Out of My League by Dirk Hayhurst

wrong when I worked things out in my favor. I’d make this relationship work and do fine in baseball, too. I didn’t have the best example of just how to make a marriage function, but I did have every example of how not to.
    But as Bonnie dampened my shirt with her tears, I realized what a precarious position I was truly in. Was it confidence or arrogance that made me think I had this under control? This year would be like a tug-of-war, with Bonnie on one side, baseball on the other, and me in the middle trying to hold it all together. Could I really do it?
    Rocking her gently, I said, “We’ll call when we can, video-chat every chance we get, and be creative during the times in between. Before you know it, you’ll be out to visit me. The first two weeks are the toughest because of the routine change, but if you stay busy, the time will fly by. We’re going to do this—we are. I promise you.” And secretly, I promised myself as well.
    “I know, I know,” said Bonnie. “It’s actually good I’ll have all this extra time to work on wedding details.” She offered me a melancholy smile.
    “There you go. Focus on the prize. Speaking of the wedding,” I said, taking a gravely serious tone, “I think the most important thing is how we can fleece as many of our guests for as much money as possible. You know how they have jars you have to stick wads of cash into to make us kiss and stuff? We need more ideas like that. I want this wedding to be so profitable, we will consider doing it a couple of times.”
    “Don’t worry,” said Bonnie. “I’ve been to so many other peoples’ weddings, I know all the tricks to use for my own.”
    I kissed her on the forehead. “You’re the perfect woman.”
    She pulled away from my embrace and looked me in the eyes. “In case you were planning it”—Bonnie patted me forcefully on the chest to make sure I got her point—“don’t even think of proposing to me on a baseball field.”
    “I thought you said I could do it anywhere?”
    “Anywhere but there.”
    “Great, well, if you think of anyplace else I’m not allowed to do it, let me know.”
    “I just don’t want to be on the big screen in front of a million people.”
    “Big screen? Million people? You haven’t been to a lot of minor league ballparks, have you?”
    “No baseball proposal,” she said firmly.
    “Fine, no baseball proposal. Got it.” Bonnie went back to resting her head on my chest while I looked out the window to planes in motion on the tarmac. It was almost time for me to go.
    “I just want you to know,” I said, “no matter what happens from here, this is the biggest year of my life. I always thought making it to the big leagues would mark my biggest year, but it turns out it was you.”
    “This is the biggest year of our lives, babe. We’re going to have to start thinking plural now.”
    “Weird,” I said.
    “I think it’s great,” said Bonnie.
    “Yeah, I guess I think it’s great, too.”
    “You’re going to do awesome this season.”
    “If I do, you’re the reason.”
    “Whatever,” she said, tearing up again. “Listen, you do this, okay? You focus on this and don’t ever let me be the reason you didn’t try your best.”
    “I won’t, honey. I’m a professional, remember?”
    “Promise?”
    “I promise. I love you,” I said.
    “I love you, too,” said Bonnie.
    She kissed me, squeezed my hand, then turned and walked away.
    She did not look back.

Chapter Eleven
    It took about seven hours to reach the Phoenix airport, if you count the layovers. Strolling down the concourse with my carry-on over my shoulder, I turned on my cell. There were oodles of messages waiting for me. Bonnie mostly. I didn’t reply to any of them; there would be time for that later when I was in my hotel and accounted for. Right now, it was important to get my mind right. There would be very little alone time now that I was once again bought property, and it was important to get focused on