Page 17 of Knox (Comeback Duet #2)
Knox
It was seven in the morning, and Crew and I stood side by side at his bathroom counter, towels wrapped around our waists. My phone was propped against the mirror, recording while we both shaved.
“Today’s the big day,” he said as he ran his razor over his chin. “Are you ready for your first home opener?”
It was the first time in my career I was on the twenty-six-man roster for a major league team at the start of the season, and would be in the line-up.
When I’d joined the Rockies two seasons prior, I was brought up after they’d started playing.
Then last year, I spent opening day playing for the Twins’ minor league team.
I rinsed off my face. “I am, but I’m not the only one who has something major happening today. You’re meeting my entire family for the first time.”
He paused mid-shave and looked right into the camera. “You heard that right. Knox’s parents and four siblings are flying in for the weekend. Talk about pressure to perform.”
I chuckled as I grabbed a towel and dried off my face. “Ah, I’m sure they’ll like you even if you strike out every time you step up to the plate.”
“You better not have jinxed me,” he deadpanned. “The team will be pissed.”
I leaned over and kissed him on his smooth cheek and it tasted faintly of shaving cream. “I'm sure you’ll do great, just like every other game.” I looked at the camera. “We’ve got a busy day ahead of us, but we look forward to hearing you cheer us on tonight.”
I pressed the stop button on my phone and replayed the video to make a few edits. Once it was good to go, I posted it on The Loop with the caption:
The couple who shaves together stays together #morethanteammates #openingday #boringmorningroutine
“You’re really that nervous about meeting my family?” I asked, grabbing a pair of my jeans from the dresser drawer and tugging them on.
Yes, most of my clothes were at Crew’s place and I had a few drawers of my own. I loved it and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Crew stepped out of his walk-in closet, pulling a T-shirt over his head. “You have to admit, it’s a big deal.”
“Yeah,” I replied. “I remember meeting yours, who had no idea you were into guys. Oh, and that was right before you told them you were a dad.”
He shook his head. “Okay, that was probably a bit more intense than this, but there are six of them I’m meeting. That’s a lot of people to impress.”
I threw on a T-shirt and we headed toward the kitchen. “They’ll love you. Especially once they see how happy you make me.”
He smiled. “That was sappy as hell, but do you really think that?”
I grabbed two mugs from the cabinet while Crew got the coffee pods and creamer.
“Of course. I mean, at least my parents will love you. My sisters will likely be glued to their phones, and you’ll be lucky to get a complete sentence out of either one of them.
And my brothers, well let’s just say they’ll probably be dicks, but in the nicest way possible. ”
“You need to work on your pep talks.” He pressed the button on the coffee machine.
“That’s what Parker and Matthewson get paid to do. I just give it to you straight.”
We finished making our coffees and sat at the island. “Are you heading to the field right after your check-in with the doctor?”
Crew’s shoulder had been doing better. The medical staff had been keeping a close eye on him and wanted him to see a specialist; however, the first appointment the specialist had available was the morning of our home opener.
Unfortunately, that meant he couldn’t go with me when I had to meet my family at the airport.
He took a sip from his cup. “Depends on how long the appointment takes. What’s the plan with your family?”
I shrugged, savoring the first taste of the much-needed caffeine. “They mentioned wanting to grab a late breakfast together before we need to be at the ballpark.”
He nodded and looked at his phone. “Cool. I need to take off if I’m going to make it to my appointment on time.”
“Okay.” I took another drink of my coffee. “I’m going to head out in about thirty minutes. I’ll see you in a bit.”
He grinned. “Later.”
I took a rideshare to the airport and waited at baggage claim. A few minutes later, my phone buzzed with a text from my mom:
We’re here! Baggage claim 2. Ella needs the potty, but we should be ready soon.
I laughed under my breath. No matter how old any of us were, Mom always used the word potty. She was an elementary school teacher, so I assumed it was just a habit at this point, but we all liked to tease her about it.
I typed out a reply:
Waiting at baggage claim :)
Not long after, I spotted them walking toward the baggage area. I moved closer to meet them halfway. Mom beamed once she saw me. “Sweetheart, I’ve missed you so much.”
“Missed you too.” I gave her a squeeze before greeting everyone else. Ella was the last one to step up for a hug, and as I leaned in close, I whispered in her ear, “Hope you washed your hands before hugging me.”
She pulled back and punched me in the arm. “You’re such a jerk.”
“Be careful with your brother. He has a game to play this afternoon,” Mom admonished, and I stuck my tongue out at my sister behind our mom’s back.
I may have been the oldest, but I never claimed to be the most mature of the bunch.
We waited for the luggage to arrive and after they had all their stuff, I asked, “Is this everything?”
“It better be.” Dad chuckled. “You’d think we were going on a month-long vacation with all the stuff these kids pack.”
“Okay, cool. The car rental place is just down there.” I pointed in the direction the signs said to go. “After we get the car, we can either get you checked into the hotel or grab food first.”
“Food,” Owen and Noah shouted in unison.
“Great.”
We strolled down to the rental car center and Dad did the paperwork to rent the vehicle. While we loaded their luggage into the SUV, I got a text from Crew:
Already done at the doctor. Everything looks good. Did you pick up your family yet?
That’s excellent news. And yeah we’re leaving the airport now
“Crew’s done with an appointment he had this morning, so we can pick him up and then find somewhere to eat,” I announced as we piled into the vehicle.
Crew’s condo wasn’t far from the doctor’s office, so I assumed he’d already be home when we pulled up, but when I entered the code on the keypad to let myself in, the place was empty.
Pulling out my phone, I tapped out a quick text:
At the condo. Where are you?
I decided to go see Grady after my appointment
I stared at the screen for a second and frowned. I hadn’t made a big deal about breakfast, but I had assumed he understood that I’d want him there. It would have given the seven of them a chance to meet in private, rather than at the stadium surrounded by fans.
But Crew didn’t get much time with Grady, and I understood that seeing his son was his top priority.
I responded to his message:
OK. See you later at the field
I slid my phone back into my pocket as my family all stared at me.
“So, where’s your catcher?” Owen broke the silence first.
“I forgot he already had plans,” I lied. “He’s hanging out with his son.”
“That’s so sweet,” Avery cooed.
“It’s not sweet,” Noah argued. “He didn’t even stick around to meet the in-laws.”
“You guys aren’t in-laws,” I muttered and ushered them back out the door.
“Can’t really blame the guy,” Owen added. “I’d do whatever I could to avoid meeting six strangers too.”
I shook my head. “Stop being an asshole. He’s not avoiding anything.”
“Everyone be nice,” Mom interjected. “We’ll meet Crew later. In the meantime, let’s go eat.”
We piled into the SUV, and I gave Dad directions to the restaurant. I was excited to spend some time with my family. The only thing that would have made it better was if Crew was with me.
Most of my teammates, including Crew, were already at the stadium when I arrived. I was hoping to have a chance to chat with my boyfriend before batting practice, but he stood across the room deep in a conversation with Mejia and Castro about their pitching strategy against the highly rated Braves.
I began my pre-game routine, and when it was finally time to head out for batting practice, I still hadn’t gotten the chance to talk with Crew.
After taking my turn at the plate, I glanced over to the row of seats closest to the dugout behind the mesh fence and saw my family making their way toward them. I dropped my bat off in the dugout and tucked my batting gloves into my back pocket before heading over to them.
“Damn, bro, these are some nice seats. How much are they paying you?” Noah joked, shoving a handful of popcorn into his mouth.
“Not enough to put up with your shit,” I threw back.
“This stadium’s even nicer than it looks on TV.” Dad took in his surroundings.
Since I had been traded to the Seawolves halfway through last season, the timing had never worked out for my family to attend a game, so I was excited for them to finally get a look at my home field.
“It’s a great park to play in. I’m glad you guys finally got a chance to see it.”
The sound of cleats hitting the dirt behind me caused me to glance over my shoulder.
“Hey,” Crew said, breathing a little heavier than usual, like he’d jogged over to us.
“Hey,” I returned. “Mom, Dad, everyone, this is Crew. Crew, these are my parents, Doug and Teri, and my annoying siblings, Noah, Owen, Avery, and Ella.”
“Hi there.” He grinned. “I’ve heard a lot about all of you.”
“Same,” Mom replied. “We’re so happy Knox has finally met someone. His father and I were worried he’d never want to settle down.”
I groaned. “I’m only twenty-five, I don’t think that needed to be a concern.”
Before my family could continue embarrassing me, another voice shouted. “There’s my daddy!”
I looked up and saw Grady pointing toward Crew and running down the steps with Archer hurrying behind him while Mallory moved at a slower, careful pace.