Chapter 37 – Breakdown

The minor leagues are a totally different world than the one we know. Well, the baseball world anyway. Everybody sees the life of the major leagues as a glamorous, popular, hot, easy, fun, and just complete royalty. Well. Do you ever think of the minor leagues? How did these guys get here? Don't ask Bryce Harper because he could not tell you the life of the minor leagues.

A normal game day in the major league might look something like this: you get up at ten thirty or so in the morning, you eat whatever meal and you have free time if you have a normal seven O'clock game. During that free time you spend time with family, your loved one, even your best friends. It's just free time; you do chores like normal people. After that, you have to be at the stadium by say three or so. Once you arrive, workouts begin in your high tech workout room, your personal trainer, and you get to hang out with most of your best friends. You have batting practice and then you get dressed in your game time uniform. You appear on the field, you warm up, stretch out, and you play your favorite game with thousands of people there to watch you. They cheer your name, or they might boo you due to being the away team, and you then go back to your hotel with the night at your freedom. You might have to travel home, by plane, to the next city. The next city you get to do it all over again, you might be heading home, or you could just be at another spot in the 162 games you play. It's almost easy to them; you get so much money per day to spend. It's crazy.

Then you have the minor leagues. These poor guys rough it. You have the very low pay, strict rules, and you travel all over the damn place. You are not in so much of the luxury anymore and you really get to see how much these boys love this game. They travel by bus for hours to get to the next city, they barely get any money to eat, and in the off season they just don't get to sit around, normally they have to find odd ball jobs, do their workouts, and just to be ready for the next season or to be uprooted quickly because you aren't granted anything. You have to work for everything and the harder you work the faster you move. These baseball players are put to the test everyday. Loved ones separate them, and they can't just put them on a plane because they have to work to make ends meet. Some baseball players spend years in the minor leagues, they live like this for years and years. No, it will never be easy for them but it gives them something to work towards, to look forward too, and to dream about after their one dream is already granted – to be that small boy and to play the game they love everyday.

When you go to ask some people about their time in the minors, they loved it. They loved the people they met, the friends they made, the coaches that taught them and the journey they rode. People like, Bryce Harper will never understand the true value of being a minor league player, hell, even my boyfriend won't understand that much as he is in his third year and already at triple A. He will have the fun stories, and trust me there are plenty of them, the way they return TVs after using them for 5 months, the amount of video games they play because they can't afford anything else. It is those little moments that make you appreciate everything about the major's. It makes you feel like it's better than what it should be. Those boys look back at that time and they smile because it was hell then but it was fun. The majors can be fun, hell, I have never seen such locker rooms full of giddiness of twenty year olds but something about the minors, those games with only dedicated fans, and the snap of the bat of the first year kid who is showing everybody up.

It's the little things that are the best things and the minors are about as little as you can get in this big baseball world.

"Brie, it was good,"

A smile pressed over my lips, "Thanks, is it Troy?"

"Hell yes, I think it is perfect." I smiled as the article came out a week ago and Troy was just now getting a chance to read it. It was almost late June and a full month had passed since Troy and I came in contact.

"Thanks, I wanted to share it with you when I wrote it but they wanted me to wait,"

"I think it's good,"

"Thanks," I felt a blush rise over my cheeks, "Now I'm working on the whole drug use scandal, I have been working on it since the end of the other article, I have gotten good interviews and words, I have been working really hard,"

"I proud baby girl,"

I smiled, "So I have some news,"

"What?" I asked, "I got invited,"

I paused as I looked at my laptop, "What?"

"I got the official invite to the all-star game Brie, I'm going to the futures game,"

I laughed, "Troy! That's awesome! I'm so happy for you,"

"I'm just happy because that means in two weeks, we will be together,"

I couldn't even speak as that would wrap it up to a grand total of six weeks apart, and after that we would only be separated for two weeks. I burst into a wide smile, "I can't wait,"

"Neither can I."

"I'll be arriving on Friday the 11th,"

"I'll be arriving on Friday the 11th too," Troy, laughed, "I love you Brie,"

Rubbing my forehead, I went to retype a section of my article as Shane came up behind me, "Hey good looking,"

"Stop Shane," I muttered, "I heard you got a couple of days off," I looked back at him, "Yea, I did, what does it matter to you?"

"It's hard to get interns time off around here,"

"Well I'm working on a story while I am there, I am just taking my story with me,"

"What did you get?"

"I'm covering the futures game or the celebrity game at the 2014 All-Star game."

"How the hell did you get that?"

"Shane, do you mind I am working?"

"How does an intern get that!" he pressed, "My boyfriend is playing in the futures game that night, are you happy now?" he blinked as he looked at me, "Wow, he must be good since you won't tell me who he is,"

"He is good," I stated, "And I don't need you knowing," he sat down next to me as I rolled my eyes, "Do you miss him?"

"More than you could understand," I told him, "Really?"

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"No," Shane said, "Then you have no idea what the hell it's like," I stood up with my stuff and I went back to Abby's office and shut the door.

I'll hold you in my heart until I can hold you in my arms.

June 27th, 2014

Do you ever have those moments where you just miss somebody more than you could describe? T and I have been separated for way too long I believe. He is blowing it up in the minor leagues and I am writing my fingers away here in New Haven. It's hard being separated but it also is refreshing because every time I get to see him again the excitement is unexplainable. The way I grin at the sight of his brown hair, the look in his baby blue eyes, and the moment he wraps his arms around my waist pulling my close so I can hear his heartbeat evenly again.

It's perfect honestly but I would give all of that up for him to crawl into bed with me every single night. I miss the way he would crawl into my bed and plant his chin on my shoulder and he would kiss just about everything on my body. The mischief smile that would come over his face and the sly grin that he has. Everything that he does just seems to be perfect. He called me today telling me some pretty big news – no. He did not get THE call but he got a call that is almost equally as exciting. It is also the truth of – I finally have something to count down too. I can finally start counting down the days until I get to hold him again, to kiss him, to hug him tight, to hear his heartbeat again. It's exactly what I get.

Each day till then is going to seem longer, harder, and even more distant from T himself because I will be extra busy to talk to him and he will be extra busy preparing himself to pitch so these next two weeks are going to be grueling yet in fourteen days I will get the most rewarding feeling again, after six weeks I'll be in his arms again and nothing else could change that feeling.

Talk to you all tomorrow!

-G

"Gabi?"

"What Shane," I muttered, "Are you working late tonight?"

"Yes,"

"Do you care if I stay?"

"Will you shut up?"

"Yea…"

"Then I don't care, I am the intern,"

"Who has one of the best stories of the year,"

"Uh huh,"

"You and Troy haven't talked since when?"

Rolling my chair back I sighed, "It was probably Monday,"

"Gabi, it is Monday,"

"That's what I am saying, it has been a week,"

"Good God, what is wrong with you too?"

"I'm constantly busy. This article is keeping me so busy and my deadline is tomorrow," I rubbed my forehead, "Mal, I miss you."

"I miss you more baby,"

A sigh rippled from my throat, "I miss Troy too but we only have about six days apart,"

"You are seeing him this week?"

"The all-star game is this week," I told her, "Oh shit,"

"Yea, I know, it's crazy."

"Minnesota right?"

"Right."

"I'm staying late tonight to finish my article, get my pictures for it, and submit it into my editor and then I am going home, popping a fucking glass of wine, and chilling."

"You go girl!"

I smiled, "What are you and Colin doing?"

Mallory had followed Colin home and they were going to spend half of the summer with his parents and half with her parents. Both of them were going to take turn getting jobs, one at each place and then they would spend a week apart while one of them went back to their parents house to get a good loving in with them before junior year starts.

"Hanging out, he is working this afternoon,"

"Ah,"

I looked over at the things I needed to study for my quiz for my online class, I groaned, "What?"

"I have a quiz tonight, I have so much shit to do,"

"Oh right, online classes, how are those going?"

"They suck fucking ass,"

"Somebody is in a mood," I laughed, "What? If you had all of this shit would you not be in a mood?"

"I just think you need to have sex."

"I wish I could have sex with somebody."

"I'll have sex with you!" Shane said sitting down next to me, I groaned, "Shane, honestly," I said turning away, "Hey! You said it!"

Mallory giggled, "Your best friend,"

"Yea, well," I paused as I stuffed my lunch into the fridge, "He is an asshole," I muttered, Mallory laughed, "I miss you, like, you have no idea how much I miss you."

"Can you please come visit me!" I begged, "I'm busy," Mallory said with a pout in her, voice, "I'm busy," I corrected, "You are just lazy and having plenty of hot sex with your boyfriend."

"You are just jealous,"

I groaned, "You have no idea,"

Re-reading my article for the third time, I made a few more changes and Shane spun in his chair as he was trying to brainstorm an idea. While they had to come up with ideas, get them approved, and then do them. I was just handed my idea and I had to make it come alive.

Apparently, rumor was, I was the hardest working intern they had seen come through her. I had no heard this from Mr. Chase himself but I wasn't going to change anything. I did my coffee runs, did the copies, wrote my articles, preformed interviews, did my school work, and kept up with my dad's and Troy's baseball while giving a few texts to them throughout the day.

Shit. I did all of that, everyday, in just a twenty-four hour period. Hell. I should become a mom.

I snorted. "What?" I looked up at Shane, "Nothing, I was just thinking of something and it made me laugh. That's all,"

"You know you are pretty good, right?" I looked at Shane, "Thanks, I try my hardest."

"Your hardest is quite impressive." He remarked, he paused, "Let me take you out for a drink, honestly, you look like you need one." He told me, I wanted to say no but I really wanted a drink. I wanted something strong that could basically let myself loose for a bit but still remain in control.

"After I finish, I am almost done,"

"Good, you should be," I nodded as I had this story for two weeks to do. It was turning out better and better every time I read it. After the fourth time, I attached a couple of pictures and re-read it again, always changing something along the way.

"You don't have to read it that many times,"

"It has to be good,"

"I bet it is better than good," Shane said, he slipped around the desks and he sat on the other side of me. It was just past seven at night as the office had mostly cleared out besides us too. "Shit, the first sentence is better than my entire story I have been working on." He muttered, "Like the words you use and you are just a junior in college."

"Well, you think it's good?" I asked him after it looked like he read most of it, "Gabi it is excellent," he looked up at me, "Truly, I can't wait to see what you do."

"I want to be a broadcaster but the writing is fun too." I told him, "If you can write you can talk," he smiled, "Send it in and then we will go, come on," I attached it as I sent it to the editor, my pictures were in place with everything else that was needed with it.

Shutting my laptop I looked up at Shane who was in a whole different world, he was typing something and when I put my laptop in the bag he was already standing ready to go. I place my bag over my shoulder and then I walked behind him as he lead me to his car, "I'll follow you,"

I said as I pointed to my Audi, he looked at my car and his eyes found mine. "What in the hell, you have a nicer car than me."

"My dad is a major league guy, this was my first car,"

"When did you turn sixteen?"

"Like five years ago…"

"Not one accident?"

"Not in this car, actually," I thought about it, "Not one at all really,"

"Damn, lucky duck,"

"Well let's knock on some wood it doesn't happen. I have had plenty of other things in my 20 years to make up for a car accident." Shane laughed, "I'm sure you have,"

I slipped into my car as I looked at the clock, a little after seven, which meant Troy was getting ready to start playing in Omaha tonight. He was in the bullpen so I didn't have to listen to his game but I would most likely do it. I followed Shane's car around a couple of blocks until he pulled into a parking lot. He passed a parking spot and I only assumed for me to take.

Slipping my cars in-between the lines, I let my hair down and it fell below my shoulders, I ran my fingers through it as I ditched my jacket and it revealed my blue button up, I rolled up the sleeves and I stepped out of my car.

"Did you change?" I locked my car and shook my head, "Nope." I tossed my hair and I looked at him, "I'm just easily hot,"

After two drinks, I was ready to leave, the sky was dark and the bar was growing louder. "So Gabi, tell me about college life. I miss it,"

Shane had tried to start many conversations with me tonight, some lasted, some didn't. "College is…college." I told him, "Maybe being in the city makes it even better but honestly, I love it. I have the best roommates and I have made friends for life. The parties are killer and it's fun."

"I bet it is," he circled his drink around, "Just become a permeate student,"

"Work life is not that bad,"

"Hmm," he laughed, "I wouldn't be so sure."

"Hell, I do coffee runs everyday and I love it,"

"Maybe I should start doing the coffee runs,"

"Fuck no," I responded, he laughed, he took a drink and I slid around in a circle. "What is work life like?"

He took a minute to respond, "Ground hogs day,"

"Really?"

He nodded his head and he turned to look at me, "Are you honestly happy with your boyfriend?" I looked at him surprised, "Shane, I love my boyfriend,"

"He can't make you happy when he is never around,"

"He is around a lot more than you think," I told him, I went to get up but Shane stopped me, "Gabi, honestly,"

"I'm being honest with you Shane," he looked at me and the next thing she knew Shane was kissing her, hard.

His lips were rough and he smelled of vodka. His lips burned mine and I pulled away as I tried to pick up my purse and move but he grabbed my wrists, "Gabi, come on, you even said it, you want to have sex with somebody."

I gasped as I pulled away, "I want to have sex with my boyfriend, that's what I want,"

He looked at me and he tried to kiss me again but I shoved him away and went running out of the building. Tears began to run down my face as a sob built in my throat, I settled in my chair as I suddenly felt everything come dropping around me. How much I missed Troy, the stress of making everything perfect, being away from my family. I was feeling it all as I pressed my forehead against the steering wheel.

I needed Troy.

Digging around in my purse, I began to dump it around and my phone tumbled out of my bag. I scrambled to pick it up as I saw Shane come out of the door, his face red with emotion, I cried harder as I opened my phone calling Troy.

It rang for a couple of times and then three more. I felt my stomach twist as it went to voicemail.

Once the ding came, I tried to hold back the tears, "Troy, hey, I know you are probably busy," I paused as I cried for a moment, "I just need to talk to you about something that happened tonight because," I stopped again and I pressed my eyes tighter together. "I miss you Troy, I just need to talk to you okay? Call me please, I love you,"

I ended the call as I realized how broken I suddenly felt.

Troy's POV

I clapped my hands in the late June summer heat. "That's a win!" Aaron yelled, we hoped over the fence as we went to give handshakes to the team, "Bolton," I laughed as I tossed a big high five to my teammates.

We all began to head back to the locker room as it was time to finish up and head home to get a couple hours of sleep before starting the day again. Hopefully, I would be able to talk to Gabi for a little while tonight. It had been a full seven days without hearing her voice which was okay because in six days she would be wrapped in my arms again.

I grabbed my stuff from the dugout and I headed down into the locker room. The boys were already stripping as I stood in front of my locker and pulled down my phone. A call from Gabi and a voice mail. I smiled and I opened up the voicemail and listened to it.

"Troy, hey, I know you are probably busy," she was upset, my heart began to race because she was upset over something. I could hear the tears, "I just need to talk to you about something that happened tonight because," the pause broke my heart as I could hear the soft sobs in her voice, during the pause. "I miss you Troy, I just need to talk to you okay? Call me, please, I love you."

My heart raced faster as I picked up my phone, I tried calling her back but I only got her voicemail. I tried twice and that's all I got. Not even a ring to let me know the phone worked on the other end. My stomach twisted as something happened tonight and she was scared.

"Bolton, you look like a mess,"

I turned to see Hunter, "Dude, I need," I breathed, "I need a minute."

Backing away, I went back out towards the field where it was quiet besides the guys working on the field. The fans were all still filing out and I sat on the bench as I tapped my leg against the ground and then I picked up my phone again.

"Hello?"

"Alex,"

"Troy, is everything okay?"

"I don't know," I stressed, "I'm not sure actually, Gabi called me and she was crying and upset, I didn't answer it, it just went to voicemail. I was listening to the voicemail and something happened tonight, she is hurt, I tried calling her and it just keeps going to voicemail, I am really worried about her."

"Well we don't have anything tomorrow, so I am going to go check on her. I will call you once I have her in my sights okay."

"You don't think I should go see her right?"

"You have six days, I think you two will make it,"

"Okay,"

After I hung up, I ran my fingers through my hair as I sat there, "Scared as hell," I muttered quietly, "Scared as hell,"

Alex's POV

Pulling into Gabi's apartment complex, I spotted her car and suddenly the pit in my stomach grew. I was scared as hell to find something I wasn't prepared for. I talked to her the other day and she seemed fine, I don't know what could possibly be wrong tonight.

I walked into the apartments and I went to the elevators as I went up to her floor, I paused and I knocked on the door briefly but when I got no response I found my keys. I suddenly have flashbacks of having to run her to the hospital; did I even know where the closest hospital was around here?

Shoving my key into the door, I opened the door and I noticed the TV was on, her bedroom door was open and Skip came pouncing to the door. I shook my head at the silly cat as I shut the door. "El?"

Stepping further into the apartment, I saw that she was sitting on the ground, her eyes glued to the wall. "El," she turned and looked over as her make-up was all over her face, her eyes tired, and the bags that carried her face. She burst into a loud cry when she saw me, she stumbled up and I knew she had a couple of drinks tonight. She made it to me as she collapsed into my arms, "El baby," I hugged her tight as she held on to my shirt, "What happened? You are freaking Troy out,"

"This guy kissed me tonight and I," I realized the problem within moments and I knew how much she was really missing Troy, how much stress she was truly under, and how much she hates to disappoint.

Troy's POV

"Yea, I have her,"

"Can I talk to her?" I asked quietly, "Yea, hang on,"

I heard Alex talking to her as my gut twisted, "Troy,"

"Good God Brie," I felt my whole body relax, "Are you okay? You scared me half to death,"

"I didn't mean too, my phone died and I just didn't put it on the charger."

"I'm not mad, I'm just," I took a big breath, "Relieved."

"Shane kissed me tonight," she blurted, "He what?" I asked, not sure if I even heard her right. "I'm sorry Troy, I probably made it happen because,"

"He touched you?"

"Troy, it's my fault."

"How could it possibly be your fault?"

"I let him take me out for drinks because I needed a drink and he kept asking me questions, I tried to leave and he kissed me."

"It's not your fault Brie, It's not. He is an asshole because he knows you have a boyfriend and if you stopped it,"

"I did, I swear,"

"Baby, I trust you."

She cried, "How many more days until I get to see you?"

"Five," I responded, tomorrow was at the base of my lips but I bit down on my lip hard, "I miss you," I told her, I leaned forward as I put my elbows on my knees, "I miss you too, I'm sorry I scared you. I fell asleep waiting for you to call me back and it died."

"It's okay Brie,"

"Can you call me back on my phone and talk to me till I fall asleep?"

"Every time,"

Long after Gabi fell asleep, I laid on my bed, on the phone with her because I just wanted her to know I was there. The even breathing of her made my heart beat a little bit better. It was rough knowing she was feeling upset and I couldn't be there to make it better.

Alex stayed the night with her to make sure she would be okay in the end. It scared me every bit when she had a nervous breakdown, scared that she would end up in the hospital again. Chills ran over my body as it was taking everything for me to just stay in this bed, to not go and see her, to hold it. It was taking everything for me to just stay right here.

Rubbing my hands over my face, I sat up as I pulled my laptop close to me. I think it was time to start making things a little bit more official.

Happy Sunday! Can you believe it is already November?! How crazy!

I hoped you all enjoyed it!

Please Review!