Page 46 of Sweet Spot

Most of the team was in decent spirits as they left. All except Seth. And that was a problem because if I needed anyone in a good mood, it was him. “You hit a two-run home run and you’re not happy?”

He kept scowling at his locker. “You ever wish we could go back to college?”

Since he was in such a terrible mood I gave it real thought. My first instinct was hell no. I wasn’t the kind of person who looked back too often, and when I did I usually just saw the past. “I haven’t really thought about it.”

He shook his head. “I knew I’d get here one day, but back then it was just a dream. I woke up every morning determined to make it happen.” He shook his head some more and let it hang.

“There was definitely some magic in not knowing what would happen. In chasing the dream.”

“How’d you walk away? I still can’t fathom how you did it.”

I always had trouble explaining it in a way that made people understand. The only one who ever got it was Everett and I didn’t have to actually explain it to him. He just knew. “Yeah, well, I just…couldn’t play anymore.”

“Were you hurt?”

“No.” Fuck, I really hoped to avoid this with the players. But Seth was different. He knew me. Knew Everett even better. “It was…it was more like being paralyzed. I was stuck. You know how it is. One year all the pieces fall into place and the next…you can be yesterday’s news.”

“Yeah. Yeah…that’s it. Or something like it. When I think about that guy who had all these dreams for his future…I miss him. I’m not him anymore. Take today for example. I’m the clutch guy. It’s what I do. I come in and make the plays we need. But it wasn’t enough. And…I don’t care. Not like I used to. I’m pissed, but other than that, I feel no spark to make something different happen tomorrow. Maybe we’ll win this one. Maybe we’ll lose again. There’s nothing I can do about it.”

I was not prepared to deal with an existential crisis on day one. “Sounds like it’s time to dream up a new dream.” I was an idiot. At least I sounded like one. Guys like Seth didn’t want fancy words. They wanted someone to smack them around.

But Seth was so far gone he just nodded.

“Is Amber around? Do you want me to call her?”

“We broke up. I broke up with all them, actually. Every single one.”

Seth Butler broke up with all his girlfriends, booty calls, and good times? This was way worse than I thought.

“Even the ones I wasn’t seeing but also hadn’t technically broke it off with. I’m serious, Isaac. I’ve been riding this ride for too long. High on making my dream come true and trying to make it last as long as possible. But the simple reality is that it’s over. That dream has come true. I can’t live in the past any longer.” He suddenly stood up and had a strangely determined look on his face. “Thanks, Cap. You’ve been a big help.” He grabbed his bag and left the locker room.

I sat there confused for a few minutes because I didn’t do anything, but apparently I had.

“Isaac Anson,” I jumped at Stirling’s booming voice, “I’m so glad you’re still here. Anson, I’d love for you to meet my dad.”

I ditched my urge to annoy Stirling and instead put on my very best smile. An almost identical copy of Stirling stood beside him. Older and dressed much more casually, but no one could mistake that face. He was Stirling’s dad through and through. “Mr. Stirling, it’s a pleasure to have you here.”

“Tough game today but the team shows promise.” He shook my hand heartily.

“You’re a fan?”

“Since day one. I was at opening day the day the team first took the field.” Pieces of Eli Stirling began to fall into place and made me like the rich bastard more than I wanted to.

“And how did that compare to today?”

“The same but different. Still gave me chills.”

I chatted up the boss’s dad, earning myself as many points as I could. My real reward though, was Kate. When the Stirling’s left, she stayed behind. “Do you follow him everywhere now?”

“Just until he stops ruffling every set of feathers he finds.”

It was good to see her up close. Catching her eye before the game felt necessary, helped me focus, but it wasn’t enough. “Are we still pretending we’re just colleagues?”

She made a show of looking around the locker room. “I don’t see anyone here besides us.”

I had her in my arms in a flash. The relief that came from feeling her tense and then melt was almost as addictive as the game. Scratch that, even more addictive. Making Kate melt was my new favorite adrenaline rush.

“Congratulations, Captain. You’ve survived your first game at the helm.”

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