Читать книгу Worth the Trade - Kristina Mathews - Страница 6

Chapter 2

He’d gone zero for thirteen. Hunter couldn’t believe Marco Santiago was hitless after three games. Was he doing it on purpose? To let her know he really didn’t want to be here?

No. Of course not. He was a professional. He might not have been enthusiastic about the trade, but surely he wouldn’t sabotage his career because of it.

Still. She felt like there was something personal about his performance. Like she was somehow responsible for his lack of focus at the plate. Because he looked like a man who had something other than baseball on his mind every time he stepped into the batter’s box.

He’d look over at her. His damn blue eyes boring into her, then he’d shake his head and dig in. He was distracted. Frustrated. And since he was her first official player acquisition, she took his struggles at the plate personally.

Hunter wasn’t too surprised to find him in the batting cages before the game the next afternoon. He was doing the right thing. Trying to work his way out of his slump. She had to give him credit for that. She watched him take cut after cut. His swing looked good. No major flaws in his mechanics. It didn’t appear to be a physical problem. So it had to be at least half mental.

Hunter settled in to watch his extra batting practice. He was starting to look a lot more comfortable as the session went on. She relaxed a bit, enjoying the simple pleasure of watching a talented athlete hone his craft. He really did have a beautiful swing.

Until he caught her watching him. He shook his head and completely missed the next pitch. He fouled off a few more balls, and it became clear that he was rattled. No more clean contact. No more smooth, easy swing. No more poetry in motion. She was in his head.

She should go. Her presence was only making things worse. For his game and for the sexual tension that surrounded them like fog whenever they were near each other. But she couldn’t quite make her feet move. Couldn’t quite tear her gaze away from the way the muscles in his arms and shoulders flexed as he swung the bat. The way the thrust of his hips added power to his swing. Not to mention the way his ass looked in those almost-tight white pants.

As if he knew her observation wasn’t entirely professional, he set the bat down, grabbed a towel, and approached her with a scowl on his face. A frustrated, yet incredibly sexy scowl.

“What are you doing down here?” His blue eyes blazed with annoyance. And desire. “I’m trying to work.”

“I thought I’d take a look and see if we can figure out how to get you back on track.” She tried to keep her voice as professional as possible. To not betray the fact that a few minutes ago, she was simply admiring the view. “There’s a reason I traded for you and I think if we work together, we can get this team to the postseason.”

“Oh yeah? And what can you do, besides distract me, to get me hitting again?” He gripped the towel around his neck.

“I distract you?” Her heart tripped, stumbling over his intense stare. “How do I distract you?”

“I think you know the answer to that.” He stepped closer, making the space seem entirely too small. They were in a large, underground facility, with room for batting cages, pitching mounds, and weight rooms. Yet she felt like she was trapped in an elevator whenever she was near this man.

“Is it because I’m a woman?” Her hackles rose. When she was little, her gender hadn’t mattered. She was Henry Collins’ kid. Always at his side. She was as much a fixture at the ballpark as the left field bleachers. It wasn’t until she got older that she realized she was the only girl in the clubhouse.

“Yes. You’re a woman.” He said that last word in such a way that every single one of her womanly parts tingled. “And you’re my boss.”

“You don’t think I can do my job. Simply because I’m a woman. I may not have ever played professional baseball, but I know as much about this game as anyone. My father trusted me. He listened to me. Valued my insight and instincts.”

He’d never made a trade or signed a free agent without asking her thoughts on a player. She used a combination of sabermetrics and instinct. Going with her gut when the two offered conflicting advice.

“I grew up in this clubhouse. I’ve played catch with more Hall of Famers and all-stars…” She fisted her hands on her hips. “I actually do know what I’m doing.”

“I’m sure you do.” He was mocking her. His eyes twinkled. His dimples teased. His lips curled in a half-smile. “I’ll bet you’re very good at your job. But that’s not the problem.”

“So what is the problem?” She folded her arms over her chest.

“You’re my problem.” His smile faded. “You’re my boss. I shouldn’t want you…but I do.”

Their eyes met. The connection between them impossible to deny. Pure, physical attraction.

“And that’s why you’re distracted at the plate?” She wished he was joking. That he was only toying with her because he knew it wouldn’t lead anywhere. Couldn’t lead anywhere. It was all part of his game, and once he realized he was out of her league, he’d let it go.

Except it didn’t feel like he was playing her.

“Yes. You sit there in the front row, taking notes.” He dropped his gaze to her blouse, and the way his eyes blazed, she wondered if she’d forgotten to button it. “In your buttoned up suits. And your pulled back hair. It’s like you don’t want anyone to know what’s underneath. But it’s all I can think about.”

“My suits?” She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. “You think about my suits?”

“What are you hiding?” His voice was deep, rich, and way too sexy.

“I’m not hiding anything.” Her pitch was too high, making it sound like she was indeed covering up something.

“So you’re naked underneath all that black and gray?” A grin teased his lips.

“No. Of course not.” Her cheeks weren’t the only part of her to flush. “But that’s none of your business, anyway.”

“I know. It is none of my business.” He closed his eyes and exhaled in frustration. “Yet I can’t help but wonder.”

What did he want her to do? Show him? Do a little strip tease right here in the batting cage?

“It’s driving me crazy.” He opened his eyes and stared straight at her. Through her. “You’re driving me crazy. I can’t… I can’t get my head in the game because you’re there, taking up space.”

“Why?” She hadn’t meant to ask the question aloud, but since she had, she continued. “I mean, I’m not the kind of woman men fall for. Never have been.”

“What? Because you don’t dress in skimpy clothes and wear a lot of makeup, you don’t think men notice you?”

“Not usually.” And she was fine with that. For the most part. She’d been just a girl, in a man’s world. But none of the players were ever bothered by her. They looked out for her, sometimes even teased her, like a kid sister. But they never took her seriously. Even when she came back from college, she was still Henry Collins’ little girl. Not even a consideration.

“Idiots.” He clenched his jaw muscles. His fists, too. “Or maybe I’m the idiot. I know all the reasons I shouldn’t want you. But I do.”

She felt a strange flutter in her chest. He wanted her. Even though they both knew it was a bad idea.

“So if I wasn’t sitting behind home plate, you’d start hitting?”

“Maybe.” He stepped closer. Close enough that she could smell the faint scent of soap and sweat. And pine tar.

“If I move to the luxury box with the other owners, you won’t be distracted?”

“It depends. Are any of the other owners men?” His eyes burned with suspicion.

“They all are.” She was all too aware of that fact. “But Marvin Dempsey is old enough to be my father. And Clayton Barry? He doesn’t like me very much. I think he’s intimidated by a woman with equal power.”

“He’s attracted to you.” He stepped even closer. Just short of touching her.

“No. He’s married. With kids.” She laughed at the absurd idea. “His wife is a supermodel. He’s definitely not interested in me.”

“Wanna bet?” He smiled, taking a step back.

“Not really. Besides. We work together. And we never agree on anything. Even you.”

“What about me?” His gaze narrowed.

“He didn’t want to trade for you. Thought we should get someone flashier. With a bigger name. And a bigger price tag.”

“Like who?” His ego had been pricked. Good. Maybe it would spark a hot streak.

“It doesn’t matter.” She smiled sweetly. “I wanted you.”

“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow. Flashed a dangerous grin. “And you always get what you want?”

“Yes. When it comes to helping this team win.” At some point she was going to have to admit she wanted Marco Santiago, the man. But she wanted the ballplayer even more. She needed him to be the player she knew he could be. “I want this division. I want the pennant. And I really, really want the World Series. I believe you can help us get there.”

He nodded, serious once again. “I want all of that, too.”

He lifted his cap. Raked his hand through his hair. Replaced his hat.

“Typical female.” He shook his head, mumbling to himself.

“Excuse me?” She couldn’t pretend she hadn’t heard him.

“You only want a ring. One with a ridiculous amount of diamonds.” He grinned. A crooked, cocky smile that reached his eyes. “I’ll get you that ring. Don’t you worry about that.”

“You’d better. I gave up my youth to get it.” She was referring to the pitching prospect and the rookie outfielder she’d traded, along with a veteran relief pitcher, to bring him to San Francisco. Those guys would probably make an impact in the next few years. She wanted to win now. She needed to justify her father’s faith in her. And this team.

“I’ll do my best,” he promised.

“I’ll be watching. From the owner’s box.” She would sit up there at the Club Level. Watch the game on the big screen. Make nice with Clayton Barry, even though he coveted her position.

She would keep her distance from Marco. Treat him like every other player. He was just another part of the team. They were already a good team. Good enough to win the division. Marco could help get them there.

She hoped.

* * * *

Damn. Was he really so hot for his boss that he couldn’t hit a freaking baseball in her presence? Even worse, he’d admitted it. At least he had the restraint not to take her right there in the batting cage. Barely.

Today’s torture device—or conservative pant suit—was black. With another gray blouse buttoned to the neck. How he itched to undo those buttons, one at a time. Slowly revealing what he was certain to be hidden treasure. He couldn’t help but wonder if her undergarments were more of the same muted colors or if she was hiding a jolt of color. Bright red satin, for instance. Like those art films in all black and white except for the one colorful detail. A red umbrella, perhaps, or a woman’s sapphire blue eyes.

He now had a mission to find out. But she wouldn’t let him anywhere near her bed until he started hitting. She was the one who brought him here. He couldn’t disappoint her. He’d have to come through on the field. She wasn’t the kind of woman he could wine and dine or shower with expensive trinkets.

Hunter Collins was the kind of woman he would have to seduce with action. A plan. And yes, diamonds. Both the dirt-covered kind and the ones set in platinum. She wanted a ring and he was going to be the man to give it to her.

First, he had to help the team make it to the World Series. And in order to get them there, he had to start hitting. He had to be the man she thought he was when she traded for him. If she could fight for him before she’d even met him, surely he could fight through this slump for her.

Marco’s teammates arrived shortly after Hunter left. He needed to work a little harder at getting to know the rest of the players. But it was hard to be too friendly when he was letting his teammates down. Already.

A few of the guys had tried to reach out to him. Offering advice and encouragement. Suggesting everything from prayers to getting laid. He’d been advised on where to get slump busting takeout for any kind of food. Chinese, Mexican, Italian, or even vegan restaurants that had done the trick for one or more of his teammates. Or if he was looking to blow off some steam, he’d learned the best bars to meet the kind of women who were more than willing to give a certain kind of fan support.

He didn’t need enchiladas or groupies or a chicken bone cross. He needed to get his head on straight. To find his focus. His control. There was only one man who could cure what ailed him.

“Hey, Johnny.” Marco approached veteran pitcher Johnny “The Monk” Scottsdale. The man was known for his composure. He was a Zen master when it came to keeping his focus on the game. He’d also been known for keeping monk-like control off the field, but that was before he married his college sweetheart after a fourteen year separation.

Marco waited until they were alone to ask for advice. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure. What do you need?”

“Wisdom.” He also didn’t seem like the kind of guy you danced around. You got straight to the point.

“Wisdom?” Johnny repeated. “I’ll do my best.”

“I need to regain my focus.” Marco hated to admit weakness. Especially to another man. Even a future Hall of Famer and leader of this team. But Marco was desperate. There was too much riding on this.

“It’s never easy coming to a new team. Particularly one with such high expectations.” Marco was glad he didn’t have to explain.

“Every team starts the year hoping to win it all.” Still putting up walls. He’d never become a true teammate until he put himself out there. Acknowledged that sometimes he didn’t know what the hell he was doing. “I think this team has a real shot at the pennant. But you already knew that. You gave up a long term deal with Chicago to come here.”

“We’re still in the race. That’s for sure.” They were three games back. With fifty left to play. Still very much in the race.

“Yeah. But every single one of us has to make a contribution.” And Marco knew he hadn’t done that since coming to San Francisco.

“True. But we don’t all have to do it at the same time.” Johnny made it sound so simple. It was for him. After so many years in the big leagues, he was having his best season yet. “We have twenty-five guys on this team. We pick each other up, encourage each other, and keep working for each other even when it feels like it’s not going to work out. We show up. Every. Single. Day.”

“I want to be that guy,” Marco admitted. He wanted to be the guy who stuck around. Who made a contribution on the field and beyond. “I want to keep showing up. Every day. Every year. I want to be someone people can count on.”

“So be that guy. Step up to the plate like you own it.” Johnny exuded confidence. Composure. Wisdom. “No one can beat you unless you let them.”

If it was only that simple.

“Look. I know what it’s like to be the new guy on the team. To heap that much more pressure on yourself. But you don’t carry this team. This team will carry you. If you’ll let us.”

Johnny wasn’t pitching today. He laced up his cleats anyway. Gave Marco an encouraging nod and headed to the field to support his teammates.

Marco tried to let Johnny’s advice soak in. The entire season did not rest on his shoulders alone. He had twenty-four other guys who wanted a shot at the postseason just as much as he did. He’d have eight men on the field with him at any given time. Every single one of them was capable of driving in the winning run. Even the pitchers. All of their starters had at least one RBI this season. He did not have to do this on his own.

Marco stood for the national anthem. He glanced behind home plate. Only the old guy, in the bow tie and sweater vest, sat in the prime seats. Dempsey was his name. Hunter wasn’t there. She’d made good on her promise not to distract him.

He needed to make good on his promise.

* * * *

Hunter sat in the luxury box above the field. They had all the amenities one could wish for, food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and big screen TVs. But she couldn’t smell the grass from up here. Couldn’t hear the crack of the bat as it made contact with the ball. She couldn’t feel the buzz of the crowd around her. She was isolated up here. Separated from the fans, the players, and her father. He’d never sat in a luxury suite. Always in the seats behind home plate. Always right where the action was.

The suite included a balcony, with outdoor seating. She sat down, trying to at least catch a whiff of garlic fries. After standing for the national anthem, she settled into her seat with her scorebook and a notepad to jot down anything that stood out about her team or their opponent.

Clayton Barry was busy entertaining his wife and five-year-old twin daughters. They seemed to be more interested in the catered meal and playing video games on the big TV than the actual game.

The Goliaths got the first two outs easily. But then the pitcher walked the third batter, bringing their cleanup hitter to the plate. Sure enough, he got ahold of a ball that was up in the strike zone, launching it deep into left field. A collective gasp was followed by cheers as Marco leaped into the air, snagging the ball just inches above the outfield wall.

Her heart continued to thump as he trotted back to the dugout. Maybe a spectacular play like that was just what he needed to build his confidence. Hunter hoped it would carry over into his next at bat.

She wasn’t going to panic just yet. He’d only been in town three nights. Still living out of a suitcase. He hadn’t had a chance to acclimate to the city, the clubhouse, or the contours of the outfield. A week ago, he’d been looking forward to Marco Santiago bobblehead night at his old stadium. Now he was sporting a new uniform, a new number, and a new set of expectations.

Besides, she’d acquired him for his defense as much as anything else. He was fearless in the outfield. Making impossible plays look routine. And routine plays spectacular. He’d just saved them two runs. That was worth plenty in her book. They would have needed to score three if he hadn’t made that catch.

In his first at bat, Marco hit a soft line drive that squirted past the second baseman into the outfield. Baxter scored from third base and the Goliaths took a one to nothing lead. Hunter breathed a sigh of relief as Marco recorded his first official hit and his first RBI since the trade. She started to relax. He was settling in. Showing signs of the player she’d put her faith, and several million dollars, into.

She watched him standing on first base. He glanced over at her usual seat behind home plate, and shook his head. He then lifted his gaze up to the suite level where she now sat. Even though he couldn’t possibly have picked her out of the crowd, she felt the connection. Those damn blue eyes that haunted her dreams. Made her feel naked when he looked at her. And made her want to be naked. With him.

The next batter struck out and she watched Marco trot back to the dugout. He grabbed his glove and hustled to the outfield, ready to play. She watched him cover the large expanse of left field. He would shift his body at the crack of the bat. Somehow he knew which direction the ball would go before it left the bat. Instinct.

She had that kind of instinct when it came to her players.

Usually.

She watched Marco make several routine and not-so-routine plays. Her gut feeling about his defense was spot on. She hoped her faith in his batting would play out eventually.

But when he got to the plate in his next at-bat, he hit the ball hard, right into the glove of the diving center-fielder. On his next trip to the plate, his frustration showed. He hit a weak grounder to third. He shook his head as he walked back to the dugout. This time, he didn’t look up.

“Your boy toy is turning out to be a bust already.” Clayton slunk into the seat next to her. He leaned back, stretching his legs as if he owned the place. Right. He had a thirty percent share of ownership. He was her business partner, but he saw her more as competition. He’d been threatened by the players’ loyalty to her father and now her.

And he wanted her position as president and managing partner. Vice president wasn’t enough for him. She wasn’t sure if he wanted more power or if he wanted to be more powerful than her. Some men couldn’t handle a woman who knew more than they did. He’d expected her to be a spoiled little rich girl, only interested in her daddy’s money to keep herself in designer shoes and spa treatments. Instead, he’d been shown up by her business savvy and determination to improve the team.

“And we gave up a hot pitching prospect to get him.” He didn’t like the fact that she couldn’t be pushed around. That she knew more about the game than he did, and a lot more about the players, both on her team and around the league. He only cared about numbers, statistics, and name recognition. She sometimes wondered if he chose players based more on jersey sales over actual production on the field.

“Marco Santiago will come through for us.” She hoped. No, she truly believed in him. “I’m sure of it.”

“Oh really?” Clayton leaned toward her, the Scotch on his breath making her a little nauseated. His wife, Annabelle, had left after the third inning to get the girls ready for bed. “You want to bet on it?”

“What would you like to wager?” She hated that he could bait her so easily, but she couldn’t let him think she was intimidated by him. Or that she had any doubts about her choice. “A hundred bucks?”

“No. Not cash. I’ve got plenty of that.” He gave her a patronizing laugh. “But I’d be more than willing to wager, say five percent.”

“Five percent?” If she won, that would give her more of an advantage when it came to negotiations. Dempsey trusted her and usually went along with her decisions, but it would be nice to have the added leverage over Clayton. “And just how would we measure Santiago’s contribution?”

Would he have to lead the league in RBIs? Batting average? He’d already been named an all-star. Just not for their team. But there was only one thing she wanted from Marco. From her team.

“MVP?” Clayton suggested.

She laughed. No one had ever won the most valuable player award after being traded. She wasn’t going to fall for a sucker bet.

“Nice try. It would be quite an accomplishment, but not likely enough to give up a percentage of my team.” She narrowed her gaze. “I want something more. I want the division. I think Santiago will help us get there.”

“L.A. has picked up several big names.” He was still pouting about losing out on one of the megastar free agents last winter. Even though he hadn’t quite justified his enormous salary. “It’s going to be tough to win the division outright.”

“But it can be done.” She folded her arms across her chest. She couldn’t back down. For one thing, her partner didn’t know shit about what it took to put together a winning team. But more importantly, she had absolute faith in her new left fielder. He would contribute to the team’s ultimate success. “Marco Santiago is the key. I would bet five percent, no make it ten, that the Goliaths will make it to the postseason.”

“The division title. Not a wild card berth?” He gave her a shit-eating grin. “That sounds like a definitive measurement.”

“Looks like we have a deal.” She leaned across the armrest and shook on it. She got a shiver down her spine at the contact. But it wasn’t the good kind of shiver. Not at all like the kind of tingling she felt when she touched Marco.

That kind of tingling must have short-circuited her brain. She’d just bet ten percent of her team—her legacy—on a player who didn’t want to be there in the first place. A man who was more interested in hitting on her than hitting a baseball.

What could possibly go wrong?

Maybe she wasn’t ready to run the team. No. She was ready. She’d been doing it long enough. Marco Santiago was a good acquisition. He was a good player and once he had a chance to settle in with the team, he could be a great player. One she could count on. What she hadn’t counted on was the crazy attraction between them. It had thrown her off her game, but she’d shake it off. She had to.