Page 22 of Confined Space

When I walked into Gus’s and saw her standing there, all I could think about was getting her away. Maybe I went a little aggressive with her, but it's what I had to do to make sure she didn't get a job there. Several guys from the station go to Roscoe’s to hang out when they are on the prowl. I didn’t want another man thinking he had a chance with her. I've only been there once or twice. Gus is the sponsor of our baseball team, and that’s why I was there earlier. I still have to run by there before we go to dinner.

She’s looking at me now with her eyebrow raised, her tanned skin flushed, a slight pinkening from her embarrassment, as I stop in front of the bar.

"I have to pick up the jerseys I didn't earlier. Wait here. We’ll go grab a pizza as soon as I'm done."

* * *

After a quiet dinner of pizza and learning very little about my girl, we’re now at the ballpark. My mom is sitting in the stands with Coral. She immediately took over Archer, and I've watched when I get a chance as Coral keeps a close eye on the game. We are currently behind by one run in the top of the final inning. I'm sweaty and tired, but I know our team has got this if we can hang on. I signal my pitcher for some heat and know his arm is getting close. My knees have had enough, but this game determines if we go to the playoffs. The pitcher winds up, and the ball races to my glove, but the batter gets the edge of it. The ball flies up, and I throw my helmet and mask off as I jump up to get the popped-up ball. I catch it as it comes down, making the runner out. The crowd cheers, and I hear my mom and Coral yelling. That was the third out, and as we are the home team, we are now up to bat. I turn and smile at my girl and catch Melissa sitting close by trying to get my attention, but I only look at Coral and my mom. Walking over to the dugout, I start removing my gear because I’m up to bat soon.

After several practice swings, I turn back to the bleachers and see Melissa saying something to Coral, whose back immediately stiffens. I look for my mom and see her walking around with Archer in her arms, bouncing him. She isn't near enough to hear what shit Melissa is filling Coral's ears with.

"Hey, Coral, come here." I call her to the fence line.

I watch her stand in the cowboy boots she switched into out of her high-heeled boots. She makes her way toward me, her long legs in the tight shredded up jeans. Her cleavage is on display, and her breasts look firm under the soft gray T-shirt. I watch her shiver a little as a chill in the wind hits her. When she finally gets to the fence line, I can't help myself. I reach across it and with a gloved hand tilt her face up toward me.

"Kiss for good luck, Mouse? Ignore whatever she's saying to you."

I lean down and take her lips gently. Her hands grip the fence between us, and I wish I had more time and wasn't in the middle of this fucking game because I'd have her up in my arms.

"Good luck." She smiles when I let her lips finally go.

My team starts cheering for us and catcalling. I watch as her cheeks blush before I turn and head for the plate, ready to get this game over with. We have a runner on second, and I need to give him time to get to home. As the pitch comes flying, I hit it hard and high but to an area where the outfielder will have to run for it. I run for first base and am rounding second as the ball comes flying back. I stop and wait. The next batter scores a home run, and I run to home plate. It takes four more hitters before we score another run and then our final out. The game ends with us ahead by four, which means we are in the playoffs.

With my gear packed up and over my shoulder, I’m making my way to the bleachers where my group is waiting when I'm stopped by Melissa.

"Hey, Rowdy, thought we could go to the bar afterward to celebrate your win." She slides up close to me and runs her hand up my chest. I stop her hand and push it away from me.

"Got plans with my girl." I don't clarify because I made it obvious who my girl is already.

"I thought she was just friends with your mom." Melissa pouts.

"Didn't me kissing her show you she and I are seeing each other?"

"I'll be waiting for you when you are done slumming it with her."

If hitting a woman wasn't so wrong, she'd find herself on her ass.

"Melissa, I told you yesterday, I'm not interested. Coral and I are together and staying that way."

"But she has a kid. You don't want kids."

"I never said that."

"You didn't have to. It was implied.”

"Yeah, well, you're wrong, and I never implied that. I'm with Coral and Archer. See you around." I walk away from her, praying that's the last time I have to clarify my relationship with Coral.

Chapter Seven

CORAL

Banging on the door wakes me up. I just fell asleep maybe an hour ago. It's been six days since I went to the baseball game with Rowdy. He and I have texted, and one night he came and had dinner with me at the hospital. But we haven't seen much of each other because of our schedules. Tonight is our date, and I'm actually looking forward to it. I've learned that not only has his mother been single since right after his birth, but his father was a firefighter too. He died in a huge structure fire in Phoenix. Rowdy served in the Army, and when he came home, he got on with the department. He wasn’t a lieutenant yet like he is now. This is his parents’ hometown. He grew up here with his cousins. One of his cousins is a firefighter also, and another is a detective with the sheriff’s department. I’ve met him. He’s the detective who questioned me about the accident. Rowdy told me that his father’s family owns a popular vineyard and winery.

The pounding starts on the door again, and I rush for it before the noise wakes up Archer. I check that my robe is secure around my waist and look through the peephole. A woman I don't recognize is standing there.

"She just got home from a graveyard shift. She'll be sleeping," Georgia tells the woman.

"I need to speak to her urgently."

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