Clutch Hit

by Faith O'Shea

  Going for conciliatory, she said, “Let’s finish up. We have to be at the airport by noon.”

  He went out to the family room while she added some of her things to his bag. He chuckled. It was no surprise that it was mostly shoes.

  He’d taken up the controls of his gaming system and listened, her voice lilting out to where he sat. She tended to break into song at odd times, and he was beginning to understand that the one she chose had meaning in the moment. He didn’t know this tune, but the words were obvious. She kept repeating, we’re going to win, over and over. Either the lyrics were lacking in depth, or that’s all she cared to sing.

  When she finally appeared, she was off-balance, with two suitcases in her hands.

  He went over and grabbed them away from her. “I will take them.”

  She’d taken full advantage of her two-bag limit.

  “You can’t carry all four. Besides, I’ve done this every year since I got the job.”

  “I cannot let you carry them. It goes against my—”

  “Oh, no you don’t. Don’t you dare go all machismo on me.”

  “You told me that I should help, not just sit around and let you do all the work. Which way do you want it?”

  Her mouth twisted as she thought about it.

  “Good question. I’ll have to think on it. I’ll let you know when I figure it out.

  Her phone rang again, and she gave him a lop-sided smile before answering it.

  “It’s Case. I still don’t know which way she’s leaning.”

  “But we’re leaving today.”

  He couldn’t believe she’d left the decision up in the air until now. Allie was more decisive. He always knew where she stood, even if he didn’t like where that was. It made it easier to trust her.

  She shrugged her shoulders. “I told you it would be last minute.”

  She swiped to answer but he was only privy to one side of the conversation. From what he was picking up though, Casey had decided to go.

  When she ended the call, Allie’s eyes were bright, and she looked like a cat who’d swallowed a bunch of canaries, not just one.

  “Casey’s on her way over.”

  “Why?”

  “Greg was still arguing about her need to go. I think she’s afraid she’ll cave if he has enough time to persuade her it’s not in their best interest.”

  It probably wasn’t in their best interest, but he wasn’t going down that road. That wouldn’t be in his.

  “I don’t understand why Mac feels as if he needs her. Do managers usually have someone help them with their duties?”

  “Not really. Most every decision is made by analytics and it’s all computer driven. And they don’t need anyone to answer the phone. Everyone has a cell.”

  “What exactly is she going to do then?”

  “Probably help him with the social piece. He does a lot during the season to bring people together.”

  “Galen doesn’t help with that?”

  “She’s usually booked with clients. She can’t give it the time and attention it needs on a regular basis.”

  “And Casey can just up and leave the management of the complex to someone else?”

  “She’ll be flying in and out, but she’s got a competent assistant manager to hold down the fort while she’s away.”

  “And Greg really didn’t know she was going until this morning?”

  “He must have suspected. He dropped in on her unannounced.”

  He shook his head, trying to keep up.

  “They’re engaged. I’d think that was allowed.”

  “That’s the thing. Casey refused to move in with him until after the wedding and she doesn’t let him stay at her place. The writing’s been on the wall for weeks, but I think I’m the only one who saw it.”

  “You were probably looking harder than anyone else.”

  She tilted her face toward him and asked smugly, “Would you have agreed to that?”

  “I have agreed to that. We’re staying in separate places in Florida. And we’re not only engaged, we’re married.”

  She went over to where he sat and dropped down beside him.

  “There’s a reason for it but I’m certainly going to take advantage of as many nights in your bed as I can.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.”

  Her arms twined around his neck and she burrowed her face there. “I don’t want you to find another sky to take flight in.”

  He pressed her closer. “Have you looked up lately? There is only one.”

  Just as he was about to kiss her, there was a loud knock on the door. When Allie opened it, Casey stood there with her suitcases and a bright smile.

  He was stunned and said, “I thought you said she was upset.”

  From her expression, she was as confused as he was.

  Allie jumped up asking, “What the hell happened?”

  “He demanded I make a choice. I chose. The relief feels soooo good.”

  “What kind of choice?”

  She wriggled her finger which was now unadorned.

  “That kind.”

  Allie looked at him, then back at her friend.

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Of course you do. Just get it over with and tell me you told me so.”

  “But I never—”

  “Sure, you did. You said it all in what you didn’t say, Allie.”

  She closed the door after Casey stumbled in, her suitcases obviously too heavy for her.

  “Okay, fine. I never liked him.”

  Casey exhaled a deep breath. “I can’t say I did either at the end.”

  She put her attention on Mateo, pushed up her glasses with her index finger and said, “I’ll just have to find myself a guy like yours.”

  “That might not be such a smart idea.”

  “Why? I like yours. Is he going to live with us? We’ll have to tell him—”

  Allie was quick to cut her friend off. “No. He’ll be living with Rique and Seb, as planned.”

  He was beginning to feel like he was caught up in a Cuban soap opera. He hoped the acting was better. His curiosity had piqued now. What was Casey going to say? Was she about to give away another Greenie secret?

  “We have to get going. I have to check with everyone before we board.”

  Using her Uber app, Allie texted for a driver, and between the three of them, they got the bags and all Allie’s paraphernalia down to the lobby. She never left home without her briefcase, her laptop, her purse, and a satchel that held an outfit in case her luggage went missing. She’d offered to let him take one as his carry-on.

  While they waited, Allie probed, “Tell me what he said when you broke it off.”

  “He called me a spoiled princess who never grew up. I told him he was a prick for making me choose, gave him his ring back and asked him to leave.”

  “Where was Mac?”

  Mateo knew she was living in something like a casita on her parents’ property. Apparently, her father hadn’t been in attendance when all hell broke loose.

  “At Harborside. He was holding a coaches’ meeting before the flight. He’s also putting together a team cookout for the first Thursday in March. That’s the first day we have off so he’s planning a big bash. Or should I say I am. He wants everyone to get a feel for each other, so I’ve been scrambling over the last twenty-four hours putting it in place. The intramural game with the Red Sox is scheduled for the week we get back to Boston. I have to have the complex ready in case of rain.”

  “You going to play in that this year?”

  Casey barked out a laugh. “I thought you wanted to win again.”

  “Your dad’s part of management. He can’t play, so you have to represent the family.”

  “You can put me on the roster. I know you too well to think you’d put me in for any other reason than to even the playing field if you took a one-hundred-to-four lead.”

  “You’re really not as incompetent out there as you ma
ke everyone think.”

  “Compared to the others on the team, I am.”

  As the women talked about the barbeque, upcoming duties, Galen’s expected arrival on Monday, Mateo let his mind hook on to the new development. With Casey no longer engaged, what would it mean for Seb? Would he give in and go back with her? Or was he still committed to playing the dating field? Should he break it to him before it become public or keep the pledge he’d made?

  Seb would probably know soon enough. The missing bling would be sure to give it away.

  He heard Allie ask, “Does Mac know…about you breaking off the engagement?”

  “No, but my mother does. I had to make some arrangements…” She glanced up at Allie, who he noticed gave a slight shake of her head. “With my decision coming so late, I wasn’t able to get everything done so she’s agreed to see to it.”

  Casey was apologizing to him with her eyes, but he had no idea what it was for. And Allie wasn’t going to let her tell him. Was her secret bigger than theirs?

  He knew he’d be chewing on it until he found out, and if they had to tell him before he stayed overnight in the women’s condo, he’d make his promise not to say a word. And keep it.

  The Uber driver dropped them off, and Mateo carried as many bags as he could manage, stumbling along until they reached the curbside check-in. He was surprised it took so little time. He’d only been on flights where he had to wait in line to show his passport and his visa. Here they were released within minutes of showing their ID’s. He noticed Allie slip the man some bills before heading through the revolving door and into the terminal. He let Casey go ahead before following.

  The gate was a beehive of activity when they arrived. Players were milling around in small groups. Women were standing off to the side, whom Mateo had to assume were girlfriends or wives tagging along. Larsen was talking to DeLorenzo, and Mac was wandering the area, shaking hands as if in welcome.

  Mateo turned to Allie who was doing a head count.

  “Is everyone taking the same flight?”

  “Everyone who lives in the area should be here. Pitchers and catchers left a few days ago. They’re always the first ones to go down. I have to check in on some things. I’ll be back.”

  He watched her go, admired the confident stride until Rique’s slap on the back interrupted the moment.

  “It’s happening. I still can’t believe it.”

  “You’ve been to spring training before. Why is this unbelievable?”

  “I’ve never been this tight with a team before.”

  “Too busy bitching?”

  Casey’s voice caused Rique to jerk his head to where she stood.

  “You’re here.”

  “Not for long. I’ve got to catch my…Mac up on some things.”

  She gave Mateo a kiss on the cheek and whispered, “You’re doing great. See you later.”

  “What was that about? Did you know she was coming with us?”

  “I knew it was a possibility. Her dad wanted her along, but she didn’t decide until this morning.”

  “Seb?”

  “Among other things.”

  He noticed Seb walking toward them, a bag thrown carelessly over his shoulder. His eyes were riveted in Mac’s direction, or rather Casey’s. It was only when he bumped into Reyes that his stare was diverted.

  “Sorry.”

  Reyes just laughed. “Hope you pay better attention to where you’re going when you’re in left field.”

  He nodded distractedly and then caught sight of him and Rique. He walked briskly over to join them.

  Rique pointed out the obvious. “You saw.”

  “I was hoping….”

  “That she did or didn’t?”

  “I don’t know.”

  The flight attendant’s voice came over the speaker, announcing it was time to board. After she called the last ten rows, Mateo stood to the side so others could get by. He knew he was somewhere in the middle of the plane, sitting with these two guys, not Allie. She’d have work to do on the flight down, and he had a feeling that Casey would be occupying the seat next to her that should have been his. Who’d be on her other side was anyone’s guess, but he envied whoever it was. She’d already begun to distance herself and he kept telling himself he couldn’t blame her. She had a job to do, an important job, and as she’d explained, she couldn’t afford any distractions.

  There wasn’t a lot of conversation during the flight down. The three of them had their minds on something else, or rather someone else. Rique had grown somber as he boarded the plane, saying that he already missed Fiona. Seb had his eyes trained on the last row of seats, where Casey sat, until he’d reached his. Then he’d plopped his head back and closed his eyes, the slight frown on his friend’s face expressing his mood. And he was busy working out ways to get back into Allie’s bed. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to sleep without her, not if she were around. He knew most of the men here would be sleeping solo for most of the season, and it would have been doable if she wasn’t visible. To see and not touch might be too much for him. And he couldn’t afford to waste his energies on anything but the season. He was here for a reason and she was counting on him to get it done. He was the clutch hit waiting to happen when the need arose, and he was not going to disappoint her.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Allie had watch as the rest of the team boarded. She always made it a point to sit at the back of the plane so she could observe the interactions without being obvious, but today her eyes were peeled for one specific player. When he finally appeared, and began walking down the aisle to his seat, his eyes met hers in a heart-rendering smile. When she emitted a soft moan, Casey patted her arm and asked, “You are going to spend time with him when we get there, aren’t you?”

  “I… I am. I just have to figure out how and when.”

  She was staring at the back of his head. It was tilted up as he talked with Reyes, who’d stopped to talk as he walked past him. She wondered what he’d said to put the grin on the second baseman’s face. She should be pleased that he was getting comfortable with his teammates, but it unsettled her for some reason. He was much more outgoing than she’d initially thought and that might prove problematic, especially with the opposite sex. Latin men loved women, all shapes, all sizes. Fiona had joked about it the night they were at Rique’s. Joked about it, like it wasn’t a concern. For her it was a tsunami of fear, the wave threatening to sweep her away.

  Casey broke into her thoughts by saying, “You know he can stay with us as much as you want.”

  She tore her gaze from Mateo’s head and examined Casey’s expression. The offer appeared genuine, as if she’d given no thought to what she was saying.

  “I do and I appreciate it but what about next week?”

  Casey began to chew on her lip. “I don’t think he’d say anything.”

  “That’s a hell of a secret to keep, Case. I’m not sure that one’s fair.”

  Worry creased her brows. “I’m not sure it’s going to be a secret for long. I can’t become a hermit.”

  “Your mom will be there.”

  “Yeah. You rented them a house, right? I guess that might be a solution.” Casey gazed out the window. “Maybe I should have stayed home, at least for a couple of weeks.”

  Her eyes were bright when she looked back at Allie. “But I needed to get away from the tension and the arguments.”

  “I’m glad you’re here. I’ll have someone to bounce things off.”

  “Yeah, we’ll be players, too. Tennis players. You’ll lob one over and then I’ll return the ball to your court.”

  Casey leaned her head on Allie’s shoulder. “I’m scared.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  “I haven’t felt this vulnerable in a long time.”

  “Like feeling naked?”

  Casey blew her bangs off her face and sighed, “In front of the whole team.”

  “Exactly.”

  Seemed they were both taking an
emotional risk that was filled with uncertainty. She’d willing entered a torture chamber and she’d given Mateo the tools to make her bleed.

  Absent mindedly, she began to sing Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”

  Casey sang along with her.

  While they were harmonizing, Mac bent down and said, “Scoot over, Case.”

  She looked up, apparently startled by the edge in his voice, but moved to the empty middle seat.

  It was empty because when making the reservations, Allie made sure they’d have their own row. She could have been sitting here all by herself if Case had decided to stay back in Boston. If that had happened, the seat would have been available to anyone who needed to chat.

  Mac wore a serious expression and he had his hands fisted together in his lap.

  “What is it, Dad?”

  He glanced around before speaking, his voice low and almost dangerous.

  “What happened between you and Greg?”

  She sunk low in the seat. “He called you.”

  “He did. Why didn’t you tell me that you coming to Sanford with me was going to cause you problems?”

  She pushed her glasses up and growled defensively, “It wasn’t a problem for me. Only him.”

  He looked around again, and although there wasn’t anyone walking the aisle, there was the chance the people occupying the seats in front of them would be privy to the conversation. That it was the bench and fielding coach must have allowed Mac to feel safe enough to continue.

  “You should have told me there was friction there. You know I’ll support whatever you decide but I want to make sure you’re not feeling so much pressure to come with me, that you’re making a life-altering choice because of it.”

  Allie could feel Casey begin to fidget, but when she spoke, there was steel in her answer.

  “I’ll never stay with a man who wants me to choose between him and my family.”

  She heard Mac’s audible sigh.

  “You’ll grow your own one day…”

  Casey placed her hand on her father’s arm. “And I want you and Mom there with me, a part of my kids’ lives.”

  “No one could get us to abdicate that, but your mother and I know when you get married, your husband has to come before us.”