“It really does,” he says. I nod my head, and he puts the helmet on my head. He adjusts the settings for the ball machine and gives me some instruction on my stance as I enter the cage alone. He stands behind me, his fingers interlaced with the fence as I swing and miss the first few balls.
“That’s alright, you’re swinging too soon. Wait for the ball to be just a little closer.” I nod, my helmet making my hair flat and sigh as the next ball comes flying at me.
I think about the pain of loss and moments never had. How I deserved more as a child but need to move on. I take that anger out on the ball, putting all my weight behind the hit and swinging.
The bat connects, and it’s not like the last time I hit a ball. This time the fucker goes flying. The force of the bat hitting the ball radiates down my arms, and it feels good. It feels like a release of negative energy.
So I keep doing it. Thinking about the things that have hurt me or how Zach spoke to me today, and I hit the ball. I’m not proud of it, but I picture his face multiple times as I swing. His smug, stuck up, douchebag face meets my bat multiple times.
It’s only when my arms start to hurt that I stop. I somehow nearly forgot that Aiden was there, but the smile he gives me when I turn around fills me up completely.
“It works, doesn’t it?”
I sigh and push the button to stop the balls and take off the helmet.
“It works.”
18
I’M HER DADDY NOW
We go backto my house so I can change and Jessa can take a quick shower before we head to the game. I feel better, but not completely.
It took everything in me to not smash Zach’s face in. I can’t believe the things he said to Jessa. I don’t care how angry he is at his father or the situation, he can’t talk to her like that. No one can talk to her like that. She looked so broken and hurt in the supply closet, I wanted to destroy whatever made her feel that way.
I was planning on selling my tickets for today, but I’m glad I didn’t. It was an excuse to get Jessa out of the office and to not raise too much speculation. Though, I imagine there is more over the way I reacted, and honestly, I don’t give a fuck. Maybe if the office knows she’s mine, I won’t have to worry about anyone fucking with her anymore.
“Ready?” I ask as she puts her damp hair over her shoulder, knowing it will probably dry on the way to the game.
“Yeah, we don’t have to go. If you just want to stay home?”
I shake my head, needing something to do. If I sit around this house, I’ll be tempted to go back to the office and not take the high road. “No, but if you don’t want to go, we can do something else.”
She gives me a weak smile and shakes her head. “Let’s go.” She wears her dress from work, and I changed into a Rays’ shirt and some breathable shorts.
She squints as we get in the car, and I look over at her. “Forget your sunglasses?”
“I left them on my desk and the other pair in my car.”
“We’ll get you a hat at the stadium,” I say, squeezing her thigh, and she smiles at me. It’s her actual smile, and I feel some more tension leaving my body.
We don’t talk about the situation anymore as we park the car and walk hand in hand through the stadium. We’re back in the same shop that I bought her the t-shirt from last time. She’s looking at the hats and then she looks at me. Without her vocalizing it, I make the choice for her, picking the pink one with the blue Rays logo embroidered on the front.
“Thanks, Daddy,” she says quietly so no one can hear, it’s one of the first times she’s called me that in a non-sexual situation. I enjoy it.
“You’re welcome, baby.” I kiss the side of her head, pay for the hat, and rip off the tag, putting it on her head and leaning down and giving her a chaste kiss. “Want to get something to drink or eat?”
She nods, taking my hand as we head to the concessions. “I think I want one of those big pink lemonades and a soft pretzel with cheese, please.”
“You got it.” I order and we head to our seats.
“You know, I think I could get used to coming to games with you.”
“Don’t forget about hockey and football season.”
Her cheeks heat and she smiles before ripping her pretzel. “I don’t know anything about either of those.”
“That’s why I’m here.”
