by C. J. Corbin
Michael’s blue eyes sparkled. He filled out his uniform nicely with large wide shoulders that led down to a narrow waist. And, his pants, yes, he filled those out nicely too.
Even though I still was not breathing, I managed to get out a squeaky, “You have?”
He nodded, “Yeah.” Michael looked up and to the side as if compiling a list in his mind, “Let’s see, I’m under strict instructions from Tammy not to call you Liz, she said your website said you don’t like that name. Debi here told me you are a great singer and that you lead karaoke every week after the baseball game. And, everyone has told me that you’re an incredible pitcher, so you have quite the fan club.”
“Well, I…” I stammered looking down, feeling the blush rising on my cheeks. I took a deep breath and looked up again. “Just don’t believe everything you hear.”
Tammy came up from behind Michael, “Hey Elizabeth, you’ve finally met my dad. You have to see the pictures of the animals he shot yesterday! They are fantastic!”
I looked at her, I wanted to start shaking my head, was this family nutty? Animals? There was more than one? I certainly did not want to look at pictures of dead animals. Yuck! I know people are into hunting, but taking pictures of dead animals that you just killed. It made no sense to me. Michael picked up my expression and gave me a puzzled look.
Lewis walked up behind me, put his arm around my shoulders, and gave me a peck on the cheek. “Glad to see you’re back. I thought Angel was going to have to pitch all summer. She’s much better at third base.” He handed me a ball, “Shouldn’t you be warming up?” Lewis turned and shouted for Don.
After doing my warm-up pitches with Don, we started the game. Ashley had a good team, which made us evenly matched. In the beginning, I had trouble getting into my groove, but by the third inning, I pitched more strikes. Michael proved to be one of our strongest players at first base. We were ahead by one run in the top of the ninth inning, and their batter hit one squarely to me. I caught the ball and I overthrew to Michael allowing the runners to advance on the bases. The classic bases loaded, go ahead runner at second base, with two outs.
Lewis called a time out. He and Don who played catcher walked out to me. Lewis waved to Michael to have him join us out on the mound. As the three men approached, I looked down kicking the dirt on the mound with the toe of my shoe.
Lewis spoke first, “Elizabeth, you seem a little distracted today.”
Looking up, Michael’s eyes caught mine and held them for the briefest of seconds. He was trying to look very serious, but I saw the grin in his eyes. How do I explain to Lewis that yes, I was distracted today and it was all the first baseman’s fault. He had stared at me the entire game. Okay, yes, that was the job of the first baseman to watch the pitcher, but did he have to stare that way?
I looked back at Lewis, “So, are you going to give me some words of wisdom?”
“Yeah, strike out the batter.” Lewis took the ball from Don and gave it to me. Both Lewis and Don patted me on the shoulder then turned to walk back to home plate.
Michael stepped closer to me and whispered, “Make him chase after it.”
He turned to run back to first base. I took a deep breath trying not to concentrate on Michael’s tight pants and sexy butt, and instead turned my attention back to the batter.
The first pitch was swung on and missed. Michael had been correct the batter was going to chase after the ball. The batter knew there would be no walks with the bases loaded. I took a deep breath and threw a curve ball. The batter almost fell over trying to swing at the ball. Don threw the ball back at me, I looked over at Michael, and he nodded.
The crowd in the bleachers was on their feet and screaming, but I couldn’t hear them. Lewis blew me a kiss, the fastball signal. I was in the zone. It was the ball, the batter, and me. A chill ran down my spine as I turned and looked at each base individually. Every runner was already inching forward to the next base. Closing my eyes, I stood on the mound in position. The wind up and the pitch were perfect. The ball left my hand in one fluid movement. It crossed over home plate and straight into Don’s glove without the batter even moving. The ball had caught him looking. The home plate umpire called the strike and the third out.
I sighed and dropped my head. I had almost lost the game because I was more interested in the man on first base. Disappointment flooded through me.
Angel, who had been on third base, came up behind me and put her arm around my waist. “Good job Elizabeth,” she squeezed me.
“I almost lost control Angel. I almost lost the game.” I said in a small voice.
Angel whispered, “He is really cute. It’s understandable.”
I looked at her with surprise on my face and then felt the blush on my face. “Oh Angel, no, was I that obvious?”
She laughed, “Normally, you don’t stare at first base all the time. Come on,” she pulled me forward with her.
While we walked back to home plate, Debi and Lewis greeted us, “Way to go girlfriend!”
Lewis patted me on the back. “I knew you could do it.”
Don grinned at me, and whispered, “Distracted huh?”
“Oh you shut up!” I grimaced.
Don laughed and touched my shoulder, “Elizabeth, I’ve known you too long!”
We started packing up our stuff. Most of us would meet right after the game at Viva Madrid our local restaurant since Sunday night was karaoke night. I noticed Michael talking with Tammy handing her keys. She hugged him and left.
Debi saw me watching, “Tammy has been dating Jason. The kids think karaoke is boring. They’re going over to the pizza parlor.”
I nodded. “See you at the restaurant. Save me a seat.” My bag went over my shoulder and I headed toward my car. After I put my bag on the passenger seat, Michael called to me. I turned around to find him behind me next to the car. “Oh, hi.”
His smiled dazzled me, “Do you think I can get a ride to the restaurant with you? I gave Tammy the keys to my jeep, she and Jason are going for pizza.”
“Oh, sure. Get on in.” I said trying to keep my voice calm and even.
He threw our bags into the back seat. Michael got into the passenger seat next to me. “Do you mind if I push the seat back?”
I almost giggled. Debi had been the last person in the passenger side and she was a foot shorter than Michael was. His knees pressed against his chest.
“No, go ahead. The lever is on the front of the bottom of the seat. Do you need some help?” The vision I had of me reaching between his long legs to help push the seat back made me blush.
Michael looked at me and I wondered if he could read my mind, which made me blush even further. “No, I think I have it.” He chuckled deeply and slid the seat back as far as it would go. It was still a tight fit for him.
I tried to concentrate on breathing but he was sitting very close to me, his presence overpowered the interior of the car. “Gosh, how tall are you?” I managed to get out.
“I’m six-four. I had to have my jeep specially retrofitted.” He said as he buckled his seat belt.
I backed out of the parking space, and saw Debi waving at me and blowing me kisses. Her car was full of passengers. I guessed she was responsible for sending Michael my way.
Michael looked over at me. “Good game today. You lived up to your reputation.”
I was trying to keep my eyes on the road, that and to focus on inhaling and exhaling which were no longer automatic. “I appreciate your help, you know, at the end. Don’t know what happened to me.” Breathe in. Breathe out.
“You were still good today, Ashley is a good team. We would have lost without you.”
Yes, those blue eyes were looking at me. I felt at a loss for words. Why was it so hard to breathe? Why was he sitting so close to me? When I stole a side-glance at him, he looked relaxed. Maybe it was just me. Okay Elizabeth, I told myself, think normal conversation.
“I’m going to be sore tomorrow.”
“Your shoul
der from pitching?” he guessed.
“No, it’s from sliding into home plate during the fourth inning.”
Michael laughed with me. “Yeah, Lewis can be a brutal manager. He wants it all.” We were silent for a moment and Michael shifted in his seat bringing his body closer to me. “Tammy showed me your book last night. She was very excited. It was very nice of you to give her a copy.”
Oh! I suddenly remembered page 75 in the book, one of the more colorful and sexually explicit parts. Was Tammy mature enough to read that section? Would Michael be angry with me for giving her the book?
“I was glad to find a fan. Maybe she can help me out when I get stuck.”
“I know she’d be thrilled.” He replied.
We stopped at a light in town.
I took a deep breath and finally had to ask, “So, you go hunting?”
Michael looked over at me with a bewildered look on his face, his brow furrowed deeply, “Where did you get that idea?”
I pulled forward slowly, “Tammy told me.”
“Tammy told you I went hunting?” His voice sounded incredulous.
I nodded, “She said you were out shooting animals.”
Michael burst out laughing, “Oh Elizabeth,” he shook his head back and forth.
“What? You don’t shoot animals and then take their picture? Tammy distinctly asked me if I wanted to see pictures of the animals you shot.” I said with conviction in my voice. If Michael was a hunter that was his own business but I certainly didn’t have to condone his hobby.
“No, I mean, yes, I’m a photographer, but I don’t kill animals. They are usually very much alive when I take their picture and they are very much alive when I leave them. I’m a wildlife photographer.” He continued to chuckle.
“Oh.” I said simply. How did this misunderstanding happen? Great, now he probably thought I was crazy.
“I’m going to have to tell Tammy to be careful in the future when she’s describing my profession.”
“Don’t you dare!” I looked at him with a spark in my eye, “Not everyone needs to know how stupid I am. It’s plenty with just you.”
“Okay, I promise,” he held up one hand laughing, “I won’t tell anyone. It will be our secret.” He grinned at me. “Better?”
I grinned too, “Well okay. I guess it was funny. I’m glad you don’t hunt though, you don’t do you?” Oh! Maybe he was a hunter too. Did I just insult him?
“No, I promise I don’t hunt. I just take pictures.” Michael held up both hands as if to surrender.
We pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot. I took my bag from the back seat.
“Then, I’d like to see your pictures sometime. I’ll see you inside. I’m going to change clothes.” I mentioned as we went inside the dark restaurant and I headed for the bathroom.
The bathroom was quiet and I glad to be alone for a few minutes. Having Michael in my car made me feel electric. I don’t know why, I hadn’t really been attracted to any men for so long I had gotten used to not feeling anything when I was around a man.
I changed into my jeans and top. Looking at myself objectively in the mirror, I was not too bad for 38. I had kept my figure, but I didn’t know how much longer I would be able to get away with tank tops. Loosening my dark auburn hair from the braid, I shook it out. It was wavy and curly from the braid. After pulling a brush through, I tucked my hair behind my ears and let it lay down on my back. Wrinkling my nose at my reflection, I was still all legs. Well, all legs and boobs.
As I bent over to stuff my uniform into my bag, two women I didn’t recognize walked into the restroom, “I told you he would be at the game,” the first woman through the door said.
Her companion agreed, “Oh my god, he is so hot. He’s got a totally gorgeous butt in his uniform.”
When they saw me, they stopped speaking immediately. There was no need for me to guess who the subject of their conversation was, I grinned and zipped up my bag. As I left the restroom, I could hear them continue their conversation in whispers. Michael was definitely the center of attention in our little town.
The restaurant was crowded. Debi waved me over to their section. I looked around for Michael and noticed him surrounded by women. He caught my eye and I raised my eyebrow and smiled. Lewis called to me from the Karaoke stand, “Hey Elizabeth, do you feel lucky?”
I laughed, and yelled back, “Yeah that’s a good one!”
Debi handed me a glass of sangria as I sat down. She whispered in my ear, “Looks like Michael already has a fan club.”
I nodded and whispered back, “Two women were in the bathroom raving about his cute butt.”
“You know what I say, if you’ve got it, bring it out!” Debi laughed throwing her head back.
“Why didn’t you save him a seat?” I asked seeing our already full table.
“So now you’re interested?” She said with a glint in her eye.
I looked back over my shoulder and noticed that Michael was chatting up the women around him. He caught me looking at him and I quickly averted my eyes. “Well we got some things straightened out in the car on the ride over.”
“Like how I maneuvered that one?” Debi leaned over to Don, “I think Michael needs to be rescued from that group of women.”
Don looked over at Michael and laughed, “He doesn’t look like he needs to be rescued to me.”
“I think you need to get him and have him join us.” She pushed at him.
Don looked at me, “Is this your idea?”
“Don’t look at me.” I spread my hands out in innocence. “I think I’m being called, my number is up.”
Lewis stood up on the stage, “She’s back! Elizabeth feels lucky tonight, let’s give her a big hand.”
I made my way up to the stage, “Okay, here’s Mary-Chapin Carpenter’s, “I Feel Lucky” and I think we all feel lucky tonight!”
After hamming it, I made my way back to the group. Sure enough, Debi managed to get Michael to our table. As I sat down in between Debi and Michael, she leaned over and whispered, “You owe me.”
Michael stood up and scooted his chair over to make room for me. I sat down squeezed in next to him. I shook my head in disbelief at Debi and her maneuvering.
The next karaoke singer started and Michael leaned in, “Is everything okay?”
I looked at him, smiled, and nodded my head. As I reached for my sangria my shoulder brushed against his chest, our close contact sent tingles through me.
“Great song,” he mouthed.
“Thanks.” I mouthed back.
He laid his arm over the back of my chair. His body leaned toward me. Close enough to me I could smell his cologne. I took a big gulp of my wine. It wasn’t often a man made me feel petite, and Michael made me feel that way. We sat so close I could feel the warmth from his body, was it the wine or him that made me feel so heady?
While the waitress passed by in between singers, we ordered tapas, salads, and paella. It had been quite a while since lunch. I needed to eat now or I would end up collapsing and that would not be pretty. Our food came out quickly. All of us dug into the appetizers. The couple who owned the restaurant made every effort to be as authentic as possible. The tapas were all so flavorful, the cheeses, tortillas, olives, sausages, chicken, and bread were all delicious.
Michael matched our healthy appetites and complimented the food. He mentioned that he had lived in Spain for several months working at the Rock of Gibraltar’s monkey sanctuary. Debi, Angel, and I shared our memories of our girl’s trip to Spain. Our trip had been shortly before my marriage to Kevin eight years ago. Kevin had been furious I had gone without him. Just thinking about that made me smile again.
After the karaoke, Mr. Sanchez, the owner of the restaurant started playing flamenco guitar. The sangria, the music, the food, and the company were making an incredible evening for us all. We sighed heavily when we realized it was late and needed to make our way home. None of us wanted the evening to end.
We wal
ked out to our cars. I did not wait for Michael to ask, I giggled, shaking the keys at him, “Can I give you a lift home?”
“Thanks I appreciate it. I don’t want the wrath of Tammy if I interrupt her date.” Michael had already picked up my bag in the restaurant and tossed it in the back seat. “Would you like me to drive?”
“Why Michael,” I giggled again, “do you think I’ve had too much Sangria?”
The moment I finished my sentence, Don walked up behind me and kissed me on the cheek, “Yes darling girl, the last thing we need is to have my dad pull you over, we’d never hear the end of it.” He took my car keys out of my hand and tossed them to Michael. “Get her home safely for me.”
Both Don and Michael chuckled together as they tucked me into the passenger seat. They offered to help me with my seat belt, but I slapped their hands away.
“Okay, I’m not that tipsy boys, I think I can buckle my own seat belt.”
Don waved goodnight to us, and I could see Angel and Debi waving at me from their cars as Michael backed out my car.
“That was a fun evening,” I sighed and stretched on the seat.
Stealing a glance over at him through my eyelashes, I almost stopped breathing again. He was so big and masculine sitting in the driver’s seat next to me.
Michael took the road back through town. We were both quiet as he drove. As the highway turned curvy, I held tightly to the car door handle.
“Michael, could you slow down? I think I’m going to be sick.”
Dinner, drink, everything was at the back of my throat ready to make an appearance. I rolled the window down to let the cool air hit my face.
He looked over at me with concern, “Really?” He immediately pulled over to the side of the road and stopped the car.
“Now I know why I drive home, and I don’t drink. Yuck.”
I opened the door quickly, and hurried away from the car. Michael opened his door and he was next to me instantly.
I put out my hand toward him to stop his approach, “Michael, I’m going to puke my guts up. I don’t think you want to be around me.”
