"You asshole, Hank shouted as he ran across the diamond. "What the hell's the matter with you?"
"Hey man, its baseball. Get somebody who can play!"
Hank was pissed. He leaned over Brianna. "Are you ok, babe?" he asked.
"I'm alright," she gasped. "Just got the wind knocked out of me. Help me sit up, please."
Hank helped her gently sit up. He wrapped his arm around her to help. "You sure you're ok?"
When he felt she was alright, Hank walked over towards the other team's bench. He called out the player who took out Brianna at second base. "You better watch your ass when you come in the next the time!"
"What are you going to do about it, tough guy?"
"I'm going to knock you on your ass." Hank stepped closer.
Players on both benches rushed to head them off. A couple of Hank's players pulled him away. No one had ever seen him this angry. Behind his back, some of his friends called him "Cool Hand Hank." That's why they made him their team captain. He always appeared calm ,cool.
The inning ended but Hank was still steamed. Brianna sat next to him and put her hand on his thigh. "I'm alright, really." And she gave him a kiss on the cheek. But he didn't calm down.
The game entered the last inning with Hank's team safely ahead. No one seemed to remember the earlier problem. But Hank did. After one was out the culprit got a single. After reaching first he yelled down to Hank. "Hey, dipshit, I'm coming your way."
"I'll be ready," Hank waved back.
Brianna walked over to him," Just ignore him, please."
"Don't worry about me," Hank smiled.
"What's she telling you? What time your skirt fitting is?"
On the next pitch the ball was hit up the middle. Hank raced to his left, stabbed the ball, stepped on second and threw to first. The throw was right on target. Thwack! The runner grabbed his face as the ball bounced straight up in the air. Hank's throw had struck him right between the eyes and dropped him. The runner was out cold. As the other players rushed on to field, Hank sauntered over to the down player. He leaned over, "Hey, man, that's baseball."
There was a lot of pushing and loud words but nothing more. It seems that Hank clocked the least popular player on the team. The ump decided to call the game before anything really happened so everyone headed off for a post game drink.
The team headed for Buggsy's in Alexandria. It was a popular sports bar where they always went. It was right around the corner from Hank's place. When he entered, his teammates raised their glasses and gave him a cheer. A couple slapped him on the back. Brianna gave him a kiss. "My White Knight."
After the usual banter, Brianna got Hank alone. "What got into you tonight? You never lose your temper, at least not since I've known you."
"I don't know. Seeing you lying there, gasping for breath, just set me off," Hank explained. "Are you really alright?"
"To be honest," Brianna whispered, "I'm a little sore."
"Alright, then." Hank stood and downed his beer. "We're going back to my place. You can soak in the Jacuzzi." With that he offered her his hand.
As they walked out, a couple of his teammates gave him a pat on the back. Others said they see them Monday. One of the girls gave him a kiss on the cheek. The walk was a short one and they went up stairs. They held hands and it seemed right.
"I'll start the water, you get undressed," Hank said.
"Are you going to join me?" Brianna asks as she started to remove her clothes.
"Eventually," Hank smiled. "I thought I get us a couple of drinks. Soda, OK?"
When Hank left, Brianna stood naked before the mirror. She could see two bruises, one on her upper thigh and when she turned, on her butt cheek. Her shoulder was a little sore. As she slid into the warm water it felt heavenly. She immediately started to relax. She also began to think.
"Hank is a great guy. He genuinely cares about me. He is fun to be around and I always have a good time with him. The sex is great. You know he is becoming more than a casual friend. I want to be with him," she thought. Deep in thought, she didn't hear Hank enter. He startled her.
"Here is your Diet Coke. How does it feel?"
"Just great. Come on get in here."
"You sure? This about you, not me," he assured her.
"Then if it is about me, then you better get in here with me."
Hank stripped down and got into the water. "Do you have any bruises yet?"