Page 5 of Fake Love

Both mom and I left that appointment feeling numb.

I didn’t know how to take the news, so I just jumped into work, hoping to forget about it until it was necessary.

For six weeks they kept a close eye on the tumors and the day before I was slated to start our first game of the season, mom went to the emergency room because she couldn’t handle the head pain.

That’s when things became necessary.

That’s when we found out that the tumors had grown and things went from being malignant to cancerous.

Somehow, I was still able to pitch the next day. I pitched like shit that day and as soon as the game was over, I started to spiral down a hole that would take me close to a year to escape from.

“If you need anything, anything at all, let us know and we will take care of you.” Daryll tells me, giving me a curt nod, taking me out of the drive into memory lane.

I clear my throat. “Even if I have to fly to Chicago in an emergency?”

I may not be playing anytime soon but there may be time where something going on with my mom may interfere with the game.

Both Ben and Daryll nod.

“Even if you have to fly across the country. Whatever you need, you will get. You’re a part of our family now and we take care of our players.” Daryll answers.

Take care of their players.

I’ve heard that before, and now look at where I’m at. With a new team across the county.

Let’s hope that their words hold actual power behind them.

I look at the three men that now have a very large say in what happens next in my life.

One of them may hate me, but the other two, the other two are on my side. Just from looking at their faces, I know that they will do everything in their power to make me the player, and the man, that I once was.

So, I give them a nod.

“Should we sign this contract then?”

If these men believe I can be the individual I once was, so can I.

For the next three hours, we go over every single thing on my new contract with a fine-tooth comb.

What I can and cannot do while serving the remainder of my suspension.

When I will be able to be in the dugout for a game.

When I can actually take part in a game.

Everything is laid out for me in black and white, including a drug test every single week.

The Miners want to protect their multi-million-dollar investment and if me peeing in a cup every seven days does that, then so be it. The team is going to take over the reminder of what was promised to me by Chicago. Which means I’m now the highest player on the Miners roster at a little over seventy million dollars for the next six years. Of course they want to protect their investment.

After the meeting is over, I’m given a tour of the field, training center and clubhouse by Ben.

By mid-afternoon, I’m exhausted and want to jump on the next flight out to Chicago.

“You have your drug test tomorrow morning. Be here at the park at 9,” Ben announces, throwing my plans to catch the next flight out the window.

I nod. “I will.”

“Listen, Maddox,” Ben says, placing a hand on my shoulder, “I know this is a big change for you, an unexpected one at that, but I think it would be a good thing. You’ll continue training and once your suspension is up, you will be better than before.”

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