We get in the Challenger, I lean over and give Rick a quick kiss, “Sorry about all this.”
“That guy’s a jerk and I should’ve kept my cool, not let him get to me. You, I want to protect you and keep you safe. You didn’t do anything on purpose. You didn’t know he’s a player. You make me crazy sometimes. I needed to defend you.”
“Then we can be crazy together, my king.” A little lost with the idea of having five days. We never get more than a day without a baseball game.
I’m suddenly in my head, lost in thought about my Rick. What would’ve been different if we weren’t bound by everything baseball, his training schedule, his game schedule and away travel? Maybe I can take advantage of this time and do things that haven’t been possible?
“Do you want to go home to relax and watch the rest of the game or can we make a stop?” It’s Sunday and I want to cook. I need to get groceries now that he’s moved in and especially since he’ll be home for at least the next five days.
“What are you thinking?”
“I want to make you a special dinner tonight and stock up the kitchen. I can get everything for dinner at the public market. I can take you home first.”
“You don’t need to do anything special for me.” Rick turns to me, today has been hard on him.
“I don’t need to, I want to,” I smile as I throw his own words back at him. “I’ll take you home first.” He doesn’t say anything and it worries me. He’s in more pain than he’s letting on, or in his head about Adam. “Are you okay?”
He’s looking out the passenger window away from me when he answers, “I’m fine, babe.” But, I can hear the truth in his voice.
“Never mind. Let’s go home, so I can take care of you, my king.” I reach for him, resting my hand on his thigh. He doesn’t argue.
I pull into our complex and take it slow over the speed bumps. I know what it’s like to be in pain and then hit the speed bumps full on, getting shook all around. I park and go to open his door, since his right hand and left elbow are both injured. He opens the door before I can get there and curses under his breath. I’m sure he’s a bit sore all over after taking the dive at the plate. There’s blood seeping through the bandage on his right hand as he gets out of his car. “How can I help, my king?”
“I’m fine.” Louder. Obstinate.
“Let’s get you upstairs and make you comfortable.” I want to take care of him and he’s irritated. I don’t blame him. Right hand and left elbow at the same time is a bad combo.
He stares at me in disgust, “I said, I’m fine.”
I don’t want to make it worse, “My king, you are fine from your gorgeous blue eyes down to your strong, masculine legs. I especially love your Grade A Prime fine ass.” I say laughingly and smile at him, trying to disarm his mood.
Rick rolls his eyes at me and I don’t even get a smile. We get in the elevator and I consider attempting to put him in a better mood, but I’m not sure where the boundaries are with this mood he’s in. I decide to wait and see what he does. Vodka might be helpful, for both of us.
We walk into our apartment and Rick goes into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. I let him be and go search the kitchen for the magic meal I’m going to cook up for him tonight. I wanted to make steaks and baked potatoes, but there are no steaks or potatoes in the house. The pantry has Arborio rice, pastas, broths, instant gelatin mix, stewed tomatoes, pasta sauce, baking mix, cookies, donuts, and everything needed to bake sweets. I’ve got basics in the refrigerator, but really only the makings for a good breakfast. The freezer has a couple packs of frozen vegetables, sausage, ice cream, cheesecake cups, yogurt cups, popsicles, vodka, a couple individual frozen meals, and three things I bagged up and froze so long ago that I don’t know what they are and can’t figure it out through their frost bitten state. Pasta with sausage it is, or we could have breakfast for dinner. Biscuits with country gravy, eggs and sausage. Fresh biscuits will be the magic, breakfast it is.
I walk through the apartment to check on Rick, but he’s still shut in the bathroom and it’s been at least twenty minutes. Okay, time to check on him. I knock on the bathroom door, “My king, are you okay? I don’t want to bother you. I know you’ve had a bad day and I’m sure you hurt.” Nothing. “I just want to take care of you. I love how protective of me you are.” Still nothing. There’s no water running, so he can hear me. I walk away to change my clothes, but now I’m worried and it makes it hard to be sweet and understanding. I try to maintain myself, but my girliness takes over. “Rick Seno! Say something or I’m coming in there!” I wait, each second becoming more concerned. I turn the door knob and it’s not locked. I open the door to find Rick looking at his blood soaked bandages as they lye on the bathroom counter because he took them off. Okay, so I need to stay calm and Rick’s an adult. He can take care of
