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I nod. “Yeah, I am. Now, I find a way to tell him and hope he wants to be involved. Either way, I want to keep this baby. It may not have happened how I wanted, but I’m not giving it up.”
“And you shouldn’t. August may be a tough cookie to crack and a bit of a red flag,” Navy says. “Bigtime red flag,” Kodi mumbles through Oreo bites, and Navy continues, “but he would never abandon his child. The guy has more siblings than I can count on one hand.”
That stops me. “Wait, really?”
Navy nods. “Really. He’s a great guy when you get to know him.”
I guess I haven’t really done that.
“So, how are you gonna tell him, Ten?” Kodi asks me.
That’s a great question, and one I don’t have an answer for just yet.
I’ve got some thinking to do.
10
AUGUST
“Graves, get in here.”
“Just a sec,” I answer, packing up the last of my things and zipping my duffel bag.
We’re only two months into the Major League season and Coach Leggins is running us through the fucking ground. These brutal practices are just an added bonus to the already gruesome travel schedule.
But that’s what got me here. To the big leagues.
Tenacity and determination. I want to be the best third baseman in the Major League. With the help of my coach, I’m confident I can be that. Iwillbe that.
My game is on point and better than ever. Stats at an all-time high.
I’ve played for the Strikers since I was twenty-two and fresh out of the Minor League. Having been called up before barely finishing college is something I don’t take for granted.
But I’ve busted my ass to hold my spot in the Majors and Coach Leggins has fought to keep me a homegrownStriker. I intend to keep that going strong until my contract ends or an injury prevents me from playing.
I’m hoping to avoid both at all costs.
Loading up my bag, I head toward Coach’s office and inwardly groan at the tension intensifying through my sore muscles. Fuck. I need to call my massage therapist. Probably my chiropractor, too.
I push through the door, only to be met by my agent, Roderick, and Jack’s stupid grin. Despite being my coach, Jack also happens to be one hell of a dude. He’s going through hell right now with his wife, Taylor, and the biggest part of me wants to just take it all away for him. I feel for the guy.
Roderick, on the other hand, doesn’t say much and does the bare minimum expected of an agent. How nice to be paid fat bucks only to do jack shit. I nod toward Roderick and turn my attention to Coach.
You’d never know the guy goes home to an entirely different life than the game. I admire that about him.
“Take a seat.” Jack nods to the chair in front of him. I sit, sifting through all the things this conversation could be about. He never calls people into his office for the hell of it. He’ll yell across all of Makers Park before inviting you into his space.
Unless it’s a private matter.
“What’s up, Coach?” I ask him, nodding my head at the corded phone against his ear.
He smiles and holds a finger up for me to wait. “Absolutely. That makes total sense, Jim. I appreciate the call,” he speaks into the phone before hanging up.
My stomach drops.Jim.I know that name.
“What was that all about?” I’m already feelingimpatient. Impatient because Jim is my lifestyle endorser and the same man I’ve been dodging calls from all week.
Coach looks toward Roderick for approval and accepts his nod before directing his attention back to me.
