Page 5 of Crew

I glanced at the clock to see it was almost ten in the morning. “Yeah, our game went into extra innings last night, but I need to get up anyway.”

“I’m sorry. I was watching but fell asleep before it was over.”

“I get it.”

Where she lived in Tennessee was two hours ahead of Denver, so when a game didn’t even start until after nine her time, staying awake for extra innings was a big ask.

“But I was calling because I’ve got some news.”

I sat up and yawned. “What?”

“I just ran into Mallory at the Dixie Mart. She’s moved back to Harvest Ridge.”

“Oh,” I breathed. Mallory Wade was my high school girlfriend who followed me to Florida State. She broke up with me the day after I was drafted by the Rockies. Said she didn’t want to hold me back. I thought we’d be building something together, but she thought letting go was the way to love me.

“She asked about you,” my mother went on.

I got out of bed. “Okay?”

“I just thought you should know.”

“Thanks, but it’s been almost four years and you know my life revolves around baseball. Nothing has changed for me.”

“I know, but I always thought you two would end up getting married.”

So did I, at one point. “Most people don’t marry their first love.”

“You’re right, but you’re both single.” I swore I could hear the smile in her voice.

“Mom,” I groaned.

“What? I’m just saying.”

“You’re doing more than saying.” I padded toward the bathroom, and put the phone on speaker. “Mallory and I didn’t make it for a reason.”

“That reason being baseball.”

“Exactly.” I twisted the faucet and let the cold water run over my fingers before splashing some on my face. “And nothing’s changed. I’m still all in, still traveling, still living out of a suitcase half the year.”

“I just worry that baseball takes up so much of your time that there’s no room for anything else.”

I dried my face with a towel and leaned against the counter. “Mom, I’m not lonely.”

“Did I say you were?”

I picked up my cell but kept it on speaker. “You didn’t have to.”

She sighed. “I just want you to be happy.”

“I am.” And mostly, that was true.

“Okay.” She didn’t sound convinced, but at least she stopped pushing. “I’ll let you go, but don’t be a stranger, okay? Call me when you’refree.”

“I always do.”

We said our goodbyes, then I set my phone on the counter and stared at my reflection in the mirror. I hadn’t thought about Mallory in a long time, but now, memories crept in. We used to spend summer nights in the bed of my truck, she’d fall asleep on my shoulder during movies even though she swore she wasn’t tired, and she was always sitting in the stands wearing my jersey.

I shook my head to clear it. That was another lifetime. Mallory Wade was in my past, and that’s exactly where she needed to stay.