Chapter 34 Fletcher
Fletcher
‘You got this,’ I remind myself as I walk into the Honky Tonk dugout.
I’m feeling good, or at least as good as I can, given the circumstances. Plus, how can I not be invigorated by the excitement pulsating from the stands all the way down onto the field?
Like usual, we had our Grand Slam Jam pre-game party, and the fans are more than pumped and ready to watch the players they just interacted with play baseball, dance, and put on the ultimate show.
Unfortunately, it’s often in moments like these, as well as all the quiet ones in between, where I find myself missing Hollis the most. Even when I can’t see her, just knowing she’s nearby, breathing the same air is enough to send my heart into a downward spiral.
We should be sharing these moments together, but the longer she avoids me, the more it fully sinks in: those days are officially over.
At least I know I gave it my all and did everything I could. I told her how I felt. I fought for her, but in the end, it just wasn’t enough.
“You ready?” Hudson asks, bounding in beside me as he wraps a strong arm around my shoulder and gives it a squeeze.
I force a smile. “You know it.”
“Really?” he asks, arching a disbelieving brow. “Don’t bullshit me. What is it now?”
“It’s nothing.” I shrug him off. “At least nothing that will affect my game play tonight.”
Hudson rolls not only his eyes, but his entire head as well.
“Oh, come on. You know that’s not what I’m worried about.
Sure, the fans deserve to see the game they paid for, but I’m far more interested in what’s happening here,” he says, tapping the side of my head and then my chest, “and here. So tell me, is this about a certain career decision, or the pretty little social media manager whose daddy owns this entire organization?”
Despite myself, a genuine grin tugs at my mouth. “Actually, I already made the career decision.”
His brows rise until they practically reach the top of his cap. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah,” I nod, a renewed sense of certainty sparking through me. “I’m staying here. I officially told my agent yesterday. This team’s my home, and I’m not leaving until Jared Clemmins either fires me or drags me out by my cleats.”
“No shit!” Hudson beams. “You know I’d support you no matter what, and maybe some small part of me thinks you’re a little crazy, but fuck, man. This is awesome, and I’m so stoked we get to keep playing together,” he says, wrapping his arm back around me as he pulls me into his side for a hug.
“Same,” I agree, leaning in and giving his back a few solid pats.
I’ve played on a lot of teams, with more teammates than I can count, but none of them have ever been able to replicate the magic that exists here.
We’ve created something truly magical. These people aren't just my teammates; they’re my family.
Maybe I am making a mistake by passing on the Major Leagues, but walking away from the team who’ve given me this much joy and purpose just doesn’t make sense.
“In the end,” I start again. “I might not have ended up with the girl, but at least I’ll always have my brothers.”
My words bring out a big, dopey grin on Hudson’s face.
“Brother’s for life.” He sticks out his hand, and we run through our silly, secret handshake that somehow means everything in this moment.
“But I wouldn’t worry if I were you,” he adds, a knowing smirk on his face.
“Something tells me everything will eventually work itself out.”
“And what makes you so sure of that?” I arch a brow. “Is it the fact that she can’t even look at me for longer than two seconds, or maybe it’s that whenever we walk near each other, she suddenly remembers she’s needed on the other side of the field?”
“You just gotta have faith, man,” he suggests with a confidence I personally can’t seem to muster.
“There’s having faith, and then there’s just being delusional. If anything, I probably held on for too long and ignored every single red flag. Hell, she warned me not to get attached, and I’m starting to think it’s time I finally listen.”
Hudson shakes his head. “That’s where I think you’re wrong. Maybe it’s easier to see from the outside, but I can promise you—Hollis isn’t over you. The only reason she can’t look at you is because she still feels it just as strongly as you do. I’m sure of it.”
I press both hands against the top of my cap and draw in a breath. That all sounds great, but I’ve already let myself run headfirst down that particular road like the na?ve dumbass I am. I’m not sure my heart could handle another potential heartbreak if it turns out not to be true.
“Why are you doing this to me, man?” I groan, leaning my head against the concrete wall. “I’m supposed to be moving on. I’m supposed to be accepting that I’m not the one she wants. This false hope thing is too damn much, and I’m barely hanging on as it is.”
“Please tell me that Mason Fletcher isn’t about to quit just because of some minor inconvenience?”
“A minor inconvenience?” I shoot back. “She kicked me out of her apartment and said we were done. There’s nothing even remotely subtle about that.”
“Okay, so? That didn’t stop you before.”
“Yeah, but that was only because I could tell she was just as into me as I was into her. She wanted me, but didn’t think we could make it work. It’s not the same as it was then. I’m pretty sure she’s officially done with me this time.”
He doesn’t buy it, and maybe I don’t either.
“I can promise you this. Hollis is still very much into you. And okay, maybe she’s still worried about how to make things work, but that’s your specialty.
Give her that good ol’ Fletcher charm you’re famous for.
We’ve all seen you in action. If you want something, you make it happen. So fucking do it and make it happen.”
He’s right. I know he is. I’ve never once considered myself a quitter, nor do I want to be the kind of guy who lets the woman of his dreams walk right out of his life without a proper fight.
“Alright, everybody. T-minus two minutes,” Coach yells as the dugout erupts into loud chants and whoops.
For now, my plans for Hollis will have to wait until after the game. But as I step onto the field with my brothers and teammates, a new resolve settles in. Tonight I’m not just playing to win the game, I’m playing to win Hollis’s heart as well—for keeps this time.
Perhaps it’s the adrenaline fueling me forward, but I’m pretty sure I’ve never played better. I’ve landed every single trick play I’ve attempted and just crushed it by hitting a double that officially pushed the Honky Tonks into the lead.
Unsurprisingly, Hollis is still avoiding me. She’s constantly just out of view, spreading herself extra thin as she seems to be nowhere, yet everywhere at the exact same time. Well, everywhere but the Honky Tonk dugout.
Still, it’s not enough to dampen my mood. Even as we swap positions with the Rowdy Rattlers for their turn at bat, a huge grin spreads across my face as we take the field. Tonight, the game is only a small part of what I’m consumed by, because what happens after is what truly matters.
We’re playing a very real game of baseball which means who wins and who loses very much depends on how well each team plays. But everything else, from the music to the dances and special fan interactions is carefully planned and choreographed ahead of time.
Each and every player is given a special moment to shine as they work with the staff to choose a walk-out song for their turn at bat, which means I can usually plan ahead and know what musical numbers are coming up and when.
Next up to bat should be Waylon Cartwright. I crouch, getting into position, and wait for ‘Boys ‘Round Here’ by Blake Shelton to play as he casually saunters to the plate with his usual swagger. Instead, Rowdy Ray’s voice, our stadium’s announcer, cuts through the speakers.
“Tonight we have a special guest!”
What the hell?
It’s normal to have special guests, especially to throw pitches or take a turn at bat, but I’ve always known ahead of time. Have I been so stuck in my own misery that I somehow missed this big of an announcement?
“So ya’ll do me all a huge Texas-size favor, and give Hollis Clemmins, daughter of the great Jared Clemmins and our very own social media manager a hand!” he booms as the main lights in the stadium dim and the crowd erupts into wild cheers.
What. The. Fuck?
My head snaps from side to side, scanning my teammates’ faces. Not a single one looks as confused as I feel. They all look calm, collected, and almost smug, like they’re all in on this huge secret I’ve purposely been left out of.
And for once, I don’t care. I already know this is going to be the best surprise ever.