Chapter 39
brADY
“Hopefully, whatever this is about, it won’t take too long, and I’ll grab dinner on the way home. How does Mexican sound?”
“Mmm. Get extra queso and chips.”
I smile into the phone. “Still with no spice, or is Ivy gonna let you have some heat?”
Sage makes a grumbling sound. “Still no spice.”
“You got it. I’ll text you when I’m heading home, love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I pocket my phone and head inside the Thunder’s administrative offices, which are really just the top floors of the stadium. When Rafe texted and asked me to come in for a meeting with him and Dom, I’ll admit, my stomach twisted. I can’t think of why they want to see me.
Unless it’s to tell me they can’t make things work with the schedule I’ve been given by the grocery store that finally hired me as an assistant manager.
Unfortunately, the store was only willing to hire me if I could commit to a certain number of weekend shifts.
Which would be fine during the offseason, but when I tried to explain my reduced availability when baseball starts up again, they were not thrilled.
Dom agreed to look at how the team could adjust my playing time, and the store eventually agreed to decrease my hours during that time of year, but of course, both those things mean less pay.
Basically, I’m being forced to give up some game time in order to secure a job for the offseason.
And there’s no avoiding it, seeing as there’s no other job options out there.
Sage tried to insist she be the one to go back to work full time earlier than she wanted to, suggesting she work during the offseason when I can be home with Ivy and then we trade off, but the thought of making her give up her maternity leave made me sick.
All of my hopes are riding on the Thunder’s management being flexible with my game time and the grocery store following through on their agreement to lighten my hours when the season starts.
When I reach Dom’s office, I can hear the murmur of voices inside. It sounds like more than just Dom and Rafe are here. I knock, and when I hear Dom tell me to come in, push open the door.
“Hey Dixie, thanks for coming in.” Dom’s smiling, which should make me feel better, but my gaze has been drawn to the older gentleman sitting next to Rafe. A familiar face that I’ve watched on TV more times than I can count.
“Dix, in case you don’t recognize him, this is Tony Stirling, head coach of the Vancouver Tridents.”
I quickly shut my mouth, which had fallen open in shock. “Mr. Stirling. It’s an honour to meet you.” I stick out my hand and he shakes it firmly.
“Good to meet you, son. I’m guessing by your expression, this meeting is a bit of a surprise to you?”
I nod. “Yes sir. I had no idea you would be here.” I belatedly realize I’m still shaking his hand like a doofus and drop it quickly. “Sorry.”
Rafe lets out a quiet snort of amusement, and Coach Stirling glares at him. “Ignore Pops. He thinks just because he’s not my player any longer, he doesn’t have to show me any respect.”
“Put him out of his misery, Coach.”
“Take a seat, Dixie,” Dom says, gesturing to the chair next to Rafe. My heart is racing as I sit down, yanking off my Cedar Creek Thunder ball cap, running my fingers through my hair nervously, and then putting it back on.
Except, now my hands are empty. What the hell do I do with my hands?
I clear my throat. “What did you want to see me about?”
I can think of only one reason the head coach of a major league team would be sitting in the CEO’s office of an independent league team like the Thunder. But I don’t want to let myself even consider that possibility, in case I’m somehow wrong.
“Well son, I’ve been keeping an eye on you ever since Pops told me he’d got you on board with the Thunder,” Coach Stirling starts, leaning forward and clasping his hands together.
“I remember hearing your name back in the day, when I was coaching at the Triple-A level. We all expected you’d be joining our ranks, and when you disappeared instead, it was a loss to the sport. ”
I don’t realize I’ve been holding my breath until Rafe leans over and quietly says, “Breathe, Dixie.”
I suck in air, but the lightheaded feeling doesn’t fade.
“I had Rafe send me some video footage from your games, and when our schedules aligned, and my boys were playing a series close to where you were, I decided to watch you play in person. Unfortunately, I only caught one game, as I understand you had to leave for personal reasons.”
“I had a baby,” I blurt out, immediately blushing.
Coach Stirling just smiles and nods. “Congratulations. Brady, I’ll get straight to it.
What I’ve seen of you on the field and on the mound impresses me.
I can see you with a future playing for the Vancouver Tridents.
I’d like to extend an offer for you to come join us at spring training, see how you fit in with the guys.
You might have to spend some time in the minors, hone some skills, but I think it’s likely we’d call you up by the second half of the season.
You’ve got some serious potential, Brady, and our bullpen could use you. ”
“Holy shit.” I don’t mean to say that out loud. Hell, I didn’t think I did until Dom, Rafe, and Coach Stirling all chuckle. “Sorry. I’m…well, I…”
“You’ve stunned him, Coach,” Rafe says, nudging Coach Stirling. “He’s not a chatty guy, but you’ve literally made him speechless.”
I swallow thickly. “Stunned is one word.” I look at Dom. “How does this affect my contract with the Thunder?”
Dom smiles. “I appreciate you considering that, Dixie, but this is an extraordinary circumstance. We’d need to work with a lawyer, but I think we can reach an agreement to dissolve your contract so you’re free to sign with the Tridents.”
Another wave of shock hits me at his generosity and understanding. All I can muster is a nod of acknowledgment before I look back to Coach Stirling.
“This is a lot to take in, sir. I’m honoured, truly. And very interested in hearing more.”
“That’s great.” He pulls a folder out from somewhere beside him and hands it to me. “Now, I’m guessing you don’t have an agent representing you, so I want you to take your time with this offer. If you want to talk to an agent, I’m sure Pops can help you get in touch with someone.”
Rafe nods. “Absolutely. I’ll put together a short list of agents.”
“Thanks,” I manage to say. “That would be great.” My palms are sweaty as I hold the folder gingerly, as if it might disappear if I try to hold on too tightly.
Dom stands first, then Rafe and Coach Stirling. When I realize I’m the last one seated, still stunned, I jump up.
“Thank you again, sir. Truly.” I stick my hand out and shake Coach Stirling’s again.
“I appreciate you taking the time to come and meet today, Brady. I’ll look forward to hearing from you soon.” He turns to Rafe and Dom, inclining his head. “Gentlemen, thanks for letting me try and steal your pitcher from you.”
“We want what’s best for Dixie,” Dom says. “Luca and I had a feeling he was destined for more than what the Thunder can offer.”
After seeing Coach Stirling out, Rafe and Dom gesture for me to stay back.
“Dixie, don’t get me wrong, I’ll be sad to see you go.
But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The major leagues don’t scout from the independent leagues that often.
Read the offer and reach out if you have questions.
But I can honestly say, the Tridents were the best team I played for throughout my entire career.
You can’t go wrong with Tony Stirling in charge. ”
Rafe claps me on the shoulder, then takes his leave, too. Dom walks up to me next, and nods toward the door.
“I won’t keep you, Dix. Go home and talk to Sage, let it all sink in. We can figure out the details once you’ve made a decision.”
“Thanks,” I croak, giving him a weak smile. “For everything.”
“You’ve earned it.”
I’m not really sure how I get home, but the next thing I know, I’m pushing open the door to the apartment to see Sage washing some bottles at the sink, Ivy in her bouncer chair on the floor beside her.
“Hey! How was the meeting?” she asks brightly before her brows furrow. “What’s wrong? You look freaked out. Wait. Where’s the food?”
She grabs a towel and dries her hands before hurrying over to me. “Brady. Talk to me.”
I move past her, but take hold of her hand, the folder containing the offer in my other hand. “I need to sit down to tell you this.”
“Let me grab Ivy.”
I sink down on the couch, and a few seconds later, Sage returns carrying Ivy, bouncer and all. As soon as I see my daughter, something in me lightens.
“Hey, baby girl.” I lean in and kiss her, and she gurgles back at me, her big brown eyes wide as she kicks her feet, making the bouncer move.
“So, it wasn’t just Dom and Rafe at the meeting,” I start before handing Sage the folder. “Tony Stirling from the Vancouver Tridents was there, too.”
Sage opens the folder and starts to read. I watch her frown, then lift her eyebrows, her mouth falling open. She looks up at me, then back down at the paper, then back at me.
“Brady. Is this…”
I nod. “An offer to sign with a major league team? Yeah. It is.” I slump back against the couch. “It’s everything I used to dream about. But I never in a million years thought it would happen like this.”
The initial shock and excitement is wearing off as the enormity of the situation hits. Sure, I have a lot to gain with this offer. But there’s even more to lose.
“Oh my God, this is incredible.” Sage’s voice is full of pride as she drops the folder and throws herself into my arms. I wrap her in a hug, trying to find some solid ground in my spiraling thoughts.
“You must be so happy! This is wild, Brady, totally wild! The Vancouver Tridents want you? Oh my God!”
Sage releases me, sitting back with a huge grin on her face.
“It is amazing, don’t get me wrong I’m shocked and honoured. But it’s not an easy decision. I’d have to leave Cedar Creek. Leave you and Ivy. I can’t…I can’t do that.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Sage says, sounding baffled. “Why would you leave me and Ivy?”
“Well, not leave,” I hurry to explain. “I never want to leave you two. But long-distance half the year would be so hard on you. And I’d miss so much.”
Sage is already shaking her head. “I’m still confused. Are you seriously saying you’d expect Ivy and me to stay here?” Hurt laces her words.
I blink slowly as what she said sinks in.
As well as what she didn’t say. “Would you actually go with me? It might be a few moves, not just one, if they put me down on the minor league farm team for a while. Besides, playing in the big leagues is a hell of a lot different from playing for the Thunder. More travel, more commitments, more pressure, and more uncertainty.”
“And wouldn’t it be easier to face all of that together?
Of course, I would move with you, you big idiot.
Or have you forgotten what my life was like before you?
I moved around all the time. I can find work almost anywhere, and I’m basically a pro at starting over in a new town.
Ivy’s just a baby, so she’s easy as well.
You’re not getting rid of us that easily. ”
A massive weight I hadn’t fully realized was sitting on my shoulders lifts away.
Sage taps the folder. “Besides, looking at the amount they’re offering, we could afford for me to take a full year of maternity leave, which gets us almost all the way through next season.”
“You’re talking like we’re a forever kind of thing.”
“Well, aren’t we? Pretty sure this one means we’re stuck with each other,” she says, smiling and nudging Ivy’s bouncer with her toe.
I surge forward, pressing Sage back against the couch as she shrieks and giggles. My lips find hers, and I kiss her with all the pent-up emotions from the last couple of hours.
“I fucking love you, Sage McCallister. Yes, this is a forever kind of thing. Yes, I want you and Ivy to move with me. Yes, we’re stuck with each other, and I for one, couldn’t be happier.”
“So, you’re going to take the offer? Say goodbye to the Thunder and hello to the Tridents?”
I think about it for a second before answering.
As much as I hate the idea of saying goodbye to the life we’ve built here and the friendships we’ve made, it’s a given I’ll say yes to the Tridents.
For a guy who, a short while ago, had basically given up on ever playing baseball outside of a rec league, this is a dream come true.
Having it with Sage and Ivy by my side?
Even better.