Chapter 42
Chapter Forty-Two
Baja Breeze is warm in that way only old family places are, with bright yellow tables, hand-painted tiles, and orange vinyl booths that squeak when you shift too much, like I am right now.
Maybe that’s why I chose Baja Breeze to finally close this chapter. It has always felt safe. From the owners, Maribel and Eduardo, letting us eat in the private room upstairs after practice, to the constant buzz of happy families.
This is the softest place to release the hard thing I’ve been carrying.
The door chimes as it opens, and I raise my hand at the woman gliding toward me. It’s only seven in the morning, but Summer looks as chipper as the painted sunflowers on the walls.
“Nice dice,” she breathes, looking down at the small cubes sitting in front of me for moral support.
As she falls into the booth across from me, her hand is already deep inside her bag.
The gray recorder is placed between us, but she doesn’t turn it on.
Instead, she cocks her brow at me. “Andy said you wanted to talk to me about something important. Must be pretty big if you’re missing another series. ”
“It is.” I slide a steaming mug of coffee across the table to her. “More important than any game.”
She wraps her hands around the white ceramic cup and grins. “Now I’m intrigued.” After taking a drink, she still doesn’t reach for the recorder. “How’s my favorite sports agent doing?”
The thought of Shay brings a smile to my lips.
A big part of my decision to meet with Summer is because of her.
In two weeks, the life Shay created for herself imploded, and every day since has reminded me why I admire her.
She screamed and cried and then got back up.
She doesn’t regret fighting for her clients because everything she did was done with love.
She doesn’t regret going for Garrett Blane or the promotion, because she gave it her all.
She doesn’t regret quitting because she knows it was the right decision.
If she can face the world headfirst, I’ll do the same.
“She’s Shay,” is the best answer I can give.
And thankfully, Summer seems pleased by it. “Tough as hell.”
I nod in agreement and gesture at her recorder. “I’m ready when you are.”
Swallowing hard, I watch as the red light appears.
For so long, I was ashamed of what happened between Jon and me. I wanted to hide behind the guise of privacy, but I know that the emotional abuse and manipulation I experienced didn’t make me weak.
Last night, I told Kenneth, Mallory, and my mom everything.
No minced words or diminished feelings. I held nothing back as I explained what I had gone through with Jon, describing my crumbling mental and physical health.
After speaking for what felt like hours, I didn’t make excuses.
All I could do was apologize for keeping it from them for so long.
I’m not sure why I expected anger or frustration, but when Kenneth rushed across the room and wrapped his arms around me, followed by Mallory and my mom, I felt whole and human.
I turn my head, spotting tufts of red hair in a booth not far away. Kenneth lifts his mug to his lips, but when he sees me, he gives me a small smile. “You’ve got this,” he mouths.
He’s not only my ride home. He’s my best friend.
Looking at Summer, I take a deep breath and begin. “Everyone was confused when I fired Jon soon after being traded to the Pilots. Staying quiet seemed easier, but it’s time for people to know about the real Jon Sweeney. Not the cool agent he shows the world, but the manipulative man he truly is.
“In two years, I forgot who I was. I forgot why I fell in love with baseball. I forgot how to just be. And I’m certain there are a few athletes on his roster who feel the same way.
They’re probably wondering how they got to this point, wondering when things went wrong.
I know how Jon gets into your head. How he makes you think he’s the only one who’ll fight for you.
Makes you think he’s the only person who can make you successful.
That without him, you’re nothing. And once he’s got you, he uses your name, your success, and your loyalty to drain you dry.
” Outside the window, the sun creeps up higher, casting golden stripes across my arm that remind me something warm came out of the frigid hell I’m revisiting.
“Then I had the opportunity to work with an agent who showed me what it truly meant to be cared for as a person. Not another athlete on her roster. I now know that I can’t stay quiet about the truth when he’s still putting athletes through what I dealt with.
Making them hate their sport. Hate themselves. ”
When I finally stop talking, Summer shifts forward. “Holy shit, Cade. I’m so sorry.” She loops her hair into her signature bun and winces. “If you don’t mind me asking, why are you coming forward after almost four months?”
For many reasons, but the main one blares loudly.
“Because if he emotionally abused and manipulated me, he’ll do it again. And he’s likely been doing it for years.”
I swallow hard at the thought of Garrett Blane. He, along with all of Jon’s other clients, shouldn’t have to work with a man who will break them while I sit idly by hiding the truth. My decision to not come forward earlier was selfish, and it’s time to rectify that.
“You want to make sure he doesn’t get away with it anymore.” She inhales slowly, then finally smiles. “I’d love to take him down with you. Are you ready for this? Because I’ll make sure every single person in the sports world knows the truth.”
There’s no need to think about my answer. Hightailing out of this restaurant wouldn’t do anything but continue giving him power. As if buoyed by this knowledge, my voice is strengthened by steel.
“I’m ready, Summer. It’s time to take down Jon Sweeney.”