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CHAPTER 1
GUNNAR
T raded.
That one-word echoes through my brain, overtaking my thoughts as my mind completely shuts off all my other senses. That can’t be what I just heard… can it? Because no way am I being traded one week before Opening Day.
“Excuse me, but what did you just say?”
My interruption causes Craig Patterson, the general manager of the Texas Scorpions baseball team, to stop talking. He stares at me for a couple of moments before repeating his words.
“You’ve been traded to the Tennessee Terrors. You will be hearing from Billy Richards, their general manager, within the hour to welcome you. Their team travel coordinator will also call you to start making travel arrangements. You have seventy-two hours to report to the team. Your agent has been informed.”
No. Fucking. Way.
I feel like I’ve just been sucker punched in the gut. My heart starts beating faster as fear and anxiety swirl through my veins. This was NOT what I was expecting to hear when I was called into Craig’s office this morning. Sure, being traded is always a possibility since my contract doesn’t have a no-trade clause, but I’m the poster child for this team. This club has been my home since I got drafted out of college. Austin is where I was born and raised. My child was born here and while being a single father has not been easy, having my parents help with childcare has made it possible for me to pursue my dreams in baseball while knowing my daughter is being raised by the best people on this planet. How the hell am I going to navigate this on my own in a new city?
Traded.
I hate that fucking word.
“ Why?” I growl out, a mix of betrayal and anger making my voice harsh and menacing. I need a goddamn explanation as to why me, because right now nothing's making sense. Sure, my stats aren’t the best this season, but they're not the worst either. I’m still one of the best baseball players in the league. I’ve given my blood, sweat, and tears to this organization and this is how I’m treated?
“Shit, Gunnar, you know this wasn’t easy for me.” Craig blows out a breath and rakes his hand through his hair in frustration. “You know I consider you like a son and am appreciative of all you have done for us.”
“Then why the hell couldn’t you give me the courtesy of having a conversation with me on what you and the scouting staff were thinking?”
“It was a last-minute conversation with Tennessee.”
“Bullshit!”
“Look, Gunnar,” he interrupts, bringing up his palms as a signal for me to stop talking. “You know we have an up-and-coming short-stop player in Triple A, not to mention we’re looking for ways to cut salary. This trade gives us the quality closer we need and an opportunity to get a higher draft pick in the next draft. Tennessee has an exciting team this year. I know you and your family are native Texans, but I thought you would be happy to go to a contending team.”
“I’m happy here and I believe in this team,” I tell him, jabbing my pointer finger into his desk.
“Tennessee has positioned themselves with a great mix of seasoned veterans and talented young stars. Everyone is predicting they’re going to go all the way. Let's be frank here—at thirty-five years old, you’re looking at the back end of your career. You deserve a championship, Gunnar, and I just gave you a shot at getting it.”
I swallow the lump that has formed in my throat. He’s right and I hate it. Winning the championship is the only thing I’m missing from an otherwise picture-perfect career. We made the playoffs last year, but got beat before the finals. This team is going through a transition year, where money is tight and most of our All-Stars have left for more money elsewhere. It would take a miracle for us to be contenders. I know this, but it still doesn’t stop the pain to my pride knowing I will not be ending my career in my home state and city.
Craig sighs and I know the end of our discussion is nearing. “I did my job, Gunnar. I made the best decision for this team and as your friend, I made the best decision for you .”
I nod, knowing I should be thanking him, but I’m just at a loss for words right now.
“That team needs leadership and guidance, something you excel at. You’re the missing piece that can take them all the way. I know you can do it, son.”
He stands up and walks around his desk. “The team has been told while you were in here, so you don’t have to worry about making any announcements.”
“Oh…right.” My anger has started to dissipate, replaced by sadness. I stand up out of my chair and put out my hand for him to shake. “Thank you for the best thirteen years of my career, Craig. You believing in me and giving me a shot at my dreams will never be forgotten.”
He looks at my hand, then looks up at me. He grabs my hand but then yanks me in for a hug. “It has been my honor to have you here. Now go kick some ass in Nashville. Get that trophy and end your career on the best high this sport can give us.”
I give him a squeeze of appreciation and pat his back. I pull back to give him a small smile and notice his eyes are wet with unshed tears. Craig Patterson has been like a second father to me, so it gives me some comfort knowing this is hard for him as well.
He walks me out of his office and into the locker room, where the rest of the team is getting ready for practice. One by one, they come up to me, hug me goodbye and wish me good luck. The coaching staff is the last to say their goodbyes and when everyone is gone, the equipment manager helps me pack up my stuff.
“I will overnight your gear to the stadium. When are you heading out there?” Chris, our assistant equipment manager, asks while he throws my now old uniforms in a box.
“I have no idea. I haven’t talked to anyone in their organization.”
“They haven’t called you yet?”
I look around for my cell phone and find it still in the top cubby of my locker. I tap the screen and see I have eight missed calls and over twenty text messages. Two of the calls are from unknown numbers and the other calls are from friends, my parents, and my brother.
Guess the news is out.
Before I can listen to my voicemails, my brother’s name lights up my phone, alerting me that he’s calling. If I don’t pick up, I know he’ll just keep calling until either I answer or shut off my phone.
“Hey, I need to call you right back,” I tell him without saying hello first. I should be calling my new team to figure out logistics of where I need to report.
“Fuck yeah you better call me back! This is incredible news. You and Izzy are moving to my city, and we’re going to have the best fucking time together.” His excitement is contagious, and I find myself grinning at the thought of being reunited with my brother.
Gavin moved to Nashville years ago to pursue his country music career. He started out as a songwriter and once he had some hits under his belt, he then released his debut album, which skyrocketed to the top of the charts. While moving to Nashville was the best decision for him, it hurt when he left. We were thick as thieves and while it sucked watching Gavin leave, I was proud of him for chasing his dreams. Now he’s married with a son, so I would have to agree that Nashville has been good to him.
I pray that it will be good for me and Izzy too.
“I promise I’ll call you back and yeah, I’m excited to see you too, Gav.”
We hang up and I call my parents quickly just to check in with them.
“Hey, did you hear the news?” I ask my mom when she picks up on the second ring.
“Of course I heard. I have internet alerts set up on you and your brother. Not to mention, it is all over the news. How are you holding up?”
“Mixed emotions,” I answer honestly. “Shocked, angry, and now sad would sum it up.”
“You’re not happy?” she asks with concern lacing her voice.
“How can I be when I’m leaving you guys and the only city I’ve ever known. Austin has been wonderful to me. This community and their support…” My voice falters as I swallow the lump in my throat.
“Honey, it’s okay to be sad and excited at the same time. This is an incredible opportunity for you to get a chance at the championship, not to mention, being in the same city as your brother.”
“Yes, it’s going to be great spending more time with Gavin, but he has a family of his own and is on the road a lot for his career. We’ll be leaving you guys and our friends. I don’t know how Izzy is going to take this news. She doesn’t know yet, does she?” I panic at the thought of my parents telling her without me or worse yet, her finding it out from one of her little friends or their parents.
“No, Izzy doesn’t know a thing. We figured that needs to come from you.”
My shoulders sag in relief. “Thanks, Mom.”
“With you and Gavin now living in the same city, this gives us an excuse to maybe buy some property there so we can come visit all the time.”
“I love the sound of that.”
“This is a new adventure for you and Izzy, Gunnar. Be excited. I have a good feeling about this.”
“Your intuition is usually spot on, so I hope you’re right. Listen, I need to go and call my new boss. I will call you back when I’m in the car heading home to pack.”
“Okay. I love you, Gunnar.”
“I love you, Mom.”
I hang up and listen to the voicemails from the two unknown numbers. Just like Craig told me they would, Billy Richards, and Peter Kelly, the Director of Travel Operations, both called. I’m about to call one of them back when my phone rings again with the same 615 area code from the other two numbers. I take a deep breath and decide it’s time to start my new life by answering the call.
“Hello?”
“Gunnar McNeer? This is Declan Wylde, Team Manager of the Tennessee Terrors.”
“How are you, sir?”
“I’m great. The question is, how are you doing today?”
“A little surprised, sir,” I answer honestly and I hear a couple of chuckles in the background.
“I have no doubt you are, but I’m here with Billy and Peter, and on behalf of the team, we want to welcome you to Nashville. We’re damn excited to have you join our club.”
“Thank you, sir. I’m honored that you wanted me.”
“Are you kidding me? Acquiring you to our team makes us a contender to win it all. Are you ready for that, Gunnar?”
I smile and I can start to feel the bubbles of excitement building within me. “Fuck yeah I am, sir.”