4


“We’ve decided, Grace, that you’ve become quite a hit! We want you to follow the Sunray's wherever they go and report on each player as the season progresses. Northwest Sports wants you to do a weekly magazine show on each featured player, so this very well could be your breakthrough opportunity!” Justin almost squealed. Grace almost threw up.
“What are you talking about, Justin? This isn’t funny, I don’t like surprises, real or not!” Seriously, she was going to throw up all over the conference table.
“Grace, you’ve read your fan mail after your McNiel interview was printed! The women love your refreshing point of view. You’re the talk of the town in the sports arena because you chose such a sexual angle! You’re the ‘Sex and the City’ of sports journalism! Now we have boyfriend’s begging us to stop you from getting the women interested in professional sports. Not to mention the interest from the gay community. I’m gonna exploit this until I can retire at thirty six.” He was so excited, she couldn’t bear to disappoint him.
“Fine, I’ll think about it. But absolutely NO television!”





5

“In only four weeks, the Sunray's will pack up their gear and head to sunnier skies in the Arizona desert. This is a time to test the strength, the ability, the talent and the stamina of the men who believe themselves to be worthy of wearing the red and gray. I intend to follow these brave warriors into the battle that is Major League Baseball. Ladies, it might not be pretty. Leave the boys in the bar, make yourselves some Margaritas and settle in while I take you on an inside tour of what it’s really all about, next month on Sports Northwest!” Ugh, she had seen the promo a million times already. Was she that frumpy? She had to do something about her hair. And her body. Justin wouldn’t let her change a thing because the guys would feel more comfortable talking to Grace than some floozy. Deep down, however, she wanted to be that floozy. She wondered when she would get the chance to interview Nick Blake. She had sent his keys to The Avenue bar via courier, thanks to Justin. He was probably pissed as hell that she had stood him up that night. It all seemed like so long ago, even though it had only been a month and she still had that lingering feeling of disappointment at herself for not going. As much as she denied it, she actually enjoyed the brief heated arguments that they had shared. What an ass. Nevermind, she thought to herself, he would get his when she had him in front of the camera. All in good time.

She awoke in the middle of the night to a tapping noise at the window. It was two in the morning, for God’s sake, this had better be good! “GRACE FITZZZZPRATRICK!!!!! COME OUT AND FACE ME NOWWW!” Ah shit, Mick. Bless the child, for he had a crush on the American Woman who made him shine! She pushed the quilt over her body and reluctantly got out of bed. Why? Why me? The dog started growling on the floor next to her. “Hey, sunshhhine! Whatz freshh?” Great, a lonely and drunk Irish pitcher in her yard. What next?
“Go away, Danny! I’m not interested!” Please, please go away…
“Iloveyasewmush…thoo.” What? What the hell was he saying?
“I’m calling a cab, Danny. Wait quietly on the front porch. You don’t love anybody, remember? You’ll never love a woman again, they’re heartless and evil beings. It’s true, I quoted you! Don’t forget who you are this early in the game, dammit! Call me tomorrow!”
“Bye, you are right, who am I? Where…” He drifted into oblivion. She left him there. What a character! Where was she…oh yeah, Nick was looming over her completely naked and…she awoke with her clothes on from the night before. Had the pitcher come to her apartment? She couldn’t remember. She reminded herself to tell him that she didn’t mess around with the players. Then her phone rang. Her heart skipped several beats as she realized it was Nick’s number. But it wasn’t Nick’s voice she heard after hello. It was Justin’s.
“Hey, doll! It’s Justin. Where are you?”
“I’m at home, where do you think I am? I think Danny McNeil came to my house drunk last night. What are you doing up this early?” It was seven thirty and she knew that he didn’t usually wake up until at least noon on Saturdays.
“Actually, I’m still up. I ran into Nick and Liz last night. They got into a lovers quarrel so he and I decided to go test out the blackjack tables. Hey, I won four hundred dollars! Wanna spend the day with a rich sexy man?” And gay. Story of her life.
“Well, I do need to get some clothes for Arizona…”
“Sure, I’ll pick you up around ten, then. Be ready, I’m scared to wait with that thing in your house!” With that he hung up. Suddenly that thing jumped onto her bed. Gruden was ready for his morning walk, so she reluctantly got out of bed and pulled on her sweats.
“Come on, thing. Let’s go outside!” The big German Shepherd wagged his tail and raced for the front door, grabbing his football in his mouth before skidding into the wall. It was no use. He was as graceful as she was.



6

Nick came back to the table from the men’s room.
“Who was that? Was it Liz?” God, he hoped not. One of these days he was going to give up and date someone above twenty three. Liz had been getting a little too attached lately. He was going to have to slow things down a bit, or completely if that’s what it took. Nobody told him what where and with whom he could see. Her jealousy was borderline psychotic. All he had done was inquire about Grace to Justin last night and she had flown off the handle! He was so embarrassed that he said some pretty ugly words to her in public and grabbed Justin to leave the bar. He left her behind without even looking back. Now he was in for it. He knew that going to the casinos all night would protect him for a while, but now he was forced to go home. He needed a shower, and he thought that maybe he would actually shave his beard today. Spring training was quickly approaching, and he knew that he needed to start mentally preparing for it. Getting shit from the guys for his appearance was not an option. He just was too lazy to shave, that’s all. Plus Evelyn, the airline stewardess he had met on the plane home from California last week, had said that he looked dangerous. Which everyone knows means sexy. Maybe he would just trim it up a bit.
“Nick! Are you getting all this? Hello?” He realized Justin was waiting for an answer.
“What? I’m sorry, I was thinking about Arizona. Who did you say was on the phone?”
“I didn’t. And Arizona my perfect ass! I have a solution for you. Drop me off at my place and pick me up at nine thirty. I have the day all planned out for you, no arguments. It’ll be fun. Whatever you do, Nick, do not answer your phone! In fact, give it to me. Lock your doors so she can’t get in and entice you with an apology, either.” He knew Justin, and arguments were futile. He decided to go to Frankie’s house to shower just to be safe. That ruled out shaving.