Extra Innings

by Stevens, Lynn

  As I sucked in my breath, bursts of pain splintered through my upper back.

  “You’re outta here,” the ump shouted.

  Good. He deserves it. He hit me on purpose. An anvil ground into my back. God this hurts.

  I got to my feet with pure determination and found Brutus backing toward his dugout. He smiled and blew me a kiss.

  You’re not beating me, dickhead. Any pain I felt disappeared. Not even my father blows kisses at me.

  Adrenaline cleared my mind and I ran at him, knocking his bulk into the fence. He really was pure muscle. I bounced off, landing on my ass, reminding me of the huge bruise that was forming on my back.

  “You stupid bitch,” Brutus yelled as his hand cut into the metal fencing.

  I scrambled to my feet again, filled with the rage bulls must have in Barcelona. Brutus was my red scarf. Before I got my balance, Daniel and Coach grabbed my arms to drag me away. I didn’t get a chance to throw a punch or a slap. I tried to kick him, but Coach yanked me back hard. Daniel, however, ran at Brutus. I grabbed his arm before he got by me. If I couldn’t beat on the jackass, I wasn’t about to let Daniel take a swing.

  “Come on, Ali. Onto the bench,” Coach said. He pushed me toward the dugout.

  “He hit me. I get first.”

  “Yeah, if you were still in the game. You got booted, kid. Now pop a squat.”

  I fell to the bench and watched Shane take my spot on the bag. I’d never been kicked out of any game before. Never. I almost did the most girl-like thing there is. I wanted to cry.

  How could I get kicked out?

  It didn’t help that my back began to throb with its own heartbeat.

  The game ended without any more drama. We won. They lost. I stayed on the bench, licking my wounds when Coach Strauss raised his voice during a conference at the plate.

  “It ain’t against the rules, Chuck,” Coach Strauss bellowed.

  Their coach equaled ours in yell capacity. “Damn it, Bernie. She attacked John –”

  “After he beaned her. He threw at her head, for cryin’ out loud.”

  “Guys, calm down,” the ump intervened. “I had a look at the rules before the game. There isn’t anything that says she can’t play.”

  “Then she needs to be suspended for attacking John –”

  “As soon as John gets the boot for throwin’ at her head then hittin’ her in the back.”

  “Stop it. Both of you.” The ump yanked on his thick silver hair. No wonder he was balding. “Here’s what I’m going to do. Both get one game suspension and both teams get a warning. It happens again and they’re both gone. Got it?”

  The coaches grunted and walked back to their dugouts. I kept my head down, waiting for the barrage of expletives only a Marine would know. When Coach Strauss didn’t say anything, I couldn’t stop my own mouth from running.

  “I’m sorry.” I sucked up the embarrassment. “It was stupid. But I was just trying to protect myself. He thinks he can throw at me and I’ll quit. That’s not going to happen. I mean, I’m not some wussy little girl that’s afraid of a stupid baseball.”

  “Just shut up, Hudson. The little bastard had it coming. Girl or not, he didn’t need to throw at you.” He sat by me on the bench. The weathered wood groaned under his size. “Kid, you did good. I’m impressed. You hit well, played well. Don’t let that idiot get under your skin. Besides, we play ‘em again.”

  “I … um … I …” I sighed. “Thanks, Coach.”

  He nodded and stood to collect the rest of his bats, dismissing me.

  Daniel leaned against my car as I made my way through the parking lot.

  “Hey, how’s your back?” he asked when I got close enough to hear him.

  I looked over my shoulder to see if anyone might overhear me. “It hurts like hell.”

  “Don’t doubt it.” He grinned. “You mind giving me a lift? Ollie brought me, but he took off right after the game.”

  “Yeah, no prob.” I unlocked the doors with the remote. “Get in.”

  He rattled off the directions, half of which I forgot almost as soon as they left his mouth.

  “Thanks for the ride,” he said after I passed the first turn.

  I shrugged and regretted it. The pain snaked up my back and into my head. Before Daniel could comment, my cell rang with the distinctive song, which made me grimace even more.

  Theo.

  “Isn’t it like two in the morning or something?” I asked instead of bothering with a hello.

  “Something like that. Paris never sleeps,” Theo slurred.

  “I take it you’re having fun.” I wondered how much he’d been drinking. Theo’s not much on alcohol or drugs, but he’s been known to have a beer or a joint on rare occasions. Not since we started dating though.

  “Absolutely.” He laughed then added, “Andy got toasted last night. I had to fish her out of a fountain.”

  Andy?

  “Turn left here,” Daniel said as we approached the light.

  “Who’s that?” Theo asked, sounding less drunk than he had a minute ago.

  “Daniel. He’s on the team.” When Theo didn’t respond, I added, “I’m giving him a ride home.”

  “A ride, huh?” There was no mistaking the annoyed tone in Theo’s voice. “Well, I better get going. I’ll call you later.” He hung up before I could say another word.

  What did I do now?

  “Boyfriend?” Daniel asked, interrupting my thoughts.

  “Yeah.” I slowed at the stop sign and faced Daniel. “He’s in Paris. Senior class trip.”

  Daniel snorted. “Nice class trip.” He glanced out the window then back at me. “Why didn’t you go?”

  I rolled my eyes and pulled through the intersection. “I wanted to play ball.”

  He stared at me for longer than necessary. “Where do you really live, Vic?”

  “With my grandmother. In this district.” I glanced over at him. “I moved in to help her over the summer. Why?”

  He raised his eyebrows and fought back a grin. “But where do you live the rest of the year?”

  I stopped at another stop sign. I didn’t like where this was going, but I answered anyway. “Hillside.”

  “Ah.” He turned away, staring out the passenger window.

  “Ah, what?” My hands were starting to hurt since I gripped the steering wheel too tight.

  He paused until a car horn sounded behind us. “Where do you go to school?”

  You knew this was going to happen eventually. “Xavier.”

  “Brainiac, rich kid school.” He pointed to the upcoming intersection. “Turn right. My house is third on the left.”

  I followed his directions and parked in front of a three-story brick house. The place was at least a hundred years old. The simple concrete steps led to a dark oak door with a stain glass window. A large bay window looked out onto the street with a petite blonde woman peeking out from behind the heavy curtains.

  “That’s my mom,” Daniel said, pointing to the window. “She gets nervous when a strange car stops in front of the house. Especially a Beemer.” He opened the door but didn’t jump out. “Can I ask you something else?”

  “Yeah, sure. What?” I gripped the wheel tighter.

  “You didn’t mention the game. Did the boyfriend even bother to ask?” He slid out of the car and ran up the steps without waiting for my answer.

  He was right. Theo didn’t ask. Theo knew the schedule. I’d emailed it to him as soon as I’d gotten it. And he knew Daniel was in the car. I told him Daniel was on the team. But then again, I didn’t offer up any information either. I turned to look over my shoulder before merging onto the street. The pain returned like a lightning bolt. When I got to Watson Road, I made a left instead of a right and got on the highway.

  The Jacuzzi tub at Chez Hudson called my name.

  BOTTOM OF THE 2ND

  Wednesday’s practice was laid back compared to the week leading up to our first game. Coach didn’t ask how
I was and I didn’t expect him to. The bruise on my back was about the size of Mom’s silver turkey platter. Tossing the ball was difficult and I avoided batting practice. Coach didn’t say a word.

  Shane got a full workout. Coach put him at every spot in the diamond. He suited up with a chest pad and helmet to catch toward the end of practice. I watched from the dugout as Adam pitched to him, throwing harder as Shane’s confidence grew. He was pretty good at blocking the ones in the dirt, but he didn’t have any clue how to call pitches.

  I put my foot on the bench to tie my cleat.

  “Hey, Vic,” Reggie said as he slapped my back in the wrong spot.

  My knees buckled and I dropped to the bench before crumbling to the ground.

  “Oh, man,” he said. Then he screamed, “Coach, Vic’s hurt.”

  Stars burst in my vision. My entire body groaned with the dull throb that originated in my back. I curled into a fetal position, hiding my head under the wooden bench. Coach knelt beside me with pairs of cleats surrounding him.

  “From when he hit you?” Coach asked.

  I whimpered, “Uh-huh.”

  “Can I see?”

  This time I nodded.

  He gently pulled my shirt up. Boys don’t gasp. Not usually. I knew I was trouble when I heard them do it simultaneously.

  “Vic,” Coach began, “this is gonna hurt a bit, but I need to determine if you broke a rib or three.”

  His big hand was cold as he pressed on the bruise. I didn’t cry. I didn’t scream in pain. But I wanted to. There was no way I was going to let the guys see me wuss out and cry. I bit my lip, tasting blood. Coach sighed and pulled my shirt back down. He grabbed my arms and helped me to my feet.

  “I don’t think you broke nothing. Just a nasty bruise. If you want, I’ll take you to the ER, but it would be a waste of money if you ask me.” He squeezed my shoulder. “Take some aspirin and stay off your feet. Alternate ice and heat.”

  Again, I nodded.

  “How you gettin’ home?”

  “I can drive,” I snapped. I wasn’t completely incapacitated.

  “I’m sure you can, but you ain’t.”

  Daniel stepped next to Coach. “I’ll take her. Come on.”

  He grabbed our duffels and looped his arm around the good side of my waist to keep me from falling over. His hand was warm and I leaned into him more than I needed to.

  “How’re you going to get me home?” I grunted as he led me to the parking lot.

  “I’ve always wanted to drive a Beemer,” he said. My head snapped up. He smiled and I could see the concern behind the playfulness. “Cough up the keys, Hudson.”

  We stopped by the passenger side. Daniel’s arm was still wrapped around my waist and our duffels were in his other hand. I leaned across him and he tightened his grip on me. I yanked on the keys from one of the outer pockets of my bag, fully aware of his warm breath drifting across my neck. I swung the keys around my finger and smiled.

  “Don’t speed. That’s the last thing I need.” I dropped the keys into his hand and slid into the passenger seat. After Daniel got behind the wheel, I asked, “How will you get home?”

  He smirked and started the engine, giving it too much gas. “Don’t worry about me. I’m crafty. I know how to use a phone.”

  My cell started ringing before I could get enough energy to smack him. Even Daniel knew it was Theo.

  “Hey,” I grunted, trying to keep the pain out of my voice.

  “Rome is ah-mazing.” The childlike excitement in his voice made me smile. “You should see it, Victoria. I would love to live here for a year.”

  “Except you don’t speak Italian.” I clicked my seatbelt. Even stretching it across my chest hurt. How I got through the day so far eluded me. A small groan escaped my lips.

  “True. You doing okay?” he asked, but he didn’t really sound concerned. No reason to make him worry.

  “Fine,” I said through gritted teeth.

  It was Daniel’s turn to grunt. Theo didn’t hear him since he’d started talking about the architecture of Rome.

  “This entire city is like a museum. I cannot believe people live in these ancient houses. We met this one guy in a piazza and talked for an hour. He invited me and Andy back to his apartment. We walked down this narrow alley to his building. It was two rooms total.”

  My head started pounding, but I didn’t miss the mention of Andrea again.

  Daniel leaned over and whispered too close to my phone, “Where to, Vic?”

  “Who’s that?” Theo asked. He didn’t even try to mask his irritation. Whether it was because of Daniel or because he hated to be interrupted, I wasn’t sure.

  “Hold on.” I put my hand over the phone and shot Daniel eye daggers. He didn’t seem to care. “Take me home.”

  “Love to.” He grinned and said as loud as he could without shouting, “Yours or mine?”

  “My mom’s in Hillside. Just get on the highway. I’ll tell you from there.” I took my hand off the phone. “Sorry, Theo. I …”

  He’d hung up. I sighed and closed my eyes, leaning back against the leather headrest. I wanted to be angry with Daniel, but I didn’t have the energy.

  “Vic, you know you have a GPS in this thing, right?”

  “Um, yeah.”

  “If I hit ‘home’, will that take me to your mom’s?”

  “Oh, of course.” I raised my head and looked at him. “I never use it.”

  “I can see that. There’s only one address programmed into it.” He started pushing the buttons on the stereo as he pulled out of the parking lot, following the computerized voice’s directions.

  Once we hit the highway, he asked, “Did the boyfriend hang up or something?”

  I stared at him. He kept his eyes on the road. “We got disconnected.”

  “Is he the jealous type?” he asked, glancing at me out of the corner of his eye.

  I couldn’t read his expression. “No, why?”

  “Just asking.” He checked over his shoulder before merging into another lane.

  “Well, is your girlfriend the jealous type?” I huffed.

  He half-smiled when he glanced at me. “Don’t have one.”

  “Turn right in one hundred meters,” the GPS voice said.

  “As you command, sexy voice,” Daniel said.

  I closed my eyes again and rested my forehead on the passenger window. The pain in my back had turned into a dull ache. Mom probably wasn’t even home right now. I’d have to call Grandma later and tell her where I was and why. Wasn’t looking forward to that. The car rode so smooth that I drifted off.

  “Hey, Vic, wake up.” Daniel nudged my leg. “I think we’re here. At least the sexy voice said we were.”

  Daniel helped me climb out of the car. I couldn’t have dozed for more than fifteen minutes, but that was enough to tighten every muscle in my body. He wrapped his arm around my waist again and led me to the front door. I leaned against him, comforted by his presence and the odd mix of sandalwood and sweat that tickled my nose.

  It felt like a train had hit me. Last night, my back hurt a little. It was sore this morning too, but after Reggie’s friendly slap, I could hardly walk. The bruise pulsed and spasmed worse than after the ball hit me.

  The front door opened and Lilly came rushing out.

  “Victoria,” she said with her slight Cajun accent. She’d been my nanny since I was six and opted to stay on as a maid when I didn’t need her to babysit anymore. “Why are you coming in the front door?” She stopped when she noticed Daniel and the way he held me upright. “Child, what happened to you?”

  “It’s just a bruise, Lilly.” She backed into the house as Daniel helped me inside. “Is Mom home?”

  “No, she went to the Tea Room to meet with the ladies from the foundation.” She kept her eyes on Daniel while she talked. Lilly was five feet nothing and a very protective mother hen. “What do you need me to do?”

  “Can you bring some drinks to the rec room? And
some lunch?” I asked.

  “Where’s the aspirin?” Daniel asked. His eyebrows creased with worry.

  Lilly stared at him for longer than necessary. “I’ll bring it.” She nodded and hurried away in her silent shoes.

  “I never know where she is in this house,” I grumbled as I tried to straighten my back. Daniel squeezed me closer to him and I suddenly didn’t want to be alone. “Can you stay? I mean, do you have to be somewhere?”

  He grinned. “I’m all yours. Just let me call my dad.”

  “Thanks. I could use the company.” I pulled away from him and lurched toward the back of the house. “I’d give you a tour, but I’m not really feeling up to it at the moment.”

  Daniel ooh-ed and ah-ed behind me. I kept shuffling my feet.

  “This place is huge.” He said as he slid his arm back around my waist when I stumbled over nothing but my own two feet. I let him hold me up even though it felt wrong. And oh-so right.

  “It’s too big. We only use about a third of it.”

  Joba came bounding up to me. He jumped and pushed me into the wall, putting his oversized lab paws on my shoulder and his tongue on my face. Thank God for the wall, or I would’ve kissed the marble floors. Once he was done with me, he made his way to Daniel, who laughed at the golden retriever’s enthusiasm. We walked out the patio doors with Joba leading the way. The pool glistened in the midday sun. I wanted to dive in but knew I wouldn’t be able to get back out.

  The rec room was in the pool house. The Senator decided it was best to keep the games away from the real world. When I was ten, I ran away from home and moved there for a month. He never even knew.

  I slid open the patio doors and flipped on the lights. The pool house was basically a one room building. There was the small bar/kitchenette and an oversize fireplace. Beside that stood the entertainment center, complete with a sixty-inch flat screen TV and three different gaming systems. One wall was nothing but windows overlooking the kidney shaped pool. Scattered about the rest of the room was a pool table, foosball table, and an air hockey table. It was a gamer’s dream.

  In the large bathroom, I grabbed a heating pad from under the sink. Joba and Daniel waited for me on the couch while I tossed it in the microwave as Lilly came in with a plate of sandwiches, a pitcher of fruit punch, and a lifetime supply of aspirin. She sat them on the coffee table and started straightening up the room, watching Daniel out of the corner of her eye. She finally left when there wasn’t anything left to clean.