Page 10 of Coastal Rewind

“Is Bethy coming?” MJ asked through a mouthful of noodles.

I took a deep breath and looked up at my boy with a forced smile. “Actually, change of plans. How do you feel about coming to the game tonight?”

MJ dropped his fork and jumped down from his chair. “Really?” He was bouncing from foot to foot.

“Yeah, bud. Go throw on your jersey.”

“Oh my god, this is going to be the best night ever.” He took off into his bedroom, and when he returned he was decked out head to toe in LA Sparrows gear.

Nights like this were tough because it meant I had to rely on Nolan or one of the other media guys to watch him during the game. Luckily the organization was extremely patient and understanding about it, but I knew I was pushing my luck.

Normally, I’d call my parents, but they just left on a month-long cruise around the Caribbean. My mom had been nervous to tell me about the cruise, but I assured them I’d secured a nanny and pushed them to enjoy their retirement for once. I knew they loved spending time with MJ, but I always felt guilty taking up the majority of their free time in the summer.

I strapped MJ into his booster seat and started the drive up to the Sparrows stadium.

When we pulled into the employee lot, I saw Nolan waiting by the entrance. I had texted him about Bethany bailing and he told me not to worry about it. That was impossible as the guilt clawed at my chest. I was taking up another person’s time with my responsibilities.

Again.

“Hey, little man!” Nolan shouted as MJ jumped into his arms. Nolan tickled his sides causing him to burst into giggles.

“Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Stop asking me that. Little man is going to have a great time.” Nolan never dropped his smile as he waved to me and turned into the employee entrance.

I took a deep breath and followed them inside, hooking a right when I got to the hallway that led to the locker rooms. The moment I pushed through the door, I was hit with blaring pop music and loud chatter.

The locker room before a home game was an energy that was unmatched. Spirits were high and the guys were ready to head out onto the field to the sounds of thousands of fans cheering our name.

Signing with an expansion team five years ago was a risk, but one that was paying off. I’d spent three years as a relief pitcher in Atlanta with no prospects of getting more playing time. When I had the opportunity to move to California to be close to my parents, I took it and never looked back.

The timing couldn’t have worked out better considering right around the time I signed with the Sparrows, MJ’s mom decided she had no interest in raising a child or being a parent.

“What’s got you so grumpy, Saxley?” Zane Grant asked as I dropped my duffel bag into my cubby. Zane was our starting catcher which meant we spent a lot of time together. Arguably too much time together since the guy could read my mood with barely a glance.

“MJ had to come tonight,” I said sternly before I pulled my T-shirt over my head and picked my jersey off the hanger.

“No way, where’s the little guy?” Mack Tyler, the Sparrows starting right fielder, asked as he looked past me like I was hiding MJ behind my legs.

“Kelly took him up to the media booth.”

“Damn. I was hoping maybe we could get a drink after the game,” Tucker Campbell, third baseman, said with a shake of his head.

“You know I don’t go out after home games.”

Tucker shrugged. “A man can dream.”

Zane shoved his shoulder with a scolding look.

I just laughed and rolled my eyes as I slipped my headphones in to tune them out. It was time to put all distractions aside and get in the zone before we headed out to the field.

I dug my toe into the pitching rubber and looked up at Zane, who was behind the plate in the bullpen. He threw down his fingers, indicating the sign for a curveball, and I nodded. I took a deep breath and threw the ball, holding back a little so I didn’t exhaust my arm before the game started. It hit the center of his mitt with the most satisfying sound.

Zane stood and stripped off his helmet. “I think we’re good.” He jogged to me as we moved over to the chairs that were set up along the wall of the bullpen so the next pitcher could get in some throws.

I draped my Sparrows warm-up over my shoulders and took a seat.

Our team manager, Mitch Harley, approached me and took a seat to my right. I already knew what was coming and I wasn’t in the mood for a lecture.