“Go home, West. You won't be any good today.”
I shake my head, pulling me back to the present. “I’m sorry. I guess—”
“Don’t worry about it. If some prick had insinuated things about my wife I’m sure I would have reacted the same way. I’ll see you and Presley around six. I’ll text you the address.”
I nod. “Thank you sir. It won’t happen again.”
“It better not. Just let Susan know you’re free to go and she’ll have a car pulled around for you.”
“It’s fine. The walk will actually be good for me right now. We’ll see you tonight.”
I leave the stadium with my mind racing. I never worried about Presley being in any danger here. I know the feeling of constantly looking over my shoulder all too well. She won't suffer like I did. This job isn’t worth it, I’d give it up in a heartbeat, go to a community college in Tucson so she can go to U of A just like she’d planned, and then follow her to South Carolina next fall.
Our apartment comes into view and I notice the patio has been decorated. A comfortable looking couch slash bed type thing has been constructed out of wood pallets, two thick grayish-blue pin-tucked cushions rest on top of them, with two smaller ones propped up against the walls. Three pillows decorate the corner and a few lantern style twinkle lights have been strung up. There’s an oversized fern in the corner and I instantly feel myself start to relax just seeing how she has embraced this place and started making it our home.
I unlock the door and I’m hit with the scent of Gram’s chocolate cinnamon oatmeal cookies. “Pres?” I call out to her.
“In here,” her voice floats through the bedroom door. She’s standing in our closet in a red and white striped T-shirt style dress. “How does this look? I’m so nervous. I don’t know what to wear.” She looks up at me and immediately makes her way over to me, stroking my cheek, her eyes frantically searching mine, the smile she was wearing has been replaced with worry. “Hey what’s wrong?”
I wrap my arms around her shoulders, breathing in her intoxicating scent and kissing the crown of her head. “You look adorable Presley.”
“Robert you’re scaring me. What happened today?”
“Nothing. Just a long day.”
“Can I get you anything?”
I shake my head. “I just want to hold you right now.” I pull her over to the bed and lay down. She crawls up next to me and lays her head on my chest, her arm wrapped tightly around my waist. God, I can't lose her.
“Talk to me.”
I stroke her hair until I feel myself settle enough to have a semi-normal conversation. My thoughts collected and coherent. “I trust you; you know that right?” She turns to look at me and I’m instantly regretting starting the conversation this way.
“Robert, what’s going on?”
“Why didn’t you tell me you met someone this morning?”
“What are you talking about? I didn’t meet anyone.”
“A guy. Carter Hail.”
“Who?”
“He’s a recruiter for the franchise. Looks like his mom may still dress him.”
“Oh! Maybe he was the guy behind me at the grocery store. He was really talkative and kept asking me a bunch of questions. I told him my boyfriend was the new pitcher of the AZL and if he valued his life then he should leave me alone. He was really creepy, Robert. I kept looking over my shoulder on the way home. What’s up with him?”
“Promise me Presley, you’ll stay away from him, okay?”
“I promise.”
She lays her head back on my chest as my fingers gently massage her neck. “So I’m finally your boyfriend again?” I say quietly through a smile.
“Robert, I don’t know what we are, this seems so much bigger than a simple boyfriend, girlfriend relationship. I’m yours and you’re mine. It feels as if we’re tied together by something stronger. Something impenetrable.”
I kiss her hairline and she nestles into me.
“Liv called me today.”
I chuckle. Trey called me too.
“She and Trey are going to be here in a few weeks for a couple of days. I told them they could stay here. I hope that’s okay.”
Raising her chin, I brush my lips against hers. “Anything for you Presley. Is that why you did the patio?”
She smiles back up at me. “Maybe. Do you like it?”
“I love everything you do, beautiful.”
We lay there for a little bit longer in complete silence, just the ticking of an old antique bronze desk clock counting away the seconds until we need to leave.
“Come on, princess. It’s time to go.”
She kisses me once more and quickly rolls off the bed, throwing on her white converse tennis shoes and a denim button-down she knots in front just under her chest before making her way into the kitchen.
“Whatcha got there?”
“Cookies.” She says with a smile.
“Cookies?”
“Sweetheart, you may have met me in Montana, but I will always be a Southern girl at heart.” She lays on her thick accent, “and a true Southern girl knows better than to show up at someone house empty-handed. Now let’s go.” A grin spreads from ear to ear as she swings her hips dramatically on her way out the front door.
I can't help but laugh and shake my head as I’m filled with a sense of relief.
* * *
A double story, Spanish style mansion comes into view as we make the turn onto the private road per the GPS directions. The cream stucco house is accented by black framed windows, arches encase all the openings on the first level, and an ornate iron fence frames the upper balcony. The driveway is paved in light neutral bricks with a water fountain as a focal point in the curved driveway. The house is exquisite, the inside probably matches the outside in quality and design, and I’m almost positive Robert’s coach and his wife will be dressed to impress.
What was I thinking? I look like a child in my outfit. Robert said it was casual, but even he was in his outfit from earlier. I was completely out of my league. Tennis shoes and a T-shirt dress, come on Presley, really? And I brought cookies. Cookies of all things! Women like her don’t eat sweets. Hell, she probably hadn’t had a french fry ever in her lifetime and here I was eating pizza rolls for lunch. I stare out the window completely taken back.
“You look perfect, Presley. Just relax.”
I scoff, “Easy for you to say.”
“P, they’re going to love you.”
“Robert, why didn’t you tell me to change. I look—”
“You look amazing. You’re perfect, Presley.”
“Why didn’t you change? You said this was low key.”
“I was distracted. Would it make you feel better if I were in jeans?”
“Of course it would, but—”
He quickly opens his door and gets out, opening the back door and shuffling a few remaining items around from our move.
I notice him sliding out of his shoes. “What the hell are you doing?” I hiss out.
“Making you more comfortable.” He pulls a fresh pair of folded jeans out from underneath his seat and quickly undoes his slacks, takes them off and steps into his jeans, putting his shoes on as if he were a master of quick changes.
I stare at him completely dumbfounded.
“Is this better?” he smirks.
I can't help but laugh and shake my head at him as he throws his slacks in the back seat and comes around to my door to help me out.
As we near the front door, a beautiful woman with honey-colored brown wavy hair steps outside. She is stunning in white linen pants and cream tank top making her natural olive complexion look like a bronzed tan.
“Welcome! Welcome! I was so excited when Rick told me he invited you over. It’s not every day I get to meet the new recruits. You must be Robert,” she stretchers her hand out for a shake.
“Nice to meet you ma’am.”
She laughs and swats at Robert. “Oh please, call me Laura. Ma’a
m makes me feel so old. Rick hasn’t stopped talking about you since he found out you were coming.” She seems so confident in her mannerisms. “And you must be Presley. I must say you are absolutely adorable.” Adorable. Great.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” I smile politely. “Thank you for having us over. I hope you don’t mind, but I brought some cookies.” I hand her the tray and she brings it to her nose, inhaling deeply.
“You bake?”
“My grandma taught me.”
“Now I can’t wait to taste one of these. Grandma’s recipe?” I nod. “My abuela tried to teach me to bake, but I could never quite get the hang of it.” Her lips turn up in a genuine smile and my nerves settle a fraction. “Where are my manners, come in, come in. Rick’s in the back getting the grill warmed up.”
Laura gives us a small tour of the house before showing Robert to the back patio and I follow her to the kitchen.
“Your home is absolutely gorgeous. Did you decorate it?”
“Oh heavens no,” she lets go a deep laugh, “I’m no good at that stuff.”
We make our way into the oversized chef’s kitchen. “Now this is what I’m passionate about. I love to cook. Everything’s ready for dinner and we have a couple minutes before the meat is ready to come off of the grill. Sit. Let’s just get to know each other. Can I get you anything to drink? I just whipped up a fresh batch of Sangria this afternoon.”
“Oh, maybe just a water. Thank you, though.”
“So how old are you and Robert? Rick told me you were young, but you two practically look like babies.”
I take a sip of my water. “I’m eighteen and Robert just turned nineteen.”
“Oh my! I’m so sorry. When Rick said young I assumed twenty or twenty-one. I don’t know if there has ever been a recruit Robert’s age before. I wasn’t purposely offering you anything to get him in trouble.” She seems truly frazzled.
“It’s okay. Really. Your secret’s safe with me.” I offer her a friendly smile and look out to the patio. Robert and Coach Martinez seem to be laughing about something and I wish I were out there instead of in here.
“So what do your parents think of everything? Were they supportive or did they caution against it?”
“They have been incredibly supportive of everything. I’ll be at U of A in the fall, so they know this is just a temporary thing for us.” She seemed shocked at my declaration.
“And what, um, what are you planning on getting your degree in?”
“Currently marketing and interior design, but I’m only a freshman. I’m just focused on getting my basics out of the way right now. I still have a few semesters until I’ll need to declare my major.”
“I see.” She says with a sigh, “Presley, I hope you don’t mind me being so forward, but what about Robert? Most of the women you’re going to meet are solely focused on their players, especially once Robert gets to the majors. How does he feel about you going to school and then working afterwards?”
“I guess we never really talked about it. He knows school’s important to me.”
“Well I strongly suggest you do. He’s going to need you emotionally and mentally. Right now is an incredibly hard time for him. This first year is mandatory, but afterwards, it gets harder and harder for players as they are continuously passed up. I’m not saying that’s going to happen to Robert, from what Rick tells me, he’ll probably get picked up at the end of the year, but you never know what’s going to happen. I just want you to be prepared for all possibilities.”
I nod my head in appreciation. I never really considered what would happen if Robert wasn’t signed right away. “Thank you,” I say quietly. “You’ve definitely given me something to think about.”
“And honey, just remember, the league isn’t just looking at him, they’re watching you too.”
Again I nod like a damn bobblehead. Nod and smile. Nod and smile. I’m completely overwhelmed. “Do you mind if I ask you something?”
“Sure sweetie.”
“Do you know a guy named Carter? I don’t know his last name, but—”
“Ahh. Carter Hail. He’s bad news. Robert beat out his recruit and he’s been incredibly vocal about it. I heard about the little tiff the boys had today. Right now the best thing you two can do would be to only trust me and Rick and those closest to you. This is a cutthroat little town with people just waiting for you to screw up so they can take your place.”
* * *
“So that’s the infamous Presley, huh?”
“You may be my coach, but I will beat the shit out of you if I have to.”
Coach chuckles a little. “Easy there lover boy. I just mean I can see why you got so defensive. I can tell she’s a good girl; she’s loyal. Loyalty isn’t found much around here. Hail wants to see you fail Robert, and he’ll do whatever he can to make it happen. Just remember, unlike baseball, here it’s one warning and you’re out. The league doesn’t like to deal with loose cannons. There’s no contract between you and them, and they will not spend a dime of PR money fixing your mistakes.”
“Yes sir.”
“So how did you two meet? I hope you don’t mind me asking. I like to get to know the whole player, not just who you are on the field. Your home life and you field performance are very much intertwined. If I understand what I’m working with, then I can know how to best train you, what to work on, and what your brain values.”
“It’s actually a funny and unconventional story. Our mothers came up with a crazy idea when we were three and decided we would be the perfect match for one another. Our fathers were both special forces and were usually stationed together. So when they could get us together to play, they would.”
He looks at me quizzically. “So, you’re telling me you and Presley are dealing with an arranged marriage situation?”
“Yeah, I guess you could say something like that.”
“And the two of you have been together since you were three?”
“No. My mother and I went into hiding for several years. Presley showed back up right before our senior year, and well—here we are.”
“Hiding? What about your father?” He raises a brow.
“Sir, with all due respect, that should all be in my file. Just know there won't be any issues being in the public.”
“Good to know.” He gives a nod and turns back to the grill, a momentary silence between the two of us. “After dinner I want to sit down with both you and Presley to go over how this next year will work. I want you both to be completely aware of what you’re about to face, the challenges that will arise and what will be expected of both of you.”
Before I can acknowledge him, Laura and Presley step out onto the deck, Presley looks exhausted, but puts on a smile for show.
“How are those streaks coming dear?”
“Just about to pull them off.”
Presley comes to stand next to me. I wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her closer and whisper in her ear, “I missed you.” She smiles her sentiments. “You okay?”
“Slightly overwhelmed.”
I give her a reassuring squeeze and she leans into me. “I have a feeling it’s about to get worse.” She gives me a slight nod and Laura pulls us from our private conversation.
“Come on inside everyone. Let’s eat and then we can have these fabulous cookies Presley baked. I haven’t had a cookie in years.”
Presley and I follow behind coach and his wife, but I stop her just before we go inside, quickly kissing her hard, and letting it linger for a three count, I feel her tension melt away.
“You’re doing great. Thank you again for being here. I know this isn’t easy on you.”
“It’s fine Robert. I knew things like this would be expected of me, I just didn’t expect for my life choices to be scrutinized.”
I look at her and can tell she is beginning to over analyze everything. “Presley, this is our life. Not theirs. I don’t care what the majority do, or what’s to be expected. We’re doing this o
ur way and no one else’s.” A tear slides down her cheek and I quickly brush it away, replacing the salty drop of water with a kiss. “I think we need to get inside.”
She nods and takes a deep breath before going back inside.
Dinner conversation is light and easy. The food was amazing, but I could tell Presley was still nervous. She kept her foot wrapped around my leg throughout the course of dinner, and as difficult as this was for her, I was glad I could be her source of comfort. Once dinner ended Presley, Coach Martinez, and I moved into his study, Laura was giving us thirty minutes to discuss everything before she threatened to interrupt us with dessert.
Sitting side by side on one of the couches in the office, coach sits across from us in a wing backed chair. “Presley, I want to know what you think this year will be like for Robert? What are your expectations?”
She laces her fingers with mine, takes a look at me, smiles and then looks at coach. “I know he’ll have practices and games. Long hours and I’m sure there will be weeks where he’ll be away traveling. He’s attractive and one hell of a pitcher so I’m sure he will build up a fan base quickly, but I trust him.” She smirks at me and coach chuckles.
“You’re definitely not wrong there.” He smiles and shakes his head, “and Robert, what do you think this first year will be like for Presley? Not just with you playing ball, but with her starting school. I know all the wives think their sole responsibility is to their players, but you will be expected to support her too.”
I nod my understanding. “I know there will be days that are harder than others with her being two hours away. I know she will have the stress of exams and wanting to be here for me. I know she will struggle to find balance between going after what she wants and helping me succeed. I know there will be times I will have to force her to stay at school, to focus, instead of being with me. I know occasional jealously will threaten to get the better of us, but I know how strong she is, and I will work my hardest to make sure she knows just how much I love her.”
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