Page 38 of The Trouble with Players

“I swear. Some of the guys were talking shit because that’s what guys do. And they were wondering which one of us could tame the angry…you. No money was exchanged. It was just for laughs.”

“Oh, so it’s funny?”

“No, it’s not funny,” he said, his eyes lowering to his shoes.

“What’s the winner get?” I asked.

His eyes shot up. “There’s no winner. It was just guys talking.”

“I don’t believe you.”

He threw his hands out to his sides. “Well, I can’t help you with that. You’re the one with trust issues. Not me.”

I grabbed a nearby drink that someone had left and tossed the contents in his face. “You’re an asshole.”

He gave a sigh of resignation, then dragged both hands over his face to wipe the liquid from it. “I’m telling you the truth. You can choose to believe it or not. But I’m not the guy you’ve created in your mind. I’m not gonna let you down or do something shady behind your back. But you believe I am, so there’s really nothing I can do to change that.” He turned away from me and walked back inside.

I stood alone with the empty glass in my hand and the ocean breeze whipping my hair around my face.

Was he right?

Did I create things in my head?

I believed he was a jerk, so I was gonna do everything in my power to keep that notion going—whether it was the truth or not.

“Here you are!” Gina said as she stepped outside. “Why are you all alone out here?”

I shook my head as I placed the empty glass back down. “I’m just getting used to the way my life is gonna be. Always alone.”

She walked over and wrapped her arm around my shoulders. “Stop it. You’re gonna meet someone. It just won’t be a baseball player since we all know how you feel about them. Come on. Dinner’s about to be served. We’re sitting with the Delaney’s, and we’re far away from your father and Crew.”

We ate pasta dinner and the conversation flowed freely between Cody, his host family, and Gina. I was seated next to the Delaney’s eight-year-old son Rory who kept talking to me, which was a blessing since I didn’t have to make small talk with the adults while reeling from my interaction with Crew.

Cody’s arm was draped around the back of Gina’s chair, and she lit up whenever he leaned in and whispered into her ear. I hoped he didn’t break her heart. I hoped he was who he seemed to be.

After the ice cream dessert was served, the dinner music turned off and the coaching staff took to the stage to show their appreciation for the team sponsors. They finished their portion of the night by giving out team awards. Cody won for best sportsmanship. Our table stood and applauded as he made his way up to the stage to accept his award.

We sat down when he stepped up to the podium and stared down at the sportsmanship plaque in his hand.

“Thanks so much for this amazing award,” he began. “All I’ve ever wanted was to be a baseball player. I never take my job lightly, but I also want to lift up the other players around me. Being a good teammate is something I always strive to be, and I appreciate that Coach Mike and his entire staff recognize that. It’s been an honor playing in the Cape League for the Sharks. Thanks to the coaches, my teammates, and to all the fans, especially my awesome host family the Delaney’s, and my biggest fan Gina. I’m so glad I met you.”

Gina’s smile couldn’t get any wider while she clapped for Cody as he stepped down from the stage. When he reached our table, he showed off his plaque before sitting back down. He turned to Gina who unexpectedly grabbed his cheeks and planted a long kiss to his lips.

“Our final award of the night is for this year’s MVP,” Coach Mike announced from the podium. “This player shows a combination of quiet intensity and relentless determination when he plays. He may not be the loudest player on the bench, but he’s also not one to celebrate his own successes with bat flips and elaborate trots around the bases. He shows what it means to lead by example. This year’s MVP is Crew Burke.”

The room broke into applause. I turned in my seat to see Crew stand from his table. He fist-bumped my father before he walked to the stage. I couldn’t help notice the wet spot on his jacket from the drink I’d thrown in his face. I guess he should’ve considered himself fortunate that I hadn’t thrown a bowl pasta.

On the stage, Crew accepted the MVP award from his coach. He stepped up to the podium as he stared at the award in his hands. “Thank you to Coach Mike and the rest of the Sharks coaching staff for this honor.” His eyes lifted and he scanned the room. “But it feels wrong to accept an award that says I’m the most valuable player because I feel like every player on the field contributes and is essential to the team’s success. So, I’ll just accept this award on behalf of the rest of my team. Let’s go bring home the championship, boys.”

His teammates all stood from their spots at their respective tables and cheered. The rest of the room followed, applauding Crew as he made his way back to his table.

Was he the selfless guy he claimed to be in his speech? Did I have him all wrong?

With the speeches over, the DJ began playing dance music. Cody stood and held out his hand to Gina who took it eagerly. They walked out to the dance floor and began to sway to the music, despite it being a fast song. I’d never seen her this happy. Maybe she had manifested her happily ever after.

Rory looked over at me. “Wanna dance?”

I laughed. “Dance?”

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