Page 16 of Don't Hurt Us
“That’s crazy!Can you teach me to pitch like that?”
“I was planning on it, but I wanted you to bat first.The tee was to see what your form is like and make any necessary changes when you don’t have balls flying at your face, but I don’t know what I'm doing, so we should probably just do it your way.”
I begin packing up my bag.If he wants to play this game, I’ll beat him at it.He’s not going to upset me or try to act like he knows best.He needs to respect me or he’ll never listen.
“Wait… I’m sorry, Maverick.You’re right.You know what you’re doing better than I do.Can we please do it your way?”The embarrassment on his face is sweet.I know he’s been dealt a tough hand recently, but that doesn’t mean he gets to be a jerk.
“Sure.You get your things out while I have a quick chat with your mom, ok?”
He nods his head and I slip between the netting to exit the pitching area.Sydney’s waiting for me with an expression I can't place.
“Walk with me, Syd.”I place a hand on her lower back and lead her out of view from Danny.“What’s going on with him?”
“I don’t know.”She scrubs a hand down her face.She looks so broken.“He’s been a rollercoaster of emotions since Rob left.Some days I think we’re doing good and others I'm in tears, feeling like I'm failing him.I thought having Pecker here would help, some days it does, but others he’s still miserable.I guess he just needs time.”
“Hey, you’re not failing anyone,” I whisper as I tug her into my arms and give her a hug.
I squeeze my eyes shut and savor the feel of her body being pressed against mine.I'm sure I'm not lucky enough for this to happen again.
“He needs a dad, not me.”
“He needs you too, Syd.He just doesn’t realize it right now.You’re a great mom and you’re doing an amazing job with them.I'm sorry you’re going through this.I'm always here if you want to talk though.”
“Thanks.You don’t need to worry about me.I’ve been doing this alone for a long time.I just need to adjust to being the only one they have.”She sighs and tries to step out of my arms, but I'm not ready for that.
“What are you talking about?Didn’t Rob help you?”I lift her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze.
“No.Rob was extra income, but not much else.Most nights he went out after work and didn’t come home until the kids were in bed.He never wanted children,” she whispers.“We were an obligation he hated.”
Her eyes fill with tears and I briefly wonder if they’re for her children or herself.From the little bit I know about Sydney, I have a feeling it has a lot more to do with her kids than herself.
“I'm so sorry.You deserve someone so much better than him.”I cup her cheek and stare deep into her eyes.The only thing I want to do right now is close the distance between us and finally get the kiss I’ve been dreaming of with her.
But we’re in the middle of the batting and pitching cages.I can't give in to any of my desires with a bunch of kids running around, especially her son.
“Let’s get back to Danny and I’ll work with him.Is he giving you a hard time at home?”
“Don’t worry about how he treats me-”
“Nah, sweetheart.I'm going to worry about you no matter what you say.I just need you to answer me so I know what’s going on.”
“Most days he’s ok, but some days he’s snapping at me.I know it’s because he’s upset over Rob leaving and he feels like he was abandoned.”
“I’ll talk to him.”
She opens her mouth to respond, but one look has her shutting her mouth and nodding her head.
“Thank you.”
“Ok, I want you to give me another great swing.Even if you don’t make contact with the ball, I want you to swing all the way through, got it?”
“Yeah, I'm ready!”Danny’s buzzing with excitement.
When he first got here, I thought I was going to have a lot of trouble with him, but he’s been great.I still want to have a talk with him about how he’s treating Sydney, but I need to tread carefully here.
I'm not butting into their lives because I'm trying to find an in with Sydney.I truly care about them and want things to be good between them.Anything to make life just a tiny bit easier for Sydney.I want that even if I never get a shot with her as more than friends.
I pitch the ball perfectly towards him.He’s ready and takes a swing at it, using the perfect form.The crack of the bat against the ball has a smile spreading across my face… Until it hits me square in the inner thigh and I drop to my knees, holding onto my thigh in agony.
