35. Chapter 32
Sloan
Ihave a lot of work to do to get my own show off the ground.
I have to start with something big, and I think I’ve found the perfect entry point.
Hopefully Jax agrees. “So, I was thinking it might be fun to go to Jersey and cover the Bagel Bombers post season scrimmage. Then, when Horner announces Oscar’s moving there I can help hype up the move. ”
I say this to Jax, but he takes a minute to respond. He plays with the zipper on his jacket, pulling it up and down a few times before responding.
“That’s a really great idea. The fans will love that.” His voice is small and frail, and I don’t recognize it.
“What just happened?” I ask because he’s always so supportive and excited.
“Nothing. I think it’s a great idea.” His voice sounds reassuring, but a line is etched between his brows.
“Jax,” I say, moving in closer to him. “What’s wrong”
He sighs, only it doesn’t calm him. It’s only adding to the tension in his shoulders. “He’s really leaving.”
It breaks my heart watching him feel such big emotions when it comes to his best friend leaving. He’s been quiet the past few days, and as excited as Maren and Oscar have been, packing up everything and making plans for their future, I know it’s killing him inside.
“I don’t know how to play this game without him,” he finally says on another long exhale.
“Why don’t you come with me to Jersey. It might be good for you to see where he’ll be playing before he leaves. We’ll be back in time for their party. I’m just going for the day.”
He thinks for a few minutes, taking small sips of his whiskey.
He bought a bottle and made us both a glass as soon as he walked through my door.
I should have known then that something was up.
I really should have known something was up when he asked if he could stay here tonight to get a break from Ozzie and Mare.
I watch him sip his drink and continue to zip and unzip his jacket, until finally his expression shifts and he looks at me.
“I think that would actually be really fun. We can make a whole thing of it. We can grab bagels for breakfast, and then get a nice dinner and come back early the next morning.”
This is the first time I’ve seen genuine excitement in his eyes in days.
“I need to be excited for him,” he says. “This isn’t about me. It’s about him finally getting to be happy.” He’s talking to me, but he’s really talking to himself, and it seems to be helping.
“It’s going to be amazing,” I say, closer to him and placing a kiss on his forehead. “I’ll book us both a ticket right now.”
He moves in his chair and pulls out his wallet. “Use my card. I have a shit ton of points, and I could use a few more. I want to take us on a real vacation this summer.”
I take his card without arguing, even if it does make my skin crawl a little bit, because I know it would end in him just booking them himself and I don’t think he needs me to add to the array of emotions he’s feeling.
“Thank you,” I say, leaning back in for a deep kiss, but before we can take it farther I feel my phone buzz and when I see it’s from Bay Production I can’t wait to read it.
“What is it?” Jax asks seriously as he watches me read the email.
I reread the email to make sure I’m reading it right, then summarize it for Jax. “It’s an email from Bay Production’s legal team. Tanner’s no longer with the company. He’s being investigated and they’re going to ensure he’s never in a position to extort his power ever again.”
“I’m really proud of you, babe.” He kisses me again, but this time with more urgency.
Our flight to Jersey was pretty uneventful, and the drive to the Bombers field was quick, after we stopped to get bagels and coffee from a little family owned shop a few blocks from the airport.
We walked in and the owner, Caterina, greeted us at the register. It was a small unit, complete with one refrigerator counter full of homemade schmears, a coffee pot and a menu on the wall behind her.
When we decided to take them to go, she must have asked us 5 or 6 times to leave a review on google.
It made me smile.
“You ate that fast,” Jax says with a laugh.
“It was freaking amazing,” I say back with my mouth full of my last bite, trying my best to savor the flavors.
“Was the chocolate chip schmear all you thought it would be?”
“It was the best damn thing I’ve ever had in my mouth,” I say, licking my lips.
“Rude,” he says, reaching over and kissing my hand.
“I’m sorry, babe. I said what I said and I meant it,” I tease. “How’s yours?”
“Really good, the jalape?os are perfect.”
We sit in the car for a few minutes so he can finish his since he couldn’t really enjoy it while driving.
“Who did Horner tell you to find?” I ask, trying my hardest to recall the contact Horner gave us, but can’t retrieve it.
“His name is Leo, he’s the team manager. He said he worked it out for us to sit right behind home plate so you can get the perfect footage of the game for your show.”
“Horner’s amazing.” I smile.
“Yeah it helps that he runs this shit, too,” he says with a chuckle.
“I guess,” I say playfully, rolling my eyes. “Being the owner of Mango Ball does have its perks.
When we walk inside the gates, I’m surprised at how similar it is to Mango Nation. The layout of the stadium is almost the same with the only difference being the lack of seats in the outfield so you have a perfect view of the city across the river.
“Wow! That view is amazing,” Jax whispers.
“For real,” I agree. The skyline, the clouds floating in the distance, while different from Mango Bay it is just as breathtaking.
Everything else is the same, just splattered with Benni the Bagel instead of Orbit. All the accents that are usually mango orange and navy back home are blue and red, including the seats in the stands.
Benni is on the field dancing around as we make our way to our seats, just in time for the team to join him for warmups.
The entire team and the Bagel Bites—fans under 12 who have been picked to warm up with the players—take the field and spread out.
“Get Yo Body Movin” by Koo Koo fills the speakers and they all break out into a synchronized stretch. Each little kid is led by the player that joins them on the field in various stretches before they move into throwing and catching drills.
“This is a great idea. You guys should borrow this idea,” I say to Jax even though his eyes are locked on the field.
“This is so freaking cool.” He’s smiling from ear to ear.
He repeats the same phrase about 15 times throughout the game.
He cheers and jumps up and down every time a trick play is made.
He whistles at the players wishing them luck when they come up to bat, and even high-fives Benni before he pulls Jax onto the field as a guest pitcher to throw the first pitch after the 7th inning stretch.
The fans go crazy, and I’ve literally never been so captivated by someone in my life.
When he comes back to his seat he is on cloud nine. “Babe. This is incredible. I’ve never been to a game as a spectator. I see why the fans love this so much. It’s amazing.”
He pulls his phone out and sends a text to Horner, and I read it over his shoulder.
Jax: You created the most amazing experience baseball has to offer man, I’ve never been so proud to be a part of a team before. Thank you for giving us Mango Ball.
I feel tears well in my eyes.
I’ve seen plenty of Mango Ball games, but none of them compare to watching it through his eyes.
“I’m so glad you came with me. Watching you experience this is my new favorite memory,” I say as I place a kiss on his cheek.
“Yeah, it’s a lot of fun.” His words are bright, but his eyes have dimmed.
“What happened?” I ask, pulling his chin in my direction.
“If it’s this great of an experience for fans here, imagine what it’s like in Mango Bay where Mango Ball originated.” His eyes look down. He’s avoiding eye contact. “What if I’m traded, and I don’t get to be a part of that specific experience anymore?”
“Then you embrace the new experience and make it just as fantastic for fans,” I say with a soft smile. I know from experience how amazing change can be. “Your fans will show up for you no matter what jersey you have on.”
The light doesn’t come back, but there is a hint of hope hiding behind those sky blue eyes.