Chapter 26
brADY
When I was younger, I loved away games. The thrill of traveling to a different city, playing against new opponents. I was a kid, and getting to travel for baseball felt like the biggest and best freedom ever.
Now that I’m getting to do it again, that thrill is gone. And all I can think about is getting back home to Cedar Creek, back to Sage.
At least it’s a short series, just four games, and tomorrow is the last one. After tweaking something in my shoulder while jumping to catch a line drive that I probably should’ve let the shortstop deal with, I’m not batting tonight or tomorrow.
Granted, I don’t know if I would’ve helped the team or made things worse. Something’s in the air tonight, and everyone looks like they’ve been on a week-long bender. Throws are going wild, catches are being fumbled, and no one can seem to find any speed rounding the bases.
“Finish up with that resistance band, then grab an ice pack,” Miki calls out from across the bullpen. I nod in acknowledgment and finish up the set of mobility exercises they’ve had me doing.
The roar of the crowd steals my attention for a second, and I wince as I see Oakley storm off the field from first base where he’s just been tagged out.
“Fuck,” I mutter, shaking my head. The team we’re playing against is on fire this series, and we’re getting our asses handed to us.
Somehow, we manage to end the game only down by one run. Still, the mood is somber in the locker room afterward.
Rafe and Levi step up in front of us for the postgame debrief.
“Gentlemen, you played a tough game tonight. The Ravens didn’t let up, but you didn’t back down, either. Tonight is a time to remember we’re still finding our footing as a team.” Rafe pauses, folding his arms across his chest.
“This is the first season as a Thunder for many of you, myself included, and we’ve done a hell of a job so far.” He holds up one hand.
“That being said, there are some things that happened on the field tonight that I know we can do better. But that’s not what I want you to focus on right now.
I want you to think about what you can do to rest your body and mind so that tomorrow we can come back at full strength and show those guys what happens when a Thunder storm hits. ”
His words hit home, and the room erupts in cheers.
“Let’s go boys, bus leaves for the hotel in ten,” Griff shouts over the noise, and everyone jumps into action. The energy is a lot higher now as we all work to shake off what happened tonight and focus on tomorrow.
Back at the hotel, Cal jogs up beside me. “We’re gonna grab a bite to eat at the restaurant before hitting the sack. You in?”
I start to nod, just as my phone rings in my pocket. “Hang on.”
When I pull it out, I see Sage’s photo lighting up the screen and immediately accept the call.
“Hey, little mama,” I say as soon as it connects. She’s got a sleepy smile, her hair up in a messy bun on her head, and I’m pretty sure that’s another one of my shirts she’s wearing.
“Hi, is now an okay time?” she asks, followed by a yawn.
“Of course, it is. Long day?”
“Is that Sage?” Cal grabs my hand that’s holding the phone, twisting it so he can see the screen. “Hey! Sage, your man was on fire last night, we could’ve used him today to help us score some runs.”
“Give me my phone back,” I bark, trying to wrestle it away from him. Cal just dances away, over to Griff, Foxxy, and a couple of the other guys.
“Hang on, we wanna talk to her,” he calls out before introducing the others. I lean against the wall outside my room. Cal’s is next door, and Griff and Foxxy are just down from him, so I know they won’t go far. And truthfully, I want Sage to get to know the guys.
The more connections she has here, the better my chances are of getting her to stay.
After a few minutes of them laughing and chatting with my girl, I’ve had enough. I’m tired, and I know she is too.
“Okay, time’s up. Give me my phone.”
Cal hands it over. “See ya, Sage. I’ll give Juniper your number.”
“Thanks, Cal.” She waves through the phone. “Nice to chat with you all. Good luck tomorrow.”
The guys all chime in with their goodbyes before slapping me on the back and heading off to their rooms. I quickly unlock my own and duck inside. I snag a protein drink from the mini fridge, and drop onto the bed.
“Sorry ’bout that.”
“It’s fine,” she says with a small smile. “I was surprised they wanted to talk to me.”
“Of course they did. They know you’re important to me.”
She blushes, ducking her head slightly as if she’s still working to believe that to be true. That’s okay, just means I need to work harder to prove it to her.
I flick on the bedside lamp, kick off my shoes, and settle against the headboard. “How was your day?”
“Long, but good. Work wasn’t too crazy. How was your game?”
I shake my head and wince. “Not great. I didn’t play, they wanted me to rest for a couple of days. Not that it would’ve made a difference, the other team had it dialed in tonight. We lost.”
“I’m sorry. Is your arm okay?”
“Yeah.” I nod. “Just tweaked it a bit last night. How’s our little girl?”
A soft smile creases her face. “She’s fine, pretty active today. I think she’s figured out how to do somersaults.”
I chuckle. “Maybe she’s gonna be a gymnast. Hopefully she gives it a rest so you can get some sleep.”
As if on cue, Sage yawns again. “That would be nice. But…”
“But what?”
Her tongue darts out to moisten her lips. “It’s weird being here without you.”
Fuck. My heart twinges hearing that.
“Weird bad or weird good?” I ask, my voice sounding gravelly to my ears.
“Weird, like the bed’s too big and cold, and your apartment feels empty.
” She lets out an awkward laugh, dropping her gaze away from the screen.
“I know that sounds crazy, especially coming from me. I haven’t lived with someone in years, but I guess I was getting used to you being around.
And now that you’re not, it just feels strange to be in your space alone. ”
“Hurricane.” I wait until she looks at the phone again.
“I want it to feel like your apartment, too. Go buy some throw pillows or blankets or whatever. Make it yours.”
“Throw pillows?” She arches a brow, but she’s smiling again.
“Yeah. Don’t women love throw pillows?” I tease. “Besides, I read that pregnant women love to nest. So go nest.”
Sage shakes her head. “Yeah, sure. Okay.”
“I’m serious,” I let my tone grow sober. “I want you to feel comfortable there. Whether I’m home or not.”
“It’ll always be more comfortable when you’re home.”
“Fuck, Sage,” I say in a hoarse whisper. “I like hearing you say that.”
Rolling onto her side, Sage props up the phone using something on the bedside table. She yawns again. “Sorry. I can’t stop yawning.”
“It’s okay, we should both get some sleep anyway.”
She nods but doesn’t move to hang up. “I don’t want to say goodbye,” she says sleepily.
“Then we won’t. I’ll stay right here, little mama.”
She lets out a little sigh, her eyelids fluttering. “’Kay. Good night, Brady.”
“Good night, Sage.”
I stay transfixed to the phone screen as I watch her eyes close, her features softening into sleep. She’s so beautiful, so peaceful, and so perfect it hurts not being able to wrap her in my arms right now, to cradle her and our daughter and hold them while we sleep.
Once I’m sure she’s asleep, I set the phone down, still not disconnecting the call, and move as fast as I can, brushing my teeth and shucking off my clothes.
When I pull back the sheets and climb into bed once more, she’s still there, sleeping in my—our—bed, with too many miles between us.
I plug in my phone and prop it up on the table next to the bed. She might not be here with me, but at least I can fall asleep with her beautiful face as the last thing I see.