Trade Deadline:

The next few months went by and Ginny and Mike settled into a routine. They rarely showed up anywhere together, as in the same car. Yes, it had been established Ginny moved back in as Mikes' roommate, but they wanted everyone to continue to think all was well and platonic between them. If the team went to a bar, Mike might buy a drink for a few ladies. But the following morning, he would send flowers or something silly to Ginny in the locker room to reminder her it was all for "show." And never, did he allow him self to get drunk in public again, for fear of doing anything damaging.

After one particular team night out, Mike had bought a few ladies drinks. But one lady wouldn't leave him alone. He figured he'd just leave the bar early. However, this young lady went as far as to follow him into his Uber. He was smart enough to call Ginny from the car and talk to her the whole ride. He made sure the driver dropped this young lady off at her house first, then took Mike home. Ginny found it a little amusing and wasn't upset at all. Still, he sent her a car air-freshner (the cheap kind that you can get for a few dollars covered in plastic) nestled in a dozen roses, with a card saying, 'for the next time you're stuck in a smelly cab.'

She texted Mike from her locker room, [you didn't tell me your Uber was stinky.]

Mike responded [The Uber was fine, the girl had on too much perfume. It reminded me of cheap air freshner.]

x-x-x-x-

Ginny finally got her first no hitter against the Rockies and Mike sent her another gift to the locker room. Of course they celebrated in private once they returned to San Diego, but he couldn't help but show her how proud he was while they were in Colorado. He sent her a box of Rocky Mountain Chocolates and inside them was her rookie card with a post it note on top that read 'Rookie no more… you're the real deal!'

Ginny's text this time [I guess you need to hang my poster in your bedroom now.]

[Why would I when I have the real thing every night] Mike texted back.

By this time half the team was impressed with this 'secret' admirer and the other half was concerned. Blip knew these gifts were from Mike and did his best to convince the group of concerned teammates that who ever this secret admirer was, he had kept his distance and not done anything else to approach her, so there was not need to be alarmed.

- Night out -

Ginny had her second no hitter and the first no hitter in Petco Park, at home! The whole team went out to celebrate that night. Ginny and Mike drank a little more than usual, but they thought they were being discreet enough. Plus they had another night game tomorrow and didn't want to worry about hangovers.

But Tommy had taken notice of the way they locked at each other across the bar. Mike couldn't take his eyes off of her when she was on the dance floor with other guys. And Ginny's brow furrowed when Mike bought a drink for another woman. And then when they both ended up on the dance floor together, Mike's hands were a little too explorative on his teammate/roommate. Ginny leaned into whisper something to Mike. He nodded and they went in separate directions. Mike went to Blip then headed to the door. Ginny went to Evelyn and grabbed her purse, then also to the door. Tommy realized they were leaving together. He ran after them.

"Hey guys, they wife is a little mad at me. Mind if I crash at your pad tonight?" Tommy asked. In reality, everything was just fine. He just wanted to prevent them from doing anything they wouldn't be able to take back tomorrow. On the car ride to the house, Tommy texted his wife a quick explanation of what was going on. He knew he was a lucky man to have married someone who understood what he was doing.

Once they arrived at the house, the alcohol had finally cough up to Ginny. She stumbled upstairs, and followed her normal routine, change for bed in her room, brush her teeth, and head down the hall to the master bed she was use to sharing with Mike.

Fortunately, Mike was a little more sober and had the sense to think fast. "So Tommy, looks like I'm out of a bed tonight myself. Do you want to flip for the spare room? Loser takes the couch? Or should I be a good host and give you the room?"

"You got the couch, Old Man!" And with that Tommy marched upstairs. He left the spare room door open to make sure he could hear any other shenanigans.

The next morning Tommy woke to the smell of coffee and pancakes, Ginny's favorite after a night of drinking. Ginny was still fast asleep, but Mike was up and moving. Tommy came down and Mike kind of shoved coffee in front of him.

"I didn't peg you for the pancake kind of guy." Tommy said, grateful to have the caffeine.

"I'm not during the season, but Ginny is a bottomless pit." Mike said in a soft tone. "So about last night… I know you and your wife aren't having problems."

"Yeah, I was just afraid that they way you two were acting you might do something you would regret this morning. I didn't want you fighting me on it, and I didn't want to make a big scene and call attention to it either."

About that time, Ginny wandered down the stairs. "Hey Mike, why didn't you…" her voice trailed off as soon as she realized she and Mike weren't alone. She was planning to ask where he slept the night before, forgetting they had company. But as soon as she saw Tommy, it all came flooding back.

"Hey Gin, Tommy thought we were a little to, uh, flirty last night. That's why he really came home with us." Mike and Ginny stared at each other as Ginny walked across the room from the bottom of the stairs to the kitchen.

"I see. You're a good friend. But you have nothing to worry about." She walked over and stood next to Mike, leaned in and gave Mike a kiss on the cheek. "Morning babe, I think we may have shared a little too much, and Tommy here figured out our little secret last night."

The kiss took Mike by surprise, because she was so casual about sharing this with Tommy. But he kissed her back on the lips, and wrapped his one free hand around her waist, continuing to cook with his other hand.

Tommy sat there in disbelief.

Ginny continued, taking control of the morning. "I need coffee…" She demanded, which Mike obliged. "We plan on telling the whole team in a few days anyway, so no harm in telling Tommy now" she looked over at Mike. He just shrugged his shoulders. When she set her mind to something, he knew to get out of her way. "We've never been 'just roommates' we've been in a relationship this whole time." Ginny started. She went on and told Tommy the whole story and allowed him time to let it sink in and ask questions.

"But we need you to keep this quiet a few more days. We plan on telling the team, but only those who make it past the trade deadline. We don't want our secret going to any other team." Mike final stepped in.

Tommy was finally able to congratulate them, sort of. It was just so weird for him to think of two teammates dating.

After Tommy left, Mike realized something… "He Gin, in all our secrecy, we haven't even told our family about us. I mean I told my mom I was in love and she keeps asking when she'll get to meet the woman. But when are we going to tell our family?

"You can tell you mom when ever you want. We can have her over for dinner if you'd like. But I'm not ready to tell my mom or my brother until we go public. I just don't trust either of them. I'm sorry, but I don't."

All Mike did was hold her. He didn't say anything, just gave her a hug.

- Trade Deadline -

The trade deadline passed and the core team stayed intact. Al called a team meeting, prior to practice the day after. At the front of the room stood Al, Mike, Blip, Buck and Ginny.

The team was used to their coaches and a captain up front, but why was Ginny up there? Al started, "Not much to discuss before practice today, as you can see, we lost a few players, and we'll have a few new faces by end of day. Before those new faces arrive, your captain has something to say."

"Some of you have noticed and made comments this season that Ginny and I don't play in games together very often. It's not because we don't work well together. Fortunately, Ginny is great with what ever catcher is behind home plate." Ginny tried not to blush. "But it's because Ginny and I have been keeping our distance from one another on the field to ensure we are making decisions in the best interest of the team."

At this point, you could see many of the guys shift in their seats. That is except Livan and Tommy. Livan was in his own world, looking at something on his phone, no interest in this announcement. Tommy, just glad he didn't have to keep the secret too long and they were holding true to their word.

Mike continued, "Before spring training, Ginny and I disclosed a personal relationship to management, as any working professional should disclose to their supervisor. We decided to split as many games as possible and make sure the media didn't find out about our relationship." You could have heard a pin drop in the room.

Everyone turned to Ginny, "We are trusting you, we trust you. If you remember last year what a media fiasco just having me on the team was. We didn't want the additional media attention taking away from the great season we are having. So we are hoping you will all keep this secret. But we believe so much in our team, that it didn't seem right to keep this from you any longer than necessary. Now that the trade deadline has passed, and we're all here for the rest of the season… well you're in on the secret."

Sal was the first one to speak up, "Who all knew? Seriously, I had no idea."

Mike responded "We told Al, Oscar and Buck a few weeks before spring training. We told Blip as co-captain a week before spring training – we also figured it would keep his wife from trying to set either of us up on dates throughout the season the way she always has." This got a laugh out of everyone. "Livan was told the first day of spring training so he would understand why he would be playing with Ginny mostly and to be able to call us out if we weren't making calls in the best interest of the team. And well Tommy figured it out in the club the other night because we couldn't keep our eyes off each other."

Al…"Any other questions you can ask them later, we have practice as normal. Remember, they have been dating this entire season, so today's practice, tomorrows' game, should be business as usual."

As they headed out to practice, Omar asked, "So all those secret admire gifts must have really driven you crazy?"

"Nope, I sent them." Mike responded.

Tommy then said, "whoa, the old man still has some game. Maybe that's why Ginny fell for this lumberjack."

After practice, Ginny was changing in her locker room. Mike asked Blip, "Hey man, can I borrow your wife?"

"What for?" Blip said, and not in a quiet voice.

"I want to go ring shopping. I plan to propose to Ginny. I'm not sure when the moment will be right, but I want to have ring and be ready." Mike responded. And with that he got a great big 'man' hug from his co-captain, followed by a few high-fives and congrats from other teammates.