“What are you gonna do?” my dad asks.
“I don't know. I’m workin’ with Savannah now and the guilt is eatin’ at me a little,” I say, shrugging my shoulders.
“Hey y’all,” says a deep voice from behind me.
I glance back and see Brantley walking towards us, with a 12 pack of beer in his hands. He gives my dad and Mikey a pat on the back and kisses Caryann on the cheek. Then he turns to me.
“How are ya, Charlie?” he asks smiling, coming in to kiss me on the cheek.
“I’m good Brantley, how ya doin?”
Brantley Henderson graduated a year above me in school and his daughter happens to be Lisa, Bella’s best friend.
We hooked up two years ago when the kids were at fall fling together. I was way too emotional about the twins being off at their first high school dance and Brantley was very available. I should also mention that we were drunk, very, very drunk.
The parents all went to the pub after dropping the kids at school for the dance and by the time Brantley walked into the pub, I was two sheets to the wind. His wife died in a car accident five years ago, so he was an emotional wreck like I was.
Brantley is good looking. Scruffy beard with light brown eyes and long brown hair that stops right above his ears. He is a big farmer in town and his body is proof. He's muscular and fit, but he also isn’t Gabriel.
I regretted it as soon as we finished and rushed out of his house like a bat out of hell. Luckily, none of the kids saw me do the walk of shame because I’m pretty sure doing your daughters, best friend’s dad, is a no-no in the mother-daughter handbook.
“Better now,” he says, winking at me.
All of his advances since, haven’t gone unnoticed by me, but I just couldn’t go down that road with him again. I politely turn him down, time after time, but he doesn’t seem to get the hint. I smile and turn back to see Devin making his way over to the group, holding the hand of a petite brunette. I smile and shake my head.
“New girl, huh?” my dad motions towards the kids.
“New girl and a year younger. Bells gave me the scoop. You wanna be the one to talk to him? I already had the college version of the birds and the bees with Bells, I ain't touchin’ the male convo on that one.”
My dad shakes his head and puts his hands up.
“He’s got the internet, he’s fine.”
I shake my head and roll my eyes.
Ever since I had the twins, my parents have become less strict. They are not as set in their ways, religiously, and let me raise the kids how I want. As long as we don't miss mass on Sundays, they don't comment much on the way I raise them. Sex before marriage isn't a sin in our house, but without being reckless. They know my story and they know to be careful.
Suddenly, I hear yelling breaking me out of my thoughts and look around to see where it is coming from. I see Bella and a boy a short distance away from the rest of the kids. I start to walk towards them but stop when I hear his words.
“You’re a slut just like your Mama. Does she even know who your daddy is? I heard she screwed the whole baseball team back in the day, that what you’re goin’ for?” the boy yells loudly.
Oh hell no. I stalk towards the couple, but Devin beats me to it.
“You dick. Don’t you talk about my sister and mama like that!” he yells, popping him square in the nose.
Bella shrieks and the boy’s hands immediately goes to his nose, that is now gushing blood. I run up to the scene and hold back Devin, as he tries to go after the boy again. His 6’2 frame tests my strength, but I keep myself fit and manage to push him away from the chaos.
“Devin John Daniels, you better check yourself right now and take a breath!” I say through gritted teeth. “You got a full ride to worry about and a stupid ass fight ain’t gonna mess that up for you. I won’t allow it,” I say, poking his chest.
“Did you hear him? He don’t get to talk like that about you and Bella,” he roars.
I grab his arm and pull him further away from the crowd.
“I don’t give a flyin’ fuck what he said about me!” I rear around on him.
His eyebrows shoot up his forehead and he opens his mouth but then shuts it.
“You worked too hard to let some dumbass like that, ruin it for you. I raised you better than that, Devin,” I say, quieting my voice.
“I...I’m sorry Mama,” he says, looking down at the ground. “I just...I’m sick of kids sayin’ shit like that.”
“Like what?” I ask, putting my hand under his chin, making him look up at me.
“That we don’t know who our dad is...that you don’t,” he says, looking at me.
Embarrassment seeps into his gaze and my face reddens.
“People...people say that?” I stutter.
He nods and runs his hands through his hair.
“Forget it, like you said, they’re stupid. Let’s just go,” he says walking past me.
“Devin…” He turns slowly around to look at me, “you know that ain't true, right?”
“I know, Mama,” he says defeated.
I walk over to him and put my hand on his cheek.
“I know who your daddy is, Devin. I don’t need to defend myself to people like that but you’re different. Your daddy was it for me, baby. I want you to know that,” I say softly.
He smiles and pulls me in for a hug.
“I know, Mama,” he says, his voice muffled by my hair.
We walk towards the group, the boy nowhere to be found and Bella comes up and hugs me.
“Come here baby, don’t listen to that asshole,” I say hugging her tightly.
“I don’t Mama...I don’t sleep around like that. I didn’t...we never...I never...”
I put my finger over her lips.
“I don’t need to know baby,” I smile. “Just be careful and don’t ever give that boy the time of day again,” I say, hugging her.
She nods, and we walk back towards the BBQ. The kids sit down at a nearby picnic table and I walk back over to the grill.
“I was gonna give that boy some backup, but he’s got those Gavinwood genes,” my father says, chuckling.
“Daddy,” I whisper, “Not so loud.”
“Sorry, I forget,” he says, turning his attention back to the grill.
I look over at the kids and they aren’t paying attention.
“That boy,” I say, shaking my head.
“That bastard deserved the pop,” Mikey says.
“I know, but I just wish my son wasn’t the one that gave it to him.”
“Like father, like son, huh?” Caryann says.
Unfortunately, yes, those Gavinwood genes.
Chapter 4
Gabriel
4 years ago...
“Mr. Gavinwood, you naughty boy!” says the blonde bombshell, sitting on my lap.
The music from the club is pounding my head and the whiskey I just chugged down, floods my veins. The scent of the perfume the blonde has on makes me want to vomit but I hold it down.
“Stacey…” I moan in her ear.
She slaps my chest.
“It’s Summer,” she huffs.
“That’s what I said baby,” I slur.
I plant a wet kiss on her cheek and lift her up, making her straddle my lap.
“Well, well, well, look who it is, a real life hillbilly!” I hear from behind me.
I look back and lock eyes with my sister’s husband, dickface Millers.
“What the fuck are you doin’ here?” I say eyeing him, pushing the chick off my lap.
He’s got his arms wrapped around two strippers and my vision goes red.
“What the hell does it look like I’m doing?” he says winking.
I grit my teeth and ball my fists.
“My sister know you’re here?” I spat.
I already know the answer but I want to hear what this asshole says.
“I think you know the answer to that one.” He smiles. “Or maybe you don't. Big brothe
r hasn't been returning my lovely wife's calls. Very rude of you.”
“Shut the hell up. I knew you were stupid, but you’re even dumber than I thought. I’m glad she took the advice with that prenup when y'all got married. You ain’t gettin’ shit!”
His smile darkens and my face drops. What the hell did he do?
“Funny thing about that prenup. Thought your sister was all kinds of woman, apparently not,” he says, slapping one of the strippers on the ass.
Bile rises to my throat, but I swallow it down.
“What the fuck did you just say?”
“She’s a good lay. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a wild one. But she’s not giving me what I need,” he says snarkily.
I ball my fist and run towards him. I feel my body relax as my fist connects with his jaw, making him bump into a nearby table. The two women fall to the side and I tackle him down, flipping over the table, my body falling on top of his. I go to work on his face, pounding him like a piece of meat. I feel the anger leaving my body with every punch and it's addicting.
“You son of a bitch. You don’t deserve her! I swear to God, you won’t touch her again!”
He laughs as I catch my breath and his mouth is bloody.
“I’m getting my hands on that money, don’t you worry,” he says coughing.
My face contorts. I lift my fist but a nearby flash stops me in my tracks.
“Gavinwood...what’s going on? Who’s the guy? Was the fight over a girl? Sir are you pressing charges?”
People surround us while cameras go off. I scramble to my feet, looking around. My vision blurs, but I push my way past the crowd and out onto the street where more cameras are flashing in my face. What did I do?
* * *
“You’re done,” says Coach Billard. “Done Gavinwood. Doc says you’re out for the season and I’m sick of this shit!” he says, slamming his fist down on his desk.
I look down at my left hand, wrapped in the cast and shake my head. I guess the alcohol haze blocked out the pain but my little boxing match last night broke two bones in my pitching hand.
This isn’t the first time that I’ve fucked up, I honestly lost count. The team usually pulls me out though, a fine here, a suspension there. This time is different. I’m 32 years old and there’s no more room for me to fuck up. It’s never affected my game before but now, I’ve done it.
“But he’s married to my sister Coach. He was--”
“I don’t care if was banging your wife, Gavinwood. You don’t fight people and you sure as hell don’t do it with your pitching hand. You have two choices and you’re lucky I’m even giving you them,” he says, cutting me off.
I nod for him to continue.
“Retire or coach. We’re gonna let you go, and I can bet my career that no team in their right mind will pick you up. Retire and walk away from the game or go down to rookie ball and manage. Teaching those boys, will get your head out of your ass. You’re the best pitcher I've coached, Gavinwood, those boys will be lucky to have you, but your attitude is shit. The choice is yours but make it soon,” he says dismissing me.
Thinking about retiring makes me panic. My breathing is labored, and I close my eyes to block out the dizziness. I gave up everything for this game, it is not going to be ripped away from me because of that douchebag.
“I’ll coach,” I say quickly. “I can’t lose this game, Coach. Not yet,” I say shaking my head.
He nods and waves his hand for me to leave.
I walk out of his office and think about everything I have given up for this game.
Charlotte.
I didn’t deserve her then and I sure don’t now, but thinking about her and what could have been, has haunted me for the past fourteen years. I thought I was okay, and if I wasn't now, eventually, I would be. Once the craziness settled though and I could think, it all came crashing down, just like now.
Chapter 5
Charlotte
My heart is exploding with happiness as I sit on Devin’s bed and watch him pack. His dream is coming true and I couldn’t be prouder of him.
“What?” he asks, looking up at me smiling.
“I’m proud of you,” I say smiling back.
“It’s just the first step Mama, I got a long way to go,” he says, folding a t shirt and putting it into his suitcase.
I roll my eyes.
“Take it one day at a time baby. You’re allowed to celebrate milestones.”
“I know, I just don’t want it to be premature. I wanna make sure that I’m good enough,” he says with seriousness in his voice.
I nod, agreeing with him.
“I’m gonna miss you,” I say, handing him a pile of t shirts.
He takes them and puts them into the suitcase too.
“I know. Luckily I won’t be too far.”
“You nervous?” I ask, eyeing him.
“A little, yeah. I mean, I have Louie State as backup but...this is the dream, ya know?”
He has a vulnerability in his voice and I see my little boy standing in front of me, instead of the man.
I get up from the bed and walk over to give him a hug.
“Remember me when you're pouring sports drinks all down your face for commercials,” I say seriously.
Devin laughs and rolls his eyes.
“Mama, stop.”
My baby boy was drafted to the Houston Lonestars. It has me thinking back to eighteen years ago and how excited I was for Gabriel. That excitement quickly faded though, when I realized him being drafted, meant there was no room for a family.
I keep the smile on my face. This time, I can be happy and enjoy it for Devin.
He got the call last night and is supposed to report for training camp in two days. He was a second round draft pick and we are going out tonight to celebrate, shutting down the pub for a big celebration.
Our small town celebrates big victories and considering Gabriel was the last one drafted, it's been a long time and the town is booming.
A lot of people have probably had their assumptions about my kids, but no one ever makes it known. The similarities between Devin and Gabriel are too strong for anyone to think otherwise. Luckily, Gabriel’s parents moved to Florida shortly after him and Savannah graduated high school. By the time I had the twins, they were long gone. The similarities between Devin and his father wouldn't have slipped past them, so I'm grateful for their move.
“Y’all ready to celebrate this stud tonight?” says Bella from the doorway, breaking my thoughts.
I smile and nod.
“Lets go Daniels crew!”
***
“Good luck, baby. You're gonna rock it. Keep your head on straight and treat everyone--”
“Like I would want them to treat you and Bella. I know Mama,” he says, kissing my cheek.
Bella and I drove over in my truck while Devin drove his. I bought the kids another truck for their graduation with my first big paycheck at Double Play Sports, like I promised, and it felt good to give them something all on my own.
The drive from home to Houston is only a 3 and a half hour drive, but we made it in 3. I'm dropping Bella at Louie State on the way back and going to drive her truck over at some point next week, with Caryann. My emotions are all over the place, saying goodbye to both my babies in one day.
I wrap my arms around Devin's waist and bury my face in his chest. I won't cry. I won't cry.
“Take care of yourself, Dev. I'll see you in a couple months for family day.”
He nods, and his gaze is torn between the nervous little boy I raised and the prideful man he's become. I smile and touch his cheek and he winks.
“I'll remember the little people, don’t worry Mama.”
I roll my eyes and smack his arm as he laughs. He shuts the door to the truck, and waves as he walks into the training facility. I watch him leave and I feel like a part of my heart is going with him.
“I'm gonna miss that smartass,” Bella says from behind me.
I give her a look and she laughs. I motion for her to get in my truck and we make our way to Louie State.
She's needed at school early for softball training and I flashback to the ride I took with my dad. Meeting the softball coach, getting excited for the upcoming season, being able to play for the tigers; it was such a memorable experience. It was always my dream to put on that purple and gold and now my daughter will be living that dream.
Curveball: A Second Chance Romance (Double Play Series Book 1) Page 5
