Don't Drop the Ball [Completed]

One

Finnlay's POV

I swerved from the right lane and into the left, thanking whatever lord there is that no one was coming. That car kept break checking me. I sped past them and hit the gas pedal a little more. My mom called me last night to ask me to come home. My grandfather just passed after years and years of battling with his heart condition. My grandmother passed away 12 years ago and I remember exactly how broken my mom was during that period. To imagine having lost them both, and me a day's drive away, makes my heart bleed for her.

I ran my hand through my hair as I hit more traffic. Fuck it being December and traffic in Los Angeles-- helps no one get where they need to be. I swear the only reason this drive takes so long is because of the stop and go of the traffic -- all of which revolves around people just trying to merge and get off the exit.

My grandfather was a great man. I remember all the times he played ball with me in the backyard. I have to give him all the credit for me making it to the MLB. He was the one that kept pushing me to be better and practice in every spare moment I had. My father signed me up for a little league in our home town. He actually got to coach me for one year.

My dad was a Navy SEAL and, unfortunately, he was killed in action. I knew why he did what he did. I just know that he always thought of his team as a family. He was a team guy. Even when he was coaching my little league team, I could tell that he was itching for action. I mean watching 8-year-olds play baseball isn't the most action-filled thing in the world.

When he died when I was 10, it was a lot to take in. My mom never remarried. She tried dating, but she could never find that connection again. Gramps, my mom's father, took upon helping me train for baseball. When I was in college I went to a D3 school before I was noticed. That's not the typical path here in the MLB, but every day I made it the path. I ground it out each and every day and I'm proud to be the star center fielder for the San Diego Padres.

I finally made it home around dinner time. I opened the door with my huge duffle bag and my suits in my other hand and put them on the dry cleaning hanger in the entryway. "Mom?" I called out into the house. It's still the same as I remembered. Smells like a candle is burning, some seasonal one, cozy warm yellow lights coming from various family lamps, and the hum from the Hallmark channel.

"Oh Fin!" I heard her call out. I knew from how her voice carried through the house that she is in the kitchen. I set my bag on the floor by the entryway, took off my sneakers, and slipped off my Nike's. Making my way to the kitchen, I caught sight of the movie on the TV. Definitely that Hallmark girly romantic shit for sure.

"Hi momma," I whispered as I gave her a hug. My mom is only five foot five and I, getting my height from dad, stand over her at six foot four. "What do you have cooking?" I looked over and saw a bowl of pasta, some sauce and a bowl full of salad.

"Just your favorite my dear." I could tell in her demeanor she is a bit sadder than normal. I kept my arm around her shoulders and helped her with a few things before we sat at the table for dinner. "You didn't need to come home for this long Fin." I paused in eating and looked up to her.

"Momma, no. I should be here with you. Nothing keeps me in San Diego right now. I just gotta go back in February." She shook her head knowing fully well I'll be here causing a mess for the next two months. My mom needs me and I'm not going anywhere.

⬤⬤⬤

I opened the door to my mom's wood sign shop and carefully balanced the two coffee's in my hand. While I got out of the cold rain and into the store I caught the eyes of someone new. I paused in the doorway and took in the way her honey brown eyes stared at me. Her eyebrow rose in question as I stayed put. I couldn't tell if she was checking me out or confused about who I am. Neither of us spoke.

Her brown hair is done in two braids that reach her mid back. I bit my lip as she picked up a package box and set it on the counter. "How can we help you today?" She broke the silence. This mysterious women has a beautiful voice. Just low enough to be a whisper and yet the right pitch to cause my throat to run a little dry. "Is someone coming to join you?" She asked while her eyes shifted between the two cups of coffee I have.

"I'm looking for my mom."

"Oh, well no one else has come in yet..." she trailed off and I gave her a little smirk walking up to the counter. She must not know who I am. I mean girls usually don't watch baseball, but if they do it's for us. The males. The woman's gaze is our favorite bonus to playing the sport. She watched me as I set the cup down. She's around the same height as my mom. Maybe a bit shorter.

"My mom owns the store." Her honey brown eyes grew wide as her mouth popped open slightly before she closed it.

"Oh my gosh. Sorry. She's talked about you tons, especially lately." She turned to grab something and looked back at me. "You're here for his funeral?" The way she softly spoke it made the memory of my grandfather pop up like a floodgate. I nodded numbly and she gave my forearm a squeeze. "I'm sorry he's gone... that you have to go through this."

"Thanks," I mumbled out and took a sip of my coffee to change my thoughts from my grandfather to the reason I'm here. My mom and I are going for lunch. I need to get her mind off everything.

"I'll let your mom know you're here... or do you want to? She's in the staining section of the shop." I nodded and before I could make it back to the door to the shop my mom came out.

"Oh goodie! Fin, did you meet Bree?" I looked over to Bree and gave her a smile. Now knowing her name.

"Actually... not fully." I handed my mom her coffee and stuck my hand out to Bree. "Finnlay Geraldi."

"Bree St.Claire," she gave me a soft smile and I held her hand in mine a moment longer before my mom spoke.

"Bree, can you pretty please finish that sign for me?" Bree nodded and grabbed the store phone, hooked it on her jean belt loop and made her way back there.

"Of course, Nora. Have fun with your son for lunch."

When my mom and I got to our destination downtown, a short twelve minute walk from her store, I finally had the thought to ask her who the girl in the store was. "Mom?"

"Yes Fin," she said looking up from her menu briefly before looking back at the sandwiches sheet.

"Who's the woman in the shop with you? I thought you ran it alone?" My mom looked up and gave me a small smile. She's been running the business alone since I was in middle school. I am curious as to how she is just now accepting help.

"That is Bree. I remember her telling you her name." I rolled my eyes playfully and greeted our waiter before stating my order. When he left I turned back to my mom expecting a real answer.

"We've been getting busier. I haven't been able to keep up with everything myself. You helped boost the sign store, which," she grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze. "I thank you for supporting me and sharing me on your social platforms. I still don't know how it all connects, but we've been getting busier. Signs are popular these days. I put out a feeler for an assistant and ended up with Bree. She has been awesome."

I nodded and rubbed my chin thinking of how natural Bree looked. Her brunette hair, her soft brown eyes, her full pale pink lips, her figure... she is a beauty. If my mom thinks she's awesome, then that just makes her gorgeous. I tapped my fingers on the table thinking of how I just have to get to know her.

"You know, you didn't have to come up for this long. I know losing him isn't easy for you either." I watched as my mom played with the sleeve of her sweater and shook my head leaning into the table to talk to her.

"Mom, I'm happy to be here. I want to support you." She gave me a soft smile and I felt my heart fill up a bit more. She's still sad internally, I could tell. "What can I do to lighten your load about the funeral arrangements? I want to help. You shouldn't have to take on this weight alone."