Out of His League: Book Two (18+)

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Phoenix

I just pulled into the parking lot of our apartment complex after what felt like a five-hour class this afternoon. My professor has one of those monotone voices that puts you to sleep within seconds. I didn't nod off this time, considering everything filling my thoughts lately, but I still managed to miss about every word of the lecture. Luckily for me, we have a study guide, and I can read it myself this week.

School has never been easy for me, even back in high school. I've always had to push myself a little harder than others in order to meet the standards for what a hopeful college baseball prospect needed. So being scouted and offered a scholarship from Tampa Bay was a dream come true especially being able to accept it alongside Ryder.

From the moment we stepped out onto that field in Florida for the first time, my new dream was to be drafted by the MLB. It was a dream that felt so close yet so far from my reach. There are days I feel like I'm not as good as I should be or as great as my dad. Living in his shadow put a bit of pressure on me growing up and even now, but it's partly my own words to myself that bring that all on. I think about a life without baseball from time to time. What if I was an ordinary man, working a 8-5 job? Would I be happy? Could I even live a life without that rush of adrenaline being out on that field with my glove in hand? Phoenix Zeller, the businessman. It didn't seem like it was a life to be desired, but that all changed when she suddenly became my future.

The thing is that before a future with Scarlett was in my grasp, a future without baseball seemed sad and lonely. The thoughts of the what if's scared me, but then she took ahold of my heart, embracing it with her unwavering love and strength. That's when I knew that even if I was to never set foot out on a field again...even if that dream was taken from me...at least I would have her by my side. If I were ever given a choice between baseball or Scarlett, I wouldn't think twice about choosing her. Every single time I'd always choose her... the love of my lifetime. Lucky for me, though, Scar would never let me give it up in a million years. But I do know that whatever happens, if I get that call someday that I made it to the majors or if it's just not in the cards for me, I'll be okay. A 8-5 job wouldn't seem so bad coming home to her every day...coming home to them. My Shortcake and our little one...they are all I need to be happy in this world.

It's funny how the way you look at things can change in the blink of an eye, but no matter what's to come for me in my career, I will be blessed to go through it all with my family.

As I unlocked the front door, I heard laughter on the other side. The door swung open when I saw Mia and Kole snuggled up rather closely on the couch in the living room.

Mia's head whipped around, giving me a little wave and smile. "Hey, Nix."

"What up?" Kole said before looking back to the tv with his hand rested comfortably on her leg.

"Hey," My brow slightly raised in surprise. "What are you guys watching?"

Mia turned the volume down, focusing her attention to me. "The Office. Kole here has apparently never seen it, and I was insulted by that information, so I told him we were changing it."

"Dude, have you been living under a rock?" I asked.

"Yep, just call me Patrick," Kole sipped his glass of water.

Mia let out a snort. "Well, at least I know you've seen Spongebob."

I shook my head, laughing. "Where is everyone else at?"

"Scar went to take a nap," Kole told me.

"She said she might have eaten too much earlier, and she felt gross," Mia added.