Page 57 of Unleashed

I scowl at Tesco as Crick runs to the mound to pick up the ball I dropped while Audrey takes Rhonda’s third base. Maybe because of the bizarre feeling swamping me, I hook my arm around Rhonda’s neck and walk us off the field. Amos passes us with his catcher’s gear on, and before he lowers his caged helmet, he narrows his eyes into little slits.

When we reach the area next to the dugout, Tesco tells Brandon he’s batting second and then frowns at me while chomping his minty gum. “Rodwell, you’re third.” His smile reappears. “Miss Rhonda, you bat first.”

Before leaving my grasp, I hear Rhonda inhale as she turns her head toward my arm. Her pulse thunders against me harder than any heavy metal drummer.

While she grabs a helmet and bat, I notice Tesco still staring at me, so I huff, “What?”

He licks his lips and reaches underneath his hat to scratch his head. “What’s going on with you and Rhonda?”

“Yeah. I don’t think it’s any of your beeswax.”

Tesco shakes his head with an undecided laugh. “Oh, but it is when it concerns the team camaraderie.” Is he rationalizing his sticking his nose into my castrofuck of a life?

I glance at Val, pursing her lips and shaking her head. I don’t know if it’s meant for me or Officer Shitlick. “That’s funny. I doubt you know what that word means.”

Tesco sighs like he’s reasoning with a toddler. “As much as it pains me to say this, Simone needs to talk to you.”

Even though I’m wearing a hat, I squint at Tesco. “Did you quit your cop job and become her hype man?”

His usual grin dims. “Don’t get mouthy, and don’t flirt with your teammates. It’s not a good look.”

I laugh since society frowns upon punching a cop. “Wilder told me to be part of the team. To engage with everyone. I’m engaging.”

“Then practice with Betsy.”

“Uh, not in this lifetime.”

“That’s not being a team player.”

“Then you play with her.” Tesco makes a face in return. I wonder how much money it’d take Tesco to seduce Betsy.

Clenching his teeth while loathing my existence, he nods behind me. “Simone’s batting last. She’s in the dugout.”

I sigh and head to the dugout but stop at the entrance. Simone has her back to me, and I don’t know if I should knock. But checking out her ass isn’t a horrible deal.

I clear my throat, and Simone turns around but still doesn’t look at me. I ask, “What now?” She opens her mouth but then shuts it while twisting a pigtail. Impatient, I growl, “Just spit it out.”

“My dad is at my apartment.”

After waiting for her to elaborate, but she stares off into space, I sneer, “Okay? How does this affect me?”

Simone tightens her crossed arms over her chest and studies a Butterfinger wrapper on the ground. “I haven’t told him.”

“About?”

“The annulment.”

I laugh. Frown. And then laugh again. “What a twisted web.”

She looks up, with her eyes settling on my chest. “I don’t want him to know.”

“Too bad, so sad.”

“Please...” She sucks in a loud breath like this is killing her to have to ask me for any favor.

“My father will cut off all the money. I’ll have to apply for loans or drop out of my master’s program. I can’t ask my mother for more money. She’s already done enough.” Her eyes well with tears. “I can’t do this alone,” she whines, and I almost feel sorry for her, but I get over it fast.

“You ended our marriage all by yourself,” I hiss amid the aluminum crack of the bat. Go, Ronnie.

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