“Don’t call him that.” My response is a little quick as Bodie gives me a confused look. “Just call him Carter. You know, like he’s a regular guy who I’d like to get to know better?”
“Sure. Hurry up, so we can get done with the shelving and watch your regular guy on TV.”
“Whatever,” I mumble heading to my room to get dressed. Yes, Carter Barlowe is on TV today, but he’s just Carter when he’s with me.
24
CARTER
Sure enough. The guys didn’t disappoint. Six hours later, they’re still giving me shit about arriving to the field with my colorful travel mug this morning. Even as we prepare to leave for the airport, they’re not letting it die. And I don’t care one damn bit.
Road games have never bothered me in the past, but right now, I don’t want to get on the plane. It’s not our awaiting opponents—although I should be focused on them, especially after the ass-chewing Dundee gave me for missing warm-ups this morning.
And he’s right, my head isn’t in the game. But I don’t think it’s solely because of Avery. She’s just the perfect distraction to avoid what I know is inevitable. Cash Barlowe.
Reaching for my phone, I type out exactly what I’m thinking.
Me: I want you to go with me.
Avery: I can’t. I have work.
Me: I know. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting you with me.
A week. I’ll be away from her light for a damn week. Why does that seem too long all of a sudden?
Coach Dundee gives me a judgy look before stepping in front of me. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah.” I respond as he turns to walk away. He won’t like the question, and it’s not his job to train me outside of the game, but I ask him anyway. “How do you get used to leaving?”
“You don’t,” he responds, dropping to sit next to me. “But the wife and kids know it’s part of the job.”
“A part that I never gave much thought to until I had someone to leave behind.”
He gives a knowing nod. News of Avery and me hasn’t exactly been kept quiet around the clubhouse, so Dundee knows damn well what I’m talking about.
With an encouraging pat on the shoulder, he says, “But that someone who makes leaving hard, makes coming home even better. So, get your head in the game, Lowe.”
“Will do.”
Eventually.
Hopefully.
Me: Plan on watching the game tomorrow?
Avery: Yes.
Me: Reading-watching or watching-watching?
Avery: The latter. Probably.
A smile stretches across my face. It helps get my head in the game knowing she’ll be watching.
Grabbing my bag, I head out to board the bus that will take us to the airport. Even if my head is in the game, I already can’t wait to step off this bus next week, knowing she’ll be waiting for me.
25
AVERY
There’s no chance any book could pull my attention away from watching Carter on TV right now.
“Your regular guy is looking pretty nervous right now.”
I slap Bodie’s shoulder but keep my eyes glued on Carter. Ugh—he’s right though. There’s hesitation in Carter that I haven’t seen from him before. I squint, watching as he removes his hat and looks at something inside. He uses the sleeve of his jersey to wipe his brow before putting his hat back on, then settles into his stance before the windup.
“What’s in his hat?” I wonder aloud.
“Cheat sheet kind of, but totally allowed,” Bodie responds as Carter sends another pitch directly over the plate, untouched. Bodie clenches his fist in unison with the umpire’s gesture, calling the strike. Seconds later, Carter’s old teammate is out of the batter’s box, walking away from the plate back to the dugout. “Another inning down.”
We sit and watch the remainder of the game, my attention fully focused until Carter’s last out in the sixth inning. When the Coyotes take the field in the seventh, another guy is on the mound, so my investment in the game wanes. The Coyotes take home the win, and I know that has to be a good feeling for him. It must be satisfying to go there and prove what he needed to himself more so than anyone else.
“Your boy delivered.” Bodie slaps my leg, rising from the couch before stretching. “I’m gonna head home. Early morning.”
“Same.” Never could have predicted I’d be up late watching a baseball game of all things on a school night.
“You know, if anything, I’m grateful Carter has you watching the games without complaint.”