Page 22 of I Survived and will rise again

Whatever. Tia doesn’t know shit about baseball.

After a few practice swings, Tia confidently says, "I can do this."

I throw the ball, and she keeps her gaze fixed on it as it comes closer. Suddenly, there is a loud crack as the ball connects with the bat, sending it flying high up into the sky.

"YES!" Tia screams in excitement, and I can’t help but join her celebration. I look back to see the ball flying toward right field. "Tia! Run!" I yell at her.

Her eyes widen. "Oh, shit!" She runs toward first base, still carrying the bat with her, and I burst out laughing.

Ash stands, pulls the helmet over his head, and barks out with a laugh, "You can't take the bat with you!"

Tia makes it to first base and does a little victory dance. "Yeah, baby!" She dips low and back up, twirling her hips seductively.

"Dip that thing!" Ash is laughing his ass off.

The sun gradually begins to disappear behind a thick blanket of clouds, providing much needed relief from the heat. I have only thrown two pitches when Donnie abruptly pulls me off the field and nudges me toward the dugout, urging me to rehydrate. But little does he know I don’t need any coaxing.

As I sit and watch Tia, I feel a sense of warmth in my chest at seeing her enjoy herself. It has been a long time since I have seen her laugh so freely, as if the last few months never happened. Today, she showed her true colors—no fear, anger, or hate. She is back to her old bad ass self. But I know better than to believe that the past can’t be so quickly left behind. Nightmares have a way of creeping up on us when we least expect them, striking when our defenses are down. That's how they find their way back into the light, reminding us that the past is never truly gone.

"Last one, and then food!" Ash exclaims, taking a swig of his Gatorade.

Donnie turns to Tia. "Ready to lose again?" he teases, his eyes glinting with playful competition.

She points the bat toward him. "Don't go easy on me, Donnie Boy," she taunts, a mischievous grin on her face. "Bring it on!"

Donnie's lips twitch. "Don't say I didn't warn you," he says, turning his hat backward and throwing a curveball. Tia swings with determination, but it flies directly into Ash's glove.

"Striiike!" Ash shouts triumphantly, leaving Tia to groan in frustration.

Tia adjusts her stance, her eyes fixed on Donnie. "Here comes the home run, baby!" Tia sings.

Donnie chuckles, clearly amused. "We'll see about that, Tia. I hope you can run as fast as you talk," Donnie retorts, raising an eyebrow.

Donnie wipes the sweat off his face with the bottom of his shirt, revealing his chiseled, glistening abs. One of my favorite things to do is watch Donnie pitching. He's so focused on thegame that it's as if the rest of the world doesn't exist for him. His arm always moves fluidly as he throws the ball, and each pitch lands accurately.

As Donnie throws the ball with all his might, Tia makes a sudden move and loses her balance, tumbling to the ground and screaming in pain. My heart races as I rush toward her.

"Tia! Are you okay?" I shout, feeling my own ankle twist as I run.

"Shorty! Stop!" I freeze in place. Donnie drops his glove and sprints toward Tia, his eyes wide with worry.

"Oh, fuck." Without hesitation, Ash rushes to her side and kneels down to inspect her injury.

"I think I twisted my ankle," Tia says with a wince. Before the guys can do anything, Tia jumps up and lets out a mischievous laugh. "Sike! Gotcha, suckers!"

Ash's expression quickly turns from concern to anger. "Are you for real right now?" he growls.

"Tia!" I scold her. "What the hell? You scared me."

"Scared you?" Ash looks over at me and then back to Tia. "You better start running.”

Tia's face pales when she sees the fire burning in Ash's eyes as he prowls toward her, and she yelps when he reaches out to grab her.

She screams my name and runs toward the field with Ash hot on her ass.

"Serves her right," I mumble and laugh as we watch Ash tackle Tia to the ground.

Donnie wraps his arm around me and kisses my lips. "What do you say we get out of here and get some food." He looks down and places his hand on my belly. "I bet the baby is hungry too."

---