Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
I stretch my arm out and feel a painful pinch in my shoulder. “It’s all right, but I definitely made the right decision to retire.” For the last couple years my shoulder has been progressively getting worse. It wasn’t anything I’ve done other than throwing ninety mile an hour pitches for ninety plus games a season for the last decade, but it doesn’t change the fact that with every throw, I’m damaging my shoulder worse.
With my shoulder slowly deteriorating, after we won the World Series, I made the decision to retire. My contract was up for renewal and I decided I’d rather go out on top while I still have the use of my arm.
“I really appreciate you coming out to help with the camp,” Brian says, patting me on the shoulder. “It means a lot to these kids.” Brian is a History teacher for the local public high school in town and is also the varsity baseball coach.
“I was these kids,” I tell him. “Are you heading—”
“Excuse me,” a feminine voice says. “Are you Landon Maxwell?”
Internally, I groan, while Brian smirks. One of the downsides of being a professional athlete helping out at a sports camp is the women who know who I am. It’s only the second day of camp and I’ve already been asked out a dozen times.
“I am,” I say, turning around and plastering on a fake smile. The woman smiles sweetly and two dimples pop out of her cheeks. She has blond hair and green eyes. She’s petite, but has a decent body. When I look her over, I notice there’s a pretty big rock on her left hand, which means she’s married. “How can I help you?”
“My son is attending your camp,” she says. “Brendan Hogue.”
I recognize the name, but with all the kids I’ve met, I don’t put a face to the name. I don’t tell her that, though.
“Nice to meet you.” I extend my hand and she shakes it.
“You too.” Her smile grows wider. “I just wanted to thank you for helping out at the camp.”
“No problem. The kids are all great.”
There’s a moment of silence and then she blurts out, “Are you single?”
Brian coughs to cover his laugh, and I let out a sigh. I’ve been with my fair share of women over the years, but I’m not a home-wrecker. If there’s any indication they’re married, it’s not happening. You’d think she’d at least take her ring off before asking. Some women just have no shame.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but I’m not really interested in dating, especially not a married woman.” I nod toward her ring.
Blush creeps up her neck and cheeks. “Oh, no! Not for me,” she splutters. “I’m happily married. It’s for my friend. I think you would be perfect for her.”
“Sorry, but I’m really not interested,” I insist, trying to convey through my tone that it’s definitely not happening.
Her brows knit together, and she looks like she wants to argue but instead just nods. “Okay… well, it was nice to meet you.” She scurries away without looking back.
Once she’s out of earshot, Brian laughs. “So many women, so little you.”
“Hush it.” I punch him in the arm.
“Heather is making pot roast for dinner. Want to come over?” Heather is his wife and the best damn cook I know. Even if she wasn’t, I would still join. After spending my entire adult life traveling with baseball, I made the decision to spend some time with my brother and his family. Since our father passed away years ago, he’s the only family I have left. My niece is already almost seven and it feels like I barely know her. Brian lives in a small town just outside of Providence, so I sold my condo and am renting another one nearby while I figure out if I want to settle down here for good. I’ve been here for almost a month and so far it’s been quiet and relaxing. Exactly what I was looking for.
“Hell, yeah. You already know I’m there,” I tell him, my mouth watering at the thought of Heather’s pot roast. I bet she baked dessert too.
We spend the evening hanging out and watching sports while Heather cooks. The meal is delicious as always and dessert is even better.
“I could get used to this,” I tell Heather, patting my stomach. “Keep cooking like this and I might have to move here indefinitely.”
She smiles at my compliment. “Or you could consider settling down and finding a woman who can cook.”
“Or I can keep coming over.” I stand and stretch. “I’m going to take off. Thank you for dinner.” I reach out and fist bump my brother. “See you tomorrow.” As I walk by, I ruffle my niece Kaelyn’s hair. “See ya, kiddo.”
“Bye, Uncle Landon.”
I’m walking around and double-checking to make sure all the kids are gone when I notice Hunter, one of the kids I’ve been working with, is sitting on the bench still waiting for his parent to pick him up.