Rick pulls me tighter to him and kisses behind my ear, “Please stop worrying. We want the same things. We need some time to get there, my queen. I promise, baby. I promise.” His words are calming, quiet, and sincere. “You always say such sweet things to me in the morning. It makes me happy to know you want the same things I do, and you want them with me. It couldn’t be more perfect. I love you, my queen.” He snuggles his face into my hair and kisses the back of my neck, while I wonder which parts I said out loud. I’ve got to get a handle on that. I need to figure out what I say in my sleep and when I change from inner monologue to actually speaking out loud.
The alarm goes off and we both get ready for the day quickly. Rick drops me off at the Brighton on his way to the stadium. I meet Mom in the lobby and we walk out the back of the hotel to the marina, where we find a nice place to sit and have breakfast. We make our way up to the roof and the Spa at the Brighton. It’s a very relaxing morning lying around the pool and absorbing the sunshine, while the spa attendants provide snacks, refreshing drinks, manicures, pedicures, massages, facials, and body wraps. She has nothing bad to say about Rick, so I don’t prod her and I let it go accepting that she somewhat approves. I leave my Mom and head for the stadium a few minutes after 1pm. I get to my seat in time for Rick to see I’m there for him. He walks back to the net, “You make me feel like a king.” He winks at me and turns away to work with his pitcher. His words fill my heart and my worries have vanished.
I yell out, “Make it a win, babe!” and relax in my seat, prepared for a warm afternoon in the sun. I get my hat out of my game bag and put it on, tying my hair up in a knot through the back. I take off my jersey and slather on sunscreen. The sun is warm on my skin, and after the morning at the spa I could take a nap right here. I kick my feet up on the wall in front of me, since I’m in the first row today and I’m ready to enjoy the game.
Tommy’s pitching today and he connects with Rick, so it should be a good game. But we’re still playing the Sissy’s, so anything can happen. The Sissy’s fans are probably the worst in the league. They take over half the stadium when they’re in town and they’re simply obnoxious. Typically, this is a game I’d look forward to tormenting the visiting fans at, well, if I was in my normal seat and not up front for Rick. I’d bring a big bag of peanuts in the shell and shells would be flying at the Sissy’s fans, like it was a game! Meli and Samantha would be throwing shells, too. Sandy’s wife would be keeping score on all of our hits. We would fake an innocent look if anyone turned around. I can’t do that when I’m front and center for Rick, I don’t want to cause a problem and I’m not hidden in the sea of people in the seats. If we win today, we sweep the series and the Sissy’s aren’t happy about it. They’ve got Billy the Bulldog pitching today, I call him Bitchy Billy because he seems whiny and always has a comment about the umpire’s calls. The San Francisco dugout is definitely heated and the game hasn’t even started. Rick walks to his position behind the plate with the intensity of a warrior that I love and “You’re going to see nothing today, Seno. You’re going down!” comes from the Sissy’s dugout. Rick ignores them, but his head shakes as he gets to work.
“You got this, my king! Let’s go Seals!” I call out, unable to help myself and wanting to defend my man.
But, maybe I shouldn’t have because the first Sissy at bat focuses on me as he walks up to the plate, “Hey baby… Angel?” He nods his head at me and blows me a kiss.
Oh, fuck! Adam’s a Sissy. How was I not aware Adam is a player? For the Sissy’s of all teams! What alternate universe am I in? Two professional baseball players want me? This is nuts. I’m hoping Rick didn’t notice, but I know better. Hopefully he ignores it. He doesn’t look like the sweet Adam that drove to spend the day with me—a total dick in his uniform. Tommy struck him out on three pitches, all inside and definitely sending a message to back off. He walks the next hitter and we get out of the first inning unscathed. The Sissy’s are on the field, and apparently Adam is their new first baseman. This isn’t good. This can’t go well. Fuck it, this is bad, bad, bad. Shit, shit, shit. Bottom of the second, 0-0, and Rick is at bat for the first time. Don’t get a base hit. Please don’t get a base hit. What am I wishing for? “Home run, baby!” Rock is on first, Martin is on third and feeling froggy—he wants
