Page 53 of Crew
I was halfway through my drink when a woman stepped up next to me. She glanced my way with an easy smile, as if I was just another face, not someone she’d recognized from the field.
“Mind if I join you?” she asked.
I met her gaze and gave a small nod. “Go ahead.”
She slid onto the stool beside me. She ordered a dirty martini, then turned her attention back to me. “What brings you out tonight?”
I shrugged, taking a sip of my beer. “Just needed to get out for a bit.”
“You come here often?”
I nodded, a slight grin on my face. “Yeah, it’s a good spot when I want something low-key.”
“Sounds like the perfect kind of place. I’m Sarah, by the way.”
“Crew,” I replied.
We slipped into an easy conversation after that. Nothing too heavy, just two people talking and enjoying the moment. She wasn’t starstruck, didn’t ask about my career, just let me be a guy at the bar. It was refreshing, honestly.
Her laugh softened as she leaned in a little closer, her voice lowering. “I’m just down the street if you want to keep this going somewhere quieter.”
I took a moment to consider her offer. It had been a while since I’d been with anyone, and only women since Knox. I hadn’t wanted to be with another man since him. The thing was, being with another guy just felt wrong, somehow, like I was still holding on to something I wasn’t ready to let go of. I’d been with women to scratch that itch, to try to move on, to shove thoughts of him out of my head. But it was never the same. What I’d had with him wasn’t something I could easily replace. But tonight, none of that mattered.
I finished my beer, dropped some cash on the bar, and stood up. “Lead theway.”
I’d never beento the ESPYs before, but since I was on an expansion team, the MLB wanted some of us to attend to represent the new franchise. It was cool to see fellow athletes win awards, and I had to admit it was on my bucket list of achievements to do the same, right along with winning the pennant.
When they announced the Best NHL Player of the Year, I spotted Levi Sexton sitting next to his teammate, Emmett Cooper, who had won the award. I hadn’t seen Levi since high school, but I occasionally caught some of his games on TV and knew he was currently with the Boston Bruins.
After all these years, he still looked good and I remembered how I’d had a crush on him back in the day. I watched as he cheered for his captain when Coop walked up to the stage to accept his ESPY. The way Levi beamed, I had to wonder if he was just proud of his teammate or if there was something more. The last I knew, Levi was straight. But he probably assumed that of me too.
Once the awards were done, I wasn’t really sure what to do next. I hadn’t made any solid plans, but then I spotted Levi outside the venue and walked over.
“Crew.” He extended his hand, and we hugged. “I didn’t know you were here.”
“Yeah, man.” I grinned. “I saw you when your teammate won that award.”
He turned to the group and said, “Coop, Butcher, Ford, Kaylee, this is Crew Stratton. He plays baseball for …”
I guess he wasn’t keeping tabs on me like I’d been on him. Fair enough. I was the one who used to have a crush on him.
“Portland Seawolves.” I started to shake everyone’s hand.
“The expansion team?” Levi asked.
So, he’d heard of the team, but didn’t know I played? Well, then.
“That’s the one,” I confirmed.
“Sweet, dude.” He clapped me on the back. “That’s awesome.”
“Thanks. We’re doing pretty good, but time will tell with the second half of the season.”
“Maybe I’ll come catch a few games while I’m on break.”
“I’d like that.”
“How’s the family?” he asked.
