Chapter Text
The sounds of laughter and yelling hardly registered as Cooper Howard slightly adjusted his grip on the bat, his eyes trained on the other end of the cage. He inhaled just as the machine spit out yet another baseball, and he couldn’t fight the smirk at the ringing of the metal bat while the ball raced back to where it had come from. He hadn’t exactly planned to end his night in one of the batting cages of the local amusement center, but Cooper couldn’t think of a reason to not take advantage of the extra practice once his chaperone duties were over; although using these cages meant that he had to step away after every round.
Practice is practice, he thought as he returned the bat and helmet back to where he had grabbed them.
“All yours.” Cooper told the small group of teenagers that had been watching him.
He ran his fingers through his hair as he made his way to a nearby empty picnic table, wanting to be close to the cages to try to get one more round in before he called it quits- he had an early start in the morning with his first job followed by practice. Luckily he had the next three days off from his second job- nothing made him feel all of his thirty-seven years of life quite like a full day of juggling both jobs with practice. Cooper leaned back against the edge of the table and closed his eyes as he took a deep breath, enjoying the night air.
“You play?” a voice pulled him out of the moment and he had to fight back a sigh.
He opened his eyes to see a young woman standing in front of him, a far too friendly smile on her face considering they were strangers. Not that he wasn’t used to the occasional stranger approaching him with a similar level of friendliness, but that happened less and less the more time passed since he had stepped away from his professional baseball career; not to mention majority of the Shady Sands locals knew that Cooper Howard did in fact play.
“Maybe I just like battin’ cages.” he said in a slightly teasing tone.
“Only bored high schoolers like batting cages.” the young woman said as she sat next to him, adjusting the ponytail that held back her brunette hair. “And you definitely don’t look like you’re in high school.”
“Maybe I keep failing senior year.” He glanced over at her, a slightly playful smirk appearing on his face at the young woman’s laugh. “To answer your question though- yes, I do play.”
“You any good?” she asked with a slightly raised eyebrow.
Cooper tilted his head slightly as he took her in, amusement mixing in with the slight blow his ego had taken at the question. Not that he had ever been the type that needed his ego stroked, but he was human after all; and what human didn’t get knocked down a peg when they weren’t recognized?
“I do okay.” he gave a small shrug and moved his attention back towards the batting cages. “What about you? You play, or do you just like strikin’ up conversations with strangers at the cages?”
“Baseball’s just a little too slow for my taste.” the young woman said, and Cooper could hear the smile in her voice. “Soccer’s more my speed.”
“You any good?” he glanced over to her as he repeated her question.
“Good enough to land a spot and a full ride at UC Shady Sands.”
Cooper returned his attention back to her and made no effort to hide how impressed he was by the young woman. He knew all too well just how competitive any of the sports programs were at UC Shady Sands- it had taken everything he had to make a name for himself at the high school level to make sure the California school would consider a kid from small town Missouri. And over a decade since graduating, he always enjoyed talking with current athletes from his alma mater because he could share in the pride that came with representing UC Shady Sands.
“So you’re a yellowjacket?”
“At your service.” the young woman said with a wide smile. “You follow college sports?”
“Whenever I got time.” Cooper replied.
The sound of cheers and laughter drew his attention back to the cage, and he shook his head slightly as he watched a teenager try to avoid the baseballs hurling towards him at the last second. His eyes scanned to see if any of the other cages were free, his mind already trying to think of the least rude way to excuse himself. As much as he was enjoying his conversation with the young stranger next to him, he wanted to try to get a decent amount of sleep.
“So tell me, did you just come to this family friendly establishment for the batting cages?” the young woman asked.
“I was helpin’ with an after school event earlier, and decided to stick around for a little longer.” he explained, catching the curious look on her face. “My daughter’s class was celebrating the end of the school year and I was one of the chaperones.”
He watched as she searched the area around them before letting out a small chuckle. He knew exactly what she was looking for, and he realized that his reply had been vague enough to create questions that weren’t needed. However instead of clarifying right away, he decided to wait and see if the young woman would say anything.
“Either your daughter’s old enough to run around a place like this, or you have one hell of a line to make you seem trustworthy.” she said cautiously as she subtly put more space between them.
“Her mom picked her up.” His thumb absentmindedly rubbing over a wedding band that hadn’t been there in six years.
If the young woman had anything to add after his statement, she didn’t say a word and for that Cooper was grateful. He had always been a somewhat private person, and the last thing he wanted was to talk about his failed marriage in any capacity; the divorce had been public enough when it happened and he could go the rest of his life without talking about it.
“What brought you to this fine establishment?” He asked after a moment. “Besides the fine conversation with strangers who enjoy baseball, I mean.”
Another smile tugged at the corners of his lips at the soft laughter that left the woman to his right.
“I’m here celebrating surviving another semester with my friends.” she rolled her eyes when Cooper made a show of looking around. “Before you ask, they’re not imaginary. I just didn’t feel like getting wet on the bumper boats and the last time I drove a go-kart, I almost flipped it at a turn.”
“That takes some skill, and definitely qualifies you to drive a go-kart.” he chuckled.
“I said the exact same thing, but I was out numbered.” the young woman grinned. “No more driving go-karts for me.”
He opened his mouth to reply, but paused when he saw a small group of young women leaving the go-kart track and making their way over. It didn’t take him long to figure out the group had to be some of the friends the stranger on his right mentioned. Just as he was about to point out the approaching group, she looked at him and tilted her head towards the batting cages.
“Looks like one finally opened up.” she pointed out.
Cooper turned his head enough to see the empty cage before looking back at her.
“Perfect timing then.” Cooper motioned behind her as he got to his feet, giving the young woman another smile. “It was a pleasure talkin’ with ya, Go-Kart.”
“Thanks for the conversation, Baseball.” she gave him one last smile before she waved her friends over.
As he prepared for another round in the cage, Cooper was faintly aware of the fact that he was being watched. He chanced a look and chuckled in amusement when he noticed the doe eyes of the college student he had been talking with. He noticed the group subtly pointing in his direction as they whispered to his brief acquaintance, a smirk appearing on his face when the young woman seemingly blushed at whatever was being said. On a whim, he sent a wink towards the group before returning his attention towards the pitching machine.
After all, a little harmless flirting with strangers never hurt anyone.
****************************************
The first thing Cooper noticed as he walked through the front door was the flashing red number one on the answering machine. He narrowed his eyes slightly and flipped on the light, making his way towards the machine; he hadn’t been expecting any calls while he had been out. His finger hovered over the play button as he thought over the likelihood that it was just some telemarketer on the recording. A soft sigh escaped him before he pressed down the play button, not wanting to risk deleting a message from his daughter.
“There’s been a change of plans,” the voice of his ex-wife filled the two bedroom apartment he called home. “Dates got mixed up and Janey starts camp next Saturday, not in two weeks.”
Cooper didn’t bother listening to the rest of the message before he lifted the phone from the receiver and quickly dialed his ex’s home phone number. He forced himself to relax his grip on the phone as he listened to the other end ring, every second that went by only adding fuel to his growing anger. He didn’t want to jump to the conclusion that Barb was trying to take away what little time he already got with their daughter, but he also wouldn’t have put it past her; after all, this was the woman who had ultimately forced him to choose between his career and being a father.
And in the end, she had made it to where he could only be in Janey’s life part-time.
“Hello?” Barb’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
He took a small breath and forced himself to relax- coming into the conversation too hot would only create issues.
“What do you mean dates got mixed up?” he asked in the calmest voice he could muster.
“Hello to you too, Cooper.” she sighed and he could practically hear her eye roll.
“How did you get the dates mixed up?”
“I wasn’t looking at the calendar when I talked to you the other day.”
He rolled his eyes and huffed out a breath. He knew that was more than likely a lie- Barb never got important dates mixed up, he used to joke that her memory was better than any physical calendar. But he knew if he said anything, that would only accomplish making him look like the bitter ex-husband instead of the father who wanted as much time with his daughter as he could get.
“Janey goes to camp a week earlier than what I told you, but you’re still picking her up when she’s done.” Barb told him. “It isn’t as if you’re losing an extra weekend with her.”
“Except instead of getting to have my weekend with her before she leaves, I won’t see her for three weeks.” Cooper pointed out, his frustration coating the words.
“You had time with her today.”
“I was chaperoning a class event. I wasn’t spendin’ one on one time with her.”
“You’re the one who gave up this weekend with her.” Barb said in that tone she had only ever used when she felt like she had the upper hand in their arguments.
“I wasn’t gonna make Janey pick between me and campin’ with her best friend.” his gaze moved to his daughter’s spring photo that hung on the wall next to him. “I ain’t that cruel, unlike some people.”
The scoff that came from the other line let Cooper know that he had touched a nerve, and his grip tightened on the phone in preparation for whatever his ex-wife was about to respond with.
“All I’m saying, Cooper, is that you could have had your weekend with our daughter before she leaves for camp. I’m sorry that I got the dates mixed up but there’s nothing that either of us can do about it,” Barb said in that overly civil voice she had used all throughout their divorce. “Unless you don’t want Janey to go to camp now.”
“That’s not what I want, and you know it.” he sighed, bringing his free hand up to rub the back of his neck. “I just…I had plans for our weekend and I wasn’t expectin’ to have to delay them, s’all. You alright if I have a few extra days with Janey when I pick her up from camp?”
“Define a few extra days.”
Cooper muttered a quick “hang on” and walked towards the kitchen, adjusting his hold on the cordless phone as he looked at the calendar on the side of his fridge. “How about I drop her off that Wednesday evening?”
“I want her back on Monday evening.” Barb told him, and he knew this was payback for his earlier comment.
“I have a game that evening, and you know that Janey would love to be there.” he countered. “What about Tuesday evening?”
“I have a dinner for work and I don’t want her to be left in the house alone.”
“Then we’re back to Wednesday evening.” Cooper pointed out.
He turned to lean against the counter as he waited for Barb to say something, part of him expecting her to tell him to stick to the custody arrangement. His free hand ran along the outer seam of his jeans in a nervous habit as the silence went on.
“Fine.” Barb’s voice finally broke the brief quiet and he let out a sigh of relief. “But you need to have her back by five-thirty, Cooper.”
“Okay.” he said simply, nodding his head even though he knew she couldn’t see him. “Can I talk to Janey? Tell her goodnight?”
“She’s about to go to bed, Cooper. Her friend’s parents are going to be here early so they can get to the campground at a decent time.” Barb quickly shot down his request and he could almost imagine the smug expression on her face. “You can call Thursday to talk to her before she leaves for camp.”
“And you’ll let me know the address and time to pick her up when camp’s done?” he asked, his tone suggesting he didn’t entirely trust her to tell him accurate information now.
“Goodbye, Cooper.” his ex-wife said pointedly before he heard the click on the other end, the dial tone quickly
He rolled his eyes and pressed the end call button a little harder than he should have, dropping the cordless phone on to the counter. Every time he had to speak with Barb, he went into the conversation with every intention to remain civil and as friendly as he could be considering how bad the divorce had gotten- not just for Janey’s sake but because he had been raised to try to get along with everyone, no matter the nature of the relationship. But there was something about the way Barb would talk to him and take on certain tones she would use that would get under his skin, and he knew that’s exactly what she wanted whenever their conversations took those turns.
In those moments, Cooper would be aware that she was pushing for a reaction and every time he would take the bait. He would make his own comments and use his own tones that only succeeded in their conversations being anything but civil. And he had never wanted to be the type of man that couldn’t even talk to his ex-wife without arguing- not that he ever thought he would be a man with a failed marriage.
He shook his head slightly and moved to open the fridge, his eyes landing on the six pack of beer he had bought earlier in the day. As tempting as it was to sit out on the balcony with the six pack, Cooper knew the smart thing to do was turn in for the night; working before practice while hungover had been hell in his twenties, and he knew it wouldn’t be any better in his late thirties. Besides, the last thing he needed to pick up was drinking after any bad conversation with his ex-wife.
“No reason to fully become like the old man.” he muttered to himself as he closed the fridge.
It only took a few minutes to make sure the apartment was locked and even less time to get ready for bed, falling asleep almost as soon as he had settled into the mattress.
****************************************
“I think you got an admirer, Coop.”
Cooper looked up from refilling his water bottle and glanced over at the first baseman, confusion clear on his face. His eyes moved to the nearby concession stand his teammate had gestured towards, and it took Cooper a moment to see what the other man had been talking about. A small huff of amusement left him when he realized the supposed admirer was the young woman from the night before.
“You know her?” Matty asked as he gently nudged Cooper’s shoulder, something about his teammate’s tone not sitting right with him.
“Nope.” Cooper shook his head before taking a long drink from his bottle, quickly heading back out to the field and effectively putting an end to the conversation.
He spent the rest of the practice vaguely aware of his unexpected spectator but thankfully no one else made any comment. He tried not to look towards the concession stand too often, and tried not to think too much about how he seemed to be counting down until practice was over. Once it had ended, Cooper took his time gathering his things and made sure to keep conversations with his teammates brief until he was among the last to remain.
It was only when he was sure that no one would notice him heading in the opposite direction of the parking lot that he walked towards the concession stand; the last thing he needed was one of the guys getting the wrong idea since Matty had brought up his earlier observation. Cooper ran his fingers through his sweat slicked hair as he waited in the short line for the stand, the corner of his mouth turning up in a smirk when he finally approached the counter.
“What can I get for…” the young woman trailed off when she turned around to see him standing there, a small smile appearing on her face. “Hello again.”
“Y’know, I didn’t peg ya as the stalker type.” he said, putting on his best concerned expression. “Do I need to get the police out here?”
“It’s not my fault you practice where I work.”
“I’ve been practicin’ here for years, and I’ve never seen you here before.” he pointed out as he made sure his tone let her know he had been teasing her.
“Today’s my first day.” she explained.
He nodded slightly and leaned against the small counter.
“Well in that case, I won’t give your employer a reason to let ya go already.” he said, reaching into his bag for his wallet. “I’ll take a bottle of water and a slim jim.”
“That’ll be three-fifty.”
Cooper opened his wallet and flipped through the few bills that were inside, hoping to find a five but only managing to see a ten. He held it out to the young woman when she set the two items in front of him.
“All I have is a ten.” He said with a slightly apologetic smile.
“Lucky for you, there’s this wonderful thing called a cash register.” She teased as she took the bill before taking a few steps to the side towards the register. “You know, you’re more than okay.”
“Huh?” He furrowed his brow slightly.
“Yesterday you said you were okay at baseball.” She reminded him, giving him a smile as she lifted her chin towards the baseball field behind him. “You looked better than okay during your practice.”
“I don’t like tootin’ my own horn.” He smirked as he held his hand out to accept his change.
“Have a nice day, Baseball.”
A soft laugh left him and shoved his change into his wallet. He hesitated for a moment before grabbing the bottle of water and slim jim, ignoring the sudden nervousness that had fallen over him.
“Cooper.” He said and looked back at the young woman, smiling at the confused look on her face. “We’ll probably be seeing each other from time to time…figured you should know my name.”
She gave him a bright smile and he paid no attention to the slight flip his stomach did.
“Lucy.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lucy.” He flashed her a lopsided grin and slowly backed away from the concession stand.
“See you around, Cooper.” She gave a little wave as she watched him walk backwards, laughing softly when he stumbled slightly.
Not wanting to fully fall down and make a fool of himself, Cooper turned around to continue walking towards the parking lot. He looked towards the concession stand when he reached his car, and gave a last wave when he saw Lucy looking at him.
And if he felt the small rush of excitement when he saw the way her face lit up at the gesture, he didn’t pay any thought to it.