The Heat Is On Read Online Free

sometimes a man has to dig deeper to do something meaningful. To leave a legacy he can truly be proud of. Not just take the easy way out. Think about it.”
    When he shuffled out of the locker room, Connor rose, feeling that someone had just won the debate, and it wasn’t him.
    If Pete thought he was here to act as a motivational coach, he had another think coming. For his part, he would give 110 percent the way he always did.
    He hoped that would be enough.
    —
    Carlos was waiting for him at the bar, along with Jake and Gavin. Shoving a beer his way, his old friend grinned, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief.
    “So who would have ever thought we’d wind up back in New Jersey, playing for the Sonics?”
    “I know,” Connor said, taking a deep swig of the beer, and returning his pal’s look. “Kind of gets me right here.” He indicated his gut.
    “So how far back do you guys go?” It was Jake who asked, noting the easy rapport between the pitcher and catcher.
    “We played together in college,” Connor said. “Then this guy moved south.”
    “Atlanta offered stability,” Carlos continued, unruffled. “That was important to me once I married and had a family. I was a good pitcher but knew I wasn’t destined to be one of the greats. Unlike you.” He indicated Connor.
    “How many children do you have?” Jake asked the pitcher.
    “Three.” Carlos grinned.
    “Wow.” Gavin’s eyes widened as he glanced at Jake.
    Carlos dug into his pocket for his phone and displayed a picture. “I miss them a lot when I’m on the road. But my wife was really happy to come back here.”
    “I was, too, until I talked to Pete,” Connor said, reaching for the bowl of peanuts and pulling them closer. “He made it clear he wants me to reach out and mentor some of these guys, become some sort of leader for the club.”
    Jake snorted. “Good luck with that. My girlfriend, Nikki, tried to do that year before last, and the team pranked her mercilessly.” He gave Connor a sharp-eyed appraisal. “Don’t let management manipulate you into taking that on.”
    “I can see why he’d suggest it,” Carlos said thoughtfully. “Someone with your experience could really help this team, especially when we get to the playoffs. Some of the younger guys lack focus.” He glanced at Jimmy, who scowled from the other end of the bar. “You could make a big difference.”
    “No thanks,” Connor said firmly. “I’ve done my time. Jimmy I have to deal with. But the rest of these guys? They’re on their own.”

Chapter 4
    When Connor got to the ball field early on Sunday for batting practice, he noticed that several of the players hadn’t shown up yet. They’d had a late night at a bar outside Trenton, and more than one of them would be feeling the effects today.
    Pete scowled as he surveyed his team. The professionals were there: Jake, Chase, Gavin, Brian, and a few others. But a couple of the new kids were clearly nowhere in sight.
    A group of fans had gathered in the stands near the dugout, hoping to meet a couple of the players and maybe get an autograph. Chase was obliging a little girl who offered up a ball with both hands, and Brian autographed a photo. Glancing at the outfield, Connor saw that the hitting coach, Matt Leon, was helping Jake with his swing, so he joined Chase and immediately was asked to sign everything from a jersey to a woman’s thigh.
    “How about your arm instead?” He grinned as the bikini-clad girl wearing a banner that said
Baldwin’s Beauties
sighed and handed Connor a marker, closing her legs and proffering the back of her hand.
    “You’re no fun,” the redhead said, batting her eyes at him.
    “Yeah, I’ve heard that.” He signed her arm, and then handed back her Sharpie as she pouted.
    When he looked up once more, his heart stopped.
    Tracy
.
    For an embarrassing moment, he froze. He couldn’t move, couldn’t talk, couldn’t think.
    Damn
.
    His eyes slid over her, remembering. She had