Erica

The sun had gone down, and I shivered in my windbreaker as I watched Ren in the batting cage. I’d walked the entirety of the Salt River Fields complex to find him. The park lights were still on, and there were a few lingering players talking shop.

After a week of watching games and radio silence from Ren, I knew I had to somehow bridge the gap between us. Though he executed the schedule I sent via text, he wasn’t speaking to me at all. No reply text, not a word.

I watched Ren’s body twist with each connection of bat to ball. He was thorough with his powerful swing and had one of the best averages of a catcher in the League. A huge improvement from his first year as a rookie.

“Your eye has improved, tenfold,” I said, loud enough for him to hear and impossible for him to ignore. He ignored me anyway and kept his gaze on his mechanical batter.

“Ren, I know things are weird, but I want to try to get along with you.”

Bat hoisted and ready, he swung and cracked the ball, sending it flying to the top of the net, before he moved back into position.

“Rafe’s on fire,” I said, as if my conversation wasn’t one-sided. “His pitching is remarkable.”

Silence.

“I met his wife at the last game. Alice. She’s a spitfire. I really like her. She’s no bullshit. She asked if I wanted to go skydiving over the desert,” I chuckled. “She’s a little daredevil. I love that about her. She reminds me of my roommate, Rowe. You would like her.”

Ren’s chest rose and fell, the only sign of life, his poise perfect before he swung at another ball as if I wasn’t there.

“I met Andy’s wife, too. April, oh God, her accent is hilarious. I didn’t know Andy brewed beer, that’s pretty cool. They said you used to go to Charleston and hang out once in a while. It sounds like a great place. I’d like to go there someday.”

Silence. And the next crack of the bat filtered through me like the growing crack in my chest. I took a deep breath and tried again.

“We’re all going out this week. Alice, April, and me. I think Rafe and Andy arranged that we meet. They’re great guys.”

“Is there anyone who isn’t fucking great?” Ren finally grunted out as he overcompensated his footing and the ball nailed him in the wrist. I glanced at the radar. The ball had hit him at 86 miles per hour.

“GODDAMMIT!” Ren roared as he dropped the bat and clutched his arm.

I rushed toward him as he let out a heavy string of curses while he exited the cage.

“Let me see it!” I said as I chased him around in a circle. “Ren!”

“It’s fine,” he bit out before he stopped his feet and looked up at me with ice-blue eyes.

I lifted my hands. “Don’t blame this on me. You know damn well you stepped into that. Now let me see.”

Reluctantly, he gave me his arm and my jaw dropped. “It’s already purple.”

“It’s fine,” he snapped as he pulled his arm back.

“It’s not fine, you need to have it looked at.”

“Leave it, Erica.”

“What is it with you men? If your dick were that color, you would fly in a specialist.”

“My dick’s just fine. If you want to drop to your knees, I’m more than happy to let you inspect it.”

The slap I gave him was instant and almost playful, but my eyes told him I meant it.

“I will not ever be talked to like that. Unless I’m in the mood, and you know damn well I’m not in the mood.”

I turned to walk away and heard his chuckle and his curse. “Erica, wait.”

“Enough already, Ren. I’m done making nice. You want to keep this animosity going, you can go at it alone. I’m done fighting with you. God, just once I would like to have a conversation with you where we aren’t aiming for each other’s jugulars.”

“Well, it’s good to see some fight left in you. You’ve been walking around like a corpse since you got here,” he yelled at my retreating back.

“That’s only because I’ve had you to deal with.”

“We don’t have to be best friends, Erica. It’s not necessary. Your small talk, unnecessary.”

“Got it, asshole. I’ll be sure to avoid it at all costs. Jesus, we sure are making up now for the fighting we didn’t do as a couple.”

“You have to admit we’re pretty spectacular at it,” he snapped sarcastically as he strode toward the parking lot.

“Go to hell, Makavoy!”

“I’m already there, Wild!”