Tommy 24

The next day, Sam got on a flight to Toledo, she had been in constant contact with Judy Owen Metcalf, who was not only the owner of the River Run Courier but Tommy's aunt & with Tommy's dad, Jeff.  Jeff said he even found her a house to live in.  His son, Steve & his family just moved to Chicago & the house they were renting was vacant, so Jeff spoke to the owner & put a small deposit down on it for Sam. Sam thanked Jeff; she wasn't even thinking about where she would live once she got there. Keeping the secret about her new job was killing her but it would be well worth it when she showed up at Tommy's season opener.  It was to be her first assignment for the Courier.  Sam saw Tommy briefly before her early morning flight, the only thing said about the incident at the restaurant the night before was Tommy wanting to reassure Sam that he will never let Derrick hurt her again.  And if she needed him for anything after she got home, she wasn't to hesitate calling him.  Sam felt perfectly safe with him & she was even surer now of her decision to move to River Run.  Sam intended to only be in Toledo for a week, just long enough to pack her things.  Casey would be in Toledo tomorrow after the team was released from spring training.  Samantha confided in her brother about her plans, hoping he approved.  He was very supportive of choice, he like Tommy & secretly was relieved she would no longer living in the same town as Derrick.  Sam's only concern was her father.  Neither of them wanted Dave Bradshaw living in Toledo with no family around. Casey was going to suggest he move to Cleveland to be near him & since Sam would be covering the Indians games she could visit often.  Sam told Casey that she would like to offer him the option of moving back to River Run with her.  After Casey promised not to tell Tommy about Sam's plans, she hugged him & said she would see him tomorrow. ********** Tommy felt awful as he left the airport.  He never told Sam about his encounter with Golf Boy after he left her hotel.  He was afraid of her reaction & didn't want her to leave Florida being angry with him.  Tommy went back to his apartment to get ready for the last day of spring training.  When he arrived at the ballpark, He saw Shawn going to the pitcher's mound.  "Hey, Metcalf.  Sam get on her flight, ok?  Cheer up, man, you will see her in a week at the season opener." Shawn said, cheerfully. Tommy tried to smile. "Yeah, I know!! "I better get out there before coach has a heart attack.  Are we all still going out later?"  Shawn asked.  Tommy nodded. Shawn turned & ran towards the infield. In the locker room Tommy ran into Casey, he explained what happened the previous night. Including the run in outside Derrick's hotel.  Tommy watched as Casey's face contorted into complete rage.  "Case, I am not exactly proud of my actions, but after the way he made Sam so uncomfortable, I knew I had to do something" Casey realized his anger must have been more than obvious.  "Tom, I am in no way angry with you.  I am ticked off that he had the nerve to approach her much less touch her.  Hell, I wish I were in that alley with you, although I would have beaten the crap out of him.  I know you love my sister & I am just happy that if I can't be there to protect her, you will."  Casey embraced Tommy in a quick guy-like hug. "But, Case, that is what worries me.  You will be in Cleveland & I will be in River Run, who will protect Sam in Toledo?  To be honest with you, I am thinking about moving to Toledo to be closer to her." Case didn't want to reveal Sam's plan to move to River Run, but couldn't have Tommy going to Toledo.  "Have you talked to Sam about this?"  Tommy shook his head.  "I suggest before you do anything rash like up & moving to Toledo that you talk to Sam.  She is planning on coming to the season opener, talk to her about it then.  She will be safe for this whole week.  I will be in Toledo seeing my dad."  Casey breathed a sigh of relief as Tommy told him he was probably right.  "Good, now let's practice so you, me & Shawn can party tonight!"  Tommy felt better after talking to Casey.  He was glad to be going out, he could use a night out with his 2 best friends.