The Trade(100)

Chapter Twenty-Three





CORY





“Going to finally earn that paycheck this season?” someone hollers.

“You’re washed up, Potter,” another person shouts.

“You’re a fucking piece of trash. Go back to Baltimore,” a fan drips with venom.

I push past the flagrant insults and make my way into the ballpark; it’s the first day of spring training and I already want it to be over. I’ve never had this feeling before. Heading into spring training I’ve always felt invigorated, ready for the season to start, but with the combination of leaving Natalie in Chicago and the shitty treatment I’ve gotten since I became a Rebel, I’m already begging for the season to be over.

And I hate that.

If anything, I’ve prided myself on the fact that I love this game. I play it because I love it. I train hard because I love it. It’s never been about the money or the accolades for me. It’s been about being the best I can be for my team, for me, and for my family.

That love has been taken away from me, making my job a chore rather than something I enjoy, something I look forward to. And even though Marcus said fans would ignore my family, they are too proud and supportive not to be affected. My mom and dad would hate this. Rian and Sean would be mortified for me. And Milly? Devastated. Despite the fans not going after family, in my case, they’ve hit their mark regardless.

“Shitty crowd this morning,” Marcus says, coming up from behind me.

I shrug. “It is what it is. How are Kate and the kids?”

“The first days are always the hardest, but thankfully Kate gets along with my parents very well and they’re there right now, helping out. It will be better once we’re back in Chicago and I can lend a hand more.”

“I can understand that.”

We make our way to the locker room to get changed as Marcus asks, “How’s Natalie?”

“Good. Spoke with her this morning. She’s flying out in a week, booked her flight last night. Counting down the days.” Smiling to myself, I say, “Said the big L word before I left.”

“Seriously?” Marcus asks, just as Jason screams at us from down the hallway.

Galloping like an asshat, he flings himself into my arms and kisses my neck. What the actual fuck . . .

I know he does that to Knox and Carson all the time, but now me too? Not sure kissing me is going to be accepted by the fans, or my teammates.

“I missed you.” He turns to Marcus and puckers up, but Marcus backs away and holds his hand out.

“A handshake is good.”

Jason laughs a good hearty laugh and then pulls Marcus into a hug but keeps his lips to himself as I desperately rub my shirt on my neck, trying to erase the feeling of his mouth on my skin.

“How’s it going? I’m excited we all get to practice together today.”

At least Jason is feeling the spirit of spring training.

“Good,” Marcus says with a conspiratorial smile. “Cory was just telling me how he told your sister he loves her.”

Motherfucker, Marcus.

“Dude,” I say just as Jason takes a step back and crosses his arms over his chest.

“You what?”

“Don’t make this a thing,” I say quickly but not quick enough, because Jason starts waving his hand in front of his face and talking in a high-pitched tone.

“You said you love her? Holy shit, you’re my brother-in-law.”

“Okay, so this is going to be a thing.”

“Of course it’s going to be a fucking thing.” Jason wraps his arms around me and picks me up, shaking me. The dude has to be really fucking strong to be holding me in the air right now.

I look over at Marcus, who’s shaking his head and laughing, leaning against the wall, taking us in.

“This is your fault.”

He laughs some more. “I’m not even sorry.”

Finally, Jason puts me on the ground and grabs me by the shoulders. Looking me square in the eyes, he says, “Don’t fucking hurt her.”

“Never,” I answer, making direct eye contact, and I mean it. I would never hurt her. Natalie has quickly wiggled herself under my skin and into my heart, and I can imagine a day when she’s the most important thing in my life followed by my family, and then baseball. That should terrify me.

Arm over my shoulder, Jason walks me toward the locker room, practically skipping.

“Dude, the pitchers and catchers are pretty cool.” Leaning in, he says, “Maddox is totally impressed with you.”

Talk about shocking the piss right out of someone. I stop in my tracks and say, “What?” Marcus keeps walking, giving us a moment.

“Yeah, said your work ethic was unlike anything he’s ever seen.”

I clear my ear out, trying to understand if I’m hearing the right thing. “What, uh . . . what?”

Laughing, Jason keeps walking me toward the locker room. “You would be surprised with how quickly you can impress someone when you put in the work.”

Well fuck. I put in the work last year, so where was the love then?

Knowing not everyone hates me takes away some of the dread of practice.

We push through the locker room door and there are a few guys stationed at their lockers, getting changed and ready. Some turn their heads to greet us, some nod their heads while music plays in the background.