Chapter Eighteen
Afew dayslater, Jason and Stacia had returned to their old equilibrium, but something felt different. He was more aware of her and she seemed to sense the change in emotions. He wanted to talk with her about it but didn’t want to be assuming she felt the same.
Instead he decided to let the season play out and see if she hung around when everything was done. The Knights had clawed their way back and were tied for first place both in the division and the wild card. One more week of play left and they had tough teams coming up including their nemesis, Detroit. But he had to concentrate on the job and survive the old-timers’ game. Jason scanned the infield, registering some of the players he had played with in the past. No one he was close to.
He immediately felt Stacia enter the field. It was like a thunderstorm and she was the lightning, charging the air around him with electricity, prickling his skin with awareness. She spoke with Miranda Callahan then caught his gaze. In her eyes, he saw the same heat he felt and he wondered if maybe they had a chance at something more than sex. After the scene with her father, they both seemed to take a step back, as if considering the situation. Normally, this would be great. Cutting ties meant no awkward scenes later. He just wasn’t sure he was ready to sever the relationship.
Then her face clouded and she turned away and into the tunnel to the offices, without a backward glance. He resisted the urge to follow her, especially as he had a group of young guys peppering him with questions about hitting and his philosophy of hitting.
“Cody, what the hell have you done to your swing? You’re swinging at all the wrong pitches, son.” A deep voice sounded from behind Jason and he turned to see the GM, and another man who looked familiar.
Suddenly, recognition dawned and he made the link between Patterson and this man. Cody Patterson Senior, perennially on the Hall of Fame ballot but not quite getting enough votes. He had been a star on a cellar-dwelling team, then became a journeyman around the league, always getting the reputation of playing hard and a clutch guy, who never could stick. Jason had played with senior Patterson on his last team when he was a September call-up and Patterson was in his last season. He barely knew the man but remembered him as bitter and demanding.
He turned his attention to Cody in the batting cage. Cody subtly cringed at the censure in his father’s voice and then visibly steeled himself.
“Don’t tell me Friar is giving you hitting tips. You’re a pitcher but you have my genes, the potential to be a home run hitter, not a rinky-dink singles guy.”
“Dad, our goal is to get guys on base and then score.” Cody’s tone turned wheedling, more like a boy than the man he was. “We don’t want everyone swinging for the fences. If they do, they tend to strike out more and we lose.”
“Bullshit. I never agreed with that numbers baseball crap. Besides, Cody’s contract is up soon and he needs to start showing the big leagues what he can do. He won’t stay on this losing team forever.”
“We’re in first place.”
“Tied for first place. Next year, your team will be gutted and back to the cellar you go. You can’t compete the way you’ve set it up.” He gestured to Jason. “Signing has-beens, minor league players and journeymen will never get you to the series. No offense, Friar,” he added as an afterthought.
Cody’s confidence drained away with every word and Cole’s face was burning. Jason stepped between the three, diverting attention. “To be honest, I do take offense. I’m hitting the ball solidly. The team is scoring runs. Cody is playing the best he’s ever played. I think your son has done something right.”
Patterson Senior spat a wad of tobacco at his feet and stared at Jason, dislike written all over his face. “I hope you’re not spending any time with this lover boy, Cody. I’d hate for your reputation to be ruined along with his.”
Cole stepped in smoothly. “Mr. Patterson, maybe you’d like to check out some of the new facilities here.”
“Why? I don’t need to see any new weight rooms or training rooms. My son is screwing up his career by listening to your advice and I want to make sure he gets back on track.”
The other man’s tone had turned belligerent with underlying bitterness. Jason had had teammates whose fathers pressured and bullied their kids into playing a certain way and nagged them incessantly. At the time, he was envious of the time those fathers spent with their sons and wished he had a father who would do it. Now, watching Patterson Senior badger his son, it reminded him of how little remained outside of baseball. It was a little glimpse into his own future, except he wouldn’t have any sons to live through. He would be an outsider looking at the sport, remembering what he was missing, not belonging anywhere.
He turned away, suddenly depressed and even more determined to make his mark in the sport before the end. Then he’d talk with Stacia.