Page 85 of Rain Delay

“I love you, Eliana.” I say.

She giggles, pulling me into a tight embrace. “I love you too.” She gives me a squeeze before pushing back from the hug. “No more sappy, you gotta get to a game.”

* * *

WALKING INTO the ballpark was business as usual. We were nearing September, which meant we were nearing the end of the regular season and approaching postseason – the best time of the year.

Being a “veteran” on the team meant I had to step up as a leader. Not that I didn’t think I wasn’t doing that, but I know I’m capable of giving more to my team. Ever since coming back from my injury, I’ve been too focused on myself rather than focusing more on the team. We haven’t been playing terrible, I just know we can be better.

After I got my life together and got changed for batting practice, I headed out to the field. Eli and I drove separately, I wanted to get there earlier and have some time to get in some meaningful batting practice outside before the rest of the guys got out here.

“So,” Coach says as he claps a hand on my shoulder. “Were you going to eventually tell me and the staff you’re seeing your social girl?”

I freeze. How the fuck did he know this? I turn and look back at him. “I’m not catching what you’re throwing.”

“Mitchell, I know about your relationship with Eliana Romano. You make it pretty fucking obvious,” he mentions to me. “You know the rules. No relationships with staff. It compromises professionalism, creates conflict, distractions –”

“With all due respect, Coach,” I cut in, heat rising in my chest. “She’s not a distraction. Not for me. If anything, I’ve been playing some of my best baseball since–”

“That’s not the point,” he snapped. “It’s about your reputation and the organization’s reputation. The GM already knows about it.”

I straightened, locking eyes with him. “Then suspend me. Trade me. Whatever. I’m not ending things with Eliana because it’s a ‘violation of policy’ or whatever you guys call it.”

The silence stretched. Coach’s face went red, ready to explode. “Normally, this would’ve been non-negotiable. But you’re lucky you’ve earned enough capital here that they’re willing to make an exception,”

The words hit me like a line drive to the chest. Relief, disbelief, and a flicker of something anxiety-ridden all tangled inside of me.

“Don’t take this for granted,” Coach warned. “One slip-up, one headline, one rumor of favoritism or drama, and it won’t just be Eliana’s job on the line. It’ll be yours as well, per HR.”

I nodded once, tight and sure. “Understood.”

He pats my shoulder again before walking away. Once he’s away, I let out the biggest sigh that was pent up in my lungs.

It felt like my heart was racing a million miles a minute. Now I really had to be careful with how I approach Eliana when we’re in public. She was brought here to work with me, it just so happened we decided to get back together in the process.

I made my way back into the dugout, setting my bats inside of the cubby that was stationed there during the game. Our helmets and everything else we needed was already in there thanks to our equipment managers. I took a look around, watching as some of the guys were in the outfield shooting the shit and laughing at something.

“You seem really focused on something,” a voice behind me says.

I turn around to see Eliana, fixing her jersey. “Turn around.” I told her, wanting to see who’s number she was sporting. Make sure it was the right number.

She smiled, turning around to show me the back of the jersey. It was my fucking name. She was wearing my jersey.

“I thought since I’ll be in the stands tonight, I should sport a jersey,” she grins at me. “What do you think? I think your number looks good on me!”

I was thinking a lot of things about it.

“Fuck,” I mutter. “Yeah, it does. But…” I paused, glancing around to make sure no one else was around us. “It’s going to look a hell of a lot better on the floor later.”

Her eyes widened and her cheeks blush. “Is that a promise?”

“It’s a guarantee.”

“Do you say that to every girl that wears your jersey?” She teases.

“You’re the only one that wears my jersey I pay attention to.”

Eliana simply shrugs. “Well, I gotta go be a spectator tonight! Maybe people will compliment my jersey! Game worn! Good luck.” She gave my cheek a quick kiss and hurried her way out of the dugout.