Page 15 of Curve Ball
Fucking wild.
When we get to the stadium, I go through the motions ofwarming up, stretching, and taking practice swings, but my heart isn’t in it. My mind goes back to that singular moment where our eyes stayed connected in the mirror while I told her how beautiful she was. The look of shock in her eyes, like she had never been told that in her life. I want the names of theputoswho treated her like she wasn’t. I’m sure Kai, Jackson, and Andres would give me a hand in beating the shit out of them. Adriana made me feel like I was the only man in the world who had ever appreciated her and while I love that, I also hate it so fucking much. She should be told every single day how beautiful she is.
It was more than just sex for me; it was a connection.
I’d give anything to have it again.
To have her again.
The game starts, and I try to focus on the field, on the ball, and on the play. But it’s hard to concentrate when all I can think about is her. This is not going to make the coach and team happy.
Focus, Gael.
I’m behind Kai in the right field, and as I stand there, watching the game unfold, I can’t help but feel detached. My body is here, but my mind is a million miles away.Well, not a million.San Jose isn’t that far away from Anaheim. I keep thinking about the text I sent her, wondering if she’ll respond, if she’s thinking about me too.
The innings pass by in a haze, and before I know it, the game is over. We won, but I barely remember how.Did I even go up to bat?I honestly couldn’t tell you. I’m too lost in my own head, too consumed by the memory of Adriana. I head to the locker room, shower, and change, still hoping for a response from her. But my phone is silent, and my heart sinks a little more.
I decide to text her again, just a little something to let herknow I’m thinking about her. Probably not the smartest choice I could make.
Gael
Please talk to me, Adri. I’m dying here. You weren’t just some one-night stand to me.
I hit send and pack up my stuff, heading out to the shuttle that’s waiting for us. The flight back to San Jose is short and while everyone is enjoying themselves, I feel lonely. The feeling of emptiness that’s settled over me is crushing me like a weight. Kai and I take an Uber together and he knows something’s up.
“Dude, just talk to me.” I just stare out the window, watching the city pass us by.
“Nah, I’m not gonna let my negative ass ruin you going home to your wife.” I turn to look at him, and he looks distressed.
“You’re my best friend, G. Is it Natalia and Santino? I’ll fuck him up for you; just give me the okay. When we play them, I throw the ball at his knee on accident. Problem solved.” He air quotes the word accident, and it makes me crack a smile.
“I don’t deserve you, bro.”
“Shut the fuck up, Gael.” The car stops in front of our apartment complex and we get out, grab our bags from the trunk and head inside. We make it to the third floor in silence before Kai speaks again. “Should I be worried, G? Because no fucking lie, I’m kinda worried about you.”
Shit.
I don’t want the one person in my life other than my family to worry about me.
“Seriously, I’m good.”I force a smile and Kai takes a moment to really look at me, as if to gauge if it’s genuine. His shoulders drop and he smirks.
“Alright. Well, you know you can come over anytime. Isla would probably love to see you again.”
I tilt my head and give him a look.
“Too soon?” He chuckles.
“Yeah, too soon.” I saw way more of his wife than I needed to that night. She’s a sweet girl, though, and she’s good for him.
I’m happy for them.
We get out on our floor and leave him at his apartment door, making my way down the hall to mine. Once inside, behind the closed door, I check my phone again, but there’s still no response from Adriana. I try not to let it get to me and try to focus on the positive. She’s thinking, she’s processing, and that’s okay. I just wish I knewwhatshe was thinking, what she was feeling.
I wish I could take away the pain and the confusion and replace it with something better.
Pulling the fridge open, inside is a bunch of containers with a note.
“I’m proud of you, Mijo. Some food for the week. –Mom.”
