The Setup and the Substitute by Jiffy Kate

Chapter 11

Owen

After a restless night’s sleep,I wake up feeling groggy and immediately check my phone to make sure I didn’t miss a call from home—from Sophie.

There are no missed calls and I see it’s after eight here, which means it’s after ten o’clock at home and I know my children, they never sleep in, even when they’re sick. Sitting up in the hotel bed, I stretch and rub a hand through my hair before hitting Sophie’s number.

It takes a few rings before there’s an answer and I’m concerned when I hear Sophie’s voice.

“Did I wake you?” I ask, glancing over at the alarm clock to double check the time. “I thought you’d all be awake by now.”

“We are,” Sophie says and I can tell she’s trying to sound more awake. “We’ve been up since six.”

Feeling bad about the circumstances, I wonder if I should pay her extra for this week. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

“How are they this morning?”

She tries clearing her throat, but when she speaks again, it’s still raspy. “We’re going to the doctor this morning. I already called and they’re working them both in at eleven.”

Shit.

“What are their temps?” I ask, standing and grabbing some pants to pull on.

“One-oh-one-point-five for Molly and one-oh-one for Ryan,” she replies. “And Ryan threw up this morning.”

Cringing, I sigh. “If this is too much all you have to do is tell me.”

“It’s not too much.”

There’s a pause and I’m trying to not react like I want to by calling Buddy and requesting a flight back home. Or at least calling my mom to rescue Sophie and be there in my absence.

“I’m sure once they’re on an antibiotic or this runs its course, they’ll be fine.”

I know she’s right.

We’ve been through this before. Right after we moved to New Orleans, Ryan came down with a stomach bug and passed it to Molly. That’s just how it is when you have kids, my mom assured me.

“Call me when you get out of the doctor.”

“I will,” she promises.

We don’t have to be at the field until four o’clock our time, which will be six o’clock in New Orleans. Hopefully, Sophie and the kids will be back home and feeling better by then. I’m in the bullpen tonight, so hopefully she’ll have some good news and I’ll be able to focus on the game.

I pitched well last night. With two strikeouts and no runs, it’s one of my better innings so far this season, and I’m hoping to build on that success tonight.

Deciding I need something to do to get rid of the nervous energy I’m feeling, I call Ross and see if he wants to head to the gym or grab some breakfast. Being out of town gives him a little more flexibility than when we’re in New Orleans.

A couple hours later, as Ross and I are sitting at an outdoor restaurant not far from the hotel and stadium, my phone rings and I almost drop it in my rush to answer.

“Hello?”

“Hey,” Sophie says, sounding even more tired than she did earlier. “Just calling to let you know both kids have strep throat, so the doctor prescribed antibiotics and lots of rest. They’ll be home from school for the rest of the week, but as long as their symptoms are better, they should be good to go back next Monday.”

“Are you okay?” I ask, worried that she sounds so run down.

“I’m fine,” she says, trying to sound more chipper like she did earlier. I have a feeling Sophie Callahan isn’t one to easily admit defeat, so I hope she’s at least taking care of herself. “We’re all good. I added ice cream to the grocery delivery for today. So, I’m sure after they get their meds and a healthy dose of Ben & Jerry’s, they’ll be feeling better.”

Her chuckle is meant to put me at ease, but it sounds weak and does the opposite.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask again. “Maybe you should go to the doctor too?”

“Don’t worry,” she says. “Doctor Thomas gave me some antibiotics too, just in case. But I’m fine. I think I’m just tired from lack of sleep. We’re all good here, so go and play some good baseball tonight.”

“Fill the prescription,” I order, sounding a bit more authoritative than I probably should, but a sudden sense of protectiveness comes over me, not just for my kids, but for Sophie too. “And get some rest.”

“Okay, boss.” She means it as a tease, but something about it stirs up something inside me that I shouldn’t be feeling.

Lust.

Desire.

For the nanny.

Clearing my throat, I nod, seeing Ross eyeball me from across the table suspiciously. “Talk soon.”

After I end the call, he lets out a chuckle, shaking his head. “You’re so fucked, dude.”

I knew I shouldn’t have told him anything about Sophie, but on the plane ride here, he kept pushing for information and I caved and told him the basics.

Sophie is attractive.

I’m attracted to Sophie.

But I need her more as a nanny than in my bed, so I’m putting my feelings for her aside and keeping things professional.

End of story.

Afraid of incriminating myself even further, I pick up the glass of water beside my plate and chug its contents, wishing this was after the game and I had something stronger than water to dull my senses.

A few hours later, I’m pacing my hotel room waiting for it to be time to head to the stadium and trying not to worry about things happening back home—things out of my control. I’ve tried to convince myself that I couldn’t do anything more than what Sophie is doing, but I have the feeling she’s coming down with strep as well and I have an overwhelming urge to fly home and take care of them, all of them, Sophie included.

Scrolling on my phone, I try to find what I’m looking for.

Once, when I had the flu a few years ago, Ryan was just a baby and Molly was little. Lisa was off on one of her weekend benders. My mom wanted to come help out, but I refused, so she sent me this awesome care package from this place in New York. It had homemade soup and bread that just had to be warmed in the oven. It was amazing and totally hit the spot.

I’m hoping it does the same for Sophie and the kids.

While I’m placing my order, I notice a few add-ons available and include a fuzzy blanket, coloring books, and two new stuffed animals to the box.

Later, when I’m at the stadium—just coming back into the clubhouse after warming up with the team—I check my phone and see the order is already on its way. I think about notifying Sophie but decide the surprise will be better. Besides, she hasn’t called or texted in a while, so I’m going to take no news as good news and focus on the game ahead.

“Looking good out there,” Buddy says, gripping my shoulder as he walks by. “Give ‘em hell tonight.”

Nodding, I stuff my phone into my bag and toss it in the locker. “I’m going to try.”

Since the season started, I’ve gone from pitching an inning every few games to pitching in almost every game. I still take the recommended games off, but since I’m not throwing many pitches, it keeps me in the rotation more frequently.

The fact I haven’t given up many runs helps too.

If things keep going in our favor, we’ll have the best bullpen in baseball.

“Ready?” Ross asks, sidling up beside me and throwing a few things in his locker.

He’s not starting tonight, so he’ll probably be hanging out with us in the bullpen.

“Let’s go.”