Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
I position myself between them. I’m not sure what’s been going on between the two of them lately, but it’s something. Gabe is my blood brother. Chrissy is our foster sister, and Ledger, Gabe, and Dom are our foster brothers, but we were all raised in the same foster home most of our young life. To me, they are my family. Exhausted, I put an arm around Chrissy’s shoulder and push her through the door while Gabe steps to the side. “Hey you two, no fighting. This is supposed to be about me and my career falling apart, remember?”
And just like that, Chrissy is giving me the pity look again. “Your career is not falling apart. It’s a rotator cuff strain. You take care of it and you’ll be back at it.”
I give my sister a hug and then walk into the living room and spot my new sister-in-law. “How’s it going, Haven?”
I lean over and kiss her on the top of the head as my brother and Haven’s husband, King, growls at me. “Watch it, Gray.”
I sit down in my chair, and even though I’ve tried to tune out the ballgame on the television since I walked into the room, I’m drawn to it and see that my team, the Jasper Bears, are down three to one in the bottom of the 6th.
Dom grabs a piece of pizza from the box on the coffee table. “Don’t worry, brother. There’s still plenty of game to be played.”
Gabe sits across the room, not even in a position to watch the television. I guess he’s not here for the game. “So what’s the doctor’s saying? What’s the plan?”
“Physical therapy.”
Dom chugs his beer. “Well, do the therapy and then get back to work.”
Chrissy puts a plate in Gabe’s hands. He takes it, and they exchange words before she turns to me and piles a plate with pizza and puts it in my lap. “Eat up. I’m working on a therapist that will come here. I already have one in mind, but it’s going to cost you. She’s the best at Jasper Hospital.”
I could argue with her, but I know it won’t do any good. I want a few more days of wallowing in my self-pity, but I’ve had trouble finding a therapist with the availability I need for the next two months. “I need to be back in the game in two months. I have to make it to the playoffs.”
Chrissy gives me an encouraging smile. “And you can do it… if you have an in-house therapist.”
I almost choke on the piece of pizza I’m eating. I’ll grant it to her, my house is big. It has everything I need to get back into the game. It has a workout room with every workout machine I would need. A therapy room with top of the line everything. This house has four guest rooms, so technically someone could stay here and I wouldn’t even have to see them outside of therapy, but the idea of having someone here all the time just doesn’t sit well with me. I like my privacy. “No. I can drive to therapy.”
Chrissy rolls her eyes. “You’re going to drive into Jasper every day for therapy? Sure, that makes a lot of sense.”
Gabe points at Chrissy and nods at me. “I agree. You need someone in house. You don’t want to traipse through town for every appointment. If they’re here, they can help you with your workouts and everything… maybe even help you heal faster.”
I hold my hands up. I know if I say no, they’re just going to keep arguing their case, so I do what I have to do to get them off my back. I know they’re just trying to help, but I’m not in the mood for it right now. I’m still trying to wallow if only they’d let me. “I’ll think about it.”
Chrissy claps her hands together. “Okay, I’ll get on it.”
King goes over to where Haven’s sitting. He pulls her up and then sits down, pulling her into his lap. He kisses his wife and wraps his arms around her. We’re all watching them, and I see the same look on my brothers’ and sister’s face as I’m sure is on mine. Since King met and married Haven, it’s brought a different level to our family dynamic. It’s nice seeing that at least one of us was able to find love.
King whispers something to Haven and then clears his throat when he notices us all watching them. “So the playoffs are in two months. Can the Bears get there without you?”
I’m not arrogant, but I know what I bring to the team. If you look at stats and everything on paper, the chances are slim. Not only am I considered the number one catcher in the league but I’m also the third in the league for home runs. There’s no doubt that they are going to hurt without me there, but I have faith in my team. I have to, there's no other option. “Yeah, they’ll get us there. And come hell or high water, I’m going to be back for the playoffs.”