Free The Changeup (Men of the Show) by Rhonda Shaw

gets drafted and then is most likely sent down to the minors to work on things, pitchers especially. It’s very hard to break out into the pros early on as a pitcher. You need to learn control, master different pitches, figure out how to read hitters—all that stuff.” He pointed to Chase. “Now that kid, he’s a phenom. Right out of high school, he’s drafted by the Rockets and signed to a huge contract, probably the biggest ever for someone that age, and then he has a few years down in the minors, you know, class-A baseball and then triple-A and now he’s here.”
    Her mind felt muddled. She had so many questions, but she didn’t know where to start. “Class-A?” she said lamely.
    “Yeah, there’s class-A, then it goes double-A and triple-A. That’s the highest a lot of player usually get, but if you’re lucky, you make it to the Show. The pros,” he amended for clarification. “Chase only did class-A one year and then two in triple-A. Totally skipped double-A.”
    Maddie nodded as if she understood even though her mind was still trying to process it all. It did sound like Chase had achieved great things in a short amount of time. She wondered how he didn’t have an ego.
    “So, he shows up here and we all expect him to act like this big ass...” Jerry stopped short and caught himself, giving her a quick smirk, “...hotshot since he’s so friggin’ young and all this is just coming so easy for him. Left and right, he’s striking out hitters who have been around for years, or making them fan or ground out. It’s crazy. But, we couldn’t have been more wrong. He’s, like, crazy calm all the time, like he has ice water in his veins or something, and he’s just so low-key. That’s why he’s so awesome at what he does. He doesn’t ever get riled up and he always learns from his mistakes. He doesn’t have an ego and his pride doesn’t get in the way.” He shook his head. “He’s a competitive son of a bitch and stubborn, but that’s just what makes him one of the best.” Jerry looked at her intently, his always-present smile dropped for the time being. “He’ll be one of the best pitchers ever in the league. I have no doubt about that.”
    She was amazed. She’d had no idea about the depth of Chase’s talent. Sure, she knew he was a pitcher for the Rockets, but one of the best pitchers? Ever? No, she never would have guessed that. He never gave any indication of his status or his abilities. Granted, they hadn’t had much opportunity to discuss things, but he never even hinted at it. She definitely never would have known that he was one of the youngest pitchers to have so much success so early in his career. It seemed there was a lot she didn’t know and she was suddenly very curious to find out.
    “What lies are you telling about me, Smutty?” Chase and Bree walked over to them.
    Jerry gave him a toothy grin as he put his glasses back on. “Nothing but the truth, bro. It seems your modesty is getting the best of you again.”
    Chase frowned as he looked down at Maddie, but didn’t push it as he put his hand on Bree’s back. “Bree, this is Jerry Smutton. He’s on the Rockets with me. Jerry, this is Bree.”
    “It’s very nice to meet you, Bree. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Jerry said as he knelt down and held out his hand.
    Her eyes widened as she shook his hand. “You have?”
    “Oh, yeah. Patty’s been bragging about how he’s teaching you to be the next pro. He said you’re going to take my place on the team if I’m not careful.”
    She giggled as Jerry stood upright. “I’ve heard about you too,” Bree piped up with a sly look.
    He cocked one brow. “Oh yeah? What exactly did you hear?”
    “My Aunt Karen tells me all the time how you’re the best pitcher on the Rockets and how hot you are and how much—”
    “Okay, I think that’s enough, Bree.” Maddie interrupted by placing her hand over Bree’s mouth. “I’m sure Aunt Karen told you some of that in