She was less playful, less animated when she said, “If you’re not careful, you’re going to get caught in some crosshairs, Mattie.”
“How do you mean?”
“You’re going to have to pick sides. Not that I’m asking you to, but Allie’s loyal, and anything you tell Seb about our interactions will get back to her. She won’t like it.”
He gave her a curt nod in understanding and added, “I like Seb. He’s funny and irreverent, but I am not one who interferes in others’ lives. What happens when I’m with you and Alicia will go no further.”
She tilted her head, gave him a measured look. “And ditto for what happens between the new triumvirate?”
She must have read his confusion, so she explained, “That’s what Leo’s calling you. The triumvirate. He says you’ve got great chemistry.”
Interesting phrase and he guessed it was pretty accurate.
“We do work well together.”
“That’s exactly what they were hoping for. You’re all young, talented, and you want to win.”
“You know a lot about the team?”
“I grew up with the team, in another era. My friend there has kept me up to date on the current state of affairs. Now, she won’t need to.”
He stopped pedaling. She did know. Was she teasing him, or did she want him to say something?
Alicia had asked him not to and he’d respect her wishes.
Shifting topics, putting her on the defensive, he said, “Now that your father has the manager’s job, you’ll be right back in the thick of things.”
“Not something I’m looking forward to, trust me.”
His phone rang and he picked it up from where he’d placed it on the bar across the front of the bike.
He glanced over and said, “It’s your father.”
“He must have seen you come in with Allie. He wasn’t going to call anyone until later.”
She knew more than she was letting on, was already in the thick of things.
“Hello, Mr. Calipari.”
“Good morning Mateo. Please call me Mac.”
“Yes, sir.”
His new manager chuckled at his formality.
“No sir, either.”
“Yes, s—Mac.”
“I’m setting up meetings with all the key players for this morning. I’m hoping you can make it in around eleven thirty. Is that doable?”
“Will they be held here at the complex?”
“No. I want a little more privacy than what this offers. I’m meeting everyone at my house. It’s in Lexington.”
“I will have to check with Alicia. She is driving me places until I can get a license of my own.”
“She’s with you now, isn’t she?”
How did he know that? He looked up at the glass-enclosed walkway and saw Mac standing at the half-way point, a grin on his face.
“She is. Give me a minute please.”
“Sure. I’ll hold.”
Casey must have interceded, told Alicia who was on the line and what he wanted, because they were both walking toward him. He pointed at the manager when she asked, “What’s up?”
She smiled up at him and waved.
“I need to be at Mac’s house at eleven thirty. Can you drive me?”
She nodded to the phone. “Tell him yes,” and then her gaze went back to Mac, giving him a thumbs-up.
He said his goodbye and swiped off.
“That was weird. It made me feel like I was back in Cuba being spied on.”
Casey gave him a generous smile. “Don’t worry. He’s not the policía. He knows about our workout sessions and he walks when he talks, which is probably how he knew you were here. I’d estimate he covers a couple of miles while he’s on the phone.”
“What does he want with me?”
“He’s meeting with every player on the team over the next couple of days. He’s starting with the newest arrivals. This morning it’s the triumvirate, as well as Buzzley, Verducci, Collins, and that new kid you’re bringing in for try-outs. The one from Puerto Rico.”
Alicia asked, “He cutting anyone?”
They all knew what she was asking. It had to do with a left fielder and the past.
Casey’s eyes dipped and she shook her head. “Not that I know of. He’s been pretty upbeat about the roster that you so diligently worked to put in place.”
Mateo was glad to hear it. Seb was too good to be cut over a dispute that had happened years ago. And now with Casey engaged, it seemed pointless to continue to carry a grudge. But when Alicia asked, “How’s Greg taking it?”, he couldn’t contain his interest. He hadn’t given that a thought. If the flame of first love hadn’t burned out completely it could potentially create problems for the newly engaged couple.
“There was deafening quiet before the storm broke.”
“You talked about it, right? He knows you’ll be moving to Sanford with your dad?”
Casey’s lips were pressed together when she looked over at him.
“Did you mean what you said? Earlier?”
Seemed she needed to talk to her friend, and she wouldn’t do so if there was a risk that whatever she said would get back to Seb.
“I’ll do better. I’ll work out over there and you can talk to your heart’s content.”
He lifted the earbuds and put them back in his ears for good measure. The smile Casey gave him before he left the area was a watery one.
CHAPTER EIGHT
A faint tremor rippled across the surface of Allie’s heart as she watched Mateo cross the room. It wasn’t from his physical prowess but his sensitivity to Casey’s need for privacy. And there was the lingering image of him singing in the car. It was the first time she’d seem him light of heart. He was usually so serious, and she’d been given a glimpse of another side to him. It filled her with a longing she couldn’t afford.
It was the reason she’d been failing him. With any other player, she never would have assumed things, like thinking he knew what to do with an iPod. She’d always made it a point of knowing exactly where the man came from and what he’d need in terms of indoctrination. She’d done more for Heredia, the
