Behind in the Count: A Portland Pioneers Novel

by Micah K. Chaplin

  “Not easily,” Derek said. “We went over this, Reid. She did what she had to do. I don’t blame her.”

  “Whatever. I still think it’s crap,” Reid said. “So do you think her parents will change their minds?”

  “Unfortunately, no. Her dad doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who changes his mind. Her mom, maybe. But there’s no way her dad will,” Derek said. “I think that’s the hardest thing about all of this – knowing it’s really over. It barely got started, and now it’s over.”

  “I’m sorry I pushed you to go out with her,” Reid said. “I had no idea it would end up like this.”

  “It’s not your fault,” Derek said. “And you definitely shouldn’t be sorry. I’m not sorry I went out with her. That month with Zella was amazing.”

  “Would have been more amazing if you at least got some,” Reid said.

  “And there’s the Reid I know again,” Derek said, shaking his head.

  Reid sighed. “I didn’t realize you hadn’t told Mike and your parents about her.”

  Derek shrugged. “It’s fine. I planned to tell them. Maybe even introduce her to them. I thought they’d really like her. But … oh well.”

  Reid was silent, which was odd for him. Derek could only assume his friend didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t blame him. He didn’t honestly know what to say either. There wasn’t much more to be said about his breakup with Zella. He hadn’t allowed himself to think much about it over the last few days as he spent time with Brynn and his family. Thankfully, his parents and Mike hadn’t pressured him to talk about it either. Instead, they’d focused their conversations on Brynn and baseball, two safer topics in Derek’s world.

  “So you had quite the game the other day,” Derek said, finally breaking the silence.

  Reid grinned. “Yeah. Not bad for a guy who was ditched a year and a half ago because he couldn’t hit.”

  “I hope the Mets are watching you now,” Derek said.

  “Me too,” Reid said. “I’d like to say I don’t care what they think, but that’d be a lie. I definitely want them to regret cutting me.”

  “I get it,” Derek said. “We both have people we want to prove wrong.”

  “We definitely do,” Reid said. “And we will. All of them.”

  Chapter Twelve

  When Keely arrived to pick up Brynn on Sunday, Derek was reluctant to let her go. He held onto her as long as he could, kissing her cheek and hugging her until the very last moment he had to hand her over to her mother. During all of this, he kept conversation with Keely to a minimum. Then he watched them go, remaining on the porch until Keely’s car was out of the driveway and down the street.

  After they were gone, Derek went inside, but Mike and Reid immediately pushed him back out the door to the truck. A good dinner at the local steakhouse and a few hours of guy talk helped alleviate some of Derek’s sadness over his separation from Brynn. And Zella, if he was being completely honest. Mike and Reid didn’t bring up either sensitive subject the entire night. They kept things light, and Derek appreciated their efforts to take his mind off the two girls he’d lost – in one way or another – in the last week. He was grateful to have both of these guys in his corner.

  Of course, the distraction was short-lived. His good mood began to wane as soon as he was alone again. As he settled into his bed that night, he pulled out his phone and looked at the last few text messages with Zella. They’d been exchanged right after he learned he was headed back to the majors. That was when she was counting down the hours until he was back in Portland. He kept re-reading the messages, looking for any hint he might have missed. Any indication she’d been planning to end things. But he couldn’t find one. There was nothing unusual about her texts, and he’d re-read them enough times now that he could practically recite them. When he went further back in the timeline, he now noticed the texts about her parents’ visit were short. He had just assumed it was because she was busy. And at the time, he was preoccupied with healing and getting back to the big club. Now he wondered if he should have pushed for more information. But what would that have accomplished? Would that have helped or just made it worse?

  He sighed and turned over, clicking off the screen of his phone and setting it on the nightstand. When Mike told him to fight for her, Derek knew that’s what he wanted to do. But how? He wasn’t going to ask her to go against her parents. If he did that, he’d be doing the same thing they did – making her choose. He loved her too much to put her through that. Plus, she’d already made her choice.

  Linda made cinnamon swirl pancakes and sausages for breakfast the next morning. It was a bit much for a Monday, but no one was complaining. She said she wanted to give Reid and Derek a good send-off before they headed to Kansas City. Conversation and time were both minimal, which was just as well. Derek wasn’t feeling all that talkative.

  With their stomachs full, Mike drove the two Pioneers players to the airport. Reid and Mike didn’t need any participation from Derek as they talked about the Beamans’ next trip to Portland. They were planning to visit for Derek’s next home start, which was less than two weeks away.

  “You better bring that fireball, Bruna,” Reid said. “I want to meet the woman who told off Keely.”

  Mike chuckled. “I’ll do my best to get her there. Once school’s not in session, it’ll be easier for her to get away.”

  “I still can’t believe you’re dating a teacher. That’s hot, man,” Reid said.

  “Yeah, it is,” Mike said. “She is too.”

  “Does she have any hot friends for Derek?” Reid asked.

  Mike glanced at his brother in the rearview mirror. “I can check into it if he’s interested.”

  “I’m not,” Derek said. “But thanks for the thought.”

  “Are you back to not dating now?” Reid asked.

  “I got dumped less than two weeks ago, and it was completely out of the blue,” Derek said. “Give me a little time to deal with that.”

  “Fair enough,” Reid said.

  Derek was relieved and glad they let the subject drop there. In fact, Mike quickly began talking about a song on the radio. It wasn’t a great segue, and Derek was already thinking about Zella again so it didn’t matter. Regardless, he appreciated his brother’s efforts to stop that train of thought.

  The flight to Kansas City was a short one, and they landed just before noon. Since they were still full from breakfast, Derek and Reid opted to rest a bit in their respective rooms before they headed to the ballpark to meet up with the rest of the team.

  Derek wouldn’t be pitching against the Royals, but it was still great to be in uniform and among his teammates again. The news about his split with Zella must have spread because no one teased him or mentioned her even once. A few asked about his visitation hearing and he provided an update. Interesting how that was deemed a safer subject. It certainly felt like one even though he didn’t like the judge’s decision any more than he liked Zella’s. Perhaps it was because he knew the judge’s decision was temporary and could be changed. And would likely be changed in a year. He didn’t see the same thing happening with Zella.

  Kansas City proved to be tough and took two of three in the series. After a day off in Minneapolis, the Pioneers prepared to take on the Twins.

  “Hey, Ms. Marks is here,” Carson said as he sat next to Derek in the dugout for Friday night’s game.

  Derek followed Carson’s pointed finger and, sure enough, Ms. Marks was sitting a few rows behind home plate. She didn’t appear to be alone either. Next to her was a taller man with dark hair, and she was holding his hand.

  “That must be her boyfriend,” Derek said. “Reid’s mentioned him a few times.”

  “He lives here, right?” Carson asked. “How do you suppose that works?”

  “I have no idea,” Derek said. “But if she’s happy …”

  “She looks bored right now,” Carson said.

  “So does he,” Derek observed.

  “He�
��s not into baseball,” Reid said.

  He had come up beside Carson and Derek at some point during their conversation.

  “What?” Carson asked. “Ms. Marks would never date someone who’s not into baseball.”

  “Apparently she would. She says Neal is more of a hockey guy,” Reid said. “And I think that works for her. I suppose dating someone who was into baseball would be kind of like work.”

  “Only if he plays baseball … and that would be a whole other issue,” Carson said. “I don’t think I could trust a guy who didn’t like baseball.”

  Reid laughed. “You don’t have to. But I guess Kate does.”

  Derek thought he picked up on an odd tone in his friend’s voice, which wasn’t all that surprising. He knew Reid had a history with Ms. Marks that wasn’t entirely professional. He’d gotten an earful and an eyeful of it during the previous season. The two were now strictly friends, but every now and then he suspected Reid wasn’t completely happy with that status. Like right now. Reid was still watching Ms. Marks and Neal, and his eyes narrowed a bit when Neal leaned over for a kiss, which Ms. Marks delivered. Derek almost asked Reid about it, but decided against it. Especially since Reid was due up this inning. There was no need to get Reid worked up and defensive when they needed him on offense.

  The Pioneers were scoreless after six innings. The Twins only had three runs, so there was still time to rally, but the bats had been fairly quiet the last few games. If they were going to come back, they would need to get it started soon.

  With one out, Ian Davis walked. The Twins moved into double play depth for Justin Tanner, but he beat their shift with a single to left. Mitchell Austin was too aggressive – too eager to be the hero – and ended up striking out. Reid Benjamin stepped into the batter’s box and prepared for his battle. The Twins pitcher tried to get Reid to chase a few pitches outside the zone, but Reid wasn’t biting. The third pitch was on the corner and Reid swung hard, but just missed. Reid wiggled his bat a few times and took a deep breath as he waited for the next pitch. This one was perfect, and Reid connected, sending it into the left field bleachers. Reid tied the game, giving the Pioneers a fresh chance. It seemed to be the spark the team needed as they powered to a 5-3 victory.

  The mood in the clubhouse was distinctly different the next day. Dropping two games in Kansas City amidst a brief offensive slump had made everyone a little quiet. Now, they were back to chatting, laughing, and playing obnoxiously loud music.

  Derek wasn’t a part of any of it though as he went through his usual start day rituals. He had worked all week to forget his last start. It hadn’t been a disaster, but it had been rough. His mind had been a mess that day – a day removed from his breakup and the visitation hearing looming in the near future – and he’d been sloppy with his command as a result. Now the visitation hearing was done and he had some more space from the breakup. He still had some things to work through in that realm, but he was getting there. His pre-game routine helped him put all of his personal issues in a box and close it. As he went through the motions, his focus was on pitching and the Twins lineup. He truly felt like his head was clear and in the game as he took the mound.

  He looks more confident today, Zella noted as she watched the game.

  She hadn’t intended to watch it. OK, some part of her wanted to watch, but she wasn’t sure she was ready for it. She had avoided seeing Derek in any form for the past several days and wanted to continue that streak while her heart was still mending. In fact, she’d accepted an invitation to have dinner with Ashley and Wes in hopes of avoiding the game. Being the third wheel beat sitting at home trying to keep herself from turning on the game.

  But dinner was at a sports bar, and nearly every television was tuned in to the Pioneers and Twins game. The sound was on too, which meant she heard his name over and over again.

  Everyone cheered as Derek worked masterfully through the Twins’ lineup. By all accounts – and according to the announcers – he was much sharper than he had been in his last start. She felt a twinge of guilt, suspecting she had contributed to his poor outing. But clearly he had it all sorted out now. He was over the breakup. Over her.

  As that thought hit her, she felt a stab of pain and a wave of nausea. She sipped her drink, hoping it would help. But every time she saw his face, so calm and even, it hit her again. Ashley and Wes were too caught up in their conversation and each other to notice Zella’s discomfort. She quietly excused herself to use the restroom, needing a break from the room full of Dereks.

  In her rush, she bumped into someone in the narrow hallway. She mumbled an apology.

  “Zella, is that you?”

  She looked up and right into the face of the bartender from the speed dating event. It’d been a few months and a lot had happened, but Zella recognized him instantly. But she couldn’t recall his name.

  “Alex,” he said, saving her from further awkwardness.

  “Oh, Alex, hi,” she said.

  “We have to quit meeting this way,” he said, laughing.

  “Huh?” she asked, frowning.

  “We ran into each other in the hallway outside the bathroom last time too,” Alex explained. “Remember?”

  “Oh, right,” Zella said, shaking her head.

  The gesture didn’t do much to clear her mind, but it did give her time to jog her memory a bit.

  “I’m surprised you’re not working tonight,” Zella said. “Seems like Saturday night would be a busy one where you work.”

  “It is, but I occasionally get out and have fun,” Alex said. “How about you? Are you here on a date?”

  “No. Just with Ashley and Wes,” Zella said. “You remember them from the event, right?”

  “Of course. Ashley begged for my number after you left,” Alex said. “I’m disappointed you didn’t use it.”

  “Oh … I …,” Zella said, trying to think of a response that wasn’t rude or an obvious lie.

  “It’s OK. I sensed you weren’t really interested,” Alex said. “Doesn’t mean I wasn’t disappointed though.”

  “I started seeing someone right after that,” Zella said.

  “Oh,” Alex said. “So where is he tonight?”

  Zella looked past him, right at a TV, which was full of Derek’s face right now. The camera had zoomed in on him.

  “We broke up,” Zella said.

  “Oh, well, then can I buy you a drink?” Alex asked. “I wouldn’t mind seeing Ashley and Wes too.”

  Zella hesitated for a moment. She didn’t want to encourage him. But a drink probably wouldn’t hurt. And maybe he’d provide a nice distraction for the evening.

  “Sure,” Zella said. “Vodka, tonic, and lime. I’ll be right out.”

  She disappeared into the bathroom to take a few breaths and gather herself. By the time she got to the table, there was a fresh drink in front of her place, and Alex was in conversation with Wes.

  “He’d be a nice rebound,” Ashley whispered.

  Zella shook her head.

  “Come on, you weren’t with that other guy long, so it couldn’t have been that serious,” Ashley said. “Give Alex a chance. He’s really into you.”

  Ashley was aware Zella had been seeing someone and that it had ended, but didn’t know the specifics. She didn’t know his name, his job, or the reason for the breakup.

  “I’m just not ready yet,” Zella said. “But I’ll have a drink with him tonight. That’s it.”

  “I suppose that’s a decent start,” Ashley said, but the look on her face indicated she wasn’t going to give up on her friend’s dating prospect so easily.

  “Man, Beaman’s really mowing them down tonight,” Alex said, pointing at the TV.

  “Sure is,” Zella said, glancing up at the screen.

  The screen featured a full shot of Derek next to his line so far for the night. Five innings, two hits, no runs, and seven strikeouts.

  “Zella works for the Pioneers,” Ashley offered.

  “Is that righ
t?” Alex asked. “What do you do?”

  “I’m an executive assistant in the front office,” Zella said.

  She wasn’t willing to tell him she worked for the general manager. She hoped Ashley was too clueless about baseball to remember that detail.

  “That must be pretty interesting,” Alex said. “Do you get to interact with the players much?”

  Her mind flashed to her date with Derek. And the accompanying mind-blowing kisses. Oh, she’d interacted with a player alright.

  “Every now and then,” Zella said, hoping her tone was even.

  Whether it was her tone or the short answers, Alex seemed to sense she didn’t want to delve further into the subject of her job. Though he wasn’t ready to stop talking about the Pioneers.

  “I’m a big fan,” Alex said. “I don’t get to as many games as I’d like, but I try to watch most of them on TV. Reid Benjamin’s my favorite, but Derek Beaman is something else.”

  Zella nodded and took a long pull of her drink. She’d been hoping Alex could provide a distraction from Derek. Instead, he spent the next ten minutes gushing over him. Zella was finished with her drink before Alex was done talking about how great Derek was.

  “Do you want another one?” Alex asked.

  She nodded. Her head was a little fuzzy. She didn’t really need a third drink, but she hoped the break would inspire him to change subjects. The bar had gotten busier, so it took him a while to retrieve her cocktail. By then, the Pioneers had gone to the bullpen. It was early, but Zella supposed they were going to be careful with Derek’s arm for a little while. And at least it gave Alex something else to talk about.

  A short while later, Ashley and Wes decided to call it a night. Zella started gathering her things as well. She pulled out her phone to call for a cab, knowing she was in no shape to drive.

  “I can drive your car home for you and then get a cab from your place,” Alex offered.

  “That’s really nice, but not necessary,” Zella said.

  “Maybe not, but I’d hate for you to leave your car here,” Alex said.