Too Hot to Handle: A Boys of Summer Novel (24 page)

The hospital was as busy and chaotic as ever. Jake stopped at the information desk, and was gratified to learn that Joaquin had been moved into a semiprivate room. Taking Nikki by the hand, he led her up in the elevator and down the hallway until they found their patient.

He wasn’t at all surprised to see Juanita dozing in the chair beside the bed. But he was pleased that the tubes were gone; only an IV remained attached to the boy’s hand as he slept. He was still badly bruised, and his black eye had deepened into a shiner, but it was clear that he was much improved in just a short period of time.

“Maybe we should come back,” Nikki whispered, squeezing Jake’s hand.

But even at that slight sound, Juanita’s eyes flickered open, and she glanced around the room in confusion until her gaze settled on Jake.

“Señor Baldwin!” She appeared inordinately happy to see him. “I am so sorry. They move Joaquin last night. Seems we are both a little tired.”

“I’m sorry to wake you,” Jake said, stepping forth to return her hug. “We just thought we’d stop by on the way to work and see how he’s doing. Juanita, this is my girlfriend, Nikki Case.”

“Ah!” Juanita gave Nikki a huge smile. “So you are the one! Even Joaquin notice that Jake seemed very happy since he found someone. Now I can see why.”

Nikki felt her cheeks redden, and she clasped the woman’s warm hand with her own. “I am pleased to meet you, although sorry for the circumstances. It looks like he’s doing better.”

“I am.”

Nikki and Jake turned, surprised to see Joaquin awake and grinning back at them. “Hey, Slugger!” Jake went to his bedside and smiled back. “About time you got up. Been sleeping around the clock.”

“Yeah, they gave me something so I would sleep. But I’m tired of being here.” He shot Jake a look. “Maybe I’m ready to return to baseball?”

“I don’t think so yet,” Jake laughed. “Although you sound like every player who’s ever landed on the disabled list. Joaquin, I want you to meet Nikki Case.”

Joaquin gave Nikki a shy smile as she approached his bedside. “It was nice for you to come.”

“I’m going downstairs to get some breakfast,” Juanita said, giving her son an affectionate kiss. “Does anyone want something? Coffee?”

Both Jake and Nikki shook their heads, and Joaquin’s mother took her leave. Jake pulled up a couple of chairs and took his seat beside the boy’s bed. He glanced across the room and saw that the occupant of the other bed, an elderly man, was sound asleep. Still, he kept his voice low.

“So how are you feeling?”

“Much better now. They say everything will heal in a few weeks. I will be glad to go home, and back to work.” He gave Jake a pleading look, as if afraid he wouldn’t be wanted anymore because of his condition.

Jake nodded. “I’m sure we can find some lighter things for you to do until you’re one hundred percent. My mother will think of something, I’m certain.” He and the boy shared a grin, and then he continued softly. “But I’m worried about you going home. I’m going to talk to your mom about having you stay with Ryan Wakeman’s family. He’s one of the Sonics, and has a couple of kids of his own.”

Immediately the boy shook his head in the negative. “No,” he said simply. Then a guilty look crossed his face, as if concerned he had offended Jake. “I very much appreciate your thought, but I cannot leave my mother. She is alone.”

“Joaquin, it’s you those kids are targeting. Your mother would be safer if you were someplace else.”

He seemed to consider this for a moment, but when his eyes met Jake’s, they weren’t that of a child.

“I don’t think that is true. Just because I am gone, she will not be safe. They will still think she is…connected to me, and they will try to steal from her.” He looked the ballplayer in the eye. “I will not leave her. I am all she has.”

“Fair enough,” Jake said, his voice rough with emotion. “So what if I find a better place for you and your mother to live? Maybe closer to where you play ball?”

Joaquin’s eyes lit up. “I would like that very much,” he said, his expression stunned. “And I will pay you back if it costs you money,” he whispered. “I promise.”

“Deal.” Jake shook his hand while Nikki quickly wiped a tear from her cheek. “Give me a little time to work on it. In the meanwhile, stay away from those kids. I know that’s tough being in the same school with them, but I can ask the police…”

“No! No police.” His eyes met Jake’s in alarm. “My mother…”

Jake and Nikki understood immediately. Juanita was not in the United States legally. “I’ll see what I can do about that too. Your mother is a decent, hardworking woman. She shouldn’t have to look over her shoulder every day in fear.”

Joaquin seemed puzzled by his meaning, but it was clear the conversation had tired him, and he sank back onto his pillow. Jake ruffled his hair affectiona
tely.

“Get some rest, tough guy. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

When they got to the car, Nikki turned to Jake with a wry expression. “You are so right,” she said as she buckled her seat belt.

“What’s that?” Jake teased. “Did you say I was right?”

Nikki slapped him playfully. “Publicity would be the worst possible thing for Joaquin and his mother. I totally get it now.”

“Yeah. So now we have to figure out another living situation for them. I have to admit, I’m in awe of that kid’s courage. That he would choose to stay there with his mother, knowing he’s liable to get beat up again…” Jake couldn’t finish the sentence.

“I know,” Nikki said thoughtfully. “Let me look into that and see what resources are available. In the meantime, I’m going to have to think of a way to keep the
Times
from publishing a story.” When Jake sent her a puzzled look, she continued. “Just because I don’t want to do an interview with Joaquin doesn’t mean they won’t get someone else. In fact, they will. It’s too big a story.”

“
Shit
. But if I refuse to confirm it, and the boy and his mother won’t talk to them, they won’t have much of an article.” Yet even to his ears that sounded lame. He’d had enough experience in his time with the press to know they could be relentless.

“I’ll work on that too. There is one benefit to being a PR rep.” When Jake looked at her questioningly, Nikki grinned. “I know a few people in the industry.”

When they returned to Trenton to begin the series against the Dodgers, Jake saw Chase seated on a bench in the locker room, his eyes closed in pain.

“What’s the matter?” he asked the ace pitcher softly.

“Migraine,” Chase said, wincing as if even that word cost him. “I’ve been getting them ever since the day I got hit.”

“Jesus,” Jake said, taking a seat beside him. “What did the doctor say?”

“He gave me a couple of medications to try. One of them seemed to help in the beginning, but it’s not working anymore.” His eyes met Jake’s, and the shortstop saw the agony there. “Don’t say anything. I don’t want them putting me on the DL. The next two games are too important.”

“Bullshit,” Jake said decisively. “I know you want to pitch, but it’s too risky. You need to see a neurologist and figure out what’s going on.”

“I have the entire off-season to do that, and I will,” Chase said firmly. “But you and I both know that other than Brandt, we don’t have a lot of good arms. Pete and I have already discussed our strategy. Brandt’s pitching tomorrow, Jimmy Wednesday, and then I’m back. Not being conceited, but I don’t think we have a chance if I’m not in the game.”

Jake knew he was right, but that didn’t change his mind. “Chase, we are talking about your health. There’s always next year. What if you get hit again? You could have a permanent injury. Do you think one of us gives a damn about the Series compared to the rest of your life? I’m going to talk to Pete.” He ignored the furious look on Chase’s face as he made his way to the head coach’s office.

His friend was more important than the game. Whether Chase liked it or not, he was going to let Pete know.

As expected, Pete immediately took Chase out of the lineup and spoke to the doctor himself. Apparently the tough-guy pitcher had not let on about how bad his pain was, but after an examination, even the doctor agreed he needed an evaluation.

Brandt Meyers was brought up to pitch the first game, but as Chase predicted, the rest of the starting pitchers weren’t in the same league. Jimmy Reilly made a valiant effort, and they patched together game four utilizing Antonio and one of the other bullpen pitchers, but it wasn’t enough. The Dodgers won the division by a towering shot delivered by Gavin King, and the Sonics lost the pennant.

Yet the players accepted defeat with grace and awareness that sometimes the deck was stacked against you. When Jake made his way to the parking lot, he was surprised to see Nikki waiting for him. It was ten thirty at night, and it had been a long day. But there she was, leaning against his car with a huge smile.

Jake grabbed her and pulled her into him. He heard her little gasp of startled pleasure as he ground up against her and took her mouth with his own. When he finally eased the kiss, her eyes twinkled at him.

“Wow. When you get hot, you get hot.”

Jake smiled sadly. “Yeah. Too bad we lost, but it couldn’t be helped. Chase needed to take care of himself. We all get that. It just wasn’t our year.”

“I know,” Nikki sighed, looping her arms around his neck. “There’s always next year, right?”

Jake knew it was more than a question about the game. Tipping her face up to his, he looked her deep in the eye. “I know this isn’t romantic, or the right time or place. And I want to do it right, with the ring and everything, just like in the movies. What I have in mind for you involves not just next year, but the rest of your life. Think you can handle that?”

Nikki looked at him in astonishment as his words settled in, then a huge grin broke out on her face. “Yeah, I think I can handle that, hotshot. And you.” Then her expression grew serious. “I love you, Jake.”

“I love you too, Nikki. More than you’ll ever know.”

“So, are you really doing it? Are you really going to New York?”

Ryan turned from his locker and began piling towels on the bench beside him. “Yep. Like they say in the movies, they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. I got a wife and kids to think about.” He glanced at Brian, then looked pointedly at the ring on his finger. “We all get to that time when we realize this is a young man’s game. You have to make the money while you’re here and healthy. And as we all know, that can change in a heartbeat.”

No one looked directly at Chase, but they all thought of him. The neurologist confirmed that his head pain was a result of concussion, and while the physician assured them he would be back for spring training, the long-term effects of his injury were questionable.

Jake rose to break the silence and then put a fond arm around Ryan. “We all wish you the best.”

“Thanks.” He looked at Jake. “I understand they spoke to you too.”

“Yeah.” Jake shrugged. “It wasn’t the right offer, or the right place for me. I re-signed with the team. But we get it. We’ve all had to weigh the pros and cons, and do the best thing for ourselves and our family. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to miss you.”

“Me too.” He took a stack of towels and tossed them at Jake. “Looks like you got the locker after all. Unless someone else objects?”

No one did. When Ryan cleared out the large locker, Jake quietly put a few things of his own inside. But it seemed weird. An uneasiness settled over the ball club, and the silence returned as each man was lost in his own thoughts.

Pete entered the locker room and stood by the door, watching. His eyes met Ryan’s, giving him a nod. Then he turned to the rest of the men.

“We had a tough season this year, and a lot of bad luck. But that doesn’t mean anything to a team like this. We have a ton of talent, and more important, chemistry. We give a damn about each other.”

The silence was awkward as eyes avoided Ryan. But Pete continued in his same folksy way. “Now we are going to miss our slugger here, and we’ll all have to make some changes. I know each of you has been talking with your own trainers, may be planning to play a little winter ball, or work on your batting or pitching. I’m proud of every one of you, and you’d better believe next October, we aren’t going to be cleaning out lockers. See you all in Florida.”

Nikki was waiting for Jake when he walked outside. “I never get tired of this,” he said, tossing his bag into the car before embracing her and spinning her in the air.

“What’s that?” Nikki grinned, breathless. She braced her hands on Jake’s shoulders as he lowered her back to the ground.

“Finding you outside waiting for me. I feel that same rush that I felt the first time I laid eyes on you.”

“You are pretty romantic for a tough-guy ballplayer,” she said, joining him in the car. “I like it.”

“Like it?”

“Love,” Nikki sighed. “You’re right. I love it. And you.”

“That’s better.” Jake grinned, starting the car.

“So how was it?” When Jake looked at her in confusion, Nikki continued. “The locker room, with Ryan leaving. That must’ve been odd.”

“It was,” Jake admitted. “He was one of ours, brought up from our farm team. I understand his decision, and if I were in his situation, I might have done the same thing. He’s a couple of years older than me, is looking down the road to his kids’ college and to retirement. And after what happened to Chase, I think we are all aware of how quickly things can change.”

“But the doctor thinks he’s going to be okay—”

“We all hope so. But the long-term effects of multiple concussions can be bad. You read about it every day. Former pro athletes develop brain problems, Parkinson’
s…It’s not something any of us want to think about.”

“I know.” Nikki shuddered at the thought. “But I’m glad you decided to stay here.”

“It isn’t the right time for me. I believe this team can go all the way. I like the way Pete manages the players; I like the guys, the chemistry between us. This year was a whole lot of bad luck, but it’s turning around thanks to a certain PR rep.”

Nikki smiled. “I think you all have a lot to do with it as well, but thank you. On another note, I have news. I think we found a solution for Joaquin and his mother.”

Jake looked at her in astonishment. “You’re kidding!”

“Nope.” It was Nikki’s turn to look smug. “Do you remember me mentioning my sister’s husband, Marcus?” When Jake nodded, she continued. “He’s a real estate investor. Years ago, his company was involved in some projects in this area. Natalie told him about Joaquin, and he made a few calls. One of the condos he built has a few units that are government-subsidized. He pulled a few strings and arranged one for Joaquin and his mother.”

Jake’s mouth fell open. “That’s perfect! This is right where Joaquin is playing ball. He wouldn’t have to worry about getting on a bus or bumming rides to get there. And the school system’s great.”

“Best of all, there are a ton of restaurants and businesses here. Juanita will have no trouble finding work. Oh, and that’s another thing. We looked into the immigration process and found an attorney who has agreed to help Juanita with it. She has a green card, which is a good thing, and meets most of the criteria. She just didn’t understand what she needed to do.”

“You amaze me,” Jake said. “I’ve never met a woman like you before. You are so strong, so capable, and yet so loving. How the hell did I get so lucky?”

“That works both ways,” Nikki said, smiling. “One more thing. The
Times
agreed to put off the story about you and Joaquin for a little while until he is settled. But in return, they want a cover story, and a full interview with you.”

“No problem. As long as the boy is safe, they can have their story.”

When he pulled into his driveway, he turned to Nikki in the car. “So, if I ever did decide to go someplace else, if it was the right offer, would you consider…”

“In a heartbeat.” Nikki smiled as Jake took her in his arms. “Like it or not, hotshot, I’m all yours.”

“I don’t like it.” Jake grinned as his mouth met hers. “I love it. And you.”