Chapter 16
I’m sitting here in bed, reflecting on everything that has happened during the last few months. Maverick and I have been together officially for six weeks. I look at the man lying beside me; he still doesn’t want to leave me too much, but he is getting better at it, especially since I promised him that I would be more careful, plus I would not be working at the garage alone again. Feeling more complete now that we are together, the tension has died down between us.
My healing process is coming along nicely. I no longer look in the mirror and see the bruises that covered my face. Today is a big day. I get to have the cast removed.
“Thank you!” I throw my hands in the air.
“Cydney!” Maverick cries, jumping up from his sleeping position.
Placing my hand on his shoulder, I gently rub along his arm. “I’m good, Maverick. Overly excited for today.” Not wanting to wait any longer, I start towards the edge of the bed. Damn, I will be happy to get this cast off; I hate this struggle.
“Oh no, you don’t,” he says, pulling me back to bed. “I want my morning kiss, Firecracker.”
“I think I can handle that.” I smile up at him.
Grabbing his face and pulling him to me, I quickly give him a peck on the lips. “There you go.” I chuckle as I push him away.
“Hey, not even close to what I wanted for a morning kiss,” he complains, rolling onto his back and exhaling a breath.
“Too bad, mister; you and I know that if there is any more than that we wouldn’t leave the bed. I want to get this damn cast off.”
“And wanting that’s a bad thing how?”
Scooting my way off the bed, I look over my shoulder. “Just think about what could happen when it’s gone.” And there’s the growl I wanted.
As we are leaving for the doctor’s office, my phone rings. “Hello?”
“Ms. Fisher, it’s Detective Stephens.”
“Hi, detective, what news do you have for me today?” I’m hoping they found her.
“We found her; she has been arrested. She has a history of assault.” Jesus, I’m lucky to still be here. “I need to know if you want to formally press charges.”
“Yes, sir, I absolutely do. Thank you, detective.” Hanging up the phone, I grab hold of Maverick. “They caught her! They caught her!” Hugging him as tight as I can, I finally let a tear fall.
“That’s great, Firecracker, that’s great” He holds me tight. Backing away, Maverick tilts my head up and wipes the tears from my cheeks. “What do you say we go get this cast off?”
Grinning like a fool, I say, “Yes! Yes! So much yes!”
Waiting on the doctor to come in, I look over at Maverick. He seems to be deep in thought. “Mav, what’cha thinkin’ about?”
“Thinking about how much I love you, how you have made me a better man. Plus, the last home game is next week. If we win, we go to the playoffs. All my dreams are coming true, Cyd. I have you to thank for that.”
Holy moly, I wasn’t expecting that.
“I love you too. We make each other better. My dreams are coming true as well. You, Maverick Taylor, have knocked me on my ass!” I wink and point to my ass.
Standing from his chair, Maverick walks over to me, stands between my legs, and cups my face with his hands. “Cyd.”
“Yes, Mav?”
Before he can say or do anything else, there’s a knock on the examination room door. Jeez, what timing; thanks, doc.
“Ms. Fisher, everything looks great. Are you ready to get this cast off?” the doctor asks, closing the door behind him.
“Cut away doc, cut away!” I make scissors motions with my fingers. Maverick and the doctor do full belly laughs.
“Alright, let’s get started. Now, once the cast comes off you will still need support until your leg has regained strength. I will be putting you in a walking boot.”
“Well, damn, you mean I can’t just jump up and down?” I give him a smirk.
“Haha, no, Ms. Fisher, you can’t. The best part is you only need to wear it when you are out and about, and only for maybe a week.”
“Thank you! Whoop!” I do a double fist pump in the air.
Standing outside Barry’s Garage, I see Barry sitting at the front desk. I’m scared to walk in these doors, but I know I want to be back here next year. Barry stayed in contact with me over the past seven weeks. The guilt that consumed Barry and Gary was tremendous. Taking a deep breath, I open the door; the chime above the door rings. Barry looks up at me, smiling.
“Cydney!” Rounding the desk, Barry comes over to me and gives me a big bear hug.
“Hey, Barry!” I hug him just as tight, trying to control the tears.
“What brings you in today? Aren’t the guys having their last home game today?” he asks as he walks us over to the waiting room chairs.
“Yes, they do have their last game today. Well, hopefully not their last-last game. They win today, they go into the playoffs.” I hold up crossed fingers. “I’m here because I wanted to talk to you about working here next year when school starts back up. I mean, I’m going home for the summer, but I really want to come back to work here.” I swallow hard, hoping he agrees.
The gleam in his eyes is strong. “Of course, you can, on one condition.” Hell, what condition?
“Okay, what condition would that be?” I squint my eyes.
“You will, under no circumstances, be working alone in this garage.” Pointing his finger towards me, he continues, “Absolutely none. As long as you agree to this, then there will always be a place for you here.”
“Done!” I clap my hands together, cheering on the inside. I’m overjoyed.
We shake hands on the agreement. Both of us stand, and we embrace each other one more time. “Thank you, Barry.”
“You’re welcome.” Letting me go, he looks me in the eyes. “Now, go cheer on your man and the Bulldogs.”
“Yeah, I’m gonna go do that.” I wave bye as I walk out the door.
Before I head to the game, I stop by the apartment. Walking into the bedroom, I notice a shirt spread out on the bed with a note on top of it.
Firecracker,
Wear this jersey today. I look forward to seeing you in it. When all goes well—that’s right, no more what ifs—there will be fireworks and celebrations. Thank you, for being the one to take my heart. I love you. I want to tell the whole world, since you are my whole world, I already have.
Love,
Sparky
After wiping the tear from my cheek, I pick up the jersey and walk into the bathroom to freshen up. Slipping on the jersey, I look in the mirror, realizing I’m me again. Happy, so happy… And I have my family, friends, and Maverick Taylor to thank for that.
I’ve become a lover of baseball and the men that invaded mine and my sisters’ lives. Sitting here, looking out over the field as the guys play inning after inning, my nerves start to get to me. Here we are in the top of the ninth, with Maverick on the mound, Dex behind the plate, and Zac over at shortstop. The Bulldogs just need three more outs and they head to the playoffs.
Maverick shakes his head at Dex, agreeing to the pitch. He takes a deep breath, winds up, and delivers the pitch. The batter makes contact. Ah, shit! I watch the ball make its way in the air, heading over Zac’s head. Zac jumps and makes the grab for out one. Whew!
The next batter comes up and connects with Maverick’s pitch for a grounder up the middle. He has a good lead-off on first. Dex gives Maverick the signal for the next pitch. The pitch is delivered while the guy on first is trying to steal second. Dex is out of his position and throws down to second, and the player slides but it’s too late; the ump calls him out.
Ohmajesus! One more out, guys!
Standing from my sitting position, I shout, “Let’s go, Bulldogs! You got this. One away!” I hold my finger up in the air for emphasis. Maverick looks up, and I flash him the biggest smile I can. Come on, baby, you can do this.
The next batter steps up to the plate. Dex signals, and Maverick winds up, then delivers a fastball straight down the middle. Hearing the ball hit Dex’s glove is a beautiful sound.
“Strike!” the ump yells. Maverick delivers another pitch. “Strike two!”
Callie, Cayden, and I all hold hands as we watch the last pitch being delivered to the plate. It’s like watching a movie in slow motion. We see the batter swing, hold our breaths, and he misses.
Oh, my God! They did it! Bulldogs win 2-1, and they are going to the playoffs.
Jumping up from our seats, we scream and cheer, throwing our hands in the air. The sound in the stadium is earthshattering as the cheers erupt. Maverick throws his hands out to the side as Dex runs out to the mound and jumps in his arms. Zac comes in from the side and jumps in, and then they disappear under the dogpile.
Hugging my sisters, I cry, “They did it!”
“Hell yes, they did!” they reply in unison. We all had already decided that we would gather at The Dugout after the game. Maverick, Dex, and Zac are supposed to meet us there, and Momma is keeping Raine tonight.
Tonight, we celebrate.
The Dugout is completely packed; it is wall-to-wall people. Cayden, Callie, and myself make our way through the crowd to try and find a place to sit. No such luck. Music is playing and people are dancing, so we agree to hit the dance floor. Thank goodness my walking boot is gone. It’s great being able to move without restrictions.
Dancing to the music, we hear a loud roar erupt from the people in the bar. We look around to see what the noise is all about. Glancing over towards the door, we notice that the guys have arrived. It’s like they are celebrities. Suddenly the crowd parts and here they come. Callie runs up to Dex, gives him a kiss. Cayden hugs Zac.
Me, well, looking into the eyes of the man that has stolen my heart, I smile.
Strutting over to me, Maverick pulls me close. “Hey, Firecracker!”
“Congratulations, Sparky!” I reach around his neck, clasping my hands in place at the nape of his neck, and bring him in for a kiss.
Not breaking the kiss, Maverick lifts me from the ground. Wrapping my legs around his waist, I pull back. “I love you, Sparky!”
Staring into my eyes, he says, “And I love you, Firecracker!”
“Drinks on the house!” the bartender announces, and the crowd goes wild.
Maverick and I bust out laughing and dance the night away.
Reflecting back on this year, I realize family are those that you decide to surround yourself with, not necessarily the people related to you by blood only. Maverick Taylor is cocky, strong, and a man with a heart of gold. Most of all, he is mine and I am his. He captured my heart when I wasn’t looking and knows how to handle all of me.
All finals are complete, the semester has ended, and today we are packing our bags to head back home to Senoia. Mav, Dex, and Zac are here to help load everything into the Jeep and Charger; they leave later today for the College World Series.
“Everything is loaded,” Zac announces as he walks back into the condo.
“Thank you, Zac,” I reply.
After locking the door, we all head down to the parking lot to say our goodbyes. Zac and Cayden give each other a hug. I don’t know about those two, but only time will tell. Dex puts Raine in the car seat that’s in the Jeep, kisses her forehead, then turns to Callie. “I love you, Callie,” he says, giving her a heated kiss.
“Firecracker,” Mav says, pulling me to him.
“Sparky,” I say, looking up into his brown eyes.
“Take care; I’m gonna miss you so fuckin’ much. I will be in touch as much as possible,” he states before kissing me breathless.
“Don’t worry, mister, I will be okay. I’m gonna miss you too.” I squeeze him tighter.
Loading up into the vehicles, we all turn to the guys and wish them luck. “We’ll be watching!” Waving bye one more time, we load up and head home to Momma’s.
We have been home for three days and Momma wants to have a sit-down. Lord knows what this will be about. Walking into the living room, I see Cayden and Callie are already sitting on the couch. I join them, taking a seat. “Do either of you know what is going on with Momma?”
They answer in unison. “Nope!”
“Hey, girls,” Momma says as she enters the living room and takes a seat.
“Hey, Momma!” Blowing out a breath, I finally demand, “Momma, what’s going on?”
“Girls, I have decided that I will be moving to Athens,” she announces. The three of us can’t help sitting here with our mouths open, trying to find the words to say. Thankfully, to buy us time, there is a knock at the door. “Well, I see I have left you speechless.”
Standing up, I walk to the door and open it. When I see the person on the other side, it is hard to believe my eyes. “Um, Cayden? It’s for you,” I holler, still standing here staring.
“Ugh, Cydney, who is it? Momma just unloaded her announcement. Who in the world would be showing up here to see...” She trails off when she sees her visitor. Yeah, exactly. “Brody?”
“Hi Cayden,” he simply states.
Turning, I look into Cayden’s eyes and see the confusion there. “I’ll give you two a little bit.”
“Thanks, Cyd.” Cayden and Brody walk outside.
Returning to the living room, I sit back down with Callie and Momma. “Holy shit, that was Brody. I don’t know what happened at school this past year for him, but it looks good on him.” While I talk, I can’t help waving my hands around.
“Why, what’s different?” Callie asks.
“Well, you know he used to be thin, muscular but not too much. He’s still rocking his tan. His chest has probably doubled in size, his shoulders are as wide as the door, and let’s not forget the arms that are popping out his shirt. He has the nice trimmed beard and his classic Brody look of the backward baseball cap.” Whew, I wouldn’t want to be Cayden right now.
“Oh no, what’s Cayden gonna do?” Callie asks.
“I don’t know.” Callie and I turn our heads towards the door.
“Just like the rest of the universe, the stars will align,” Momma pipes in.