Page 102 of West Bound

“I am. Why?”

I see Manny move in just a little closer to Brianna and throw his arm around her, resting on the bench behind them.

“Well, I was hoping you could introduce me. Maybe see if um…he’s looking to have some fun tonight.” Brianna bites her lip and bats her eyelashes.

“I don’t think he’d be up for it. He and his girl just broke up and he’s actually hoping they get back together,” Cisco tells her and it has Manny perking up.

“Phoenix is trying to win back Red, huh? That’s gonna be a tough hill to climb.” Manny laughs and takes a pull of his beer.

“I don’t think so,” Philo interjects. “I talked with Red the other day and she said she was willing to give him another shot.”

Manny shakes his head with a look of befuddlement on his face.

“That’s bullshit. Red’s not gonna give him a second shot. Not after she caught Sheila in his room.”

I sit up tall and flash my eyes to Tuck who waits for me to say something, but I keep listening instead.

“What are you talking about? Who’s Sheila?” Cisco asks.

“Listen baby doll,” Manny slurs and moves his face far too close to Brianna’s. “I’ve got a little secret. If you want to get into Phoenix’s bed, I can help you with that. First you should know he’s an asshole.”

“Aren’t you all?” Brianna purrs and it pulls a cocky smirk from Manny.

“Yes, well, Phoenix takes the cake. So here’s the thing. This chick, Red is what we call her, we can’t let him have her. Simple as that. Not having her makes him crazy which in turn turns his pitching to shit,” he says. “And I want that fucker to suffer. He screwed me out of what should’ve been mine, so I’m here to make sure I keep him from getting what he wants.”

What is he talking about I took what’s his?

Brianna turns in her seat and drapes an arm over his shoulder. “And how are you going to do that?”

“Well, step one is to keep Red out of his clutches and keep her in mine. And two, let’s get you into Nix’s bed and make sure Red knows about it. I know for a fact that he’s still at the Seasons. So if you go to the front desk, bat those pretty eyes at the clerk and tell him you’re there to see Arizona East and forgot your keycard, they’ll give you one. As long as you give them the name Arizona East,” he repeats, emphasizing the alias that I use. “Then you’re golden. You can wait for him to arrive and you just have yourself wrapped up like a fucking present for him to unwrap.”

I see red, and not my girl. Like a goddamn bull who's been given the go ahead to attack the matador, I lose my cool.

I jump up from my seat and charge over to where they sit.

“You motherfucker. I’m going to murder you!” I shout and lunge over the table.

Brianna shouts and Cisco pulls her out of the way while Philo and two of the other guys spring into action, grabbing me and tugging Manny away.

“I knew it was you! You piece of shit! You’re done. Got me? Done!” I shout and the bar grows quiet as people hush their conversations to listen to mine.

“You better back the fuck off, West. You’re already riding on thin ice. One more fuck up and you’re on a one way train to the minors,” he laughs, still unaware of what I heard.

“Hey Manny, if I were you I’d shut up right about now,” Philo tells him.

He squints his eyes and studies Philo then Cisco then me.

“I heard every damn word you said. All of it! You fucked me over and hurt Vivian just so you could have your shot? Guess what asshole. She wouldn’t touch your pencil dick with his,” I say and point to Rami.

“Fuck you, West. She should’ve been mine. Just like I should’ve been the star on the mound. This is my team.”

I jerk back like he punched me right in the jaw. “Are you delusional? You would never and will never be the star on any mound. You’ll never be as good as me and you will never have Vivian.” I get closer, one arm still being gripped tight by Philo and point straight in his slimy face. “Stay away from her or I will rip your beating heart straight out of your chest. And before you ask, yes that’s a threat. I’m dead fucking serious.”

I back up and notice a crowd still gathered near us with their phones out. No doubt Maury will be working with my PR to contain this mess. And by morning, I’ll be in coach’s crosshairs explaining all of this. But if this gets me sent down to minors, it’s all worth it to get the truth to Vivian and her, hopefully, back where she should be.

With me.

Me: Peaches, I need to talk to you. Please. I just need five minutes.

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