Chapter 31
Levi
After Halloween, I fall into my regular pattern of working out, physical therapy and a few easy baseball drills Layla will allow me to do, but now I have the added benefit of spending time with Layla, which is anything but routine.
I have to admit, my time with her, even if it’s for my physical therapy has become my favorite parts of my day.
I glance at the time, a smile creeping up on my face knowing she’ll be done with work at the high school soon. Heading towards the shower to get cleaned up, I consider our plans for tonight.
My cell phone rings, garnering my attention. I swipe it off the table, looking at the screen. Joey, the manager for the Lions, lights it up causing my stomach to turn. He never calls for anything good during the offseason. Frowning, I clear my throat and swipe to answer. “Hey, Joey. How are you?”
“Hi, Levi. Sorry to bother you during your time off.”
“No worries. What’s up?”
“Just checking in for an update. How’s the arm?” And there it is. His reason. Will I be able to perform next season? Is it worth it with my salary? Am I worth it?
“It’s doing pretty good. In fact, I just got finished doing some drills. My physical therapist has been working me hard.”
“All right, okay. Sounds good. I should be getting her update this week as well, but I wanted to hear things directly from you. Of course there’s time, but it’s good to see you’re making progress.” I flinch, his comment feeling like a death sentence. “Thanks, Brennan.”
“Yeah, no problem.”
He disconnects before saying anything else and my stomach plummets. I didn’t like the feel of that call. What the fuck did that mean? Are they looking to trade me? Bench me? Send me down? What?
My anxiety increases wading into the unknown. I hate the politics of the game. I just wanna play.
Knowing I won’t be able to sit still after that, I text Layla.
Hey. Hope you had a good day. Sorry to cancel at the last minute, but I need to head to the indoor training facility over in Balan.
Layla
It’s okay. Everything all right?
Yes. I’ll text you when I’m on my way back if it’s not too late.
Layla
Okay. Take it easy on your arm.
Yes, ma’am.
Redirecting, I grab my gear, wallet and keys, heading for the door. On edge, I send one more text to Salinger, one of my teammates.
Hey Sal. Hope your enjoying vacation. Curious. Have you heard any trade rumors?
I press send and jump in the car. The moment I drive away, my phone rings, my Bluetooth alerting me to the call through my speakers. “Felix Salinger calling. Would you like to answer it?”
“Yes,” I respond and immediately it connects me. “Sal, hey. How are you, man?”
“You don’t call, you don’t write, I’m hurt, Brennan,” he jokes. “But I’m good besides. I saw your text and had to call. How’s the arm?”
“Fuck the arm. It’s fine. It’s good. It’s great.”
He chuckles. “You sure about that.”
Heaving a sigh, I laugh at myself. “Yeah, but I’m still sick of that damn question and after hearing from Joey–”
“You heard from Joey?” he interrupts. “What the fuck did he want?”
“I don’t exactly know besides wanting to know how my arm is healing,” I concede.
“Doesn’t he get your PT reports?”
“Of course he does.”
“Wait, is that why you’re calling?”
“You called me,” I remind him.
“Yeah, yeah. You know what I mean.”
“I guess I wanted to know if you’ve heard any rumors going around about trades. You’re always the first one to know. Usually even before the player.”
“That’s what happens when you’re dating the boss’s daughter. It has its perks,” he teases, the smile in his voice apparent.
“How are things with Angelica?”
“Fan-tastic. She’s almost done with her master’s and then I can finally pop the question.”
“You’re getting engaged? That’s incredible. Congratulations, Sal! Give Angelica a hug for me.”
“I will. That’s the only way you’ll have your arms wrapped around my woman.” We both laugh. “But anyway, I haven’t heard anything specific, just chatter about some options coming in for both trades and being moved up.”
“Anything on pitchers?” I ask already knowing the answer.
“Of course, but isn’t there always?”
Groaning, I mutter, “Yeah.” Taking one hand from the wheel, I run it through my hair and drop it back to the leather.
“Just because Joey called you out of the blue, that doesn’t mean you’re being traded. He’s an asshole.”
“Yeah, but he had his reasons and it wasn’t just to check on me. He’s the opposite of sunshine and roses.”
Chuckling, he advises, “Don’t worry about it. He’s not worth it. Take a break and go out and find a beautiful woman to let off some steam.”
“I have one of those and I don’t want another.”
“Well, shit. You should’ve started with that. What’s her name?”
“Layla Romano. She’s Gabe Romano’s younger sister.”
“Gabe Romano? Are you fraternizing with the enemy,” he teases.
“We were actually set up on a blind date by my aunt and her book club.”
“Seriously?”
I laugh. “Yeah, and I was an ass, but she gave me a second chance that I wasn’t about to waste.”
“You really like her?”
“Damn right I do. There’s no one like her.”
“I’m happy for you man, but we’ll have to agree to disagree,” he says, obviously referring to Angelica.
“Fine by me.”
“Listen, I’ll keep an ear out for you and let you know if I hear anything in the cacophony of the management.”
“Thanks, Sal.”
“You got it. I gotta go. I’m making Angelica dinner tonight, so I’ve got my work cut out for me.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks. Later, Brennan.”
“Bye.”
The call disconnects just as I drive into the parking lot at the training facility, ready to hit and throw some balls. I need to ramp things up.