It took a moment for what Sabian was saying to sink in as AJ stared at him, chest still heaving. Right into home plate. He liked how Sabian was thinking, and he almost smiled when he saw Sabian’s eyes brighten and his smile widen. “I promise.”
Despite the visual he was already having about what he’d do if he made it around those bases and into home base, AJ was still too enraged to smile. With a deep breath, he stopped fighting Sabian and some of the other guys holding him back. As much as he wanted to, he knew there was no way he’d get to lay a finger on Bigsby. Not here. Not now. Bigsby knew this too. It was why he was still running his mouth and holding up his arm to make sure AJ could see the fucking tattoo. The only thing that confused him—though he didn’t doubt for a moment now that this was Clair’s dad—was the name Fred. Bigsby’s name was Win. AJ had always assumed it stood for Winston or something as pretentious sounding as Bigsby looked and acted. But it didn’t matter.
AJ slowly made his way to first base. Seeing that he was calm now, everyone else began making their way off the field again. It appeared the mayhem was over, but AJ knew better, and he could already feel the adrenaline building again. His insides were readying themselves for an even bigger—more satisfying—blowup this time.
It took a while for Sabian to finally get his at bat because they’d had to give the new pitcher as much time as he needed to warm up, but AJ hadn’t calmed at all. In fact, the longer he stood there at first base, piecing it all together, the more fired up he got. AJ had been way off—clueless about why Bigsby had come at him the way he had at first. He wasn’t upset that his team was down. He was still mad about the same shit his little bitch ass had been whining to Addison about.
It didn’t help that every time AJ glanced at him he had that smug smile on his face. AJ had so much time to think that every minute that passed made his insides heat. They were now boiling violently. He had plenty of questions for Addison too. Remembering how quick she’d been to come up with a lie at that cocktail party, he was certain now the asshole jumping in her face the way he did had nothing to do with taxes. What else had she so easily lied to him about?
The moment the ref motioned that the pitcher was ready so was AJ. So ready. He’d decided not to make the pitcher too nervous by taking too big a lead off first. He didn’t want this to be one of those at bats. He needed Sabian to get a hit as soon as possible.
The first two pitches were hit into foul territory, and AJ began to worry Sabian might not get a hit. Then he did—a beautiful line drive down the middle—and AJ took off. He didn’t bother checking to see where the ball was. AJ was going for it no matter what. The third base coach began giving him the hold-at-third sign, so he knew it’d be a close call at the plate, but he didn’t even care if he scored. That wasn’t what this was about.
With his eyes focused on Bigsby, who was standing at the plate, waiting for the ball and bracing for a collision, AJ prepared to hit him hard, but not too hard. He knew he could easily knock him out if he collided into him hard enough. But he didn’t want that. Oh no, he wanted so much more.
As expected, the collision was a violent one. Violent enough that, even though the ball got there before AJ, Bigsby wasn’t able to hold on to it. The second AJ found his bearings after the collision he spun around. Perfect. Bigsby’s mask had flown off in the collision, and AJ nailed him twice, right in the fucking mouth, with his fist before someone attempted to pull him off. At first, his teammates were no match for AJ who easily threw anyone off who tried to hold him back. He managed to land a couple of more fists onto Bigsby’s already bloodied face. He was on his feet now.
As the brawl grew with both teams out there again, Bigsby and AJ were pulled further apart. Then AJ saw Sabian land an unsuspecting punch to the side of Bigsby’s head, and more brawling ensued when Bigsby’s teammates came to his defense. Seeing someone land a punch to Sabian’s chin then Bigsby start yelling his stupid shit again only incensed AJ more, and he came loose from the guys holding him. But he was quickly bear-hugged by several more players.
Once again the game was stalled, only this time AJ, Bigsby, Sabian, and a couple of other players from the Cardinals were ejected. Even back in the locker room, AJ was still on fire. Coach Lara and Sabian tried calming him down, but he still broke a few more of the wooden stools against the lockers, just as he had the day after Clair had fallen into a coma. It didn’t help; he was too pissed. Too hurt. Too fucking enraged to calm down.
“I need my phone,” he said, stalking to his locker, even as the coach and Sabian stared at him wide-eyed.
Neither had any idea why he was so enraged, and as many times as they both seen him lose his shit on the field, this was by far the worst. Not even the smeared blood still all over his knuckles gave him the satisfaction it should have. He knew he should calm down before speaking with Addison, but he needed answers now. The very idea that she might give into anything Clair’s dad demanded now—anytime he’d request to spend with them both—sickened him even more now.
He’d been patient and as understanding as he was going to get. Addison talking or spending any time with Bigsby was unacceptable, especially after today.
My everything!
A growl escaped him as Bigsby’s words assaulted him once again. He grabbed his phone out of his bag, knowing it was a risk to talk to Addison this angry, but he couldn’t wait another minute. “Can I get a minute alone?” he asked Lara and Sabian even as he punched one of the lockers.
The both exchanged glances but nodded. “Calm down, son. It’s over now,” Lara said one last time, just as he and Sabian walked out.
Something squeezed at his heart because he knew just how over this could be. He’d make no compromises now, and he knew what he’d be demanding was unreasonable, but it was the only way things would ever work between him and Addison now. There was no way he’d be able to deal with that asshole in her life. No way.
Chapter 28
Addison
Addison stepped out of the private suite she’d been in, watching in horror as the events on the field played out. At first, she’d held out hope that the heated exchange between AJ and Fred—like the one earlier that season—was just coincidental. Sure she figured Fred might say or do something pissy like that first time weeks ago, which might result in some kind of scuffle, given AJ’s temper, but after seeing just how enraged AJ had become at whatever Fred kept yelling at him, her gut told her this was the nightmare she’d been dreading.
Even then when things calmed the first time, she’d held out hope again that maybe Fred had just pushed AJ’s buttons on some other issue. The game or something. But when AJ ignored the third base coach’s signal to stop at third, turned that corner with a purpose, then collided into him the way he had, she knew right then—he knew.
His name on her phone screen now had her heart at her throat. This was so bad. She really had decided to come clean. She’d just hadn’t wanted it to affect his playoff series. God damn it, she’d been so close. The worst thing was she knew this was all Fred’s doing. It was infuriating.
“Was Fred a code name?” he asked as soon as she answered. “Was it part of the cover-up, Addison?”
“Sort of, but not just from you,” she said calmly, hoping her tone might calm him because he still sounded as infuriated as he’d been on the field. “Winfred is his full name, but I’ve been calling him Fred since way back.”
She quickly explained how way back they’d both been afraid, since technically she was a minor, even if he were just a few years older than she was. He’d also been afraid of upsetting his mentor. She, too, thought it better if they kept in on the down low, at least for a while. Then she got pregnant and things soured. After that, she for sure would never chance anyone hearing her use the name people knew him by. Ever. She’d never been more relieved for that decision when she found out Clair had overheard her then told AJ.