Page 34 of Mom Ball

But it’s Mom’s, so I moved it without question. Anything for her and...

My thoughts almost drifted to include Brooke.

They are the two women I’d do anything to protect. Anything to help. The only two women I’ve ever loved.

Crap. That’s why I can’t have an actual relationship with anyone. It has less to do with me thinking everyone is a cleat digger and more to do with them not being Brooke.

The doc presses his thumbs into my shoulder blade, causing me to jolt to attention.

“Let’s stand and work the bands a little.” I follow him toward the corner of the room. “Have you done anything recently to upset the injury?”

“I might’ve moved around some furniture last week.”

He shakes his head and hands me a resistance band. “Start stretching.”

No sooner than I pull the band outward, his fingers are needling in my shoulder again. He touches the tender skin of my surgery scar, and I cringe. I scrunch my face and concentrate on the exercise.

After a dozen or so reps, he circles in front of me and instructs me to stand straighter. “You need to stay away from any unnecessary lifting.”

“What about working out?”

His head wavers. “I need to have a discussion with your strength and conditioning coach for final say, but I’d go easy on the weight for any shoulder exercises.”

I sigh. It’s such a catch-22. I can’t pitch if my arm is weak, but I can’t build up strength if it will hurt my arm further.

“Look, I know this is frustrating. Nobody likes to think of ending a career.”

“What are you saying?” My voice is shaky, and now all my nerves tingle, not just the ones in my left arm.

“What I’m saying is if there’s any chance of you making it on this season’s roster, you’ve got to take better care of yourself.”

I hang my head in defeat. I finally started a few games last year in the majors, only to end the season with a bum shoulder. Now this?

Buying a home in Apple Cart was my retirement plan, but I didn’t plan on retiring so soon. Nothing in me wants last season to be my last.

“I’ll help all I can, but you’ve got to take care of that arm and shoulder.” He crosses his arms and gives me a stern face. “You’re recovering from a major surgery. Things aren’t the same as before.”

I study the eagle on his arm, staring at me as well. I lift my eyes and nod slowly.

“You’re a bright, talented young man. Follow doctor’s orders and you can still have a few seasons. Or heck, I hear the Savannah Bananas are always looking for new entertainers.”

I frown. As much as I enjoy watching Banana Ball, starring in a sideshow isn’t the way I pictured going out.

CHAPTER 8

Brooke

“Moooooo.”

I crane my neck to make sure the cows are still at a good distance. Thanks to Jeffrey, we couldn’t get a field to practice on this week. Unless we settled for starting at nine p.m.

Our property is covered with apple trees and farm equipment, and Morgan lives in town on half an acre. Even the church soccer field was already claimed for a preteen laser tag party. That leaves the good old community pasture.

Aniston gets out of her van with Carter. She sips her energy drink as she leans closer to me. “You know, I have a pasture without cows.”

“Yeah, but it’s not as big. Plus, you have a pool and a pond to distract everyone and you live farther out of town.”

She shrugs. “Just sayin’ . . .”

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