Minor update... One reader called me out on my lack of geography knowledge -oops. I had no idea there was a Peoria, Az. I'm not exactly Padres fan, so I don't closely follow their schedule. So I made a minor update to reflect Peoria Az.
Sprint Training:
They had spent Thanksgiving and Christmas apart. Ginny with her mom and Mike with his, mainly out of obligation. But mostly to avoid causing suspicion. They hated those few days apart. Living in their little bubble had been wonderful. It's not that they couldn't keep their hands off one another, it's that they just loved to be near each other. Without the pressure of fighting their feelings, they appreciated every moment of the day together. They could make fun of one another all while delivering sweet little kisses. They didn't need to agree on everything either. They had their little arguments of what movie to watch, bickered about pizza toppings and didn't always see eye to eye on politics. But they always fell asleep, entangled limbs, as though their bodies were made for the other.
Ginny was elated she would be at spring training, but it meant sleeping separate from Mike. This, she was not looking forward to. Catchers and pitchers had to arrive a few days before the rest of the team, on February 14th, Valentines day. So they would celebrate a day early. Mike knew Ginny had never celebrated Valentines with a boyfriend before, and seeing as they had to report to spring training on the 14th, he needed to make sure she didn't feel like she lost out again.
Mike had ordered food in from their favorite place and had her favorite beer on hand roses in the center of the dining table that was perfectly set. He dim the lights and even dressed up in a suite. He "picked" her up in her room and escorted her downstairs to a candle lit dinner for just them. He was a little nervous for some reason. He wasn't sure why. It's not like he was taking her out in public, or proposing to her. As he walked her down the stairs, he looked over at her in her black dress. The same dress she wore the night he almost left for Chicago. It was that night he realized he might have a chance with her. And it hit him… All this time living together and it had been easy. But it was about to get very real, very difficult. And he hadn't had to really work at this relationship because without any outside pressure, they were perfect. Tonight was the first time he had made an effort to impress her. Had he gone too far? Or not far enough?
Ginny looked at the table, then over at Mike, "I don't think we've ever used that table since I moved in." She grabbed his hand a little tighter and leaned into him. Dinner went off without a hitch. Mike played both server and date extraordinaire. Mike cleaned up dinner, and Ginny came over… "house keeper coming tomorrow?"
"Yes, but I've never liked leaving my dishes for her to do."
"Just once, can we leave it?" She had a worried look on her face that Mike initially misread.
"Did I mess up your Valentines? I'm sorry I couldn't take you out. And I figured any piece of jewelry would just cause talk in the locker room."
"No, this was perfect, come on." She took his hand and started to lead him hu the stairs. "This is our last night in the same bed for a while, and I don't want to lose a moment."
- Next day -
They took separate Ubers to the airport even though they were on the same flight. Tommy and Livan and two other pitchers were on their flight as well.
Mike sat next to Ginny while waiting to board. Quietly he asked her while looking at his phone, "What was that look for last night? Before we went up to bed? Is everything okay?" Just then they announced first class boarding. Fortunately, all of them were in first class.
Ginny got up, and as she picked up her bag, she whispered, "I'm not looking forward to sleeping alone tonight."
Both Ginny and Mike slept the entire flight, neither got much sleep the night before. Mike snored next to Tommy, Ginny sat next to a lady and her spoiled toddler. Neither minded. They had to transfer in Pheonix, and a short bus ide to Peoria from there. Livan sat next to Ginny for this last leg. It was a great chance for them to catch up. Livan's girlfriend was able to make it out of Cuba and he spent most of his off-season in his own bubble with her. He hadn't heard Mike and Ginny were roommates. He didn't realize Ginny was being sent back down to the minors after spring training. He didn't know Blip's wife was opening a restaurant (and frankly didn't care about this last one).
Their laughter drove Mike crazy. This time not out of jealousy, that Ginny might fall for Livan. He was confident enough in their feelings about each other. He just wanted to be the one making her laugh, enjoying the laugh.
The group got checked into the hotel and had their first practice. In the locker room afterwards, Mike invited Livan out for a drink. This really through him off guard, but he accepted, he was a little suspicious, but more curious what the grumpy captain wanted. "Meet me in the lobby in 30. I know a bar down the street." Mike barked.
A little more than 30 minutes later the guys were walking down the street. A few locals asked to snap pictures of them. Livan eagerly jumped at the chance. Mike begrudgingly agreed. "So I've come to terms that my knees can't take as many games as I want to play. And that means you'll get to play more games." Mike started before they even got to the bar. "I want as much continuity between us, so no matter who's on the mound, they know they can trust either of us. I except we'll both take different approaches, but I want us on the same page." Mike stopped at the door and opened it up to let the younger player in. Livan was floored, "But don't get me wrong, I'm still Captain." Mike finished.
Mike led them to a corner booth where Livan noticed Ginny sitting in it. He wasn't expecting. "He Mami! Didn't expect to see you here." Duarte said and started to slide in next to her.
"Sorry, this seat is reserved." Ginny immediately waived him off only the way a pitcher could do to a catcher. Mike sat next to her and Duarte across.
"So you two get along better now that you're roomies and all?" Duarte asked?
"You could say so." Ginny laughed. "Which is why we asked you here. We have a huge favor to ask, and it requires keeping a big secret. On the up side, you get to haul Mike's ass into Al's office if he screw's up."
"Keep talking, you've got me interested."
"This is serious and could really hurt the team if it get's out. So secrecy. Are you in?"
By the look on his face, Livan was starting to realize the gravity of what he was about to learn. "For you Mami, anything. Still working on trusting him." He said with a wink.
"Once I come back up, you will be my catcher for most of the games I play. But when Mike is my catcher we need you to pay attention. If you see any calls that aren't in the best interest of the team, of a win, you need to let Al know." Ginny said
"Okay, but as much as I hate to admit, you two have a chemistry on the field that just works. Shouldn't he continue to be your catcher?" Livan answered.
Mike's turn, "We feel it is best for the team if we don't play together too much." He turned and looked at her, their eyes met and in an instant Livan knew. Unlike Blip, they never needed to confirm verbally anything else. Livan just nodded his head up and down. He waived for their waitress. "We need another round, we're celebrating tonight."
"Not too much, in fact this is my only night drinking while were here." Ginny responded.
"Yes, but I have a good feeling about this season, and I think you both do, too. I see it in your eyes." They conversation continued and they were able to joke with one another as they each finished their second round. From that point forward, there was a new bond between them. It had some growing to do, but a foundation had been laid.
Livan was still a hot head. But there was a new level of respect between he and the team Captain. Livan started to view his Captain as less of roadblock to being the primary Catcher, that made him more open to listening to coaching from the senior player. Later in the season, this made trusting Livan easier for Ginny once she was called back up. Blip was right. Livan needed to know.
- Four weeks in -
Every night Mike had taken to Skype calling Ginny. It was time for the couple to reconnect. They missed being in the same bed. But unlike other couples that were separated for work, they at least got see each other during the day. They had promised not to sneak into hotel rooms, and were holding true to this.
However, Mike was becoming more grumpy as the days wore on. He missed his Rookie next to his side at night. Skype was a poor substitute. In the locker room, they guys teased him about not getting any action at night, needing to go to the local bars and hook up with someone for the night to relieve some tension. This only made him more mad. Blip and Livan stood by and had to say nothing. Ginny would use that as her cue to exit to her private changing area.
"Baker, my office after you change out," Al yelled. They had only a few games left in spring training. She and Mike had hoped for a few days back in San Diego before she was sent back to the minors. She entered Al's make-shift office. "I hate to do this to you, but I need to send you down now. They need a catcher. You're on a flight out tomorrow, playing the day after."
"Does this mean I won't get back to San Diego for a while?" Ginny asked.
"Sorry to do this to you and Mike, but like you said, team first."
"I know Al. I'll go pack now. Mind if I tell Mike?"
"Sure. And text me weekly and let me know how you are feeling. I've asked the trainer there to send me reports after each game. I gave specific instructions that you are only to play no more than every four days. If they play you more often, you call me."
"Got it coach!"
By the time she got back to the locker room is was empty other than Livan and Mike, who were both waiting to see what Al wanted. "I don't get to finish out here in with the team. I leave tomorrow."
"It's okay Mami, you'll be back before you know it. It's only because you need to rehab. We'll see you soon enough."
Mike stormed off straight to his hotel and up to his room. She knew he needed a few minutes. Instead, Ginny went to her room. She ordered room served for two - delivered to Mikes room and finished packing up her stuff in her room, then headed over to his room.
Mike answered the door, "What are you doing here? We promised."
She entered, shut the door promptly, then kissed him long and hard. "They promised I'd be here for all of spring training." She looked over at the food, went and started eating, "You gonna to join me?"
He sat down and ate in silence. "So we knew this wasn't going to be easy, and this is our first real challenge. We'll win. But, they bent the rules, so I'm bending the rules. I don't get a few nights back in San Diego with you, so I'm taking half a night with you. You better be prepared to be tired at the office tomorrow, hun." She said with a smirk.
How did she do that? Take an awful situation, and make it just a little better. She had to leave at 4:00 in the morning. She woke him up just enough to make sure he knew she was leaving. It was the first time she'd seen him close to crying. "We can do this. It's you and me, all the way."
"Text me when you get there, Beautiful. I love you."
"Back at you Captain."
Thanks all for reading. My littlest will be in the hospital for a scheduled/routine procedure. I have a few more chapters in my head still, but it will be a few days until I can get back to this. Until then, I look forward to reading others stories! Enjoy.