Slide into You: A Baseball Romance by Miriam Vaughn

Author:Miriam Vaughn [Vaughn, Miriam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-07-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

After the game, the temptation to go out is strong. I am tired of traditional medicines not doing their job and feeling like everything is falling apart. Liquor takes all of that pain away. I can drown my sorrows, reset my brain, and finally think this through clearly. The only thing stopping me is my knee and the crippling knowledge I’m losing control of everything in my life. I broke promises, crossed lines never meant to be crossed, and now I’m in danger of getting benched because of this damn injury.

Yeah, some Jameson would be pretty fucking stellar right about now. I didn’t swear sobriety, but I also know myself. I know this itchy feeling. Tonight, I wouldn’t stop at just one.

Still, I meet the guys in the hotel bar for a few minutes to commiserate over the loss. Jamie keeps thanking me for the batting tips and it’s the only icing on the cake of this whole shitty day. Carlos asks about getting some tomorrow. The boy is a boss with the bat, but I’ve got the highest batting average on the team and everyone just wants to be better.

“How’s the knee?” Coach asks, coming up from behind and slapping me on the shoulder.

“Perfect now that it’s been iced,” I lie. “I guess I just didn’t stretch well enough today.”

“Gotta stay on top of that, Fife. Knees can be a career killer.”

“I know.”

“No one can kill Kemper Fife.” Octivio smirks. “Except maybe redheads.”

Everyone starts giving me shit, even Coach. He doesn’t think I was the one who marred his daughter. He thinks I’m innocent, living up to my oath to him and the city. He thinks I’m a changed man. It makes me feel like a dog.

I almost wish he knew the truth.

“How about a round of shots?” Coach digs for his wallet. “You guys deserve ’em.”

Jamie and Carlos whoop, Octivio does some stupid dance in his seat, and Edwards starts clapping. And then everyone looks at me. Again. This is becoming a routine.

“I was actually about to go to my room,” I say, trying not to look too mournful. Going to my room is the last thing I want to do, even if it’s the right thing.

“Bullshit,” Carlos calls.

“It’s just one drink. You earned it.” Coach claps my shoulder. “We don’t need to get crazy, just relax.”

“Nah, I need to keep icing my knee. Gotta start fresh tomorrow.” It pains me. A literal pain clenches in my gut, but I know this is the way it has to be. I have to atone. I have to get away from the man I betrayed.

My dad was a piece of shit. It’s not news to anyone who knows me. But Coach? He’s a stand-up guy who genuinely cares about us. He’s invested in our lives and careers, he wants what’s best for us even when it’s hard or we don’t see the end in sight. He’s everything I ever wanted in a dad. Shit, we literally play catch together. It’s the dream.

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