Blake (Season One: The Ninth Inning #2) (14 page)

“They were surprised, but they still wanted to see if I had Jack Foster’s arm. I pitched terribly and they tried a few more times, instructing me on how to do it better, but I always made sure I was bad. I knew how to pitch; Jack made me pitch until I thought my shoulder would fall right off my body. Whenever I messed up, he showed me how to do it correctly by throwing directly at me.” I pause for a moment to catch my breath.

“Mom tried to get us out a few times, but we never made it far. Somehow, he always knew. He’d show up before we could leave the house or he would find us before we had been gone forty-eight hours. He never thought it was Mom’s idea to leave him. He would tell me that she had never tried to leave before I was born, and I needed to stop trying to push her away from him. I got those beatings instead of Mom, so there was something good that came from it, I guess.

“Back then, she had more fight in her than she does now. She did her best to protect me, either by getting in the middle of it or distracting him until she pissed him off. Then he would leave me alone and focus on her. I stayed here for college, so I could still be around, keep an eye on her, and help her. I’ve tried to get her to leave, but she won’t. When I started playing professionally, I was the one who had to leave.” I close my eyes, remembering my worry at being so far away and being unable to help her.

“She’d call me, tell me lies to make me think everything was just fine, but I knew better. Mom would put on a bright smile whenever I came to visit though because she didn’t want me worrying. Things have been worse lately with all the Hall of Fame talk and with me being back home. Mom told me to stop pushing him, and I did for a bit. Then the banquet happened, and today was the first time I’ve talked to her since then.

“She said things were okay, which means she’s probably covered in bruises and luckily doesn’t have any broken bones. I asked her if she thought I could be just like him. Everyone says no, but I still don’t know if I believe it, especially after what happened with you. I told you that the last girl my mom knew about was six years ago. We weren’t perfect together, but we were pretty great, I think. I loved her and would’ve eventually made plans for a future with her.

“Obviously, that didn’t happen. We were at a party one night, both of us had been drinking, and we were arguing on and off. She finally had enough, said she was going home. When she started to walk away, I grabbed her arm. At first, I didn’t even realize how tight my grip was or how I yanked her back to me, but the moment I saw her eyes widen with fear, I knew. She was aware of everything with Jack, and she was scared I would be just like him. I told her I was sorry, broke up with her, and walked away without ever looking back.

“When I said I knew it was possible, that’s what I meant. I’m sure you believe me now, anyway. When I didn’t hear from her, didn’t see her again, it reinforced that walking away was the right decision. Now, I’m just trying to convince my mom she can leave and be safe, and I’m trying to convince myself I’m not him.”

I feel a little better, having all of that off my chest and knowing someone else might help me carry the burden. Sofia’s eyes haven’t left mine. I want to take her hand, but I’m not sure if I should. I can’t tell what Sofia is thinking and as her silence continues, it worries me. Finally, she speaks.

“That’s a lot to take in, Blakey. Thank you for telling me. There’s something you need to know though. I was scared when you yelled at me, but not because I thought you were going to hurt me. I never thought that. I was startled because you’d never yelled at me before. As for when you were drunk with your ex-girlfriend, things
may
have gotten out of hand, but you would never hurt anyone. It’s not in you. You might be Jack Foster’s son, but you’re Blake Foster. It’s a big difference. I’m not scared of you and you’d never hurt me. I know that.”

“Maybe so, but I still let my temper get the best of me. You might not have been scared of that, but I was. I don’t want to let you go, but I can’t lie and say I’m not thinking about the risk.”

“Every relationship has risk. I’m tougher than I look, and I know you’re a great guy. In addition, I think we make a great team, even if at the end of all this, we’re only friends; you can always count on me, Blakey. I care for you. I really do.”

“I care about you, too, Sofia.” I smile. Things are going to be okay. “And I think you’re a great kisser too,” I say, remembering what she’d said earlier.

“Aw, look at you being flirty again.” She smiles. “Thank you for trusting me. It means a lot that you told me everything and I know it was hard.”

“It was worth it,” I tell her honestly.

FLOATING ON CLOUDS can’t be this much fun.

Since leaving Blake’s house that night, the smile hasn’t left my face. I broke through the steel wall, and he opened up to me. I can’t help being pleased and I am happy that he trusts me.

The sun is bright today and I’m trying not to stare at Blake in his baseball pants, crouching down behind home plate. I’m standing with the medical staff as we do visual evaluations of the players. Doc seems to be happy with my assessments, and more of the players are utilizing my skills. It’s making it easier for the physical therapists to focus on the more pressing cases.

The main reason we’re out here is because the general manager wants to make sure all the players are in top shape. With the trade deadline approaching, they don’t want to carry any dead weight. The media is still hard on the Angels since the last season drug disaster.

“Sofia, you have a few notes on Foster.” Doc nods over to him.

“Yes, he’s seen me a few times for his right knee and once for his shoulder. Nothing major,” I answer.

“Anything we need to worry about?” he questions me again.

“Nope. Simple tension. He’s still performing at high levels.” I’m doing my best not to smile and to keep a straight face.

“Walk with me,” Doc commands. He reminds me a lot of Dad; he’s tall, older, a bit standoffishness, but overall a nice guy.

We walk over to the protected area behind home plate. Blake can’t see me from here, but I don’t even think he knows I’m on the field. Being this close to the team practice makes the kid in me excited, or maybe it’s the fact I’m a few feet from Blake’s ass and I’m blatantly staring at it from behind my sunglasses.

“Tell me, Sofia, how are things going?” Doc keeps his voice low.

“Great.” I keep my tone with his. “I think it’s going well.”

“Are you sure?”

I blanch for a moment. “I am. Is there something else that I don’t know about?”

“I received a phone call last week and I’ve been debating on what to do with it.” Doc scratches his chin.

“Am I privy to this call?”

“Yes,” he answers and whistles to the coach, who in turn yells for Blake to come to him.

My heart drops. Oh shit. This isn’t going to be good. Blake leaves his position at home plate and jogs over to the coach, who sends him over to us. Blake’s signature scowl is on his face when he approaches.

“We need to talk, Foster,” Doc says and we all head out of the dugout to Doc’s office. The only noise is Blake’s cleats on the concrete. When Doc opens the door, he tells us to sit down. I glance at Blake, and his scowl deepens.

“Doc, what is this about?” I ask.

“Jack Foster,” he sighs and my mouth drops.

“Why?” Blake growls.

“Jack called me and made it apparent that you two are in a relationship and Sofia should be fired.”

I gasp and I’m almost about to cry. Jack is trying to get me fired. If this happens, I might kick his ass.

“What?” Blake yells.

“He wants Sofia fired for fraternization with players,” Doc explains.

I drop my head in my hands and try to compose myself before I scream at him. I lift my head and try to be as professional as I can. Besides, I don’t want Blake to lose his temper in this small room. “Doc, my lawyer looked over my contract; there’s nothing in there that says I can’t have a relationship with players, even outside of work.” Blake’s face is red and I know he’s about to burst with anger.

“I said he wants you fired, not that you’re getting fired.”

“I’m
not
fired?” Did I hear him correctly?

Doc shakes his head. “No. This is mainly for Blake’s benefit and not yours, Sofia.”

“What?” Blake and I ask together.

“Blake, I don’t like your dad and he sure as hell doesn’t need to be calling me eight times a day drunk, telling me how to run my office. I don’t care if Sofia and you have a relationship as long as you're both are professional here. Do we understand each other?”

“Yes,” Blake and I say at the same time.

“I’ve told him ten times that Sofia is here to stay, but he’s pissed off about something. Handle it for me, please. I don’t have time for his games, Foster.” Doc looks sternly at him.

“I’ll take care of it. You have my word.”

“Thank you. Now, we’re done,” he dismisses us.

I look at Blake when we’re in the hallway, and the rage almost pouring off of him. “Are you—”

“No, I’m not,” he cuts me off.

I shut my mouth and nod. “Don’t kill him; he’s not worth jail time.” I know Blake needs to be alone, so I turn and head to my office. I really hope he doesn’t do anything stupid.

I don’t want to be here right now, and I don’t need to be since my appointments aren’t until later this afternoon. I grab my purse and head to the deli down the block. I went from being on a cloud to having the floor dropping out from under me. I’m glad Doc understood how Jack is and didn’t fire me.

I walk into the smell of fresh bread and my stomach grumbles. I order a turkey club and a bottle of water. I look around to find a table when I notice someone in the corner of the deli seated at a small table.

It’s Caroline. She has on dark sunglasses and her hair is covering her face. What strikes me odd is that she has a long sleeve jacket on. It’s almost eighty degrees outside. I close my eyes and realize that she must be covered in bruises.

I take my food and walk over to her. “Mrs. Foster.” I smile brightly at her.

She tears her gaze from the window and smiles. “Sofia.” She stands and hugs me. When I hug her back, she winces.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Tears fill my eyes.

“Bad back.” Caroline waves it off with a lie. “I’ve had it for years.”

“Do you mind if I join you? Or are you waiting on someone?”

“I would love for you to join me.” I take a seat across from her. “I wanted to talk to you at the benefit, but...um...I wasn’t feeling well that night.”

I try to not give her a sad smile, but it’s hard. The benefit was pure hell for all of us. “Well, now’s our chance,” I say without my voice cracking. “How are you?”

“Wonderful.” She’s lying and I know it. She adjusts her sunglasses and I’m afraid to see what’s behind them.

“What are you doing on this side of town?”

“I need to speak to Blake about a few things and Jack is out golfing until three. It’s the only time I can…” Caroline trails off. Jack must keep her on a tight leash.

“I saw Blake a little bit ago. Practice is almost over,” I inform her, even though it’s not what I want to say at all.

“How are you liking your job? It has to be fun.” Caroline changes the subject with ease, just as Blake does.

“I love it, although, I did just have scare.” I shake my head.

“A scare?”

I might as well tell her. It’s not like she doesn’t know Jack and his ways. “Jack was trying to get me fired.”

“Excuse me?” Caroline’s shock is all over what I can see of her face.

“Yes. Blake and I were called into my boss’s office because Jack got in contact with the Angels to have me fired for being with Blake. Which is strange since Blake and I aren’t in a relationship. We’re friends.”

Caroline rubs her forehead and I can see a faint bruise there. My heart breaks more. “It’s my fault. I told Jack you were his girlfriend. He was a tad upset when Judy called to tell him that she’d announced the wrong name for the auction. Jack had remembered something Blake said when they were arguing and, well...I’m sorry.” She looks in disbelief.

“Why are you apologizing? Everything’s fine.” I upbeat my tone. “There’s nothing in my contract that says I can’t be friends with the team or the players.”

Caroline nods. “Jack needs to leave Blake alone, but he’s a bit hard-headed.”

“Jack or Blake?” I joke.

“They’re both hard-headed, but on different levels.” She doesn’t smile and I feel worse for her.

“You know,” I shouldn’t overstep with her, but when has that ever stopped me before? “My dad has a lot of vacant homes around Memphis and the suburbs. He’s always looking for someone to stay in them until they sell or whatever.” Caroline looks away from me. “I know you don’t know me that well, but if you ever need anything...” I don’t finish the sentence.

Caroline remains quiet for several minutes and I’m about to tell her that I’ll leave her alone, but she finally replies. “Your mother made me the same offer.”

“She’s a good woman.”

Caroline nods. “I’ve been with Jack for over thirty years. I was nineteen when I first saw him playing baseball. Oh, I fell in love with him the moment I saw him.” A tear trickles down her cheek. “I did everything to make our marriage perfect. When Blake came, I thought it would be better. I thought he would change.” Her lips quivers. I reach over and take her hand. “I shouldn’t be telling you this. You’re my son’s girlfriend.”