Page 90 of Stepping Up to the Plate

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We lost 2-3 to New England. Even though baseball is a team sport, I can’t shake the sense of responsibility I take on as captain. Especially when I made an error that allowed a runner on base and hit average at best. It wasn’t my worst game, but I can absolutely play better. The only thing keeping me from dwelling on my performance is planning out what I am going to say to Lola.

Exiting the shower, I spot Kent and Robby changing into their street clothes after talking with the media. The team decided it was best I avoid interviews for now.

“Hey, man,” Kent greets. “How ya holding up?”

“I’m doing okay. It’s surreal to have this much attention on me. I’m not used to it like you clowns.” They both smile but sympathy is radiating off them.

“Wanna grab a beer?” he asks.

“Nah, I’m going to try to talk to Lola again. With a day to process everything, I hope she will be more receptive.” Kent and Robby trade loaded expressions.

“You’re going to talk to Lola like on the phone?” Robby questions.

“This is more of an in-person conversation,” I reply.

His features scrunch in confusion. Kent searches around nervously as if he’s hiding something.

“Miller, Lola isn’t here,” Robby finally says.

“Obviously. I didn’t think she would come to the game. I’m going to her place.”

“No,” he hedges. “She isn’there. She isn’t in Nashville. She left this morning.”

“WHAT?!” I roar.

“You didn’t know?” Kent questions.

“Do I look like I knew? Where the fuck did she go? Back to Missouri?” I can’t believe Lola left without telling me. We’ve had that fight before. To be fair, I don’t have a leg to stand on at the moment in terms of full disclosures and repeat disagreements, but still. I can’t believe she would leave without telling me. She is clearly running away.

“She went to Chicago. I overheard Carina and Tiffany talking about George’s guest room. I would avoid Tiff, by the way. She isn’t your biggest fan right now,” Robby notes.

“She is the least of my concerns. I’ve got to go get my girl.”

“Whoa, let’s slow your roll there,” Kent interjects. “You can’t get to her tonight, dude. We have another game tomorrow.”

“I don’t care about that,” I rasp, reeling. Lola is gone, and I had no idea.

“As much as I hate to say it, Kent is right,” Robby says. “You can’t run off to Chicago guns blazing. What are you even going to say?”

“I don’t know. I’ll figure it out on the flight.”

“Don’t be careless, man. Lola deserves better than some half-cocked attempt to force her home,” he reasons. “We’ll be in Chicago in a few days for the away series. Take the time to get your head on straight and figure out what you can do to get your girl back and convince her this is all an unfortunate mistake.”

“You guys believe I didn’t cheat?” I ask. I hadn’t put much thought into what anyone aside from Lola thought happened. However, I am relieved to know my friends don’t think I would stoop this low.

“Of course not,” Kent replies. “You’re the most stand-up guy I know. You’d never betray someone, especially Lola.” Robby nods in agreement.

“I love her,” I state.

“I know, buddy,” my best friend affirms. “It will all work out.”

I hope he’s right. I don’t know what I’ll do if I can’t convince Lola to come back with me. She quickly became my entire world and without her, everything is empty.

ChapterForty-Three

• LOLA •

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