When Love Meets Mr. Baseball

Chapter 3- Meeting Mr. Baseball

Kristy POV

"Looks like today is going to fly by", I say to myself tossing the schedule back on my desk.

They booked me completly ever hour leaving little room to do my documentation inbetween clients. No biggie, I'll just be completly exhausted when I hit the bed tonight, especially after Coaching later today.

"Oh Crap!", I shouted a little louder then I thought.

"Something wrong Kristy, you ok?", Jim asked me with concern.

Jim was one of my co-workers here at the hospital therapy department and also one of my closest friends. He's a PTA, Physical Therapist Assistant and I'd met him when I started working here at the PT Department in the hospital 2 years after the move. Jim was easy to talk to and made friends with me right away. Others in the department wasn't so quick to friend me. Now though things are much better and we all get along accept for a couple snotty ones that nobody seems to like in the Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy side.

"What's going on, what's wrong Kristy?", Katie now had her attention grabbed by Jim as well on me.

Katie was another close friend I'd made here as well. Great gal, just took her a little bit longer to friend me when I started. Personally I think she had a crush on Jim and just won't admit it. I'm not even going to keep trying, she just keeps denying it everytime I bring it up. I can see how she's all giggly and perky when he's around, then I can see the glares and daggers coming from her eyes when he's ever talking to another women. She's in denial i guess. Then again I can't blame her either, occasionally I can get resting b***h face. Maybe that happened when I first came here giving her the wrong impression.

"Sooo, are you going to tell us what Oh Crap means!?", Jim asked me again, noticing I still haven't answered him and just stared at the wall.

I blinked turning my head towards both Jim and Katie.

"Today's the day that the Bull Horns Team is sending over one of their baseball players to meet the youth boys team and practice with them...." I explained to them.

"Yeah... and what's the big deal with that exactly?" Jim questioned.

"Right, I don't see a problem here Kristy, I mean you are going to work for them and maybe it's one that's a Hubba hubba!!", Katie roared, lifting her eyebrows up and down at me.

"Real funny Katie, of course that's what you'd be thinking! It's not any of that, it's that I forgot to tell them here I needed to leave early, so I could get there in time to be ready... now my schedule is booked for the day", I explained to them with frustration in my voice.

"Let me see your schedule, who's the last patient.... oh it's Martino. Not a problem, I'm open that hour, I'll move them over to my schedule and you go early, problem fixed!", Jim exclaimed feeling very proud of himself.

"Are you sure about this Jim?", I asked questioning him because I'm feeling guilty doing this to him and making him stay later.

"Honestly, I don't mind at all. You've covered for me before too, now I'm covering back. Don't sweat it, go." he encouraged.

"I really appreciate this Jim, your the best!", I jump up and give him a quick hug.

"One condition though, we all go out tomorrow night to the sports bar, yah know since your leaving in all, drinks and stuff, hang out", he argued back.

"Absolutely, you, me and Katie! Sounds perfect!", I confirmed.

"Woot woot, we're going out! Maybe we'll find you a man this time!", Katie chimed in.

"Ok, on that note, I'm headed to my first patient! You should get to work to you know, and I don't need a man thank you!", as I gave her a glare spinning around and headed towards my first patient.

The day flew by so quickly I barely realized it was my last patient of the day. With Jim's help I was going to be able to get out of here early to make in time to be ready for the guest visitor to the youth team. I finished off the final treatment and headed back to complete my documentation on the patient. Filing away the last of my items I see more farewell cards and another couple bouquet of flowers from fellow employees. This is going to be harder then I thought it would be. I just took the cards and stuffed them in my bag, I'm not reading them now, I don't have time for tears. I'll read them at home later tonight.

I gathered up my stuff quickly and waved at Jim mouthing Thank you to him before exciting the door. I needed to exit quickly so nobody stopped me to wish farewell, I would go through those hard moments tomorrow, but not today. I safely got through the parking lot without running into anyone. Quickly start up my truck and head out to the Rec Center to prepare.

Once I arrived at the Rec Center I saw both my assistant coaches Paul and Dan were already there. Phew, not the day for either of them to be running late. I quickly grabbed my bag from the seat and rushed into the gym. My office is off the gym area and also does have a door that exits to the outside if I don't want to go through the gym. Both my Assistants share the adjoining office to mine but have a desk as well in mine for times were meeting and working on things together.

As I entered the gym I didn't see anyone yet, it was pretty quite. I walk past the assistant coaches office as it's before mine, peeking in and both Paul and Dan are head down hard at work on their tasks. Working on plans for our practices, setting up scouts for the older youths, and scheduling of games. They really are a huge help both on the field and off the field.

"Hey Guys, how's it going", I questioned peeking my head in and leaning on the door frame.

"Magnificent actually, have a scout coming to next week's game from the college we talked about, I'll fill you in more later!" Dan excitedly stated.

"Schedule just about done, I'll email out momentarily!", Paul stated proudly.

"That's amazing, you guys are the best! I'm going to change and get ready for practice and don't forget today's the day that the Bull Horns Team is sending over one of their baseball players to meet the youth team", I reminded them before heading off to my office shutting the door to changing quickly into the clothes I brought.

After I finished I opened up my door and heard a few of the youths starting to enter. They all arrive at different times due to the school schedules. We don't officially start any practice until 4 so that everyone has a chance to get there, but I love how everyone is always there early. These youths have become so eager to play and improve these past couple of years I couldn't be prouder.

"Hey Ethan, ready for today?", Ethan is one of my older youths that I'm searching scout's for college's. I've been working with him improving his pitching skills and he's come a long way. He will be a great catch for some team that's for sure.

"Hey coach, always ready!", Ethan eagerly replied back as he headed off to warm up on the treadmill for a bit.

I enter Paul and Dan office, "Ready fellas? Let's go get the field ready for practice!".

"Right behind ya Coach!", Dan stood to follow with Paul in suite behind him.

I popped back in my office almost forgetting my whistle on my desk and hung it around my neck. I tucked it into my shirt to keep it out of the way until we were ready to start practice. Then we headed out the back doors of the gym to the field to the storage shed with all the gear and training equipment needed for the team today. As we hit the field, today's temps are definitely a warm one. Sun still beating down hard on the field. I slide my sunglasses down from the top off my head over my eyes, even then still feeling like I wanted to squint.

Paul began laying out all the catchers gear near home plate with all the gloves, helmets, chest protectors and shin protectors. Paul was the main one responsible for working with catchers, training them up in individual practices. Dan worked with those in field positions and batting. Dan lugged the buckets of baseballs out and the bags with bats and batting helmets in them. I grabbed the training equipment for pitchers and pitcher throw net to set up. I work individually with pitchers to improve their skill, strength and speed velocity. I begin hooking up the exercise baseball bands to the fence that all the pitchers warm up on and strengthen with. I also pull out the box of weighted balls and setup the pitchers throw net. Meanwhile Paul and Dan were just finishing up having everything ready on their end. Right about then, the boys started running out to the field. Including my son, I must have forgot to check to check my cell phone to see Bree messaged she was here with him.

"You know the drill boys, warm ups and then grab a ball to practice till I blow the whistle to call you all in to the dugout! But today we will have a guest with us stopping by from the Bull Horns Baseball Team. He'll be making his rounds to see you All throughout practice today, plus we'll have time at the end so you all can talk with him and ask questions, " I shouted out to all of them.

"Yes Coach Kris!", they all confirmed back in unisex. Smacking gloves and high fiving each other as they ran out to Center field. The excitement pouring off them as they ran out there.

This was huge to these youth boys, meaning more then words could explain. But why am I so nervous... no can't be nerves, just has to be the sun and long day at work. I mean they are sending Mac, 2nd baseman, which I happened to know! I met him through his wife Cindy, she owns the hair salon and does my hair. I clicked right away with Cindy and been best friends ever since. So there's absolutely no reason to be nervous! See, it's just the sun. I check my watch again, hhmm, guess he's running late. I hope he didn't forget?? He wouldn't do that to me.

"Ahem, excuse me?", A deep rather arrogant tone came from behind me. Paul, Dan and I all turn at the same time to see who it is.

Mother of...sweet baby jesus! Hubba bubba.. as Katie would have said! This wasn't Mac standing here. But rather a 6'4, dirty blonde haired, built to the hill dangerously attractive

hunk! I mean I think I stopped breathing... he stood before me in his Bull Horns Baseball uniform with every muscle popping at the seams. There wasn't a muscle not defined on his lumpsious body as I eyed him up and down. I'm pretty sure that's a 6 pack under there too!

Oh my gosh... seriously what am I talking about!! I can't think like this! Stop it Kristy, you haven't looked at any man like this in over 2 years. Pull it together women! Baseball men are not your style!

"Hello, nice to see you finally showed up, where's Mac?", I pulled it together enough to finally answer him with words! Feeling like I used enough confidence in my tone.

"Well, Mac, was sent by head coach to do a publicity interview... so he sent me. Excuse me, but why is a mother of one of the boys questioning me?", he sarcastically sneered back while smirking with one side of his mouth showing some of those pearly white teeth of his.

"I'm Eric McCann, 3rd baseman and you must be Coach Kris?", as he extended his hand out to Paul standing next to me.

"Nice to meet you Eric, but I'm Assistant Coach Paul," he smiled and began to start to tell him and I shock my head no. Let's have a little fun with him first In thinking to myself.

"Ahhh, so you must be then?", extending his hand out to Dan smiling like he made victory finally.

"No Sir, I'm actually Assistant Coach Dan, nice to meet you though", he greeted with a smirk, anxiously awaiting what would come next.

"Ok, so he must not be here yet then, is that it? Do you know when he's arriving?", Eric sounding once again of tone of arrogance and irritation.

"Ohhh I'm sure he'll be along shortly, let's get started shall we!", my tone full of sarcasm in responding to him and nothing but a big old smile on my face. Really, I actually thought he was gorgeous!? Ugh, exactly why I said no dating baseball players, they are completely arrogant and completely full of themselves!! Gggrr!!

I pull out my whistle then turning back too to Eric and blew loudly on it. All the boys came running in off the field to the dugout finding their way to take seats.

"Everyone warmed up and ready to give a warm welcome to the Bull Horns 3rd baseman, Eric McCann!", I shouted out to them as i held out my arm extending it in Eric direction.

"YES COACH KRIS!! Welcome Eric McCann!", all the boys yelled in unisex.

Uh, I wonder if he's figured it out yet who Coach Kris is, I chuckled to myself as I watch his mouth drop open for a moment and recovering to go greet the kids. He leans in near the dugout to me whispering,

" Why didn't you tell me you were Coach Kris?".

I shrugged my shoulders giving him a huge smile, "You didn't give me a chance to Mr. Baseball...".