Chapter 10
It’s been four weeks since the spring semester started. Cayden, Callie, and I have started to get into a routine with our new classes. Callie has a little extra on her schedule since she accepted Professor Bryant’s TA position.
Mav, Zac, and Dex have been busy getting ready for their baseball season to start—that day is today. This afternoon is their first home game and us girls plan on attending. These guys are always at practice; to tell you the truth, I don’t know how they keep up with the schedule. I’m sitting here in my economics class, listening to this very boring professor talk about supply and demand, blah, blah, blah. All I really want to do is get done with classes and go home. I never thought I would say this, but I want to go see these guys play. Tick-tock goes the clock.
“Class dismissed,” the professor announces.
“Oh, my God, thank you!” I mutter with a sigh and an eye roll. I put all my class stuff in my backpack and I am out of here.
Walking back to the condo from class, I hear my name being called. “Cydney!”
I turn around and there he is: Maverick. Good Lord, does he always have to look so lickable? He is dressed in those damn perfectly fitted jeans and a short-sleeved red shirt where the sleeves look like they could bust at the seams.
“Hey,” he states as he approaches me. “Are you going to be at the game today?” he asks.
“I’m not sure. I’m gonna try. I know Callie and Cayden really want to go.” I’ve only been thinking about it all morning.
“I hope to see you there. You can watch my fine ass at work on the mound,” he says with a smirk.
“Haha, I think I have seen your fine ass at work more than enough,” I respond with more laughter. Slapping him on his chest, I tell him, “I have to go, see you later.” I turn around to walk away, but he reaches for my wrist and rubs it gently with his thumb.
“Seriously, Cyd, come to the game,” he says, still looking into my eyes. Okay, I may have just swallowed my tongue with that look.
“Good luck today, Mav. I will be there.” I look back into his deep brown eyes. He releases my wrist and smiles. With that, I walk away and head home. Walking through the front door of the condo, I hear yelling coming from both my sisters.
“Callie! Get your shit together so we can leave,” Cayden yells towards Callie’s room.
“Jiminy Christmas, Cayden, I told you we are waiting on Cyd to get back from classes. Plus, I need to finish getting little Raine ready for the game too. Dex got her the cutest little baseball outfit. It’s even pink,” she responds.
“For all of baseball, could you two bring your volume down?” I cry, surprising both of them.
“Yay! You’re home. Now we can all finish getting ready and go to the home opener,” Callie says as she throws me a t-shirt.
“What the hell is this?” I ask.
“What do you think it is, Cydney? We are going to a baseball game and supporting our guys.”
“Really, Callie, our guys? What makes you think they are our guys? With the one exception of Dex,” I state, hoping they are buying my act since no one knows anything about Mav and I.
“Jesus, miss sassy! Just put the damn t-shirt on and be supportive. We can go and cheer for them,” Cayden pipes in.
“Fine! Let me go get ready, then we can load up,” I huff, even though I am actually really excited about going. I walk into my bedroom and take a deep breath. How much longer must I keep up this act? I just don’t think I can fight these feelings much longer. Maverick is starting to get under my skin, or better yet, the wall I use to protect myself is starting to weaken.
Going into the bathroom to freshen up, I can’t help but smile. I change my shirt from class and slip on the new Bulldog baseball t-shirt. I let down my hair, brush it, and pull it back into a ponytail again, except this time I slide it through the hole of the baseball cap that I just happened to have picked up at the school’s store. Comfort and relaxation; now it’s time to get to the game so I can see my man. Wait? What the hell—my man? Where the hell did that come from?
“Alright ladies, I say it’s time to go get our baseball on,” I say, looking at my sisters.
“Well, aren’t you just a bundle of joy now. Did someone invade your body while you were getting ready?” Cayden asks.
“I know what’s goin’ on here,” Callie says, looking at me with a grin.
“And what is that, exactly?” I demand, staying as straight-faced as possible.
“You secretly love baseball,” she answers.
“Oh my, let’s just go. By the way, I am going because my sisters want me to. Now, can we all get in the Jeep and head over to the field?” I am headed for the door and all I hear is laughter behind me. Damn it, my nosy sisters. Oh, how I love them.
Pulling up to the stadium, we notice the massive amount of people that are here for the game. Callie hands Cayden and me a ticket that Dex got us.
“Callie, how did Dex know we were gonna come to the game?” I ask, taking the ticket from her hand.
“He just wanted to make sure everyone had a ticket in case we could all make it, that’s all,” she says, smiling the whole time.
We all exit the Jeep and Callie gets little Raine before we head towards the stadium. The stadium is rather large. It has the school mascot on the side with the words Georgia Bulldogs Baseball.
We hand our tickets over to the person working the gate. “Enjoy the game!” he says.
“We plan to,” we say in unison. Walking through the tunnel to our seats, you can feel the positive energy from the fans. I look out over the field and see all the green grass that covers the outfield and infield. There is the dirt on the mound, home plate, and between the bases. Everything looks well-kept and I can see how the guys could lose themselves here. It really is like a dream.
I get a sensation that someone is watching me. I look around, and that’s when I see him. Maverick Taylor is looking right at me from the dugout. Have mercy, he looks like sex on a stick wrapped in a uniform. He has his white uniform on, which forms to each curve and muscle on his body, and a well-worn baseball cap. He waves to me and gives me that famous grin. So what do I do? In Cydney fashion, I flip him the bird with a smile but mouth, Good luck, Sparky. He grins even more, laughs, and shakes his head.
Sitting here, watching the game and cheering on the guys, I realized I have not stopped smiling. Looking out at the mound, I notice that Maverick is like a well-oiled machine. His wind-up and delivery has been perfected. This man has a talent beyond his years.
The first few innings looked like a breeze for the guys, and in the middle they still looked strong. Now we’re in the top of the ninth and they are starting to look tired. Maverick is still on the mound and fighting his delivery to home plate. The coach comes out of the dugout and Dex heads to the mound. I don’t know what’s going on, but they decide to leave Maverick in; hopefully he can get this last strike for an out and put the win in the books.
“Let’s go, Maverick, you got this!” I yell. My sisters should have whiplash with the way their heads turned in my direction. “What? I’m here cheering the team on,” I say with sarcasm.
Maverick delivers the next pitch. “Strike 3!” the ump yells. We all jump up and cheer. The Bulldogs win 3-2.
Cayden and I grab our stuff to get ready to leave and Callie has Raine, so we all head out of the stadium. Us girls are waiting by the Jeep when the guys come out of the stadium and are headed in our direction. Once they are in front of us, Dex kisses Raine and then Callie. Cayden and Zac just stare at each other. Those two are a mystery to me. And then there is Mav, looking very proud of his team after the win today.
“Hey, why don’t we all go to The Dugout and celebrate the win today?” Dex asks.
“Yes!” exclaims Cayden.
“Baby, we can’t all go; we need a babysitter,” Callie informs Dex.
“Hold on, let me check on something.” I take out my phone and call Momma.
“Momma,” I say when she answers.
“Yes, that’s me. How are you, Cydney?” Smartass woman; apple doesn’t fall from the tree.
“Would you happen to be in town right now? Oh, I don’t know maybe getting ya’ some?” I ask while trying to not laugh.
“Cydney!” she says with a gasp. “As a matter of fact, I am in town and I have had more than some.”
Oh my goodness, I so should not have asked. “Eww, Momma, I didn’t need to know how much. Moving on, though, would it be possible for you to watch Raine tonight so we could go out and celebrate with the guys? They won today,” I say, trying to ask in the nicest way.
“Yes, I certainly can. I will be the baby stealer, I mean babysitter anytime,” she replies.
“Thanks, Momma, see you around seven.” Looking over at everyone, I see smiles.
“You’re welcome, Cydney, see y’all later.”
Hanging up the phone, I let everyone know we are good to go. “Babysitter will be available at seven.” I think I will give myself a pat on the back for that one.
“Who did you get on such short notice?” Callie questions.
“Momma! She is in town on a booty call,” I say.
“Damn, Momma always getting some these days,” Cayden says with a smile and we all bust out laughing, knowing full well we are overjoyed for her despite always poking fun at her. She deserves every bit of happiness possible.
We all start to go our separate ways so we can catch up with each other later. Maverick walks by, giving me a little brush on the hip.
“Good game,” I whisper.
He keeps walking, but not before slapping my ass. “Good game; that’s the way you do it,” he corrects me, smirking.
“You ass!” I call after him.
He stops, turns around, and walks back towards me. Leaning over, he whispers in my ear, “Your ass will be mine.” He chuckles and backs away.
“Come again?” I reply.
“Yes, I think I will—and so will you,” he states as he turns around to leave. Damn, he looks good coming and going.
Walking through The Dugout doors, it looks like it is standing room only. The music is blaring and the cheers are loud. Moving through the crowd, we find an available table just off the bar area. Just before we taked a seat, we hear our favorite song, “Country Girl” by Luke Bryan, start to play. Cayden, Callie, and I all look at each other “Hell yeah!” we say in unison. We leave the table to go dance.
“Where are you going?” Maverick asks, looking confused.
“To dance! We fuckin’ love this song,” I inform him, throwing my hands in the air. My sisters and I hit the dance floor and start shaking our asses. We put our hands under our hair, lifting it up to where the hair falls through our hands while we move our hips side to side. I take a glance over at the table where the guys are and they have the look of men that have been roaming the desert. We are making these men thirsty. We continue with dancing while looking over at the guys. Turning around, we shake our asses a few more times. When the song ends, the three of us laugh. We haven’t danced like that in a long time and it felt so good.
“Cyd, let’s go get a drink,” Cayd says as she starts walking off the dance floor.
“Yeah, that’s a good idea; worked up a thirst.” We all wrap our arms around each other and head to the bar for a drink.
Standing at the bar waiting on our drinks, a tall, dark, and handsome guy leans on the bar beside us. “Hey, ladies, would any of you like to dance?”
“I’m taken!” Callie states.
“I’m…” Before I can finish, Maverick is behind the guy.
“She’s unavailable, jackass. She’s with me,” he bluntly states.
The guy turns around to face Maverick. “The lady is up here at the bar, by herself. Doesn’t look like she is with you.” Ohmajesus, he is poking the bear.
“Asshole, she is spoken for. Walk away; mind your own business before we have a situation you don’t want.” Maverick’s chest has started to rise and fall.
“Alright, damn, man, I just wanted to dance.” The random guy puts his hands in the air.
“All On Me” by Devin Dawson starts to play, giving me the chance to change this dynamic. Grabbing Maverick’s hand, I pull him to the dance floor.
“What the hell was that, Maverick? He just wanted to dance.” I start to move to the music.
“What the hell are you doing, Cydney?” Maverick asks as he presses his front against my back.
“Dancing! What’s the problem with dancing? You seemed to enjoy watching it.” I take my arms, wrap them behind me, and hold on to Maverick’s ass. And a fine ass, it is. You could probably bounce a quarter off that bitch.
“My problem is this: The only one that is gonna be touching you in any way shape or form will be me.”
Oh shit, that was hot. “Says who?”
I hear a growl. “I do, damn it. You are mine. Every inch of you is mine. From your soul-searching eyes, to that fuckin’ sassy mouth, and further down to your pussy, which I know is drenched by this moment.”
Well, fuck me.
I turn around to face him, giving him the best go to hell look I can. I can tell that it’s not working. Looking up at him, I give it to him verbally instead. “And what are you gonna do about someone else wanting to dance with me? You don’t own me. You don’t get to make my decisions for me.”
He bends down just close enough for me to hear loud and clear. “When I said you would be mine, did you think I was fuckin’ around? You walk away, I will spank your ass in front of this whole fucking bar.” My narrowed eyes bore into his. “What’s it gonna be, Cyd?”
Poking him in the chest, I say, “Game on, sir, game fuckin’ on.” I turn to leave the dance floor, Maverick hot on my heels.
Maverick catches up to me quickly right when some girl with red hair bumps into us, causing direct eye contact with her.
“You know, you could use manners and say excuse me or sorry!” What a bitch! She looks at me, but then turns towards Maverick. With that look she is giving him, you can tell she knows him.
“Maverick?” She places her hand on his arm.
“Yes, that’s me,” he states without looking at her.
She moves closer to him than I would like; plus her hand being on his arm isn’t sitting well with me. She flings her hair to the side. “Is this her? Is this the girlfriend? You got back together with your baby mama?” she asks, all the while pointing in my direction.
“What the hell is she talking about?” I snap my head towards Maverick.
“Hell yes, this is my girlfriend.” His eyes never leave mine. “You will need to ask Cayden; she can tell you that story.”
Placing myself between this girl and Maverick, I remove her hand from his arm. “Whoever you are, there’s no touching. Whatever the hell you thought you had no longer exists. More than likely you’re a clinging base hopper, always wanting what you can’t have.” Stepping a little closer to this bitch, I finish with, “Now leave my boyfriend and I alone.” I shoo her away with my hands.
“Oh, he’ll realize what I can give him. Once he is done with you, he will be back where he belongs.” She walks away while putting her hand up to her ear, mouthing, Call me.
Moving towards her like a cat about to pounce, I exclaim, “The fuck he will!”
Maverick grabs me from behind and wraps his arm around my waist. He pulls me close, whispering, “That was hot.” All I can do is laugh.
As we make our way to the table, I call out, “Cayden!”
“Cydney!” Such a smartass.
“What is the deal with, um, me being a baby mama?” She spits out her drink, nearly hitting Zac.
“Oh, jeez,” she laughs. “The day I dropped Raine off with Maverick, there was some girl that was leaving. I put on an act by fake crying and calling him my baby daddy!”
Turning my head, I look over my shoulder with my mouth open. “Damn, Maverick! You’re a baby daddy!” I try to keep a straight face, but I can’t help busting out laughing.
“Grr, Cayden should be an actress,” Maverick grumbles. Everyone at the table busts out in laughter.
It’s been almost a week since the guys had their first home game, and they left yesterday for an away game happening today. We all said our goodbyes and wished them luck before they left.
The group of us have created this weird little family bond of some sort. Each day that goes by, I start to feel more for Maverick. I also replay the conversations with Momma and Zac over the holiday break. One thing for sure today, though, is that I am glad that I have to work today because that will take my mind off everything; after all I will be in my happy place even if it’s just for half a day. As I am heading into the garage to get my day started, I hear my phone ding. I swipe the screen and notice that it’s a text from Maverick.
Sparky: Hey Firecracker, have a great day and I look forward to seeing you tonight.
I smile when I read the text.
Me: Hey Sparky, good luck today. Bring home a win. See you later.
I may be a bit giddy right now from the knowledge that I have a short shift today, which means I should be done in time for the guys to arrive home tonight. I’m working with Gary today, so we will be able to get everything done by closing tonight.
“Gary! You ready to get some work done?” I ask, passing by him on the way to my workbench.
“You bet’cha! Let’s get ‘er done,” he responds with a chuckle. He walks over and cranks the music up on the stereo in his bench area. Hell yes, it’s gonna be a good day.
Gary and I are moving right along with all the work for today when Barry walks into the garage and turns down the music. “Hey, I am heading out for the day. The two of you can close up.” That’s unusual for Barry.
“Sure thing, Barry, is everything alright?” I ask, concerned.
“Oh, yeah, just needing to go take care of some errands before the day is over,” he says while waving his hands around. He talks with his hands a lot.
“Cool, Barry, we will take care of everything and close up for you,” Gary pipes in.
“Thanks, you two. I’m out.” Barry turns the music back up, throws up a peace sign, and leaves. Haha, he is so funny.
There’s only an hour left of my shift, which is enough time to finish up the oil change I’m working on and clean up afterward. Gary and I have knocked out a lot of jobs today. I feel exhausted, but in a good way. I’m pouring the oil into the reservoir when Gary walks over to me.
“Cyd, you bout done?” he asks.
“Yeah, just need to finish pouring this oil. Then I will clean up a bit. How ‘bout you?” I ask as I continue with my work.
“Yeah, I’m done. Just finished my cleanup. You need any help?” he offers while wiping his hands off.
“Nah, I’m good. You can go ahead and go. I’ll lock up,” I let him know, waving for him to go.
“Are you positive? Doesn’t feel right leaving you.”
“Yeah, I’m good. Just go, enjoy the rest of your night. Now shoo!” I smile.
“Alright, I will see you later then.” Waving bye, he walks away.
“Bye, Gary.”
Finishing the oil change, I shut the hood and make sure the car is clean.
I wonder if the game is done and how the guys did today. I hope they had a good game and won. Walking over to the workbench, I notice there isn’t a game update on my phone. Shrugging my shoulders, I think to myself, I will know soon enough.
I need to call my sisters and let them know that I am running a little late. We have a protection plan in place since last summer.
Just when I am about to hit call on the phone, someone grabs my hair from behind and slams my body forward into the workbench, knocking the wind out of me and the phone out of my hand. My head bounces off the bench.
Son of a bitch, that hurts!
I feel dazed and I try to grab hold of anything that I can so I can defend myself. Before I can, they grab me by the shoulders and throw me around like a rag doll. I bounce off the car that I was working on. The only thing I can do is scream for help and hope to hell anyone hears me.
I scream at the top of my lungs. “Help! Help!”
That’s the only chance I get, because this asshole covers my mouth with a gloved hand. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see that they have a tire iron in their other hand. Asshole grabs hold of me again by my coveralls and pushes me into the wall, bouncing my head off it.
I can’t seem to shake this person. I am out of breath and everything is starting to become fuzzy. No matter how much I try to get away, they are always there. I finally get a chance to see the person standing in front of me, but I can’t make out the face because they are wearing a black ski mask. I try to kick them away as they approach with the tire iron. What the hell is the matter with this person? They catch my leg mid-kick.
Swinging the tire iron, they connect with my lower leg. I feel a crack and scream out in pain as I fall to the garage floor. This crazy person decides to stand over me and punch me in the face. All I can think is, Not again, no more. My body feels heavy, and I can feel that my eye has swelled to where my vision isn’t clear. I can feel blood starting to drip down my face. I gather all the strength I have left, reaching for the mask and hoping to get a glimpse of my assailant. As I pull it off of their head, they hit me one more time in the head, so hard I see stars.
Leaving them no choice after removing their mask, the shithead that has attacked me runs for the hills. I’m lying here on the garage floor, hardly able to breathe. The only things I can think about are my family and Maverick.
I don’t know how much time has passed since the attack. I hope someone heard me or that my sisters come looking for me. I try to move, but there’s too much pain.
Trying to stay alert, I squint the best I can. Beside me, I see the outline of an object. I try to focus on it, but I can’t. I’m lightheaded and feel a tear slide down my cheek.
“Someone help me!” Darkness takes over.