Marisol's POV- July 2018

As Desi and I waited for the receptionist to return with the keys to Chris and Cody's rooms, I turned to my cousin who adjusted her purse on her shoulder.

"I need a shower" I mentioned.

She glanced at me.

"Same"

My schedule this semester was a bit hectic, but I had no class nor did I have to drive to any other sites (vet clinics, farms, any place with animals) on Fridays. That meant I was able to join Desi to watch our boyfriends (and the Dodgers) take on the Milwaukee Brewers this weekend.

"Want to eat after our long showers?" I questioned.

It was early, and the coffee I had at the airport would not sustain me for long.

"Ryan Braun's wife, Larisa actually sent me an email with some restaurants and some sites to go see"

Wait, what?

"How do you know Ryan Braun?" I asked.

She smiled.

"Long, long ago we used to work out at the same gym"

I always forget my cousin is still kinda famous.

"Oooh" I replied.

She nodded.

"I gave him a call, and well he sent me a list,"

"How nice of him" I noted.

We both looked away from each other as the receptionist spoke up,

"Here are your cards, this one is yours Miss Clarke and this one belongs to you Dr. Clarke"

I took my card and watched as Desi took hers.

"Thank you" both Desi and I replied at the same time.

"Enjoy your stay"

Once we were inside the elevator, I sighed.

"I'm so sleepy" I commented

It was obvious she was tired too.

"I really want to skip breakfast and sleep, but I've never been to Milwaukee" I stated.

She knew how much food meant to me, so I got a laugh from her.

"We can just nap with the guys,"

That's right.

"You're right, so I'll call you when I'm out of the shower" I said.

She nodded.

"Yeah, if I don't hear from you in an hour I'll call you,"

"Gotcha, see you in a bit," I told her.

Room service had already stopped by because the room was spotless and the bed was made. Making sure the door was locked, I set my purse on the small couch and slipped my hoodie off. Once my shoes were off, my suitcase (that had everything I needed to get ready) and I went to the bathroom.

It took me about an hour to shower and get ready (by that I mean blowdrying my hair, changing into an outfit, styling my hair and putting on makeup). I dialed Desi as I set my suitcase next to Cody's.

"Hello,"

"Hey, I just finished getting ready. Do you want to meet in the lobby?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'll be right down,"

"Gotcha see you then" I replied.

I got to the lobby before Desi, so I took a seat on one of the fancy couches. Dad had texted me asking how I was doing, so I sent him a quick update on how everything went. Just as I sent the text, someone sat next to me. Glancing up, I saw that someone was Desi.

"How hungry are you?"

My stomach growled while I was showering and getting ready.

"Really hungry, but I don't want to stuff my face and then not eat during lunch" I stated.

We decided on a cafe that was closest to us because it meant we could stay close and also walk to the place.

"I'm in heaven" I noted as we stepped foot into the cafe.

I ordered a cup of coffee (my second of the day), and a blueberry cream cheese puff-pastry whereas Desi ordered ham/cheese croissant and coffee. It was quiet so I decided to start up a conversation.

"Does Chris know that you know Ryan Braun?" I wondered.

"He does"

Interesting.

"Cody told me you two got into an argument" I mentioned.

"He wanted me to take the week off to go home with him"

"You have work" I noted.

"That's what I told him"

The fact that they had an argument about that was rude on Chris' behalf. She adored him to bits, but he knew what he was getting into when they agreed to be exclusive.

"You can't drop things for him like the other significant others on the team do for their men" I pointed out.

She shrugged as if it were nothing, but I knew deep down it bothered her.

"I'm sure it was either Noel or his mom who gave him an earful. We worked things out, and he apologized for being a jerk,"

Once we finished eating, we made our way over to Miller Park. As we were checking in, a voice called out Desi's name. I watched as she turned around and smiled. Turning around, I saw who she was smiling at. Ryan Braun and Christian Yelich were making their way over.

"Hey, long time no see"

As she and Ryan hugged, he spoke up.

"Literally, so do I refer to you as doc?"

She laughed

"No, Desi is okay"

He grinned at her.

"Where are you sitting at? Larisa wants to know"

She looked at me.

"I think there's a suite" I answered for her.

"I'll let you know,"

He offered me a small before looking at Desi.

"Let me give you her number"

Desi handed him her phone as her input his wife's number, the woman in the front desk returned with passes for us.

"I'll walk them to the visitor's locker room"

I placed my pass inside my purse, I couldn't help but note how tall Christian Yelich was. He was about Cody's height if not shorter.

"You're having a good season"

His eyes widened at Desi's comment.

"You know who I am?"

As she smiled, I bit the inside of my cheek to prevent myself from laughing. Of course, he was starstruck over Desi, most Cali born guys were.

"You're kind of a big deal at the moment"

She stretched out her hand.

"I'm Desiree"

He laughed and shook her hand.

"I know who you are, my two younger brothers had the biggest crush on you back when you were on the US National Soccer team"

Lol, I was right.

"Can I get a picture? They're going to be so bitter"

Desi replied,

"Of course you can,"

He handed his phone over to Ryan who laughed.

"Dude, place your arm around her shoulder. I can assure she won't bite"

She smiled as the picture was taken.

"You smell great"

That was when she realized I had not been introduced.

"This is my cousin, Marisol"

I shook both their hands and kept a distance between them as I followed them towards the elevator.

"So how's life as a veterinarian?"

Now's your time to shine with a pun, Des.

"Pretty ruff"

She did not disappoint. Her pun earned a chuckle in return from them as we stepped into the elevator. I offered Christian a smile as he bumped into me.

"Sorry"

"It's okay" I replied.

He stuffed his hands into his pockets as I looked at Desi who replied to Ryan's question

"It's great, I love my job,"

Ryan nodded

"That's great"

The elevator door opened.

"This way"

As we stepped out of the elevator, I pulled my phone out of my purse. I'm sure Christian noticed my lock screen on my iPhone 7+. It was a picture of Cody squinting and laughing as Bugs licked frosting off his face (taken the morning of his birthday). I had 3 unread texts from dad, but none from Cody. Before locking my screen, I saw the time. Practice was either over or almost over by now.

"I was literally about to call you"

I looked up just as Chris wrapped his arms around Desi and pressed her against him (and his sweaty body).

"Mari and I got distracted with food"

He chuckled and kissed her cheek.

"That makes sense"

I smiled as he leaned in and gave her a quick peck.

"Thanks for coming"

She looked up at him with the most lovestruck look I had seen on her and replied.

"Of course"

He squeezed me before letting her go. As he did, his eyes landed on me.

"Hey, Mari"

I smiled

"I would hug you, but you're sweaty and I can smell you from here" I commented.

He chuckled.

"You're lucky Belli didn't notice you then"

I could handle smells, it was bodily fluids I could not. Cody was usually drenched in sweat after practices and games.

"We don't want to be late to practice"

Oh, they're still here.

"Chris, do you know Ryan and Christian?"

Chris shook his head.

"Not formally"

They shook hands.

"It was nice to meet you, but we're late"

Desi waved as they hustled away. Once they were gone, Chris looked at Desi

"I missed you"

She looked at Chris just as he leaned in for yet another kiss.

"Missed you too"

"We have a quick meeting right now, but should be out in less than a half hour"

"Okay, see you then,"

He gave her one last kiss before making his way back to the locker room. Once we were in the family room, Desi took a seat and pulled her phone out.

"You remember Sabina, right?" I said getting her attention.

She nodded.

"She dated Christian Yelich, they were High School sweethearts" I mentioned.

They dated for almost 7 years.

"Lucy actually told me this" I added.

"Why'd they break up?"

"He wasn't too happy that she chose to play professional hockey" I answered.

She laughed.

"He expected her to move in with him after graduation?"

I nodded.

"In the end, he gave her an ultimatum, him or her career" I continued.

She looked at me a bit surprised.

"She chose her career over him?"

"No, she couldn't choose" I replied.

I glanced at the door.

"So he chose for her" I stated.

"What an idiot"

We both looked away when the door to the room opened. Cody peaked in and grinned at us.

"You guys are here!"

He quickly made his way over and pulled me up into a hug.

"You have no idea how much I missed you"

I got a kiss on the forehead, two on the cheek, and finally a big smooch on my lips from him.

"You've only been gone a week," I said.

Chris walked in, but Cody paid no attention to him.

"Let's head out, the bus is waiting"

As he pulled me along with him, I turned to Chris and Desi.

"I need a nap"

Chris smiled at her.

"Then we're on the same page"

I looked up at Cody.

"What time do you have to be back?" I asked.

"Uh, 4:30"

We had time.

"So I was thinking we nap for like an hour, and then get some lunch?"

"Sounds good" I replied.