Jason snorted. “Some sunset. No job, balky shoulder, bad rep. Yeah, I really made out good in the deal.”
Seamus nodded, a thoughtful look on his face. After a long pause, and an exchange of glances with his general manager, Seamus cleared his throat. “Well, your screw-up could be our gain. You’re not my first choice for a first baseman but we just lost our guy for the season.”
“Or longer if he gets a fine for his drug use.”
Seamus pursed his lips, irritated at the interruption. “Yes, his drug use was…unfortunate. We don’t condone that behavior here and your past is not recommending you for this position. My daughter has pointed out that you could be a huge liability for us. Your old friend, Senator Kendall, is one of my biggest adversaries and would love nothing more than to screw my business. The only other person he has a bigger hard-on for is you. Signing you would tweak his temper and be very satisfying for me.”
“Either way, you’re still a huge liability for us.” Miranda smoothly stepped in to the short pause. “We’re a family-friendly ballpark, working very hard to build good relations with the community. Eduardo’s accident and revelations about drugs hurt our image. We’re getting slammed in the papers and on talk radio.”
Seamus frowned at her and broke in. “Our goal is to win. Who gives a damn about papers and radio commentators?”
“We should, since they influence our fans. If our fans are unhappy, they might not come to the ballpark. We need their money to stay in business.” Miranda smiled at her father but there was no amusement in her gaze.
Cole smoothly leaned forward between the dueling family members, blocking the staring contest. “As you can see, you’ve stumbled upon an ancient argument, as old as the chicken versus the egg. Which came first, the fans or the game? Either way, we have serious concerns about adding you to the roster. Probably the most important is your health. Can you still be effective after rotator cuff surgery and at your age?”
And there it was, the final nail in his coffin. As the words droned on, Jason could feel his career, his life, his future drifting way, being slowly pulled away from him like a slowly dying worm on the end of a fishing hook. Teasing, taunting, tantalizing him then yanking away without any thought of him.
“Why the hell are we here then?” Jason stood up, his chair almost toppling behind him. Scott lunged for the chair and Jason’s arm at the same time. “It’s obvious that I’m not your first choice, and probably not your second or third. In fact, I wonder if you even want me at all? Or was this just some grand joke– let’s screw around with Friar until we get who we really want? In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not amused and don’t need this bullshit.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Friar. How do you think I, the son of poor factory workers, got to be the head of a brewery and a Major League Baseball team owner?”
Jason spoke, before he could call back the words. “I assumed you married it.” The room took a collective inhale and waited for Callahan’s reaction.
An odd light came to Seamus’s eye, a quick glimmer of rage that was ruthlessly suppressed. “Yes, that was part of it but the business has thrived under my control. We’ve expanded operations, are international now. That didn’t happen because of whom I married. No, I have a head for business and I know a winner when I see it. And I never go into contract negotiations unless I know the outcome. Sit down.”
Jason let Scott pull him down into his chair, and wondered where Callahan was going with his reasoning.
Scott leaned forward, hand still firmly planted on Jason’s arm. “Gentlemen, I have to agree with Jason. We came here in good faith, not to be insulted. Jason has passed all of the physicals and will pass any others you need. The drug story is old news and an outright lie. Are you going to negotiate or was this a waste of time?”
“Where there’s smoke, there is usually fire, Scott. Just because there was no proof doesn’t mean he didn’t do drugs.” Cole pointed out.
“And drugs aren’t the main issue,” Miranda broke in. “Jason has a wild reputation, one that may not fit in with the family atmosphere we want.”
“So we wasted our time?”
Before anyone could respond, Jason burst out laughing. “Family-friendly atmosphere? You think your current players are choirboys, in by ten, all alone? Bullshit. Your team is young, full of kids making more money than they ever imagined and having their pick of women. You can delude yourself all you want but they’re no different than I was at their age. And yes, I did grow up. Most of the rumors are just that, rumors. But who cares about the truth when the rumors are so much fun? You need me as much as I need you. Sad, unfortunate, unwelcome, but true. So what’s it going to be?”
Seamus cleared his throat and all eyes turned to him. “We didn’t waste your time. Yes, we need you and you need us. But you need us more. I can pull up someone from Triple-A. You can’t get another job unless you go to Japan.”
“A Triple-A player won’t bring home a series ring or even a division win. I can.”
Seamus’s face broke out in a broad smile and he guffawed. “Cocky. I like that.”
Jason leaned back in his chair, satisfied he’d made his point. “It’s not cocky if it’s true.”
Seamus grinned and slapped Cole on the back. “Yup, I knew he still had spirit. He ain’t broke yet. See, we both know you’re going to play for us, but there is one condition and, son, I’d advise you take it.”
Scott interrupted before Jason could speak. “What condition?”
“We need a first baseman and you need a chance. We’re offering you a shot for the year, no additional clause, no contract for next year. This is just for the next three months, if we get into the playoffs. A few financial incentives for you depending on your level of play and if we get into the playoffs. Standard stuff really. We’re giving you a shot to prove you can still play. Puts you in good position for next year. In return, you’ll stay squeaky clean and focus solely on the game– hitting, fielding, catching. No more, no less. You will be as monk-like as your name, Friar. Or else, we’ll drop you like yesterday’s garbage and leave you rotting by the side of the road. Got it?”
The initial exhilaration was slowly replaced by the numbing realization of his precarious position.
“To that end,” Seamus continued, “you’ll have a professional babysitter. Someone to watch your ass and clean up after you. Someone to clean up your image. I don’t have time for image issues, even with only a couple of months to go. Miranda has lined up a few options and will go over them with you after the contract is finalized. Are we clear?”
Jason studied the field for a long moment, watching the grounds crew work on the turf. He could almost smell the fresh-cut grass, the pine tar, sweat, not to mention the food from the stands. He ached to be on the field, it was the only thing he knew, his whole life. Could he seriously bend over for Callahan and let him run his life, personal and professional on the odd chance that he could excel here?
He glanced at Scott. His agent’s jaw was tense and shoulders held tight against the inevitable decision. He realized that it wasn’t just his life he was screwing around with but his agent’s. And Scott deserved better, after sticking with him through everything. His hand brushed a piece of cardstock in his pocket.