Broken Bases

by Nikki Pennington

  "You are amazing and beautiful, and the strongest woman I know. I want nothing more than to get to know you and Ryder and see what happens. I know I have scouts watching me for college, and I know that you are planning on going to college, but I still want to see what happens. Everything happens for a reason, right?"

  I smile at her, and she smiles back at me through her tears.

  "We will figure this out," I say. “It seems impossible, but I don't think it is. If it isn't meant to be, then so be it. But after that kiss and after all this, I can't walk away now without at least giving us a chance. I hope you will say you're on board."

  She looks over at me, concern in her eyes. I see the conflict. I can see that she is struggling with this. I take her hand in mine.

  She looks up at me and says, "Let's do this."

  I smile and kiss her again. After what feels like hours of kissing and talking and laughing, she tells me she needs to get home. I take her back, luckily, with no incident. I immediately feel uncomfortable leaving her there, but she insists she is fine. I watch her walk to the door and sit in the driveway for a little bit longer, then I sigh and pull away.

  When I get home, I see my parent’s car in the drive. I forgot they were going to be home today. I'm sure I will catch hell for not waiting on them to get here. When I walk in the door, I'm met with my dad’s glare.

  "It's nice for you to finally make an appearance. It's not like we haven't seen you for a month or anything."

  "And whose fault is that I say."

  "This is exactly why we stay gone."

  He stalks out of the room and I glance over and see my mom sitting at the bar already a few cocktails in. This is just a typical family reunion for the Bakers.

  She lifts her hand in a wave and gets back to her drink. I shake my head and go upstairs and shut my bedroom door. Hopefully, their visit home won't last too long.

  As soon as I'm lying in bed, I pull out my phone to text Shay.

  Already wishing I was still with you, have some drama of my own going on, and wish you were here to talk it out with me. I hope you get a good night’s rest, and maybe I can see you tomorrow.

  I sigh and set my phone down. I lay in the dark, thinking about everything that happened tonight. Whether I wanted it to happen or not, this girl and her boy have wedged their way into my life. I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared, but I would also be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to see where this goes.

  My phone chimes, and I pick it up. It's Valerie, hey baby, are you looking for some company tonight?

  I roll my eyes and type back a response. This is over. Whatever this was, it's done now.

  She responds and says, we’ll see. I sigh and sit the phone back down. That wasn't the text I was hoping to get.

  I don't think I'll be able to fall asleep unless Shay texts me back. I pick up the phone and type out a second message to her.

  Hey, just want to know you’re okay, so any type of response would be great.

  Almost immediately, she responds.

  Sorry was putting Ryder to bed and just got out of the shower. I had such a great night; you have no idea how much I needed a great night. I can't wait to see you again. Sweet dreams.

  I smile and let my head hit the pillow. I know for sure I will have sweet dreams tonight.

  The next morning, I wake up with a smile on my face until I hear some arguing in the kitchen. It's my mom and Rosa. I had already forgot they were home. What could my mom possibly be arguing with Rosa about? She does absolutely everything around here, including raising her son. I throw on some jeans and head downstairs.

  "This place is filthy." my mom yells. "You get paid far more than any other maid, and yet my house looks like garbage after I've been gone for two months."

  "This place doesn't look like garbage." I turn to my mom and say. "And Rosa does a lot more than clean a house, she makes sure all the bills are paid on time, does all the shopping, comes to all my games, oh and she raised me when you and dad couldn't be bothered with it." Rosa raises her eyebrows but gives me a loving look.

  "I see how this is. If she raised you, she's doing a horrible job at it because you’re a disrespectful asshole. You can't even be bothered to welcome your parents’ home last night, and then come in this morning like you own the place talking down to your mother. Wow, Rosa, what a great job you have done with this one." I just stare at her.

  "Do you even hear yourself? How much longer do we have to deal with the two of you."

  At that moment, my dad decides to stroll in, "Apparently not long, I just got a call and they need me in Athens. Rosa pack our bags back up; we leave in an hour."

  I just shake my head, grab a banana, and my car keys and leave. Those two are just a waste of time. I pick up the phone to call Jimmy. I need to be at the ball field. He says he can meet me in an hour, but I just decide to head that way now. That is how I clear my head, and after that fiasco, at my house, that's exactly what I need to do. Ball has always been a great stress reliever for me. It always helps clear my mind.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Shay

  I woke up this morning feeling fantastic. I had such a great night.

  After I got home, Tammy brought Ryder to me, and we played a couple of board games, and I put him to bed. I was able to take a shower and text Luke without an incident. I am off from both jobs today, so I think I will take Ryder to the park. He loves to play, and then maybe after I can take him to the ball field and help him practice his swing.

  After we have both ate breakfast and changed, we head out. My car still isn't in the driveway, so it looks like Gunner has decided to keep it. I should be angry, I should call the police, but if it keeps him away from us, he can have it. After we have played at the park for an hour, we head over to the ball fields.

  Ryder gets excited right as we hit the gates "Look, mama, it's Luke and Jimmy. Maybe they can help me with my swing.”

  I look out into the field and see the boys are there practicing. I suddenly feel nervous. I don't want Luke to think I'm here because I had to see him. I'm not desperate. The guys both look over and run towards us, huge smiles on their faces.

  "Hey, buddy, what are you doing out here today?" Jimmy asks.

  "Well, mama brought me here to help me with my swing, but I just told her you guys would probably help too."

  My cheeks turn pink, "Ryder, they are probably here practicing, just let mama help you this time, okay?"

  Before he can respond, Jimmy cuts in "No way, we would love to help you practice buddy. Let's see what you got." Jimmy and Ryder head off towards the field.

  Luke lingers behind. "I was hoping to see you today." He says with a smile. I look up at him with a smile too. He leans down and brushes a quick kiss on my lips. "Don't want the little guy to see, I'm not sure how you feel about that," I just stand there staring. He is so considerate. I don't remember the last time someone thought of Ryder, but also thought of my feelings too. This is new.

  I shake off my surprise, “What was going on last night? You were texting about something bothering you, and I felt terrible that I didn’t see it until late.”

  He lifts his hand and brushes the hair from my face with a smile, “It was nothing. My parents were back in town. I haven’t seen them in months, and they caused chaos and left, pretty typical for Nick and Bianca Baker.”

  “I’m so sorry, Luke. I should have been there for you. Less than 24 hours into giving this a shot, and I’m already failing.” I frown.

  “No, don’t even think like that. It’s not a big deal. You’re here now, and I get to spend time with you, that’s better than anything I could have asked for.”

  I smile up at him.

  We head over to the field to see what Jimmy and Ryder are up to, and if these guys think I'm sitting this out, they have another thing coming. I live for this.

  When I found out I was having a boy, I was so excited, because I was hoping I could transfer my love of baseball to him. Now to have f
ound two friends that love the game too, it couldn't have worked out any better for us. I look over at my boy, and he is so excited. It makes my heart swell.

  "Mama, look what Luke taught me. I'm hitting better already." He says with a proud smile. I rustle his hair and hug him.

  "You were already the best baby; I don't know how you could get much better."

  Jimmy takes Ryder to the other part of the field to practice on pitching, while me and Luke take a seat on the bleachers. He looks over at me, "You’re a great mom, you know that?"

  I just look back at him with a smile, "Yeah yeah, stop it."

  He looks back at me. "No, I'm serious. I have a shitty mom. A mom that has never been there for me, never helped me with anything, hell she has never even seen me play. You're different, you love Ryder, and he knows it. And one day, if you don't already know it, you will realize how important that is and how much it means to him."

  I look off into the field with tears in my eyes. "Thank you, Luke, sometimes hearing it from someone really helps. You have no idea how much that means to me. Every day I wake up not having any idea what I'm doing, but hoping I'm doing something right."

  He puts his hand in mine and says, "You're doing everything right Shay, everything."

  This guy is doing something to me. I'm already in too deep. I want to believe it can end well, but I know deep inside that it can't. There is too much stacked against us, but right now, in the moment, those things don't matter, and I'm just happy. I deserve a little bit of happiness, even if it doesn't last.

  After about an hour more of throwing the ball around, the guys ask if Ryder and I want to grab ice cream. Ryder is ecstatic about this and jumps at the chance. I jump at the opportunity to spend more time with Luke.

  When we get to the ice cream shop, it is crowded, so Jimmy and I take a seat at a table outside while Luke takes Ryder in to pick out ice cream for everyone.

  "Ryder is such a great kid," Jimmy says to me with a smile.

  "Thanks, Jimmy, he really loves you guys. I know a lot about baseball, but I think he would rather hear stuff from an actual baseball player over his mom." I laugh.

  “I’m glad you came into our lives, Shay, and I’m glad you brought that special boy of yours too.” I smile over at him. These guys have no idea how much they are changing our lives for the better.

  The boys come back out, and we all sit down and eat our ice cream. Ryder is having such a good time; he has one of the biggest smiles on his face.

  Eventually, Ryder starts to doze off, so we open Jimmy's truck door and lay him in the back seat. He has had such an eventful day. I’m so happy for my boy, and he deserves to have a day like this.

  The three of us are just sitting around chatting and laughing when the blonde girl from the diner shows up.

  "Oh shit." I hear Jimmy mumble.

  "Hey, baby." The blonde purrs.

  At first, I think she is talking to Jimmy, but then I realize it's Luke. My body stiffens. I feel jealous, even though I know I don’t have any right to be. Whatever is going on between Luke and I is new, and I’m not dense, I know he has a past.

  "What do you want?" Luke spits. He doesn't look happy to see her.

  "Well, I thought since you called me over the other night, you might want some more company tonight. I tried to call you, but you didn't answer."

  I look over at Luke, I feel like I might be sick, but I want to give him the benefit of the doubt here.

  “What are you talking about, Valerie?” He snaps back at her.

  It’s then that I notice Jimmy has lifted Ryder over his shoulders and strolled away, I’m sure to protect him from whatever is about to happen. I take a moment to be thankful to him, before I turn my attention back to the scene unfolding in front of me.

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about,” she sneers. “You know two nights ago when you called me, begging me to come over, and I had your dick in my mouth. You seemed to know exactly what was going on then.”

  I instantly feel my heart drop to my stomach.

  My face burns red, and I feel humiliated. Did I really think that I could change this guy? Did I honestly believe that he was any different from any other guy?

  Valerie looks at me with a sneer on her face, “Oh, honey, you didn’t think you were the only girl he was sleeping with, did you?”

  She’s wrong, of course, I haven’t slept with Luke, and I’m obviously not going to anytime soon after this, but that isn’t any of her business. I decide to take the high road on this one and stand up, “It seems like you guys have some stuff to discuss, so I’m going to head out.”

  I practically run over to Jimmy and Ryder, who are standing a few feet away.

  "Do you think you could give Ryder and me a ride home?" I manage to get out. I feel the tears coming to my eyes, and I don’t want to give these people the benefit of seeing me this way.

  "Yeah, of course." He says. He shoots Luke a look

  "Shay, don't do this. It's not what you think." Luke cries out. But I'm already over it.

  I climb into Jimmy's truck, and he pulls off. I stare blankly out the window. I guess I should be relieved that I didn't get in too deep. I'm not going to pretend I'm not worried about Ryder and how this will affect him, though.

  Jimmy turns to me, "Are you okay, do you want to talk about it?"

  "No, I'm fine, Jimmy, I'll be fine. Thanks, though." I show him how to get to my house, and when we pull up, he tries to get out and help, but I notice my car is in the driveway again.

  "Oh, I got this Jimmy don't worry about it, thanks again." I'm practically sprinting around trying to get Ryder in and Jimmy out of the driveway before Gunner notices. Jimmy looks at me strangely, but I think he takes the hint.

  "Goodnight, Shay."

  I rush inside and see Gunner sitting on the couch.

  "I see you were out being a slut again tonight,” he says. “And you took my son with you too, does he help you get laid?"

  "Leave him out of this." I snap.

  I take Ryder into the bedroom and cover him up. Once I'm back in the living room Gunner is already on his feet.

  "I thought I told you to stay away from that pretty boy, I warned you, I told you I would kill you, I would kill him, and I would take that boy and run. Do you think I'm joking?"

  "No, no, I know you're serious. Just please don't punish Ryder. He is an innocent boy."

  Gunner rushes over and shoves me up to the wall.

  "You just never learn, so I guess I'm here to teach you a lesson, again."

  He throws me over on to the coffee table and pushes my head into it. "Stop Gunner. I can't breathe."

  This only makes him shove harder. I hear him unzip his pants, and I start to cry. He shoves himself into me, with much more force than usual. His hands have a grip on the back of my neck, and I can feel his nails digging into my flesh. After he’s finished, he pushes me on the floor and kicks me a few times.

  "Maybe this time you learned your lesson. You’re a slut, and I can't have my boy growing up with a slut. Get your act together, or me and Ryder are out of here." He gives me a swift kick to the face and walks out the door.

  I can't move. I'm in so much pain. I have to get up. How many more times will I be able to take this? One of these days, he's going to kill me. I feel sick, thinking about my boy, finding me dead on the floor of this house one day.

  I hear a door open and Ryder comes in.

  "Mama, what happened? Mama!"

  He starts to cry. I hear him shuffle out. I can hear him talking to someone. His voice is muffled. That is the last thing I remember before everything goes black.

  Chapter Twenty

  Luke

  Valerie looks at me with a smirk.

  "You're a bitch. I told you I’m done, leave me the hell alone."

  "Oh, please, Luke, I only helped save you from making a huge mistake. You know you aren't qualified to be a daddy, and you aren’t programmed to be in a relationship. If anything, I did you a f
avor, you're welcome."

  And with that, she smirks and walks away.

  Jimmy pulls up and hollers at me to get in the truck.

  "What's going on, man?"

  "I just got a phone call; I think it was Ryder. It came from Shay's phone. He just kept crying mama into the phone."

  "Was anyone there when you dropped her off?"

  "There was a black car in the driveway he said, why what is going on?"

  I give him a shortened version of the story she told me, and watch his face turn to rage.

  "I just dropped her off with some crazy person, why would she let me do that?"

  "She has some fucked up reasoning for it, saying if she lets him do what he wants with her, then he will leave Ryder alone."

  "I can't believe this, why would you not warn me, why would she not warn me?"

  Jimmy looks so distraught, I feel bad, but it wasn't my place to tell him anything.

  When we pull up at the house, the car isn't there. We barely get the truck in park before both jump out. I run to the door and push it open. Shay is laying on the floor, she isn't moving, and I can see a small pool of blood next to her.

  "Jimmy grab Ryder and get out to the truck. I'll call 911."

  I slide down onto the floor next to Shay.

  "Wake up Shay, what happened, the ambulance is on the way."

  She’s not opening her eyes, but I check her pulse, and there is still a faint heartbeat. I think Ryder might have saved her life. I sit on the floor next to her waiting on the ambulance to arrive.

  A few hours later, Jimmy and I are sitting in the waiting room at the hospital. We dropped Ryder off with Tammy, she seemed distraught, but asked me to call her when we heard something. Nobody wants to tell us anything because we aren't next of kin, but she doesn't have anyone here. It's driving me crazy. I only want to know that she is okay. I wonder where that crazy asshole took off to, because I know it was him that did this.