Hard and Fast

A man appeared in the doorway. Tall and thin, his dark hair was speckled with gray at the sides. The instant he spied Brad, he smiled. “Brad Rogers.” He offered his hand. “I’m Bill Wright, Amanda and Kelli’s father. I’m a huge fan. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Accepting his hand, Brad said, “Nice to meet you, sir.”

“Just Bill. Nobody calls me sir.”

Brad wasn’t surprised at the response. Bill Wright had one of those easygoing personalities Brad always found himself drawn to instantly.

“We were about to take a look at Brad’s test results,” Kelli commented. “I imagine he’s pretty eager to see them.”

“Oh, of course,” Bill said. “I’d love to have a look. Two heads for the price of one.” He paused. “If that’s okay by you?”

“I’d welcome any extra input I can get,” Brad said.

A few moments later, the three of them stood around a computer screen. Kelli punched buttons to take them through a series of images of Brad’s arm, shoulder and hand, explaining what she saw and pointing to the certain areas of concern.

The two doctors threw out a few medical terms, talking back and forth a bit. Finally, they concluded they shared the same opinion of Brad’s treatment options. Bottom line, Brad needed surgery to correct a problem his surgery had caused.

“I was concerned your UCL might be ruptured but it’s not,” Kelli said.

“Can I put this off until the end of the season?” Brad asked.

“On a limited rotation with proper care, and checkups, yes.” Kelli shook her head. “But I don’t like it.”

Brad let out a breath he didn’t even know he was holding. They still had a shot at the playoffs, and he didn’t want to miss them. “Thank God.”

“You’ll have to tell your coach, son,” Bill said. “Your team doc needs to be involved, giving you constant support.”

“Because if you don’t take care of this right, you could do more damage. Honestly, I wish you’d do the surgery now and be safe. I know I’m wasting my breath saying that. So, think about what you want to do and let me know. I can even meet with your coach if I need to.”

Brad nodded, not willing to commit to anything right now.

“I’ll run grab you some prescriptions and be right back.”

Bill pulled a pen from his pocket and handed it to Brad. “Can I talk you out of an autograph, son?”

Brad laughed. “Amanda told me you’d want one.”

“Did she tell you she was supposed to get it for me?” Bill yanked a piece of paper off a nearby table and slid it in front of Brad.

“No,” Brad said. “She didn’t say that but somehow I can’t imagine Amanda asking me for an autograph.”

“Why’s that?”

“Let’s just say, she likes to keep me in my place. Anything that might feed my ego, she wouldn’t do.”

He chuckled. “She thinks you have a big ego?”

“And that I’m arrogant and cocky.”

“Are you?” Bill asked.

“Probably. Amanda seems to smash it right back down, though.”

“Learned that from her mother. She can put a hurting on a man’s ego in a heartbeat.”

They chatted a few more minutes, managing to talk both baseball and cars, clicking like old friends. Brad found this little glimpse into Amanda’s life appealed to him and he wished she was by his side. The thought scared him a little. These feelings he had for Amanda didn’t fit his career plan.

“Okay,” Kelli said, stepping back into the room, prescriptions in hand. “We’re all set.”

“I’ll let you two take care of business,” Bill said. “Have Amanda bring you by to see those Mustangs if you get time before you leave town.”

“Thanks,” Brad said. “I’d like that.” He wanted to experience more of life with Amanda. He actually wanted her to be here with him, right now, helping him figure out what to do.

Kelli watched her father depart, shoved a long strand of hair behind her ear, and then went over Brad’s instructions and medication.

After she finished, she studied him a moment. “It’s clear you and my sister are more than friends. She’s a reporter and still you trusted her with knowledge of your injury.”

What could he say? “Amanda’s easy to trust.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t hurt my sister.”

“I don’t plan to.”

“Yeah, well, that’s what everyone says before they hurt someone. Some careers just don’t support relationships.”

Brad couldn’t resist. “Like an athlete, doctor or pilot?”

“She gave you my list.” Her lips pursed. “Interesting.”

“Yep,” Brad said. “It takes one God complex to spot another.”

“Guess it does.”

Brad didn’t know about a God complex, but certain careers encouraged big egos and self-centered attitudes. Brad realized in that moment, he had some serious decisions to make about himself and Amanda and his career.

***

AN HOUR AFTER parting ways with Kelli—promising to be in touch soon with his decision about surgery—Brad sat alone in the hotel bar. He was afraid to get on the elevator because he could very well end up in Amanda’s room. He’d never felt this drawn to a woman. Never had a woman gotten in his head and refused to leave. That alone was proof she was a distraction his career couldn’t afford. He needed focus.