Page 22

22

CREW

The Seawolves were hitting our stride. A month into the season, and we were above .500. It wasn’t what anyone expected from an expansion team, but we weren’t playing like one. We were playing like a team that had been together for years. And I wasn’t about to complain.

Parker had been brought in to pull us together. And somehow, he was making it look easy. No one was surprised to see that he had the energy and the control to keep us in line. He didn’t coddle anyone, but he wasn’t too heavy-handed either. His leadership style had a balance to it, and it showed in the way we were gelling. He knew how to get us focused when things started to slip, but he also wasn’t afraid to let the team have a little fun. It worked for us.

Matthewson had been another key piece. His leadership came through in other ways. He wasn’t about intensity or laying down the law. He had the kind of personality that made us want to listen. He was funny, always throwing in a joke at the right moment, but when it came down to it, we knew he had our back. He had been the Rockies’ unofficial “captain” when he played, and he continued to carry that vibe with him. He made the locker room feel light even on the toughest days.

Because of the coaching staff and our own determination, the Seawolves didn’t feel like a team of strangers anymore. We weren’t just individuals trying to make a name for ourselves; we were working toward something bigger. The camaraderie was clear in the way we celebrated a walk-off win or in the way someone stepped up to keep the momentum going when we were down runs in the ninth. Even after a tough inning, no one was sulking. Guys picked each other up without hesitation, like we’d been doing it for years.

In the clubhouse before our home game, the typical chatter filled the air. Jacobs and Turner were in the middle of their usual snack debate, this time about protein bars versus fruit.

“Those bars taste like chalk.” Turner shook his head as he peeled a banana. “I don’t care how many grams of protein they have. They’re just dry, flavorless blocks.”

Jacobs smirked, holding up a protein bar like a trophy. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. This is the good stuff. You just don’t know how to appreciate the simple, effective fuel.”

Turner rolled his eyes. “Simple? They’re like eating cardboard with a little hint of desperation.”

“Cardboard?” Jacobs shot back with a laugh. “You’re the guy who thinks fruit is gonna keep you full for more than ten minutes. You’ve got that banana, but you’re gonna be starving by the time we hit the fourth inning.”

“I’ll be fine.” Turner shrugged. “At least I won’t be choking down a bar that sticks to the roof of my mouth.”

Jacobs shot him a devilish grin. “I’ll give you something to choke on.”

Turner chuckled. “Whatever, man. You’re still not getting me to eat one of those things.”

Their back-and-forth was just part of the usual pre-game routine now. I didn’t think anyone would get too serious about snacks, but it was always good for a laugh.

“Stratton!” Perez’s voice broke through the banter, and I caught the ball he tossed my way without even thinking. “You ready for tonight?”

“Always.” I tossed the ball back to him. “We’ve got this.”

Perez gave a nod. “That’s what I like to hear. Let’s keep the streak going.”

Perez was a guy who always seemed to know how to keep the mood up, no matter what. It was the kind of energy we needed before stepping onto the field.

A moment later, Parker walked in, his presence immediately commanding attention. “All right, listen up. We’ve got a good one tonight against the Astros. Don’t overthink it; just take care of business.”

A chorus of “Got it, Skip” echoed through the room.

Matthewson stood off to the side, leaning casually against the doorframe with a smile. “What Parker means is, let’s have some fun. Play the game the right way, but don’t forget to enjoy it. No magic tricks tonight. Just good baseball.”

Perez couldn’t resist. “You sure about that? No rabbits in your sleeves, coach?”

Matthewson laughed and shook his head. “If I had rabbits, Perez, I’d tell you to stop swinging like you’re trying to hit one of ‘em.”

Laughter spread through the locker room as we grabbed our gear and started heading toward the dugout.

“We’re not just here to play. We’re here to win,” Parker said, as we filtered out.

We won the game, and the locker room hummed with post-game energy. But as the guys headed out, either to meet up with family or get some rest, I was still buzzing from the win. I wasn’t ready to go home yet. I grabbed my keys and left the stadium to get a drink. I’d been renting a place since I moved from Denver, and while it was only supposed to be temporary, it was starting to feel like home.

The pub I sometimes frequented was a few blocks from my apartment. It was nothing fancy, but it had a good vibe. It wasn’t filled with fans, which was exactly what I needed.

I slipped onto a stool at the bar and ordered a beer, letting the noise from the crowd fade as I stared into the amber liquid and relaxed.

I was halfway through my drink when a woman stepped up next to me. She glanced my way with an easy smile, as if I was just another face, not someone she’d recognized from the field.

“Mind if I join you?” she asked.

I met her gaze and gave a small nod. “Go ahead.”

She slid onto the stool beside me. She ordered a dirty martini, then turned her attention back to me. “What brings you out tonight?”

I shrugged, taking a sip of my beer. “Just needed to get out for a bit.”

“You come here often?”

I nodded, a slight grin on my face. “Yeah, it’s a good spot when I want something low-key.”

“Sounds like the perfect kind of place. I’m Sarah, by the way.”

“Crew,” I replied.

We slipped into an easy conversation after that. Nothing too heavy, just two people talking and enjoying the moment. She wasn’t starstruck, didn’t ask about my career, just let me be a guy at the bar. It was refreshing, honestly.

Her laugh softened as she leaned in a little closer, her voice lowering. “I’m just down the street if you want to keep this going somewhere quieter.”

I took a moment to consider her offer. It had been a while since I’d been with anyone, and only women since Knox. I hadn’t wanted to be with another man since him. The thing was, being with another guy just felt wrong, somehow, like I was still holding on to something I wasn’t ready to let go of. I’d been with women to scratch that itch, to try to move on, to shove thoughts of him out of my head. But it was never the same. What I’d had with him wasn’t something I could easily replace. But tonight, none of that mattered.

I finished my beer, dropped some cash on the bar, and stood up. “Lead the way.”

I’d never been to the ESPYs before, but since I was on an expansion team, the MLB wanted some of us to attend to represent the new franchise. It was cool to see fellow athletes win awards, and I had to admit it was on my bucket list of achievements to do the same, right along with winning the pennant.

When they announced the Best NHL Player of the Year, I spotted Levi Sexton sitting next to his teammate, Emmett Cooper, who had won the award. I hadn’t seen Levi since high school, but I occasionally caught some of his games on TV and knew he was currently with the Boston Bruins.

After all these years, he still looked good and I remembered how I’d had a crush on him back in the day. I watched as he cheered for his captain when Coop walked up to the stage to accept his ESPY. The way Levi beamed, I had to wonder if he was just proud of his teammate or if there was something more. The last I knew, Levi was straight. But he probably assumed that of me too.

Once the awards were done, I wasn’t really sure what to do next. I hadn’t made any solid plans, but then I spotted Levi outside the venue and walked over.

“Crew.” He extended his hand, and we hugged. “I didn’t know you were here.”

“Yeah, man.” I grinned. “I saw you when your teammate won that award.”

He turned to the group and said, “Coop, Butcher, Ford, Kaylee, this is Crew Stratton. He plays baseball for …”

I guess he wasn’t keeping tabs on me like I’d been on him. Fair enough. I was the one who used to have a crush on him.

“Portland Seawolves.” I started to shake everyone’s hand.

“The expansion team?” Levi asked.

So, he’d heard of the team, but didn’t know I played? Well, then.

“That’s the one,” I confirmed.

“Sweet, dude.” He clapped me on the back. “That’s awesome. ”

“Thanks. We’re doing pretty good, but time will tell with the second half of the season.”

“Maybe I’ll come catch a few games while I’m on break.”

“I’d like that.”

“How’s the family?” he asked.

“Good. Mom and Dad are loving being grandparents.”

“Yours or Finn’s?”

I snorted. He had to know how hard it was to have a family in our line of work. I know some guys did it, some even on the Seawolves, but I wasn’t ready for that commitment yet. Not after my scare with what’s-her-bucket. “Finn’s. He and his wife, Marissa, just had their second child.”

“Oh. Wow. Is he still a cop?” Levi asked.

“Yeah. He’s keeping the sleepy little town safe.” I chuckled.

“Crew!” Someone shouted my name. I looked up to see Perez waving me over.

“I should see what he wants. It was good seeing you,” I said.

“You too. I’ll try to make it out for a game.”

“Sounds good.”

I made my way toward Perez.

“Hey, man, we’re heading out to grab a bite before going to the after-party. You in?” he asked.

I glanced back at Levi and his group. A part of me wanted to stick around and catch up more with him, but something told me it wasn’t the right moment.

“Nah, I’m good,” I replied, shaking my head. “I think I’m just gonna take a walk before going back to the hotel.”

The guys and I who attended the ESPYs were all flying to Phoenix in the morning to meet up with our other teammates for a series against the Diamondbacks. And while I could sleep on the plane for a little bit, I wasn’t looking forward to partying with the guys.

Perez raised an eyebrow but didn’t press it. “All right, catch you later.”

After the guys walked off, I took my phone out of my pocket. I wasn’t even sure what made me do it—habit, maybe, or something else I didn’t want to name—but I pulled up the Twins’ schedule. My heart stalled when I saw they were playing the Dodgers, and it was already the top of the sixth.

Even though it had been almost a year since I’d seen or spoken to him, I immediately pulled up the rideshare app and ordered a ride to take me to my hotel. I’d change, then head over to the hotel where baseball teams stayed while in town and see if Knox wanted to hang out .