Page 67 of The Bad Boy's Homecoming
“You could still play for Atlanta, I’d rather have the Bad Boy of Baseball on my team than to have to play against you,” Maddox said with a laugh.
“I think it’s time for change.”
“Then I’ll see you at the playoffs.”Maddox stood and held his hand out to Levi.
He stood and shook his former teammate’s hand.“Thank you.”He was surprised at how easy the conversation he’d been dreading had been.
“We’re cool, man,” Maddox said.
Levi left feeling a weight lift off of him.Declan had sent him the results that morning, he’d cleared the air with Maddox, and now he had a meeting with Tampa to get to.And Sara had until five o’clock to announce Levi wasn’t the father, but either way his team had press releases with proof ready to go.Then he needed to see about Missy.
*
Sitting across fromone of the most bombastic podcasters in sports news, Levi tried not to let his nerves get to him.His agent and G had told him he needed to fix his image.Sara had made her public statement confirming Levi wasn’t the father, but that didn’t absolve him of his sins.So here he was about to go live on the Benji sportscast.He just hoped it worked.
“Mr.Bad Boy Levi Hart, formerly the shortstop for the Atlanta Warriors.I bet you’re feeling pretty relieved right about now?”
“Actually I’m feeling pretty embarrassed,” Levi said, honestly.
“Embarrassed?How so?”
“Well let’s see, imagine you had a crush on a girl but she dated your teammate instead.Then in a twist of fate she ends up single and wants to give you a chance.So you go against guy code and go for it.Only to realize she’s still in love with someone else.Then four months later you learn you might be a dad.And you actually feel a little excited at the idea, but by now you’ve met someone you actually believe is the woman of your dreams, and this could ruin any chance you ever may have had with her.And on top of that, everyone thinks you’re a dirtbag—I mean even the bag boy at the grocery store.Deep down you know you messed up and you’re going to have to face the music.”
“Damn, bro, you actually got me feeling sorry for you.Are you saying you had feelings for Maddox’s girl?”
“Of course I did.I wouldn’t have slept with her if I hadn’t.Sara and I went to college together, we were friends for years, and the timing just never worked out.”Levi wasn’t going to make Sara out to be the villain even if she had played him.
“So she used you?”
“I think she was feeling sad and rejected and needed someone.She leaned on a friend.”
“And you’re not the father.”
“Nope.But I wish her and the baby the best.I’m not mad at her, because I can completely understand how it feels to be in love with someone and feel desperate to convince them to love you back.”
“Yo, Bad Boy, more like Sad Boy.”Benji the podcaster reached over and shook Levi’s hand.“I respect your honesty.So many people want to come on here and try to sell some PR story.They try to improve their image, but you’re just being totally real with us.”
“I don’t really have much left to lose, and I’m not proud of my part in all this.Maddox was kind enough to forgive me, and I’m hoping for a fresh start with a new team.”
“That may be the biggest part of this story, because as a free agent, you must have every team after you.Anyone you’re hoping comes through?”
“I’d love to stay on the East Coast, and I’d prefer not to deal with the snow, but honestly, Benji, I’m just trying to keep playing ball.It was always my dad’s dream that one of his boys would play in the majors, and every time I’m out on that field, it’s like he’s there cheering me on.I’m not ready to let go of that feeling.”
“Levi Hart, you’re the most successful shortstop to play the game, a real legend.But you’re also not a bad guy.I hope you get what you want, especially that girl you met.Love is really the answer, am I right?”
“You’re right.It just takes some of us longer to figure that out.Thank you for having me and letting me tell my story.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Missy
Going to Get Good
Walking up tothe large glass doors of the most prestigious art gallery in Atlanta wouldn’t have been so surreal, if she didn’t see six of her own pieces hanging on a wall in the first room.Missy was amazed at how professional they looked in new black frames, hanging against a white wall.
“Ms.Shaw, thank you for agreeing to meet with us today.”A woman in a gray suit appeared as if she was floating.She had her dark hair pulled back into a bun and held out her dainty hand with painted black nails.The woman had a maturity about her that hinted at her age, which Missy guessed was in her forties, but it was impossible to know for sure.“I’m Rose Deboise.We exchanged emails.”
“Hello, thank you for inviting me to the gallery and for your interest in my work.”Missy wore the one suit she had from her mock trial days in law school, and a flowy blue blouse tucked into the high-waisted slacks.
