Imperfectly Beautiful (Jordan Knight Fanfic, Liadan #3)

Cones and Complications

-LOGAN-

"Alright, nice. You've got a nice arm on you, kid."

"I do?" I asked anxiously as I turned to the trainer, Todd Benson, with wide eyes and tried not to hold my breath.

The second that he'd walked in the room, I'd recognized him from my YouTube searches to prep for my baseball tryouts. He was a well known athletic trainer who'd worked with some of the best Red Sox players and I was more than just a little starstruck.

He nodded, "Have you ever considered joining a traveling team? I know you mentioned the high school tryouts, but I oversee a traveling team and we could really use a great left handed pitcher. It's a big commitment with a lot of hours, but I think it'd give you a really great elite experience. I could really work with you one on one and craft you into a star."

"Really? You'd want me to play for you?" I blinked and tried to make sure I wasn't just hearing things as I screwed open my water bottle and blinked.

"Yeah, you've got a lot of talent, Logan and I'm not just saying that. I see a lot of kids your age, that'd kill for your skillset, but you're a natural. I've got a lot of connections with other people that I know would love to meet you."

"Wow, that's, thank you," I sputtered. "And when would tryouts be for your team?"

"Well, I don't do this for everyone, but for you I wouldn't need a tryout. It's just a matter of deciding of it'd be something that you're interested in doing."

"I'd absolutely be interested," I nodded and turned as I heard the door open and watched as my dad entered the room with Uncle Danny. "That's my father now."

"Oh, he's one of the New Kids on the Block?" Todd asked.

"Yeah, Jordan Knight."

"Alright, well I'll talk to him and see what we can work out. In the meantime, you can keep practicing what I showed you with your friend and then you and your folks can talk and just let me know."

"Thank you," I smiled. "I really appreciate that."

"You're welcome, Logan," Todd nodded before scooping up his bag and making his way across the gym floor.

Excitement rattled my bones before I turned to Simon who sat sprawled out on the ground, chugging out of his Gatorade.

"Did you hear that?"

"What? The sound of death creeping around the corner?" he asked and drug his forearm across his sweaty forehead. "Yeah, I hear it. If I never lift another weight in my life, it'll be too soon."

"No, I mean Todd's traveling team," I said. "Did he talk to you about it?"

"No," Simon shook his head. "He didn't mention it, but I can only imagine what those poor players of his go through. I mean my dad's intense—I've done hardcore workouts, but I swear I'm sore in places I didn't know I had." I'm just a kid, I can't take all this." he flashed a smile to show he was joking and I shook my head.

"You're such a baby," I squirted more water in my mouth. "It's thrilling to me. I mean after all, the guy obviously knows what it takes to make it in the majors."

"Maybe," Simon nodded and landed back on the ground behind us. "But I'm not going to the majors tomorrow. Neither are you."

"Well, no, but it's a process, you know."

"Oh, believe me, I know," Simon stretched out his legs and groaned. "I also know I want to walk out of this place."

I chuckled and shook my head as I heard the door squeak again and turned to see Danielle coming through the gym doors and waving us over.