Chapter 7
Schmidt
Coming into the kitchen in the morning and finding Winnie already with a cup of coffee in her hands and one waiting for me is odd. I'm not used to anyone else being in my space.
Martha didn’t live with me. She had a husband at home and she only stayed here when I wasn’t going to be home.
Otherwise, she’d magically appear five minutes before I had to leave for work and she’d go shortly after I returned home.
Sometimes she’d stay and chat for a little while, but I think she only did it when her husband would be working late.
“Morning,” I murmur, still exhausted. Tali was up a few times last night. She’s getting some teeth in and isn't sleeping well.
“You look like you need this more than I do.” She smirks as she hands over the mug she must’ve poured for me. “I wasn’t sure how you like it so it’s black right now.”
“That’s exactly how I like it.” I take a deep breath and close my eyes as the scent of coffee washes over me.
“Good. Wheeler drinks his coffee with so much cream and sugar in it. It drives me nuts. I drink mine black too.”
I take a sip and have to bite back a groan. I needed coffee so badly this morning. I might need a few cups just to get through the day.
“Martha will be here for a few hours today while I'm working. I don’t have a full day though. I have to meet with my agent later.”
“Awesome. So, I can learn some things from her.” Winnie grins. “I'm asking her all of your dirty secrets.” She wiggles her brows, making me chuckle.
“Go ahead. Maybe she can give you some pointers on how to deal with me.”
“Eh, you’re easy.” She waves me off.
“Huh, you pegged me as easy this early in our relationship?”
“The filter’s off until after the coffee’s finished. I'm warning you now.” She points a finger in my direction.
“Should I stay out of the kitchen until after you’ve had your morning mug then?”
“Nope, you just can't hold anything I say against me until you can see the bottom of the ceramic.”
“That’s fair.” I nod my head as a smile takes over my features. I could get used to living with Winnie.
When I get to work and see Smithy and Wheeler, I almost make a comment about Winnie. There were a few close calls, but I was able to keep quiet. The last thing I want is anyone finding out Winnie’s working for me as my nanny before they know I even have a daughter.
“Do you want to come out with us tonight?” Smithy asks before taking a big bite of his protein bar.
The closer we get to the season starting the harder we’re all working out.
Levi’s been a fantastic coach and knows exactly how hard he can push us without going too hard.
I’ve really enjoyed having him as our coach over the last year.
I think he’s doing a great job. Quite a few people are saying we have a good shot at the world series if we continue playing like we did last year.
“I can't. I have a meeting with my agent tonight.” I give him a tight-lipped smile, unsure of how else to respond. I hate telling them no, but Tali means so much more to me.
I know soon she won't be my little girl anymore. She’ll want to go out with her friends and leave me behind. She’s the last piece of Ellie I have left and I want to cherish her for as long as I can.
“One day we’ll all figure out what you’re hiding. When that day comes, I better be the winner of the bet.” Wheeler drapes his arm over my shoulders and leans in like we’re sharing a secret.
“The bet?” I arch a brow. I know Winnie made a comment about a bet too, but I thought she was joking.
“Oh, yeah. We’ve been betting since you joined this team about what you’re hiding.” Smithy chuckles.
“And what does everyone think?”
“Covey says you’re a secret agent with the CIA.
Wheeler thinks you have an underaged wife you keep locked up at home.
I think you have a secret life where you’re a computer hacker.
Wyatt says you have a secret family.” Smithy rolls his eyes like Wyatt’s ridiculous.
“Cord says you’re a homebody and we should leave you alone.
Leo says we need to stay out of your business.
Holden and McLaren refuse to make a bet because I think they’re secretly scared of you. ” Smithy shrugs.
“Some of the other players have made comments, but we only included the starting lineup in the bet,” Wheeler adds with a big grin.
“And what happens if you’re all wrong?”
“Then you get the money.” Wyatt steps up behind me with a chuckle. “I told them they only have until the end of the season, then it’s over. They can't keep this bet going for another year.”
“And what if no one knows what I'm hiding by the end of the season?”
“Then you get the money.” Cord chuckles. “They didn’t think this through very well.”
“How much do I win?”
“Nope! Don’t you dare tell him!” Wheeler dives between us, blocking me from seeing any of the other guys. “If you tell him how much it is, he might double down on keeping things quiet just so he makes the money!”
“You know we all make millions of dollars a year, right? I don’t need more money.” I roll my eyes at how ridiculous he is.
“It doesn’t matter. It’s the principle of the matter.”
“Alright, guys! Let’s get back to work! We have less than two weeks to get this team in shape for the opening game!” Levi motions for us to get a move on it.