Page 3 of Taking the Pitch (Love & Baseball #2)

CHAPTER TWO

judd

Today has not started off as a better day.

I woke up with a raging headache, thanks to last night’s events, and was barely able to choke down my first cup of coffee before Kessler picked me up at the ass crack of dawn to take me over to Dale’s house to meet with him and my lawyer. After they both read me the riot act on how ‘destructive’ my behavior has gotten lately, they informed me that the Silverbacks front office is also not happy with the picture their new star pitcher is painting.

Charlie, our PR manager, was also on a conference call with us and suggested now may be the perfect time to start looking into outreach programs for my foundation I want to start like we’ve been talking about. I balked at the idea at first. I hate doing things just for the PR, but I might be able to kill two birds with one stone this way. She requested I send her a few of my interests so she can at least look around for some programs that I’d be interested in, instead of just doing it because I’m forced to. Not that I’m being forced exactly, but it was heavily recommended that I do something for my image .

Now I’m sitting at Kessler’s house playing video games with Hudson while we wait to go to my parents’ house for Sunday dinner. Hanging out with Hudson has been the highlight of my day.

Being driven around like a teenager without their license has not. Having my driving privileges suspended until my court date is the turd on top of this shit sundae. I’ve been driving myself everywhere since the very day I turned sixteen. Having to rely on someone else to take me places does not sit well with me, but I’m trying not to let my mood ruin my time with Hudson.

“Uncle Judd, what’s a DUI?” Hudson asks.

I whip my head to the side and look at Hudson, who has paused our game and is now staring back at me expectantly. Grabbing my glass off the table, I take a drink of my water, trying to collect my thoughts.

Kessler was right. My actions don’t just affect me anymore. Shame burns through my stomach that I even have to have this conversation. I set my glass back down on the table and clear my throat. “Why do you ask?”

He lifts a shoulder, then drops it. “Mom was talking on the phone with Aunt Kara about it this morning, but when she saw me walk in the kitchen, she changed the subject.”

Ah, so he thought he’d come to cool Uncle Judd for answers. I’m in enough trouble with my brother and his wife-to-be. I don’t need to add to it. “Well, Hud, I think if your mom wanted you to know, she would have told you.”

“Know what?” Kessler asks, coming into the game room with a very thick book I can’t read the title of and sitting in the recliner next to the couch Hudson and I are sitting on.

Hudson turns in his seat slightly to look at Kessler. “I asked Uncle Judd what a DUI was.”

Kessler shoots me a quick “I told you so” look, before turning his attention to Hudson. I can see the internal struggle on his face about how much he really wants to tell him. Kessler has taken to being Hudson’s dad, like a fish to water and I only hope when I eventually have a family, I’m half the dad Kessler has become. Blowing out a breath, Kessler runs a hand through his hair, tugging at the ends. “It’s something a person gets when they have had too much to drink and decide to drive and a police officer pulls them over.”

“Okay… But why was Mom talking to Aunt Kara about it? She seemed pretty upset about it.”

Kessler raises a single eyebrow directly at me and tips his head, giving me a “This one is on you” look.

It’s my turn to blow out a breath. “Well Hudson, that’s because I got a DUI last night.”

After a few beats of silence, Hudson nods his head slowly, and I can see the wheels turning in his brain, trying to figure out what that means. “Did you have to wear handcuffs?”

I nod and try to shove down the shame that rises in my chest. I’m supposed to be someone Hudson looks up to and I feel like I’ve failed on an epic level.

Kessler clears his throat and sits forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “This doesn’t mean Judd is a bad person, though.” He looks at me for a beat before turning his attention back to Hudson. “Sometimes, good people make bad decisions. It’s what they do after their mistake that matters.”

Hudson nods again and un-pauses his game, now focusing on the screen. “Is there anything else you want to ask me?” I ask him. I want to make sure he has the right answers to any of the questions he may have.

Hudson shakes his head. “Not right now, but if I have more later, can I ask?”

“Anytime Hud,” Kessler says, leaning back in the chair and opening the book he brought in with him.

“Whatcha reading?” I ask, still not able to see the cover. Kessler holds up the book and I squint, trying to make out the words, but all I can make out is a picture of a pregnant woman on the front. “I don’t have my glasses. Is that a pregnancy book?”

Kessler lays the book back down on his lap and scratches the back of his neck. “It is. Lucy got it for me after the–” He pauses and gives me a sheepish look. “Jogging incident. It’s called What to Expect When You’re Expecting. It tells you what is happening in the woman's body each month, and what development is going on with the fetus, or in our cases fetuses. It’s…eye opening and has actually been really helpful.”

I look at my brother as he looks back down at the book and continues to read. Awe and, if I’m honest, envy runs through me. I can’t believe he’s going to be a dad. Well, he’s already a dad to Hudson, but he’s going to have babies. I never realized until he met Lucy, how badly he wanted a family to call his own, and now here he is only six months later, and he not only has a fiancée and a son already, but he has two more on the way.

Something in my chest pangs, and I rub at it, willing it to go away. I’m not ready for that yet. I still have oats to sow. Not that there’s been much of that going on lately, but still, I have plenty of time to set down roots.

I turn back to the screen and watch Hudson play Mario Kart when my phone pings with a text. Unlocking it, I see a text from Charlie.

Charlie

How do you feel about kids and dogs?

Charlie must have found a couple of programs for me already. Damn, she’s fast, but she wouldn’t be head of PR if she wasn’t good at her job.

Me

I love being around both.

Charlie

Do you read?

If she only knew how extensive my book collection is. It’s not something I brag about, though; I keep the fact that I read under wraps. I was picked on in middle school and the first year of high school because I always had my nose in a book. The only people who know my love of reading is my family. Now if I’m on the road for away games, I read on the kindle app on my phone, so I can easily hide it. So instead of giving her the answer I want to give her, I play it cool.

Me

I read that message you sent me just fine.

Being a smart-ass has always been my go-to deflection.

Charlie

:::facepalming emoji::: Some days I feel like I don’t get paid enough to handle you jocks. Books Judd, do you read books?

Excitement builds inside of me. How awesome would it be if Charlie found me a program where I can be around books all day? Play it cool, Judd, no one knows.

Me

I mean I’ve read one or two.

Or hundreds….

Charlie

I think I found the perfect fit for you. Let me finalize details and I’ll send you an email with all the information you need. Once you read it, just text me back if you think it’s something you’d be into.

Me

Sounds good Charlie, thank you for doing this.

Charlie

No need to thank me, Judd, it’s literally my job.

“What are you so giddy about over there?”

I look up from my phone to see Lucy padding into the room in black leggings and one of Kessler’s old Silverbacks T-shirts that’s tied at the side. She has dark rings under her eyes and her hair is a little disheveled. She looks exhausted. Guilt grips my chest. She’s had enough to deal with being pregnant with twins. Now I’ve added to it with my stunt last night.

“Uh, Charlie was just texting me about a possible outreach program she thinks I would be a good fit with. Aren’t you supposed to be taking a nap before we head to Mom and Dad’s?”

Lucy rounds the chair Kessler is in and he opens his arms, lifting the book in one, without her even having to say a word. She sits next to him and pulls her legs up, draping them across his lap. Laying her head on his chest, she lets out a heavy sigh and closes her eyes. “I tried, but I couldn’t seem to get comfortable. This is the only way I have been able to take naps lately.”

Kessler lays the book on her legs, still reading, and drapes his other behind her, rubbing her upper back in small circles. “The doctor said her energy levels would get better in the second trimester, but that hasn’t seemed to happen yet.” He looks over at me, worry lines litter his face. Lucy had a rough first trimester, to say the least, with debilitating bouts of morning sickness. She even had to go into the hospital to get IV fluids, twice, because she couldn’t keep anything down. The doctors said it was common with twin pregnancies, something about double the hormones.

“I’m literally only like a week and a half into the second trimester. Give it some time.” She mumbles, already halfway asleep.

Common or not, Kessler has been a wreck and I know they’ve had a few disagreements about Lucy continuing to work, even if her workload has lightened a bit since going down to part time. Thankfully, since starting the second trimester, her nausea has calmed down a bit, but she’s still in a perpetual state of exhaustion.

Soft snores erupt from where Lucy has taken residence in the oversized chair. Kessler’s worried face transforms into one of pure adoration as he looks down at his now sleeping fiancée and places a kiss on the top of her head. “Can you text Mom and let her know we’ll be over as soon as Lucy is up? I want her to get some sleep. I would do it, but my phone is currently under Sleeping Beauty.”

“Sure thing Broski.” I take my phone out and open my text thread to my mom.

Me

Lucy just fell asleep. Kessler wanted me to let you know we’ll be over when she wakes up.

Mom

Not a problem. She needs her sleep.

That’s the first text she’s sent me that hasn’t had the tone of yelling since this morning when she found out what happened. Maybe she’s calmed down after having some time to mull it over.

Mom

And don’t think you’re off the hook Mister, this is just a minor delay in our talk.

Or not…

Lucy ended up only being able to sleep for 30 minutes before the urge to pee woke her from her slumber.

Now we’re sitting around my parents’ massive oak dining room table finishing up the pot roast Mom made. Nothing has been said about my ‘incident’ last night. Everything has either been about the party and how Lucy’s feeling today, or about the wedding. I’m guessing my parents want to chew my ass out in private.

As soon as Hudson finishes his second helping of roast and mashed potatoes, Mom stands and starts clearing the table to make room for the dessert she’s made. Lucy gets up to help but is immediately told to sit down by not only Mom, but Kessler, too.

“I’m pregnant, not an invalid,” Lucy says, crossing her arms and sitting back in her chair with a huff.

“We never said you were dear.” Mom tells her, in her reassuring mom voice. “I just know how tired you’ve been lately. The boys can help,” she adds, nodding to Hudson and I.

Taking the hint, we both get to our feet and start piling dishes on top of one another, clearing the table in record time so we can get to the good part, dessert.

Mom brings out not one, but two pies.

“I wanted to try some new recipes out before Thanksgiving.” She sets one pie down on the table that’s chocolate with dollops of white cream piled into mountains around the rim. “That is a peppermint hot chocolate silk pie with marshmallow whipped cream.” Setting the other one down, she says, “And this one is a pumpkin pecan pie with a caramel drizzle.”

My mouth floods with drool at not only the sight of these masterpieces, but at the smell of them, too.

Come to daddy.

I reach forward to grab a plate when Mom slaps my hand, making me jerk it back. “What the hell, Mom?” I say, rubbing my stinging skin.

“You don’t get pie until after our talk,” she tells me, giving me a pointed look.

Kessler snickers from across the table and reaches for the chocolate pie. I kick my leg out, my foot hitting my target. He lets out a groan, and a muttered curse and reaches down to rub his shin.

“Boys!” Mom shouts, giving us both a pointed look. “I will take the pie from both of you if you don’t knock it off.”

“More pie for me,” Hudson comments, swooping in and taking a piece from both pans before anyone can blink. This kid fits right in with us.

Lucy barks out a laugh and hands her plate to Kessler. He dishes her up one of each and hands it back to her, placing a kiss on her temple while running his hand over her barely there bump. God, they’re adorable. I love it and hate it at the same time.

Mom watches them, a contented sigh escaping her.

Dad clears his throat and I turn my attention towards him. While Mom has been voicetress in her displeasure with me, Dad has been…quiet. He nods his head to the door that leads to the den and gets up from his seat. Taking that as my cue, I follow him in, Mom bringing up the rear.

Once all three of us are in, Mom shuts the door and takes a seat beside Dad on the well-worn sofa. I take the chair opposite of them and look around at the various pictures on the wall. Most of them are of Kessler and I throughout the years playing baseball. There’s some from the family vacations we rarely got to take because both Kessler and I not only played baseball during school, we both played on summer and fall travel teams. Our parents never pushed us to play, only nurtured our drive and love for the game.

I take my eyes from the wall and settle them on the people who raised me, who sacrificed everything to make sure we were able to pursue our passions. Guilt consumes me and suddenly, pie doesn’t sound so good.

How could I have done this to them?

Dad clears his throat again and sits forward on the couch, resting his elbows on his knees and steepling his hands. “Judd,” he starts, but I stop him.

“Can I say something? Before you give me a well-deserved ass chewing?”

Mom and Dad look at each other, then back at me, both giving me a nod. Mom loops her arm though Dads and Dad turns his hand over, taking her hand. They’ve always been so in love, so together. Their love reminds me of Lucy and Kessler, and I wonder if I’ll ever find something like that for myself.

Rubbing my hand across my chest to ease the never ending ache that has taken residence there, I take a breath and start, looking them both in the eyes. “I want to apologize to you both. I don’t have any excuse for what I did. You raised me better than that, and to disappoint and embarrass you the way I did is inexcusable. I hope you can forgive me because I know it’s going to take me a while to forgive myself for being that reckless.”

Mom’s the first one to break the silence that follows my apology. “Judd, Honey, we’re not embarrassed. Disappointed? Yes. But not embarrassed. We just want to know what’s going on.”

I wish I had an answer for them, but I don't. Mainly because I have no idea what’s been going on with me lately. “I’m, I, I really don’t know. I guess I’m just feeling a little lost.” And if I’m really being honest, lonely. But I decide not to tell my mom that because then it would be mission: Find Someone for Judd. And let’s be honest, the last thing I need is for my mom to set me up.

“It’ll happen for you too, Judd.”

My eyes snap to my dad’s. He’s sitting there with a knowing look after giving me an answer to my unspoken question.

“What will happen for him?” Mom asks, curious eyes bouncing back and forth between us before realization crosses her face. “Oh Juddson, is that what this is about?” she asks softly.

Dad pats her hand and gets up from the couch. “Let’s not get into this now, Mar. Let the boy tackle his demons before you start playing matchmaker.” Mom looks at me. “Now, I don’t know about you two, but I could use some pie.” He gives me a wink and heads to the door. Mom stands with a concerned look, like she wants to say something more, but Dad pulls her along with him.

She reaches the door and turns to look back at me. “Everything’s going to be alright Judd, we’ll take on whatever happens next together.”

My shoulders droop in relief and I release a breath I feel like I’ve been holding since seeing those red and blue lights last night. “Thanks, Mom.”

“You coming? There might not be any pie left if we don’t hurry.”

My phone buzzes in my pocket. “I’m coming, I just need a minute,” I tell her, reaching for my phone.

Once she leaves, I open the email Charlie promised to send. Reading through it, twice, I feel a spark of excitement. Opening my text thread to Charlie, I send her a text.

Me

I’m in.