At first, I thought it was crazy and that he was talking out of his ass. However, as the night wore on and she kept glancing my way but didn’t approach me, I was shocked and relieved. It’s not her blond hair that I imagined splayed out on my pillow. Instead, it’s a brunette, the same one, in fact, who has had me in knots since the first night I laid eyes on her. I considered that I just needed to get laid, but as I took in the woman with long blond hair and the tight little body, I felt nothing. No stirring of desire below the belt, and that’s when I realized that Parker had broken me. I need to get her out of my system so I can move on.
“You coming, Bailey?” Cameron asks.
Shaking out of my Parker-induced fog, I see he’s now standing outside of the elevator holding the door for me. “Yeah. Zoned out there for a minute.”
“I get it. New team, new teammates, but we’re a chill group,” he assures me. “Coach Drummond is damn good at what he does.”
“Helps to have the talent to back that up.” I nod in agreement as we make our way down the hall.
“That it does.” He turns to face me, pushing the door open with his back. “Welcome to the Blaze, Bailey,” he says, before turning and walking into the room.
I catch the door with my hand as my eyes scan the room. I immediately spot Sonny, Wade, and Tucker, my fellow Tomahawks, or should I say former Tomahawks who were traded with me. There’s a seat left next to Wade, who is a third baseman. Sonny and Tucker are a part of the farm team and are both outfielders. I’m surprised they’re here today, but maybe Coach Drummond wanted to give them an official welcome. The farm team is just as important as the Blaze professional team. If one of us gets hurt, they’re our backup. I like that he included them. It says a lot about him as a coach.
“Hey,” I say to Wade. I look past him to nod at Sonny and Tucker. They’re both twenty-one and right out of college. That’s just two years younger than me, but it seems like a lifetime ago after two years in the majors. Their eyes are wide as they take in the room. I can remember being them. I was one of the lucky ones who went straight to the professional team, but that didn’t make it any less overwhelming. I was rubbing elbows with some of my favorite players because I was suddenly one of them. Talk about dreams coming true. It’s a moment I will never forget, and part of the reason I was so upset when I was traded. However, the Blaze is a solid team, and if I was going to be traded, I’m glad it was to here.
Coach Drummond stands in front of the room, and we all go quiet. “Welcome. We have some new faces and plenty of old,” he greets us. “I’m not going to bore you with strategies. Today is informal and a way for everyone to meet the new members of the Blaze. When I call out your name, stand up.”
I feel like I’m back in high school, and I’m the new kid. However, I can admit that bringing the new people into the fold, making them feel as if they are a part of this team is a good move on Coach’s part. Hell, he even included Sonny and Tucker, knowing they're on the farm team. Something inside me eases just a little more. I love the Tomahawks, but maybe this move is going to be what I needed.
Parker pops into my head, and I shake off the thought. The last thing I need is to get lost in my thoughts of that woman while I’m surrounded by my new teammates. Turning my focus back to Coach, he ends his pep talk, and Drew Milton, the Blaze General Manager, steps up.
“Welcome.” He smiles. “I’ll leave all the pep talks to Coach Drummond. I’ll start by saying I’m glad that you’re here, and I’m looking forward to an amazing season.” Everyone in the room cheers and claps, including me. Drew raises his hand, telling us to pipe down, and as soon as we do, the door opens with a loud clink, and all heads turn.
My mouth falls open when I see it’s her. It’s Parker. She’s dressed in a pair of leggings and a sweater that falls just above her knee, and her hair is cascading in curls down her back. What in the hell is she doing here?
“Ah, there she is.” Drew smiles at her. She hands him a stack of papers. “Most of you know my niece Parker,” Drew introduces.