Page 88 of West Bound

That euphoria took me straight into September where the team was sitting on the top of the standings, earning us a first-round bye. With my lucky charm by my side, I had no doubt that we’d be celebrating a championship come October.

It was Friday and a day off for the team between series and after my training session and a little film review, I had plans to spend the evening with Viv and the rest of the crew. We were meeting at Camille’s house tonight, to take advantage of getting in some pool time.

I was getting ready to walk out the door when I got a text from Aric.

Aric: Got the job! Thanks so much for referring me. I’m sorry I was so cranky about it all. I just really hated the ideal of not working with you anymore.

I had found an ex-teammate who was no longer playing, but was now deep into running a foundation with his wife. They were in desperate need of an assistant to help them organize things and obtain donors, and I knew this would be a perfect fit for Aric. It would allow him to utilize his great skills and stay in the city he loved.

Me: I’m really glad you got it. I knew you would. Please keep in touch and if you ever find yourself in Texas, HMU.

I pocketed my phone and headed off to my training session with my duffle stuffed to the brim with clothes for a weekend at Vivian’s.

I had already started leaving certain things at her place and less and less in my suite. I basically came here to pack more things and check in for mail or messages.

I needed to find my own place, but I just didn’t have the time, still not having found an assistant. I wasn’t putting too much priority on it since the two most important things right now were baseball and Vivian. That’s all that mattered until the season was over.

But right now, I needed to get my ass to the practice field.

I hold Vivian’s hand in mine as we walk up to Camille's front door. I have a large bouquet of flowers for Camille and Vivian carries a bag with beer for Vaughan and stuff for drinks for her and the girls that I can’t even remember the names of.

I go to ring the doorbell but Vivian gives me a side glance. “We don’t ring doorbells. That’s like knocking at your mom’s house.”

She shakes her head and opens the door, walking right in without announcing our arrival.

“Hellooo,” Vivian calls out.

The sound of feet pounding on the tile grows louder until a small figure comes sliding into view.

“Miss Vivian!” Dagen shouts and runs to us.

She wraps her arms around Vivian’s waist like they’re long lost friends and squeeze each other with equal force.

“Hi Mr. Phoenix,” she says, turning to me when she releases Vivian.

“You don’t have to call me Mr. Just Nix. Yeah?” I hold up my hand for a high five and she pulls back and connects with as much heat as an eleven year old can muster.

“Okay, Nix. Cami and dad are in the backyard arguin’ over who’s better on the grill, and Uncle Bishop is laughing at ‘em. Come on!”

We laugh and follow behind Dagen and I get a quick look around.

“I’ll show you around later. But the real star is the backyard. It’s a damn oasis. I asked if she would adopt me but apparently it’s too weird.” Vivian rolls her eyes and smirks as she tugs me through the entry and into the family room and kitchen.

She places the bag down on the island but I keep the flowers in my hand, and we walk out the large glass doors to the back patio where, just as Dagen said, Camille and Vaughan bicker over the grill while Bishop laughs his ass off.

“Babe. I’m the man. Please at least give me that.” Vaughan holds his hand out to Camille who holds a large pair of BBQ tongs in her hand.

“Vaughan, honey. I love you. You are amazing at so many things. But cooking, in any capacity, is not your forte. You stick to tossing bales of hay and showing off that sexy body of yours, and I’ll cook. ‘K?” She pops up on her toes and kisses him on the lips before spinning around and coming face to face with Vivian and me. “You’re here,” she shouts and wraps her arms around Vivian.

Bishop stands up and joins us. Vaughan shakes my hand, and Bish pulls me in for a hug.

“Are these for me, Nixy? You shouldn’t have.” Bishop bats his eyelashes and pretends to smitten when he sees the flowers in my hand.

“Nice try, asshole. Your mug is too ugly to earn you flowers. These are for Camille.” I release Bishop and extend my arm to hug Camille. “Hello beautiful. How are you?”

“Oh wow. These are gorgeous. Thank you, Phoenix. I absolutely love peonies,” she beams.

“You know, I may have heard that somewhere.” I wink at Bishop and Vaughan who told me that when I texted them yesterday.

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