Page 32 of Marcus in Retrograde
Jeers and boos followed us off the train, down the walkway, across the lawns and up to the entrance of Citi Field. By the time we were halfway between the stadium and the train, I was proudly waving my middle finger at the other fans along with Marcus.
This was more fun than I’d had in a long time.
Walking into Citi Field, I craned my neck around. This was way,waynicer than Shea stadium had been. That thing had been falling down around the team’s ears. Marcus flashed the tickets and we headed into the stands. We were half an hour early, so there was a bit of time before everything filled up.
Since he’d bought the tickets, I bought the beers. I knew he’d had a fondness for Brooklyn Brown, so I got two very expensive cups of it, as well as two pretzels. I handed one of each to him.
Leading us on, we walked closer and closer to home base. Down into the front sections right behind the plate and finally, he motioned to two seats just outside of the first base line at home.
I stared at him. “Are you fucking with me?”
“What? I couldn’t get them any closer—”
“These are season seats, man, you can’t just—”
“I got them off someone who has season passes. They weren’t able to make this game and had them up on StubHub at a reduced rate. I figure it was a good deal. Since we aren’t cheering for the home team, why pay full price at their home?”
“Boo!” someone screamed from above us.
We both flipped the bird up toward them.
I plunked my ass into the seat next to him. “Marcus. I didn’t know you felt this bad about ditching me—”
“You’ve been more kind about my dog than I had any right to expect. Changing your place around, not complaining, walking him when I couldn’t get home. Sit your ass in that seat and help me feel better about how I’ve taken advantage of you.”
I could think of better ways to take advantage of me.
The thought shocked me so much, I almost dropped my beer. Marcus managed to grab my hand at the last second and steady it.
A bolt of lightning went through my fingers at his touch.
I froze. What the shit was that? What was going on? He’d only saved my beer that I’d paid too much for. He’d only brought me to a baseball came to make up for being a bit of a user. He’d only gotten some of the best seats I’d ever been in for a game. He’d only texted me every day, saying hello and chatting about stupid mundanities.
Oh, and I’d only masturbated to his voice three times a week for the past two years.
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the camel.
Was Ifallingfor Marcus Chastain Romano?
“Got it?”
I looked at him and realized he was staring at my beer.
“Oh, yeah, yeah. I’m good.” I slipped it into the cup holder and promptly shoved a large portion of my pretzel in my mouth.
“So, does this go toward making up for the dog?”
I chewed as fast as I could while I was nodding. “You did not have to do this at all, Marc. Not at all. This is a lot.”
“You’ve been one of four people since I moved here who have gone out of their way to help me. And I’m grateful. When I saw the Cubs shrine, I figured it would be cool to catch a game.”
He took a thoughtful bite of the pretzel. “So, what did you say you do for living?”
Polite chat. Right. That was a normal buddy thing to do. I swallowed hard before I answered. I was feeling really, really off balance at that moment. “Graphic design. I usually work on online commercial placements, but they have me taking over my co-worker’s billboard next week.”
“Is he that bad?”
“No, he had to take FMLA…uh, family medical leave. I don’t really get along with him that great. He’s an arrogant asshole and a bit of a scatter brained twink, but I think that part is an act.”
