“Need this win,” he said curtly. “Can’t be swept in a four-game series.”
“You won’t be.”
“Can’t believe they outscored us thirty-one–eleven. We were just bleeding out there.”
She hesitated. “After tonight’s game, you fly out?”
“Yeah. Toronto.”
“Three games there, and then you come home?”
“But we have to get through tonight. Want that win tonight.”
“Who is on the mound?”
“Shields.”
“You guys have confidence in him?”
“Yeah.”
“So hit. Back him up.”
“Gonna try.”
But Boone didn’t get a hit that night, and it became a game of two pitchers dueling, with the Rays’ James Shields the winning pitcher, shutting out Boston, 1–0.
Having salvaged their self-respect, the Rays headed to Toronto, but lost their first game there, and Boone had some words with the batting coach and got benched for the next two games against the Blue Jays, games the Rays won by a huge margin.
It was almost three in the morning when he arrived home Thursday night, following the final game in Toronto.
Sarah woke up to the sound of him opening their bedroom door and then closing it behind him. He undressed in the dark next to the bed, letting his clothes fall to the ground, and he left them there and drew back the covers on his side of the bed.
As Boone pulled back the covers, Sarah felt a lick of cool air on her spine where her nightgown dipped low on her back, and then the mattress dipped beneath Boone’s weight as he settled behind her, lying flat on his back.
“Welcome home,” she whispered.
“Terrible trip,” he said, reaching out to catch her hair and giving it a tug, indicating he wanted her closer.
She moved into his arms, resting her cheek on his chest. “You’re back, though. You’ll start hitting again.”
“I’m still benched for tomorrow’s game.”
“Why?”
“Gordon didn’t like that I questioned his instruction. But I don’t think he’s giving the right kind of advice.”
Sarah was silent, mulling this over. “Benching your DH for three games does seem a little excessive.”
“It is. It’s personal.”
“Because you and he used to play together?”
“Yeah, and I’m still playing, and he’s now bouncing around as a batting coach. But he wasn’t a great player, and he’s not a great instructor, and I’m not going to hit the way he tells me. I’m going to hit the way I know how to hit. That’s what’s kept me in the game this long.”
“What did he want you to do?”
“Bunt.” Boone exhaled hard. “But there was no way we could advance a runner, and it was a complete waste of an at-bat.”
“So what did you do?”
“I hit. Got on base.”
“That’s good.”
“But Gordon got his panties in a wad. We had some words.”
That did not sound good, she thought. “When do you get to play again?”
“It’s up to Gordon.”
“Why don’t you apologize?”
“I’m not going to apologize. He’s wrong, and he knows he’s wrong, and I’m the only one who’s not afraid to call it the way it is.”
“But they need you in the lineup, Boone. You’re their big hitter.”
“Not according to Gordon. He says they play better without me. That I’m toxic to the team.” He made a rough sound deep in his chest. “Toxic. Unbelievable.”
“How long can he keep you out?”
“As long as he wants.”
“Boone.”
He shrugged, his powerful shoulders shifting. “It is what it is.”
She sighed, not liking where the conversation was going. If Boone wasn’t careful—if he didn’t mind his p’s and q’s and play the game right—this would be his last year of ball. “Baby, do you really want to get into a pissing contest with Gordon? You had your best spring training in years. Don’t let him bring you down—”
“It’s too late for that. Things were said. I have no respect for him now. Never will again.”
She sat up, looked down at him in the dark, trying to see his face. “He was probably angry.”
“Sure he was. And so was I. But there are certain things you don’t say. And he did. He crossed the line.”
Sarah’s stomach cramped. “What did he say?”
“Doesn’t matter, but I’ve made it known that I’ve lost all respect for him—”
“Oh, Boone, no. He’s a coach—”
“He’s a dick. Always was, and now he’s on a total power trip. But let’s not talk about him anymore. I won’t let him get to me.” He reached up, slipped a hand behind her head, and brought her mouth down to his, kissing her lightly, and then with more heat. It wasn’t long before he had disposed of her nightgown and had her pinned beneath him.