Page 122 of Renegade Rift
I have no business being as happy as I am when one of my best friends could lose the chance to ever play baseball again.
Not that I think Mercer is going to walk away with that outcome. But it’s a possibility.
But so is Juliet.
She’s my possibility. And if this past week is any indication, I think we’re on the right track.
Soph shifts on the bench beside me in the overly crowded hallway of the commissioners suite at MLB headquarters. It reminds me of people waiting outside a courtroom—tense and overwhelming as they wait to hear the verdict.
“Is the entire team really here?” There’s a hint of awe in her voice, but it only barely overshadows the annoyance at the fact we’re packed in like sardines.
“I told you, this team is different.”
And thank God they are, because in true Cohen fashion, Mercer’s family didn’t show up to support him.
Bishop and Carson gave up going to play on the All-Star team to be here. Many of the guys cut vacations and time spent with family short to be here.
But of course, his family couldn’t possibly.
In our eyes, Mercer is already a part of this team because Willow willed it into existence.
And this is what Renegades do. We show up for each other.
It’s also what friends do. And I haven’t exactly been the best to Mercer.
I tried convincing Willow to let me be the one to pick him up from the airport so I could apologize, but she shut that shit down, saying he needed to be focused on the hearing. She’s pretty sure the executive council won’t go easy on him. They want to make sure they won’t have another scandal on their hands when they reinstate him. The league has already had enough of that this year.
The irony is, Mercer was never the problem. He was the victim. And yet, he’s the one paying the price. I’d like to believe the council sees that, but with the way there are fans standing outside the building protesting his return, I’m really not sure.
* * *
Two hours pass before Willow finally steps out from behind the big oak doors with Mercer two steps behind her.
Silence falls over the hallway and everyone halts whatever they are doing in favor of holding their breath as we await any sign of the verdict.
“Well, boys,” Willow says, giving away nothing. “I’d like you to welcome your new teammate.”
Cheers bounce off the high ceilings as every member of the Renegades pushes forward to surround Willow and Mercer. We make it impossible for the rest of the council to exit the room, ensuring they see that we aren’t just an organization, but a family.
I manage to push my way to the center and find Mercer.
He’s thinner than I remember, and even though he just got everything he’s been fighting for, the spark that usually lights his eyes is dulled.
I pull him into a hug just as Carson yells from somewhere in the center of the chaos.
“Who are we?”
The entire team yells, “Renegades!”
Bishop pipes up. “I think they can do better!”
“Who the fuck are we?” Carson asks.
“Renegades!”
Mercer arches a brow and leans in to ask, “Are they always like this?”
“I should have told you before. This team is magic.”
