27. Epilogue
Epilogue
G etting traded was bittersweet. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t stoked about the contract, but it sucked that he wouldn’t be playing with his friends anymore.
Gonzo looked around the room at his teammates. They’d had a good run.
It was strange that this was the last time he’d be in this bar as a home team player. If he ever came in again, he’d be on the opposition. There’d be no more chanting his name as he walked through the place. Emotion clogged his throat.
Bailey rested her head on his shoulder. “You doing okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m good.” He kissed the top of her head. “It’s just kind of weird, especially since Pete’s staying. I’d expected him to go someplace else as well.”
“The team won’t be the same without you.”
“It’ll definitely be different.” They’d been so close to winning the World Series again this year. It sucked that they hadn’t been able to pull it out in the end. It would suck even more if they won it next year without him.
“Any regrets?” she asked.
“Fuck no. San Diego couldn’t compete with New York.” He pulled his attention off his teammates and focused on her. “What about you? You sad you won’t be teaching anymore?”
“I’ll still be teaching, just differently.” Bailey’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I still can’t believe I’m going to be working at the flippin’ UN. That’s insane.”
“Meant to be,” he replied. He still couldn’t believe it had all worked out the way it had. When New York made the offer, he and Bailey had talked long and hard about taking it, even if she didn’t have a job. There’d never been a contract in the league like what New York had put on the table. Only an idiot would turn it down.
As soon as Bailey put out feelers, she’d had multiple job offers in her area. When she’d said being asked to speak at that conference was like the World Series in her field, he hadn’t really grasped the reality in terms of her career. The offers she received made it very obvious. His girl was a big fucking deal in the world of gender equality. And her being offered the UN job had been like a glowing neon sign that moving to New York was the right move for both of them.
“Agreed.” She leaned in and pressed a kiss to his mouth. God, he loved this woman. He couldn’t imagine making this move without her.
“Alright, you two, enough of that,” Pete interrupted. “You guys can play kissy face when you get home. This is our last night with the whole team together. We’re not wasting it watching you two make out.”
“Disagree, playing kissy face with Bay is never a waste,” Gonzo replied.
Bailey patted his cheek playfully. “Awe, aren’t you sweet?”
“Anyway.” Pete rolled his eyes. “We all know how Gonz feels about his embarrassingly big contract—”
“My contract isn’t the only embarrassingly big thing about me.” Gonzo waggled his eyebrows.
“Gross.” Pete pretended to throw up. “But how are you feeling about the move, Bailey?”
Bailey placed her hand on his thigh. “I can’t wait. I know when the possibility of a trade first came up, I didn’t handle it well. But now I’m really excited to see where this next chapter takes us.”
He squeezed her hand. When she looked over at him, he smiled. “Me too, babe.”
“Bailey,” Kendall said, pulling their attention away from each other. “The girls and I were talking and thought we’d fly in with the team when the Hawks play in New York. Would you be down for skipping a couple of the games and taking us to a show or something? Assuming it’s baby friendly.” Kendall rubbed her barely visible baby bump.
“Absolutely, I’d love that,” Bailey replied.
“Good, then let’s make it happen, girls,” Kendall said to Peyton and Kia.
“Done.” Peyton bounced on her seat. “Road trip.”
“Do we get a say in this?” Ryan asked.
“Nope, but it’s cute that you think you do,” Peyton replied.
Brandon Sims walked up to their table. “Hey man, I haven’t really seen you since you signed the big contract. Congrats. That’s fucking unreal. I’m happy for you.” He clapped Gonzo on the back. “It’s gonna be weird not having you with us next season.”
“Thanks” It was going to be really weird. A lump formed in his throat as he thought about playing against his former teammates. He cleared his throat and fought to lighten the mood. “It’s gonna be fun catching you out of position and hitting the gap.”
“Fuck you, you’re not hitting the gap on my watch.” Brandon laughed.
Gonzo grinned back at him. “Nah, you’re right. I’ll just hit it over your head and out of the fucking park.”
“You can try,” Brandon jeered.
“Oh, you better believe that’s what’s happening.”
“Bring it on, bitch.” Brandon flexed and postured like Gonzo knew he would. Man, he was going to miss these guys.
Brandon put his fingers in his mouth and let out an ear-piercing whistle, and instantly the bar went silent. “I want to make a toast,” Brandon said, hoisting his glass in the air.
Everyone held their glasses up and waited.
“To Gonzo, I’m glad you’re smarter on the field than you are about women. Thankfully, thanks to me you finally wised up with Bailey. You’re welcome.” Brandon toasted his glass toward Bailey, then turned back to him. “But seriously Gonz, I’ve learned a ton about baseball playing alongside you. You’re a great teammate and an even better ballplayer. We’ll see you next year in the World Series,” Brandon toasted.
“Yeah, you will, when New York kicks your ass,” Gonzo taunted and held up his glass.
Boos rang out around the room, and he laughed.
He pulled Brandon into a hug and slapped him on the back. “Thanks, man. You mock, but when you fall, you’re gonna fall hard.”
“Not happening,” Brandon replied.
“We’ll see.”
Smitty stood with his feet on the rails of his stool so he could see above the crowd. “We aren’t all as tall as this guy,” he joked as he flicked a finger at Brandon, then held up his glass again. “My turn for a toast. To the next chapter for Gonzo and Bailey, and the Hawks.”
Everyone held up their glasses. “To Gonzo, Bailey and the Hawks.”
Gonzo turned to Bailey and clinked his glass against hers. “To the next chapter.”