Third Base (The Boys of Summer, #1)(58)
“Just talking, Skip,” Jacobson says, waiting for Diamond to walk into his office. Once the door slams shut, his attention is back on me.
“You’re my f*cking problem.” He puffs his chest out before storming away.
“What was that about?” Bainbridge asks after coming out of the bathroom.
I shake my head and grab my clothes. At this point, I’ll change when I get home. I need to go pick up Daisy. I need Daisy.
“I kicked my stool across the floor and he jumped on my shit.”
“I know you’re frustrated and you expect us to win, but sometimes teams have to take some lumps. We’re going to bounce back. We’ll dominate. We’ll be on top again.” Bainbridge squeezes my shoulder as he passes by. I hear a faint knock on Diamond’s door and wonder if Bainbridge will be around for when we bounce back.
Aside from being well under five hundred, I’m doing remarkably well. The batting title is within my reach but I know that unless we make the post season, I’ll be an afterthought. At this point, we’re not even close to making the post season because the teams from Texas are f*cking killing everyone right now. We can’t even put together a winning streak, but we can sure as hell lose multiple games in a row.
The only bright spot right now is Daisy, who I wish was living at my house. Even though I say that, I don’t really want her to move in, at least not yet. It’s far too soon to take a giant step like that. What sucks is having her in my arms, almost falling asleep, only to have to take her home to relieve the night nurse. I’ve offered to pay for a full-time live in nurse but she balked at the idea, saying her grandfather is her problem, not mine. She doesn’t understand that I want more time with her. My schedule really limits our quality time together. I suppose in the long run it doesn’t really matter since she’s still taking classes - one more semester and then she’ll graduate.
As typical with New England weather, one day we woke up and it was already freaking ninety out. This summer has been hotter than last year; I’m not complaining, just unprepared for the sweltering heat. I long for the days of hitting the beach or lake with my buddies to cool off after class.
Today, Daisy is skipping school and we’re going to the cabin that Steve Bainbridge owns. He says it’s nothing special, but does have a small beach if we want to go swimming. I don’t care if it means she can’t see me for two days in a row because of homework. I don’t have to work and I want to spend the day with her. She said I have to help her study, but since she’s not a sex-ed major, I doubt I’ll be very useful.
Right now, I’m counting the hot summer days until the All-Star break. I’m flying her and her grandfather to Cincinnati. It wasn’t easy telling her, but there isn’t anything she can do about it. Her grandpa loves baseball, and this is probably his only opportunity to see a game such as this. She knows she can’t win this battle, as I’ll ask John if he wants to go and use it against her.
The All-Star break should be a time to rest and recuperate, but I’m playing so I’ll be part of the festivities the entire week. My parents will be there, along with my sister and my niece, and they’ll be meeting Daisy and John for the first time. If I didn’t feel strongly for her, the introductions wouldn’t be happening. This is a big step for me and one I’m not taking lightly.
I’m going all out for this trip to the lake. I ordered a picnic basket a few weeks ago in preparation for today and it’s all packed with a blanket sitting on top. I have the wine chilled and food ready to go. Daisy should be waiting for me, I just need to grab everything and we’ll be on our way.
So why am I stalling?
My palms are sweating and my heart is racing. I’m not sick so the only thing that I can attribute this to is that I want to tell Daisy that I love her. I don’t even need her to say it back, but I need her to know how I feel and I have a feeling that today needs to be the most romantic date that we’ve ever had.
With a deep breath, I pick up the basket and head to my SUV. As soon as I pull up in front of her apartment, I realize that I forgot to buy her some flowers, and it’s too late to get some because she’s there, leaning up against the wall, waiting for me.
She’s in the car and leaning over the console before I can even get out and open the door for her. I hate when she does that, but understand that she’s in a hurry because she doesn’t want me to get a ticket for parking in the no parking zone. I know I’m pressing my luck when I park here, but it’s worth it.
“Where are we going?” she asks, weaving her fingers with mine. The console gets in the way and I wish I had a truck with a bench seat or something so I could pull her close. Even though we’re in the same car, she seems so far away at times.
“Well, since it’s an off day and I have absolutely nothing to do today or tonight, I thought we’d go to the lake. Bainbridge owns a cabin with a private beach.”
“Okay, two things,” she says, turning in the seat to face me. “One: I don’t have a swimsuit. Two: Will he and his wife be there?”
I don’t have a suit either and as nice as it is outside, I forgot that we needed them.
“So, my plan isn’t perfect.”
She leans over the console and gives me a quick kiss, trying not to interrupt my driving.
“And no, they won’t be there,” I say, answering her second question. “I do, however, have some wine and food in the back, along with a blanket. I thought we could sit out and just enjoy the quiet and maybe skinny dip.”