“You gonna count daisies out here all day, Scott, or do you maybe feel like throwing some pitches?” Bobby asked.
Garrett scanned the ballpark one last time, but didn’t see Alicia. He didn’t know what he’d do if he did see her.
He’d fucked up and didn’t know what to do about it. Instead, he turned and stepped back up on the practice mound. “Yeah, coach. Let’s throw some pitches.”
TWENTY-EIGHT
IF THERE WAS ONE THING ALICIA DIDN’T DO, IT WAS avoidance. She was a direct, in your face, let’s-put–it-all-out-there-and-resolve-the-problem kind of person. Things that festered tended to get ugly, and she was a big believer in communication.
Which was why she was sitting at her aunt’s house on a Sunday afternoon watching the Rivers play baseball instead of being at the ballpark.
“Shouldn’t you be working?” her dad asked, munching on a pretzel as the family gathered around her uncle and aunt’s television to watch the game.
“We do occasionally get days off, you know.”
“Yeah, when the team is off,” her father said.
She rolled her eyes. “There are plenty of sports-medicine specialists to handle injuries. We don’t all work every game day. I’m not on today.”
“But you get free game tickets, and you can go to the ballpark any time you want, right?” Jenna asked.
Alicia shot Jenna a look that plainly said, “Shut. Up.”
“Yes. Just didn’t feel like going today.”
“Hmmm,” Jenna said.
“Hmmm, indeed,” Savannah added.
“Besides, it’s Dad’s birthday. I specifically asked for today off so I could be here for the big family party.”
Her dad grabbed for another pretzel. “I dunno, sweet pea. I’d rather be at the game.”
Cole snorted. “Me, too, Dad. Alicia should have given us her tickets.”
“I could have gotten you seats if you’d asked. Gavin can get you tickets, too.”
“That’s true,” her uncle said. “Though these are pretty good seats, too.”
“Better instant replay,” Jenna said.
Alicia would rather be watching some old black-and-white romance on television at home while crying into a gallon of chocolate chip ice cream, but it was her father’s birthday, and her aunt and uncle had decided to host a barbecue at their house today, so she had no choice but to attend. It was either that or go to the game, and being at the game meant being near Garrett, and right now that was not a place she wanted to be.
“Aunt Kathleen, can I do anything in the kitchen?” Anything to avoid the game on television.
“No, thank you, honey. I made the potato salad and slaw last night. The ribs are soaking in barbecue sauce, so everything’s ready.”
“I could grill the ribs.”
Her uncle scowled at her. “That’s my job, missy. Don’t even think about it.”
Jenna snickered. “Well, I could use a little girl gossip upstairs.”
Bless Jenna. “Sure.”
Savannah stood. “I’m coming with you.”
“Me, too,” Tara said, handing Sam off to Mick, who grinned and snuggled the baby in the crook of his arm.
“Liz will be unhappy she’s at the game today and missing out on this,” Tara said after they moved upstairs and got comfortable in Alicia’s aunt’s room.
“Alicia looked like she needed a break from all things baseball,” Jenna said, looking to Alicia to start the conversation.
The last thing she wanted to do was talk about it, but when faced with her family, it all came pouring out. She told them everything that had happened with Garrett, including being taken off his case.
“What a dick,” Jenna said. “I can’t believe after all you did for him that he dumped you like that.”
“Men can be so obtuse at times,” Savannah said. “Have you spoken to him since that happened?”
“No. He did call, but I didn’t answer. I don’t see the point.”
Tara, who’d pulled up a spot on the bed next to Alicia, patted her hand. “You can’t hide from him forever, you know. Eventually, the two of you are going to have to have a conversation.”
Alicia sighed. “I know. I’m just not ready yet. We’ve been through so much, and he really needs to concentrate on his pitching.”
“Oh, bullshit,” Jenna said. “He really needs to come over to your house, beg your forgiveness, and kiss your ass for what he did to you.”
Alicia let out a laugh. “I wouldn’t go that far. He has to do what he thinks is best for his career.”
“You’re what’s best for his career.” Jenna lifted her chin, clearly on Alicia’s side no matter what.
And that’s why Alicia loved her. “Max is the head of sports medicine. It’s not like he sucks at what he does.”
“And you’re the one who got Garrett pitching again, aren’t you?” Savannah asked. “Is it possible he took his frustration at not becoming a starter right away out on you and let this Max person sway him into switching therapists? As I recall, Max wasn’t very happy about getting the boot in the first place, was he?”