"I've never been reckless. The activities I do actually help me to be more focused on the field. I think my performance there speaks for itself. If you're worried about injuries, more happen on the field than off. Maybe we should start wearing bubble wrap under our uniforms."
The old man's face reddened and his eyes could have shot daggers. "You're not irreplaceable. Remember that."
Dusty swaggered away.
"Fucking tyrant," Slade muttered.
Fortunately, his manager couldn't hear him. He was too busy yelling at the relief pitchers for goofing off too much in the bullpen last night.
Dom's elbow connected hard with Slade's ribs. "Watch yourself. He's not above having you ride the bench for the rest of the season."
Rubbing his side, Slade sank into his seat and glared at Dom. "I'd like to see him try. The fans would have a fit."
"He'll spin it so they'll be ticked off at you for not being able to put your team first."
"Not put the team first? Is that what you really think of me?" Slade fought through the red haze of anger.
"Hell, no. You know that. But don't forget, I have experience in being his target." Dom squinted one eye and furrowed his brows then planted a heavy hand on Slade's shoulder. "I get that you need to blow off steam. I don't think any player on this team doubts that you put the team first."
"Good."
Dom held up his hand. "But if you get hurt and it's not a baseball-related injury, the team doesn't have to pay you like they would if you got hurt in a game. And if you're hurt bad enough, you might not make it to your next contract."
"Yeah." That would suck. But not enough to make him stop. He wouldn't live his life confined by maybes and what ifs.
"If they do bench you, the bad press could make other teams less likely to want to sign you. You'd be labeled too big a risk. I've seen it happen. Remember that rookie who couldn't stop partying no matter how many times the team gave him chances and ultimatums? He's not playing for anyone now and he's only twenty-three. Played ball his whole life and his career is in the toilet because of his choices off the field."
"Whoa." Slade shook his head vehemently. "That's not going to happen to me."
"I hope not, and you know I'd go to bat for you with anything. But just be careful."
"I'm always careful. I don't take stupid chances."
"Maybe you should lay off the adrenaline junkie activities until after the season's over."
"No freaking way." He resisted that suggestion all the way down to the marrow of his bones. Those experiences filled him in a way he needed. He simply wasn't sure of any other way to keep himself from imploding.
Dom nudged his shoulder until Slade met his gaze. His dark eyes were serious. "I get why you need to do them. I'm suggesting you find an alternative."
Slade's shoulders sank. "What if there isn't an alternative?"
"Then we'll get you that virtual reality headset and you can go on any adventure you want from the safety of your own apartment."
"You mean the thing we saw in the infomercial last night? Turning geek on me?"
"Fuck off." Laughing, Dom chucked a handful of sunflowers seeds at his head. Slade ducked but not fast enough to avoid getting hit. "It's worth a try."
"I don't know, man. I guess."
"Or what about Savanna? You've been spending a lot of time with her."
"Yeah, doing things that Dusty probably wants to include on his list of fun activities to avoid."
"Rock climbing at a gym is probably on the safe list."
Slade snorted. Not the way he did it. "She didn't like climbing that much. She liked the hot air balloon ride though. And I know she likes my bike." He shot a glance around the room, making sure Dusty was gone. "I'm not giving up that bike, Dom."
"I hope not. I helped you pick out a great one."
"Dusty can suck it. I'm not signing any contract I don't agree with either."
"Then lay low for a while and let him get fixated on someone else so he forgets about giving his suggestions to the front office."
Slade leaned his head against the wall. Laying low made sense. He didn't want problems with the team, didn't want to be released, picked up or traded away from Dom and Liam and Adam. Forming those relationships, trusting those guys, had taken a long time. "I'll try, but I can't make any guarantees."
"Then it's a good thing I'm here with you twenty-four-seven for the next two weeks. I'll help."
Dom would. Dom always did.
Slade's phone vibrated on the bench. He picked it up, expecting to see Liam's name.
Savanna: Good luck tonight.
He kept staring at the screen. Three little words, but damn, they were enough to completely brighten his day.
Dom tapped his arm. "What's up? You're grinning like someone just told you Dusty got fired."
"That would be a reason to celebrate." He twisted his wrist and flashed the screen of his cell phone. "Savanna sent a text."
Dom's lips quirked in a smile and he patted Slade on the back. "I like her. She's good for you. Don't worry, I'm not going to hover. I'll go and bother Adam."
Slade hunched over his phone, thumbs over the keypad.
Slade: Hi.
He backed that out and started over.
Slade: Thanks.
Then he added Miss you.
No, that would be too much, too soon. He'd only been gone for six days. He moved his finger to the delete key but it brushed Send.
The sent message bubble popped onto the screen. Out there. For her to see.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Miss you would come across as too intense. Even if it was true.
Maybe he could blame auto-correct... But as a correction for what?
"MacInnes!" Dusty barked from the doorway. "Let's move it."
His teammates were leaving, headed onto the field for warm ups. He threw his phone into his locker. For the next few hours, he needed to put the text out of his mind and concentrate on
