The Heat Is On (8 page)

Jimmy was hung over.

Again.

Connor realized it halfway through the first inning. His location was off, his fastball lacked power, and he seemed unable to concentrate.

And he was ignoring the signs. They were still playing Tampa and had agreed upon a strategy. They would avoid fastballs in the top of the lineup where the heavy hitters were looking for power, and instead rely on his slider and changeup.

But it seemed the time they had spent the previous night discussing the plan and reviewing videotapes was for naught. And he wasn't surprised when the first two batters immediately scored, and there was a man on third with no outs.

Pete came out of the dugout and walked slowly to the mound to have a word with the pitcher. Connor knew there was no way he would take him out this early in the game. He probably thought to settle him down, get him through the inning, and hope by the second he would be in better shape.

There wasn't enough Red Bull in the world to wake up Jimmy.

And the manager knew it. As he walked back, shaking his head, his eyes caught Connor's and he saw the disgust there. And when Jimmy threw an eighty-five-mile-an-hour fastball right over the plate, resulting in another run scored, Connor couldn't blame him.

They finally got out of the inning, and Connor saw Jimmy splash his face with water in an attempt to sober up.

“Drink this.” Connor handed him a glass.

“What is it?” The pitcher looked suspiciously at the liquid.

“Gatorade. You are probably dehydrated. And take these. Aspirin.” He handed the water and tablets to Jimmy.

“Thanks, man.” He turned back the pills and chased them with the water. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he looked at Connor sheepishly. “Guess I had one too many last night. I think Pete is pretty pissed off.”

“You need to get your shit together. Otherwise, I get a feeling you won't be back here next year.”

He saw the fear his words generated, but Jimmy needed to hear them. The GM Jeffrey Caine's, patience was at a breaking point, and he knew some major changes were in the works.

“He's that mad?”

“Why wouldn't he be?” Connor lowered his voice and spoke quietly. “Look, you are a talented guy. You've got everything it takes, except discipline. But that is something you can change. It's up to you. Now let's get back in the game, win this one and show Jeffrey you shouldn't be sent down to the minors.”

Jimmy nodded. Hungover or not, he would be an idiot not to realize his major league role was in jeopardy.

He watched the next inning more closely, and Connor saw Chase talking to him, coaching him. In a way he felt bad for the kid, remembering what it was like to be that age. It all seemed like a dream, going to the ballpark every day, getting paid to play.

But then this was the flipside. There was too much, too soon. Drugs, alcohol, girls…It could easily go to a young player's head. He saw it every day, young guys with talent who disappeared after a year or two in the major leagues.

And that was Jimmy's fate if he didn't wise up.

Thankfully, by the end of the second inning, things began to fall into place. Instead of shaking him off, Jimmy began to throw the agreed-upon pitches, and one, two, three went the Rays.

But Pete had seen enough. When Jimmy began to falter in the fifth, he replaced him with Carlos.

“Keep your cool,” Connor coached him.

“But I was doing okay after that first inning—”

“You are hungover and tired, and he can see that. Your last fastball was eighty miles an hour. Carlos's kid could hit that. Get a shower, get some sleep, and show up early tomorrow.”

It was good advice, if unwelcome. But Jimmy wasn't stupid; he knew Connor was trying to help him, and he would be foolish not to listen.

Carlos pitched four flawless innings, getting them out of the jam and into the ninth with the lead. Pete brought in the closer, who finished the game.

Connor wasn't surprised that Pete expressed his misgivings about Jimmy when the game was over.

“I think I'm going to need to do something there,” he said later, when the locker room emptied. Only Carlos and Connor remained, and the catcher shrugged at his comment. “We got you and Chase,” he nodded to Carlos. “But I need at least three strong starting pitchers.”

“Why don't we see what happens next couple of games,” Connor said. “He's a kid. He's entitled to a mistake.”

“There's been too much of this, too much party and not enough focus.”

“Right,” Connor agreed. “But I think he understood today that he's on thin ice. He's got a couple of strong pitches; he just has to work on discipline, and that's a lot easier to fix.”

Carlos nodded. “His location is good. He just needs a kick in the ass. He'll come into his own, and when he does, I think he could go from good to great.”

Pete grinned and popped his gum. “A kick in the ass? That I can do.”

He walked away with a swagger, pleased to have a plan, and Carlos turned to Connor with a grin. “Nice to see you are stepping up with these guys.”

“A guy,” Connor corrected him. “I'm helping Jimmy because that makes my life easier. It's that simple.”

“Okay,” Carlos said, obviously not buying it. But he was smart enough to change the subject. “Do you have any plans tomorrow when we get back?”

“Nope. Why?”

“We are going to cook out. Just a little backyard barbecue. Thought you might like to come?”

“Sure.” He nodded. The idea was appealing. He could use a break, a chance to relax without complications, and he needed to get out of his own head. He'd been thinking too much about Tracy, going over and over the situation without conclusion, and it was beginning to get to him. “I'll be there.”

Carlos lived in a development that was the definition of suburbia. Connor admired the mature trees, the emerald green lawns, paved driveways, and professional landscaping.

The houses closely resembled each other, and all were done in tasteful shades of gray, black, and white. When he pulled up to his buddy's house, he saw a few toys on the grass, and the smell of charcoal burning in the backyard. Following the odor through the gate, he made his way to the patio, and then stood for a moment, admiring the scene.

Carlos was tending the fire, while his kids ran screaming around the yard, disappearing into a playhouse beside a set of swings. The pool glimmered enticingly, and the landscaping was beautifully done, framing the fence and adding a touch of welcome color. The picnic table was decorated with a red-and-white-checked cloth, napkins, and sippy cups.

It looked like a home, a place that housed a family. Connor couldn't help but contrast his beautifully designed townhouse to Carlos's house. This was a place where children played, where the dad barbecued, and the mom nurtured them all.

“Hey,” Carlos said, glancing up from the grill. He gave Connor a broad smile.

“Hey, yourself,” Connor said as he approached with a six-pack and a bouquet of flowers.

“You shouldn't have,” his buddy teased, eyeing the big yellow sunflowers.

Connor laughed. “I thought your wife would appreciate these. When was the last time you got her any?”

“I'm going to tell her they are from me.” He smirked, giving the grill a shake. “I'll take one of those.” He indicated the beers.

Connor twisted off the cap and handed him a bottle. “Charcoal? I would've pictured you with one of those outdoor gas kitchens.”

“No way.” Carlos shook his head. “I like the smell of the coals burning. And I have some mesquite planks that make everything taste amazing. You never appreciated my cooking talent.”

“I remember. Burned burgers and raw steak. Let's hope your culinary skill has gotten better than your pitching.”

They continued to bust on each other as Camelia came out, carrying plates and utensils. “Hello, Connor! Good to see you.”

“You, too. I brought your husband flowers to give you.”

She put the dishes down and gave him a warm smile. Camelia was a warm brunette beauty, down to earth with a good sense of humor. She shared an affectionate glance with her husband, and he felt a sense of longing, of wanting that for himself. A woman who was real, who would walk beside him through life.

A woman like Tracy…

“Daddy! Play with us!” Two little boys ran up with a ball and a catcher's mitt and tugged determinedly at their father's cooking apron.

“I can't. It's my job to make dinner.”

The two little boys turned to Connor, undeterred. “Can you play?”

“David! Matteo!” Camelia scolded. “Don't bother Daddy's friend. He's trying to relax.”

“I don't mind,” Connor said, rising from a lawn chair and accepting the mitt amid screams of pleasure. “Okay, boys,” he said, squatting on the grass. “Let's see what you've got.”

“Yay!” they cheered, and then ran a few feet away. David tossed the ball first, and Connor caught it, pretending to be impressed.

“Wow! You've been taking lessons from your dad! That was a heckuva fastball.”

“My turn!” Matteo thrust forward in front of his brother and then threw underhanded. The ball plopped into the pool, and both boys burst into laughter.

“He takes after his mother.” Carlos smirked as Connor fished the ball out of the water with the net, while Camelia shot him a look as she set the table.

“I thought it was a pretty spectacular curveball,” Connor commented, earning a big smile from the littler brother.

After a few more tosses, the boys got tired of the game and decided to go swimming. Connor was about to return to his chair and his beer when Carlos's daughter waved to him from the playhouse.

“Want some tea?” She gazed at him with huge brown eyes.

“Sure.” He had to crawl to get into the playhouse, but the little girl smiled with undisguised joy. She handed him a little cup and pretended to carefully pour out liquid.

“Hmm. This is the best tea I ever had,” he said, sipping at air and making loud slurping noises. She pushed a plastic plate toward him that was decorated with mud pies.

“Chocolate cake,” she said, giggling when he pretended to eat. “That's not real! That's dirt.”

“Delicious,” Connor said, earning another giggle. But then her eyes grew wide and she stared at him seriously.

“I'm Lucia.”

“I know,” Connor said, wiping the mud pie off his hand and shaking hers. “I'm your dad's friend, Connor.”

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

The question startled him, and he gazed into her soft brown eyes and found himself nodding.

“Yeah, I do. Her name is Tracy.”

“Tracy.” The little girl rolled the name on her tongue and then looked at him with interest. “Where is she?”

“Probably at home.” He suddenly realized he needed to call her, needed to hear her voice. It had been almost a week since they'd spoken, and she was probably assuming the worst…

Lucia continued to regard him gravely. “Does she have kids?”

“Yes. Four of them.”

She brightened. “They can come, and we can play with them.”

Suddenly it all seemed so simple. Why couldn't it be like that? He could picture Tracy here, enjoying herself in the pool, or maybe just relaxing for once and letting someone else do the work. The kids would all be running around in the backyard, having a ball, while the adults enjoyed good conversation with good friends.

He had been an idiot to let his fears and insecurities get to him, making a mountain out of a molehill. This could work. It did for Carlos, and he knew for a fact that his friend was never happier. Sure, it would take some effort, some planning, and sacrifices. But it was crystal clear to him that Tracy was worth it, and even clearer that he would never forgive himself if he gave her up without even trying.

“You know, that's the best idea I've heard in a long time. Thank you for the tea. And everything else.”

She looked very pleased with herself, even if she wasn't sure why.

Connor got out of the playhouse and fished out his cell. He was going to contact Tracy.

He only hoped it wasn't too late.

“He called. Connor.”

Tracy looked at Jillian, holding her cell phone aloft in disbelief.

“So? What did he say?” Jillian helped herself to a handful of Cheerios before scooping Chloe onto her lap.

“He wants to take us to the zoo.” Her eyes were wide with disbelief. “All of us. It's the All-Star break, so he's off.”

“My God, that's great! That means he accepts you and the kids! He probably just needed a couple of days to wrap his brain around it. When are you going?”

“Tomorrow. But is it great?” She looked at her brood in concern. “That's an awful lot to take on for someone who isn't used to it.”

“But he's obviously willing to give it a try,” Jillian reminded her. “Otherwise, he wouldn't have offered. And you know how to prepare to minimize chaos.”

“True. I can make sure everyone has been fed and napped. And of course I can pack drinks, snacks, and toys in case the natives get restless. But I have to tell you, I'm scared to death.”

“It will be fine.” Jillian waved a hand. “After all, he's a grown man, and a professional athlete. He is used to dealing with all kinds of stress. Do you really think a couple of little kids will throw him?”

“Give me back my truck!” Mason screamed indignantly as Ethan ran into the other room with the stolen vehicle. “Mom! Ethan took my truck again.”

“Ethan! Come back here and give Mason his truck.”

“No!”

Tracy did an eye roll. “That's his new favorite word. Let me run some interference.”

She came back a moment later, carrying a giggling Ethan, who was holding on to the little red truck for dear life.

“Now give it back, and tell Mason you're sorry.”

“Sowwy,” he said, appearing contrite. But when Mason reached for the toy, he snatched it back again.

“Mooom!!” Mason stamped his foot, furious. Tracy pried the toy out of Ethan's fingers and returned it to its rightful owner. Then Ethan began to cry.

“Yep, it will all be just great,” she told Jillian, sounding anything but certain.

The Philadelphia Zoo is the oldest in the country. Set on forty-two acres on the bank of the Schuykill River, it retains its original Victorian charm with gatehouses designed by Frank Furness and many original buildings.

They had taken Tracy's car, with Connor following in his Corvette. Chloe and Ethan bubbled over with excitement at the idea of their expedition, and Lily, fed and happy after her nap, quietly cooed.

Only Mason seemed out of sorts, and he frowned as Connor's car pulled up beside them in the parking lot.

“How come he's here?”

“Connor is my friend, and he wanted to take you all here today. We are his guests, and I need everyone to be on their best behavior.” She gave him a meaningful look as she climbed out of the car and opened the rear door.

“Hey, let me get that.” Connor was beside her in an instant as she reached for the stroller. He lifted it out with amazing ease, and then grinned as she retrieved a quilted bag packed with goodies, diapers, and toys. “Wow! You came prepared.”

“I've learned the hard way.” She smiled back, indicating the second stroller in the back of the vehicle. “We will probably need that for Ethan or Chloe later. We can bring it now just in case, or we can rent one. That way we aren't lugging two of them all day.”

“I don't know how you do this all by yourself,” he said, and she saw the admiration in his expression. “Let's just take the one, and roll the dice.”

“I like your optimism,” she said, reaching for the baby.

When she got Lily settled, she took Ethan out of his car seat, while Mason helped Chloe with her seat belt. She slipped out of the car and immediately took hold of one side of the stroller while Ethan took the other. Mason closed all the doors and came to stand beside Tracy.

“I can see you are a big help to your mom,” Connor said, complimenting Mason. But her son just studied him thoughtfully, not saying a word.

“Okay, let's go!” Tracy said firmly.

Mason walked a few feet ahead, and Tracy spoke softly to Connor. “Sorry about that. He's having a tough time dealing with all this.”

“I get that. This is all new to him. And I would feel the same way if it was my mother.” But then he gave her a sexy grin, his eyes taking in her denim jeans and T-shirt. “You look adorable. And I have to admit, I'm not thinking of you in maternal terms at all.”

She laughed, but a heated rush of anticipation washed over her. She was dying to sleep with him again, and her body, newly aware of the satisfaction he could provide, craved him. But the logistics would be the tricky part. Hopefully, after a day outside in the fresh air and sunshine, the children would be tired and more than ready for bedtime.

And even then, she wasn't sure how Connor would feel about making love in her house with the kids asleep. She wasn't about to jinx herself and bring it up; she would just have to wait till later and see how everything played out.

Even if it killed her.

They got inside, Connor insisting on paying for all the tickets. As they approached the first exhibit, the Rare Animal Conservation Center, Connor offered to drive the stroller.

“Think it might be easier for you if I do this part?”

She nodded. “Thank you. Usually my parents help out when we take the kids to the ballpark, and that's what we do. My mom takes the stroller, while Dad and I herd the rest. But you really don't have to—”

His response took her completely off guard as he leaned over and kissed her, earning a scowl from Mason. “I know. I want to help. But I am new to all this, too. So clue me in as to what works, what you need. I want you to enjoy yourself.”

Emotion welled up inside her. She wasn't used to this, a man stepping up this way. Jeremy had always seemed detached when it came to the children, making it clear that he felt it was her job to take care of them. And for Connor, who had no kids of his own, it was even more amazing.

The kids ran ahead into the center, squealing with delight at the orange monkeys and other strange creatures.

“It stinks in here!” Ethan squealed, while Chloe and Mason giggled in agreement.

“It does.” Connor smirked from behind the stroller, while Tracy admonished the others to shush.

“But Mommy, look what he's doing!”

Tracy cringed, mortified when her son pointed to one of the monkeys licking another's genitals. She couldn't meet Connor's eyes but saw him shaking with laughter.

“Yes, well, they do things like that. Let's go here and look at the other animals.”

She steered Mason forward, and Chloe and Ethan followed, although Ethan's head still cranked toward the unusual sight.

“Do not say a word,” she warned Connor, who shrugged innocently.

“Not going there,” he said, bringing Lily to join the other children in her stroller. “Although I like the way you handled that. Very matter-of-fact.”

“I figure by the time I get to the birds and bees stuff, it will be covered,” she said, grateful when he didn't comment further.

From there they made it to the Small Mammal House without further incident, and then the Reptiles and Amphibians, before finally getting to the children's zoo where they could touch and groom the animals.

“Who wants to pet the sheep?” One of the attendants approached, smiling at Chloe, who batted her eyes and flirted back.

“We do!” Ethan pulled his thumb out of his mouth and clapped.

“Well, then, come right this way.” The attendant winked at Tracy, and she led the children to the enclosure where the animals waited.

“Do you want a drink or something to eat?” Connor offered, indicating the snack stand as Tracy joined him on the bench for a break.

She shook her head in the negative. “I brought some bottles of water and some munchies.” Reaching for the bag, she handed him one of the drinks. “Everything here is a little pricey, especially when you multiply it by four.”

“I can afford it, but it's great that you thought of everything.”

He gave her that look again, and she felt her skin burn as if he'd actually touched her. Fanning herself with the park map, she looked over to the children and saw all three engaged with grooming a miniature horse. Another attendant approached with a parakeet, and she saw Mason extend his arm as a perch.

She turned back to Connor and gave him a smile. “Thank you so much for doing this today. I was a little afraid when I didn't hear from you that you changed your mind, and that this was too much for you.”

He seemed surprised by her frank admission, and his expression became serious. “Yeah, I admit I was taken aback when I met the kids. It took me a few days to sort it all out, to internalize it.” He looked into her eyes, and she noticed again that heat, the intense physical attraction between them. “I'm sorry if I upset you.”

“No, please don't apologize. I should have found a way to tell you up front.”

“I'm not going to say it won't take adjustments,” he said thoughtfully, measuring his words. “But I'm willing to try if you are. I realize your children are part of the package.”

She nodded, this time really fighting the emotions that threatened. This man, this beautiful baseball player, was willing to have a relationship not just with her but with her children.

That was huge, and more than she would have hoped for.

It was easier than he would have thought.

Connor was surprised at how natural it all seemed. Yes, Mason was a holdout, but he didn't mind that. It made sense that he would be protective toward his mother, and unwilling to accept another man in the picture so readily.

But the other three were onboard. As Tracy settled the children into the picnic area for drinks and snacks, he insisted on buying cotton candy for all the kids. Chloe and Ethan were delighted, and Tracy couldn't refuse. And even Mason seemed to be softening as he indulged in a bright blue cone of colored sugar.

Chloe climbed into his lap. She was wearing some kind of princess costume, and looked like a little fairy herself with her blond curls and huge blue eyes. She finished her cotton candy and held out a juice box.

“You're pretty.” She grinned, offering him a sip.

“Man, this one's going to be a heartbreaker,” he said to Tracy as he pretended to drink the beverage. Ethan took advantage of his sister's distraction to steal her candy, and plopped the spun pink sugar into his mouth.

“Chloe, don't hang all over Connor. Sit on the bench and have your snack. And Ethan, give your sister back her candy.”

“She's fine,” Connor said as the little girl looked up at him adoringly. He put his arm around her waist so she wouldn't fall, as she reached for the carrots and apples that Tracy put on the table.

“Here.” Chloe handed him a carrot and watched closely as he ate it, while Ethan decided to get in on the action. He slid a cookie toward Connor, and the catcher grinned at the little boy on the other side of the table.

“Look!” Ethan pointed to a sparrow hopping around the table looking for food. He started to toss a carrot when Connor broke off a piece of the cookie.

“Try this.”

Ethan sprinkled a few crumbs on the ground and was delighted when the little bird scooped them up immediately, and then cocked his little head, looking for more.

Chloe clapped, while Ethan enthusiastically dropped a few more crumbs for the bird.

Yes, he had been ridiculous to think he wouldn't be able to handle this, he thought as Tracy fed the baby. And what this day had proven was it could actually be fun. He had forgotten what it was like to go to the zoo, to see things fresh and new through the eyes of a child. Chloe had loved the big cats, while the boys appreciated Bear Country. And they had all loved the Avian Center, where the birds flew freely around the astonished children.

When he finished his snack, Ethan let out a wide yawn. Lily was already dozing off, and Chloe began to fret in his lap, getting restless.

“The telltale signs,” Tracy said, putting the baby back in the stroller and packing up the lunch with Mason's assistance. “I think we should be heading out.”

“Sounds good,” he said, lifting Chloe from his lap. But a moment later she stared at him, her lower lip puckering.

“I don't want to go home,” she said, beginning to cry.

It was infectious. Within seconds, Ethan was crying, which only made Chloe bawl louder. Then Lily woke up and joined the chorus, and Mason met his eyes accusingly as if he had somehow done something wrong.

“Oh, no,” Tracy said. “The witching hour. I was hoping to get home before this hit.” Digging into the bag, she tried to placate Chloe with a cookie, but the little girl was adamant that she was going nowhere.

A sense of helpless frustration rose in Connor. He didn't have the first idea of what to do, how to help. Baseball players he could handle, even hung over and belligerent, but this little girl with the tearful blue eyes unraveled him.

Thankfully, Tracy was all business. “Can you take the baby toward the car? Once you're away from these two, pop this in her mouth.” She handed him the pacifier, and then turned to her son.

“Mason, give this to Ethan. And Chloe, come here.”

Connor did as she suggested and began to lead the baby away from the melee. At first Lily screamed more, wrenching herself in the stroller to look behind her. But he remembered his instructions and offered the pacifier, and within seconds the baby began to settle down.

Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Chloe put her arms around her mother's neck and lay her head on her chest. Ethan, distracted with a toy, quieted down and followed his brother toward the car.

When they reached the Escape, Connor lifted the baby and placed her into the car seat, marveling at how little she was. Lily, thankfully, stayed asleep even as he tucked the seat belt around her and secured her firmly.