them. After their brief civil exchanges in Minneapolis, he thought maybe they were working past it. But no. Apparently those conversations had been anomalies in the grand scheme of their relationship. Clearly, they hadn’t made as much progress as he thought and hoped. The strain between them was palpable. He was starting to doubt they could ever be friends.

But the source of his frustration went deeper, and he knew it. He was bothered by her lack of faith in him. Even if it was only implied, it still bothered him. He wanted her to see him as more than just a good coach. He wanted to prove to her that he was more than that. He was determined to show her he was still a good player too. And a good person. He had a feeling the former would be easier than the latter.

For now, Reid intended focus on improving Kate’s opinion of Derek.

Fortunately, the pitcher was doing a fine job of that on his own. In his next two starts, he threw seven shutout innings of a 2-0 win and struck out eight batters in a game the Pioneers won 8-3. Derek was making people notice him.

Reid’s pride in Derek grew. He was the only one who knew the full extent of the off-field stuff swirling around in Derek’s head.

Derek’s ex-wife continued to flaunt her new relationship all over Facebook. Recently, she shared a video of a proposal along with multiple photos of her ring and fiancé. Derek was close to breaking, but there was very little he could do about it. He couldn’t unfriend her or hide her updates if he wanted to keep tabs on his daughter. And he did. He seemed to be coming to terms with the fact that his relationship with Keely was beyond repair. But there was still time for him to bond with Brynn and be a good father to her. If only Keely would let him. So far, Derek wasn’t convinced she would. There was no formal custody arrangement in place. He had always hoped he and Keely could work out a deal without getting the court’s intervention. But that wasn’t happening. As his requests to see Brynn kept getting denied, Derek realized he would need to contact a lawyer soon. He hadn’t done it yet, due in part to his travel and game schedule, but he was getting closer. In the meantime, his only glimpse of his daughter came through Facebook photos, which unfortunately were mixed in with posts about Keely’s new love.

Reid could tell the separation from Brynn and watching Keely move on was taking a toll on Derek, but that only made his pitching performances even more remarkable. Somehow he was able to put his personal problems aside when he went to the mound. Or maybe he used them as motivation. Reid wasn’t completely sure, but he was impressed.

Kate was too. She wasn’t yet ready to admit Reid might have been right about Derek, but he was outperforming all the expectations she had for him. Even if this was a fluke or a mere hot streak, Derek was making a huge mark on the Pioneers’ season. It gave her more conviction in her decision to move him up in the rotation. When she approached Don Carroll about the switch, he was more than a little surprised.

“Are you sure you want to do that?” the manager asked her.

“Absolutely. Beaman’s one of our best pitchers right now. He’s earned this.”

“I agree he’s been pitching well. But this ... it might be too much for him with his history.”

“It seems his history is just that. I admit, I never thought he’d be more than a back of the rotation starter, but I’d love to be wrong about that. In the last few weeks, he’s shown he isn’t afraid of pressure or a new challenge. I think he’s ready for this.”

“I sure hope so.”

After the game that night, Kate went down to the clubhouse to watch the manager’s post-game press conference. As she was going into the media room, she heard her name being called. She turned and saw Derek walking toward her.

“Miss Marks, I’m glad I caught you,” he said once he finally reached her. “I wanted to thank you for moving me up in the rotation. It’s probably a small move to any other pitcher, but it’s a huge deal for me.”

The gratitude and sincerity in his voice nearly melted Kate on the spot. Always the professional, she kept her emotions from her face.

“You’ve had a great season so far. You’ve earned this.”

“Coach B said you’re a good judge of players, so I know this move is a huge vote of confidence. I can’t tell you what that means to me.”

“You’ve been working hard, and it shows. You are a major part of the Pioneers’ success.”

Derek grinned at her compliment. “I promise I won’t let you down.”

“Just keep doing what you’ve been doing and you’ll be fine.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Kate couldn’t help but smile as the young pitcher disappeared into the locker room. She loved knowing she’d made a young player’s day. It almost made up for the days when she had to do the opposite – send a player down to the minors or dismiss them from the team completely. Those conversations never got easier, but exchanges like the one she’d just had with Derek reminded her there were some good moments in her job as well.

Chapter Nine

Kate eased into the media room to catch the end of Don Carroll’s post-game press conference. It had been a good, clean game, so the manager was in a favorable mood. He spent a lot of time complimenting his players, and the reporters didn’t pose any questions that could result in negative answers. As a coach whose moods went with the team's ups and downs, Don's good spirits were encouraging and welcome.

It was a perfect reflection of the season thus far. There had been a few rough games, but the Pioneers were in the middle of a nice stretch, and Kate hoped the momentum would carry through the All-Star Break. She had a few players headed to the mid-season exhibition, but she was trying not to worry about players’ ability to keep their focus on the games that really counted. While she appreciated the tradition of the All-Star Game, she did not share the opinion that it counted for much. The game would decide home field advantage in the World Series, but that was only significant if you reached that point in the postseason, and the Pioneers had some work to do before that was a reality. She trusted the managers and the athletes to establish and maintain their focus on the big goal. It wasn't her job to motivate them. She just needed to provide them with the tools they needed. So far, it seemed she'd done a decent job of that.

As she listened to the media room chatter, Kate checked her watch more than once. Usually, she didn’t care how long the press conferences were, but tonight she did. As soon as she was done at the ballpark, she was headed to the airport for a flight to Minnesota. Neal had finally gotten in touch with her. After a week of radio silence, he called her and admitted the distance and her schedule had presented a daunting obstacle.

“But you knew about my job before we even went out,” Kate had said to him.

“I know, but I got so caught up in getting to know you that I didn’t really think about the logistics. I was just enjoying your company,” Neal replied.

“And now?”

“Now I want another chance.”

“Why? Nothing about the situation has changed.”

“True. But I really like you.”

“How can you be sure that’s enough?”

“I can’t be sure, but I want to try. Look, I know it’s not ideal, but it’s not like I’ve had much luck with anyone local either. I’m ready to try something new. Maybe I need to step out of my comfort zone.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying I’m willing to try and make this work. I know it’s going to be hard, but you’re an amazing woman. I think you’re worth the extra effort.”

His words were perhaps the best compliment she’d ever received. It was even better than being called beautiful or kind or smart. Knowing someone thought you were worthy of the hard work involved in maintaining a relationship across distance and busy schedules was an incredible feeling. It warmed her enough that she forgave his brief silence. She also decided she needed to meet him halfway, so she would miss the final series before the All-Star Break in order to spend more time with him. She and the rest of the front office staff had already held countless meetings about mid-season trades. They knew what they needed to do, but there wasn’t much they could do about it for a few more weeks. While she still had plenty of work responsibilities, she could complete them via phone and internet. A few days away from wouldn’t hurt the team.

It would also provide a break from Reid. Then again, he hadn’t been much of an issue since their most recent argument over Derek Beaman. On the rare occasion their paths crossed, they merely exchanged the occasional greeting or discussed team-related issues. That was it. She found the silence a bit unsettling. And it shouldn’t have been. She should have been thrilled to be on this level with him. It was what she’d wanted when she hired him – distance and civility. But this just felt wrong. And it bothered her that she was so preoccupied with how Reid was or wasn’t regarding her.

She tried not to dwell on her strained relationship with Reid as she boarded a red-eye to Minneapolis. It was time to put work aside for a few hours, relax, and prepare for a weekend with Neal. He said he had some good things planned, but the lack of details made her uneasy. She’d asked him several times over the week, but he just kept saying he wanted to surprise her. Surprises made her anxious, but she was trying her best to let go of that for now and just enjoy the next few days.

When she saw Neal – and his smile – at the baggage claim, her mood immediately shifted. He hugged her and kissed her cheek in greeting, and her nerves melted away completely. They chatted idly about her flight, the Pioneers, and the weather while they waited for her bags, and then he led her out to his car, where she gave him the name of her hotel. She felt completely at ease as he drove through the city. There was something so utterly and noticeably laid back about him. It was easy to be with him, and she could feel her stress dissolving as they drove to the hotel.

“I figured you’d want a few hours to rest, so I’ll be back to get you around two,” Neal said. “Dress in comfortable clothes and shoes.”

“How comfortable?” she asked. “These heels can be comfortable sometimes.”

“I’m sure they can – although I can’t imagine how,” he said. “But aim for jeans and walking shoes.”

“Sounds good,” she said. “I can’t wait to see what you have planned.”

He just grinned and gave her another cheek kiss in response.

After a nap, a shower, and a light lunch via room service, Kate was not only relaxed, but feeling refreshed and ready for her date. She headed down to the lobby in jeans, running shoes, and a plain kelly green t-shirt, which set off her fair skin and green eyes. She’d gone light on makeup, since his instructions implied casual, but she’d left her hair down. As soon as she saw Neal, she knew she’d made the right choices. He wore long shorts, a t-shirt bearing a Minnesota Wild logo, tennis shoes, and a huge grin.

They exchanged compliments and then they were in his car, headed out of downtown. While he drove, Neal asked Kate about the Pioneers’ season. Normally, she wouldn’t enjoy talking work on a date, but she sensed that he was inquiring as a way to get to know her better, not because he actually cared about the team’s record and playoff chances.

“We’re only eight games back, which isn’t too bad going into the All-Star Break,” Kate explained. “We’re in a really tough division, and we’re going to have to play out of our minds to overtake first. I’d like to say without a doubt that we can do it, but I’m not sure. There are a lot of things that will have to go perfectly for that to happen.”

“But you seem pretty happy with your roster. At least that’s what I gathered when we talked the other night,” he said.

“I am,” she said, nodding. “I think we need to make a few adjustments, but ... I’m not going to worry about those for the next few days.”

Neal smiled. “Really? You’re going to ignore work while you’re here?”

“Not ignore. Just delay. Unless it’s an emergency, it can wait,” she said.

“Given what you’ve told me about your work habits, I feel pretty special right now.”

“As you should.”

They shared a laugh, and then he pulled his car into a parking lot. The signs told her she was at Lake Como. She saw trees, water, and a concrete trail winding through all of it. It was peaceful, but it was far from desolate. There were people everywhere – fishing in the lake, reading on the shore, biking, running, and walking.

“I thought we could go for a walk and just get to know each other,” Neal said. “I bet you rarely get to just enjoy being outside.”             

“You’re right,” she said. “The only time I’m usually outside is in a ballpark. And I enjoy that, but I think this will be a little more relaxing.”

“Aha, you’re onto my plan.”

She gave him a curious look.

“In the time I’ve known you, it sounds like you are always busy and on the go. I decided what you needed this weekend was relaxation. So that’s what I’ve planned.”

“You’ve planned relaxation? That sounds a little ... odd.”

“True, but as adults, we kind of have to plan relaxation or it never happens.”

“Good point. I think you already know me better than you think.”

“But not as well as I want to.”

He winked at her, and Kate felt a slight tingle of anticipation trickle through her.

She waited while he grabbed a bag from the backseat, then she took his hand and they set out for a stroll. He was taller, so his stride was a little longer than hers, but she was in decent shape, so she was able to keep up. Over the next several hours, he talked about his hockey league and his job as they traveled the trail. The small zoo on the grounds gave them new things to talk about, although that really wasn’t a struggle. Their conversation flowed as easily today as it had on their first date. There really wasn’t a whole lot of silence. None that was uncomfortable anyway.

After they left the zoo, they found a patch a grass so they could sit down. From his backpack, Neal pulled out a blanket, a box of crackers, a bag of grapes, a bottle of wine, and two plastic cups. She smiled as he unpacked the food while she sat back on the blanket, just taking in the park. She could hear children laughing in the zoo, a few splashes in the lake, and the occasional greeting exchanged by people meeting on the trail.

“It’s nice out here,” she said, breaking the brief silence.

“It is,” he agreed. “I run out here a lot in the summer.”

“I think I would too, if my schedule allowed,” she said. “It’s populated enough to feel safe, but serene enough that you can zone out.”

He nodded, handing her a glass of clear white wine. “That’s my favorite part of running – zoning out. It’s the perfect stress relief after a long day.”

“Same,” she said. “But I’m usually on a treadmill instead of a trail.”

He made a face. “I’m not a fan of the treadmill. I call it ‘the dreadmill,’ and I avoid it at all costs. When it’s too cold to run, I get my exercise on the ice.”

She shrugged. “I really don’t know any different, so it’s okay with me.”

“I suppose that’s true of a lot of areas of your life,” he said.

“What do you mean?”

“Whenever we talk about your job, how you rarely get to see family and how hard it is to date, you never seem too upset by any of it. I suppose that’s because you’re just used to it, so you’ve become complacent with all of it.”             

“I don’t know if I’d go so far as to say ‘complacent.’ I’m used to it, yes, but there’s more. I love my job, so I don’t mind the hours it takes. I miss my family, but I do my best to keep up with them and spend extra time with them in the off-season.”

“And dating?”

“I still haven’t figured that out, but I don’t think I’m the only one.”

He laughed a little. “That’s true. Dating is tough.”

“I think we’re doing fine today though,” she said, smiling at him.

“We are, but there’s just one thing missing,” he said.

“What’s that?” she asked.

In response, he leaned in and brushed his lips lightly against hers. Her breath caught for a moment and then his lips were there again, nudging against hers. She brought her hand up to his face and tilted her head, slanting her mouth under his, encouraging him to take the kiss deeper. He was very good – at taking cues and at kissing. Kate legitimately thought she was going to run out of air, and yet she didn’t want him to stop. When he finally released her, she took a deep breath as though trying to replenish what he’d stolen. For a few moments, she didn’t know what to say. It was the first awkward silence of the day.

“Yes, that was definitely missing,” she said finally. “I’m glad you fixed that.”

He grinned at her. “Me too.”

After they finished their mini picnic, they sat for a bit longer, just enjoying the fresh air. As the sun started to dip, they packed up and got in the car again. Their next stop was Bryant Lake Bowl, where she teased him about ordering something called the “Bad Breath Burger” while she enjoyed a delicious grilled cheese made with white cheddar.

After dinner, he popped a mint and winked at her as they claimed a lane for two games of bowling. They were both competitive, but Neal was undeniably better at this game. Kate beamed with pride when she actually broke 100 in the final game.

“Victory is mine!” she cried out.

“What? I won,” Neal said.

“Yes, but I got my highest score ever, so that’s a win for me.”

“Fair enough. Want to grab one more drink before we call it a night?”

“Ready to be rid of me already?”

“Not at all, but I know you traveled all night, and I still have a few more days with you. You’ll need the rest.”

Kate nodded, and followed him to the bar. He didn’t seem to mind when she checked the TV for the Pioneers score. She also checked her phone for the first time all day and was glad to see only a few messages, none of which were urgent. At the end of the evening, she was treated to another one of his breathtaking kisses as they said goodnight at the hotel elevators.

Neal showed Kate a lot of the Twin Cities over the next few days. They walked around downtown Minneapolis, shared Montego Bay Jerked Chicken and sangria at Chino Latino, tasted wines at St. Croix Vineyards, and checked out the view from the endless bridge at the Guthrie Theatre. There was a nice balance of relaxation and exploration. She enjoyed seeing new parts of the city, but not nearly as much as she enjoyed simply getting to know Neal. She grew very familiar with the fit of his hand in hers and the feel of his kiss. He didn’t pressure her for more, and Kate was equal parts impressed and disappointed. The way he kissed made her curious about his skills between the sheets, and it had been a while since she’d had sex with anyone. On the other hand, she had never been one to initiate sex, and she wasn’t about to start with Neal. She liked where they were, so she decided not to rush it. The sex would happen. Eventually.