Truth

1

Chapter 1

"Camryn, you're late!" My boss hissed as I walked into the office in my black Nike Marlin's t-shirt that was tucked into my black Nike shorts. I had on a black on-field Marlins trainer's shirt and  large black Marlin's backpack. My long brown hair was tied back in a french braid and I had on a necklace with a C on it symbolizing the first letter of my first name.

"Sorry Donald, I hit traffic." I growled as I walked into my office, slamming the door behind me. It was only my first day and my father, who was also my boss, was already demanding per usual. I worked with the Nationals for the past year as a team kinesiologist, physical therapist and a team physician. At the end of the 2016 season, I resigned and was hired by the Marlins, the same team my father manages. It was only the 4th day of spring training 2017 and it was the first day of full squad workouts at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. The Nats were also in Florida just 15 minutes down the road at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. 

I dropped my backpack down next to my desk and sat down on the black spinny chair. I logged onto the Mac Desktop computer on my desk and went into the workout plans I curated for each individual player. I went through and printed them all out as I waited for my father to call me out to work with the guys. 

As I was studying a video of one of the star pitchers throw, I heard a faint knock on the door. 

"Yeah, come in!" I yelled, continuing to study the video. 

"Camryn Mattingly?" A man cleared his throat and I paused the video, raising an eyebrow as I looked up at the man who was holding an envelope. 

"Yeah?" I gulped and the man handed me the envelope. "Who is it from?" I raised an eyebrow as I looked down at the front of the envelope. 

"It''s from Mr. Harper from the Nationals. He instructed me to inform you to open it as soon as you could!" The man smiled and I smiled up at the delivery man in the red National's shirt. 

"Tell Bryce that I'm flattered but I don't want his junk mail!" I laughed, handing the envelope back to the man and he shook his head, pushing it back towards me. 

"It's an order from Mr. Harper that I watch you open the envelope and that I make sure you'll attend his gathering!" The man smiled and I laughed, shaking my head as I opened the envelope to reveal a card inviting me to a masquerade ball hosted by Bryce tonight. 

"Tell him I'll be there but only if he promises to pay me back my 17 dollars that bought him that sandwich last year!" I smirked and the man nodded before walking out of my office, closing the door behind him. I laughed softly, shaking me head as I leaned back in chair, looking at my computer. 

"CAMRYN, LET'S GO!" My father yelled, slamming on the door. I rolled my eyes, pushing myself out of my seat and grabbing my backpack as I ran out of my office. "Are you ready to meet the girls?" He smirked and I laughed, shaking my head as I adjusted my backpack. 

"Ecstatic!" I smiled at my father as we walked over to the door leading out to the dugout. 

"Before we go out, I just want to say that I'm so genuinely proud of you Cam!" My father sighed, looking into my eyes. "I'm honored to share the field with you even if you are only a 24 year old stuck up child!" He smirked and I laughed, shaking my head. 

"Can't just give a compliment, can you?" I smiled as my father pulled me into a hug. 

"No, because then I'd be admitting that you're going to be more than I could've ever dreamt to become!" He sighed as I hugged him back. 

"Well, let's see you're willing to give old man!" I giggled, stepping back to look into my father's eyes. 

"Let's go you brat!" He chuckled as he led me out into the dugout.