Opening Game
This was not the day to think about Mike and his fast car. It was game day. Ginny was holed up in her private locker room with her headphones on. She sat on the couch listening to uptown funk when she felt a tap on her knee. She opened her eyes to Jordan.
Removing one of her Beats ear buds, she sat up. "Hey."
"Sorry. I hope I didn't scare you."
"No. What's up? Nervous?"
"Yeah. Are you?
"I try not to think about it."
"I wish I could do that. Mind if I sit here with you?"
"Not at all."
They both slouched onto the couch. Ginny put her ear bud back in as Collins put his apple pods in his ears.
It was game time. Ginny was on the mound for the first pitch of the 2019 playoffs. The stadium was packed. At bat was Jeremy Cox from the Dodgers. She knew he had a high on base percentage and could handle the bat by bunting. He was a good hit and run guy and didn't strike out a lot. She knew Jordan knew these same things about Cox. Everyone on base was ready. This was it. The first game of the season that was going to make history. Ginny focused on Jordan. He threw down his first sign. A screwball. NO. That's what everyone is expecting. Ginny began to feel the panic inside her rising. It had only been half a week that she got to work with Jordan. The time between Spring Training and opening day gave the team hardly any time for changes. Yet here she was, in another state, with a new catcher. Ginny shook him off. Collins threw down another sign. A sinker. Ginny nodded her head and got into position. She concentrated on her breathing. Slow deep breaths. Her eyes fixed on Jordan's mitt. Everything else in the world disappeared around her. Her fingers tips pulsed on the braid of the ball. She lifted her leg and launched the ball straight into Jordan's mitt.
"Strike One!"
18 games later
It had been two days since they won their 18th game in a row. The padres were on their first winning streak ever recorded in their history of baseball. Ginny and Jordan had been hip to hip studying their hitters. Everyone was talking about the Padres and what they nicknamed their favorite players, "The Wrecking Crew," referring to Ginny Baker and Jordan Collins. Things were really looking good.
Ginny finally found a house in Point Loma overlooking the ocean. Jordan asked to rent a room from her as soon as he found out she was going to be living off the beach. Ginny was kneeling on the kitchen floor opening a new set of dishes when Jordan came in from the waves with his wet suit pulled down to his waist showing his very tanned and sculpted body.
"Well damn Collins! You trying to make it on the cover of sports illustrated, are you?"
"Oh. Are you a fan?"
"Whatever."
"I'll be happy to sign something for you. Anything for my fans."
"Shut Up! What you can do is get a broom. Look at all the sand you're tracking in!"
The doorbell rang. "I'll get it. Collins said. It may be a scout for the magazine."
"Ha-ha."
Jordan opened the door to Mike Lawson who held a succulent plant and a bottle of wine.
"Hey Coach!" Collins exclaimed.
Ginny froze overhearing who was at her door. Mike with a confused look on his face looked over Jordan's shoulder to spot Ginny with a surprised expression of her own.
"Oh! Hey. I was brining Ginny a housewarming present." He said raising the gifts he held.
"Oh, thanks! I'll take those. I decided to rent a room from her so, I guess Thank you from me too! Come on in."
Mike slid his hands in his pockets and gave half a smirk trying to pass it off as a genuine smile as he entered.
"Hey," Jordan continued. "I'm gonna hit the shower but would you like a beer?"
"Uh, Yeah. Sure."
"No problem man."
Jordan handed Mike a beer as Mike made his way to the kitchen Island where Ginny was stocking dishware.
"Here you go Coach. I'll be out in a minute." Jordan disappeared into a hallway that led to what Mike assumed to be the back bedrooms. Looking around he could see she had chosen a prime location of real-estate. Large bay windows that overlooked the cliffs to the ocean in the distance. Her dining room led out to a balcony with a staircase that led straight out to a private part of the beach.
"Nice place."
"Thanks Coach." Ginny stopped stocking her cabinets turning to face him.
"Mike."
"Hmmm?"
"Just say Mike. We've known each other long enough."
"Sorry. I haven't seen you much off the field. Habit." Ginny hadn't spent time with Mike off the field since the day he helped her pick out a car. That day they seemed to forget the past and just enjoyed each other as friends. It was light and fun. She had picked out a white Acura NSX Supercar. She of course had quite the discount from the owner. He even took her out for some driving practice. However, when the day was ending, there was that weird moment again. That feeling of not wanting the day to end. So, they had, without say kept their distance off the field.
"Yeah. I've been keeping myself busy."
"Yeah? Doing what."
"Huh?"
"What have you been keeping yourself busy doing."
"Uh you know. Rach. She keeps my calendar full." He said before taking a swig of his beer.
"Oh." Ginny nodded her head.
He didn't want to tell her he's been avoiding having to be around her. Rachel in fact had already started dating. It was only a matter of time before that would come out.
"Nice dishware." He motioned to the teal-colored plates in her open cabinet.
"Thanks." Ginny turned to close the cabinet then went to open a box of pots and pans.
"Let me help you with that." Mike offered.
"Thanks. Evelyn picked out most of this stuff. Thanks for the plant. I hope I don't kill it."
"Well, they're a tough plant to kill. So that would be impressive if you did." He said as he handed her a pan to put away.
"Trust me. I'll find a way to kill it."
"What do you think you're going to cook with these pots and pans anyway? I've never seen you so much as make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich."
"Shut your mouth." Ginny threatened with a frying pan. "I plan to learn to cook. Look! Here's my "Not Your Mother's Cook Book," by Donny Enriquez."
"Oh. Yeah. I heard of him. I hope I get to taste some of those infamous tacos of his."
"It will be one of the first things I'll do then. Taco Tuesday it is." Ginny placed the book back on her empty kitchen shelf. "I'll definitely need some more books in here."
"It's nice here. Can I get a tour?"
"Of course! Follow me." Ginny led him around the single story three-bedroom, three-bath house. It had two master sweets, a guest room, an open concept kitchen, dining and living room. She had a small kitchen table and a couch. Not much furniture had arrived yet. By the time they reached the balcony, Collins emerged. The three of them talked about what ideas they had for furniture and interior décor. Mike insisted they get a pool table. An hour had passed when Mike decided it was time for him to get going.
"So, I'll catch you guys at the dinner party tomorrow?" He said halfway out the front door.
"Yeah. Looking forward to it. You know how much I love wearing heels" Ginny said rolling her eyes. Mike turned halfway smiling at her comment. He looked straight into her eyes without a word as what may have been 10 seconds passed by. This was the same look that had made Ginny feel that same uneasy feeling she had the day she bought her car from him. A longing kind of sad look.
