Playing the Field (Hot-Lanta Series)

  Give him a chance? She should say that the other way around, he needs to give her a chance. She had no clue he would even talk to her right now, not after the way she treated him. The hope she was feeling for her life a couple of seconds ago escaped her body.

  Jane must have noticed because she put her hand on her arm and said, “Just give it a try, Molly. You never know until you try.”

  She was right. It’s not like her life could get any worse than it was now. Anything would be a step up, even a failed attempt at winning the man she cared about back. If she failed, at least she made an attempt and that was better than nothing.

  Molly pulled Jane into a hug and said, “Thank you, Janey Bear. I love you.”

  “I love you too, Molly.”

  Chapter 18

  Lucy sat in her apartment staring at the TV mindlessly. It had been a week since Jane’s beautiful wedding followed by one of the worst nights she had ever experienced. Patty was still in a coma with still no hope of recovery. The doctors kept saying how every head injury was different so they were not able to predict what was going to happen with Patty. Lucy had been by the hospital every day to visit and talk to Patty. Marc stayed by Patty’s side, not leaving once. The all-star break was over now and he had to go back to playing, something she knew was breaking his heart. She saw it in his sad, hollow eyes. He was not the same playful guy she first met. She wished there was something she could do for him.

  She had not heard from Connor or Austin for that matter. Funny, she had two men, they found out she was pregnant and then they treat her as if she was contagious with an incurable disease. She didn’t really expect to hear from Austin, not once had he taken any kind of responsibility for what happened between them. He was sorry but that was pretty much as far as it went which was disappointing to Lucy since they had been such great friends before they slept together.

  Connor, on the other hand shocked the hell out of her. She knew it would be hard at first but she didn’t think he would completely remove himself from her. She tried calling him a couple of times but his phone just went to voicemail. She had no strength to leave him any voicemails since she struggled with what to say. She thought after a week, he would try to contact her but he didn’t, not even a simple text message or e-mail.

  What was she going to do? She held her stomach as an act of protection. Whatever she decided, she knew she was going to raise this baby with all the love and care she had, even if it didn’t have a father. She had a good support system and knew they would help her.

  She looked around her apartment and thought about all the things she would have to change before the baby came. She would have to make room for a crib, as well as all the other gadgets parents had these days. Where was she going to put it all? Her apartment was a good size for her but for a baby too? It was just a one bedroom and she couldn’t afford anything bigger, especially now that she was going to be expecting. Was she going to have to move back in with her parents? She didn’t want to do that, they lived in the burbs of Atlanta and the commute would be far too difficult.

  With all the thoughts and changes swirling in her brain she started to grow angrier and angrier with Connor. She didn’t expect much from Austin but she expected at least support from Connor. He said he loved her and then the minute things started to get difficult, he just took off. That wasn’t love. If he loved her he would tough out this situation with her. It’s not like she cheated on him, she slept with Austin before they even met, so why was he mad? What right did he have to be mad at her?

  She pulled herself off the couch, furious now with Connor and went to the kitchen. As she reached for the carton of ice cream in the freezer there was a knock at her door. She closed the freezer and went to the front door. Knowing it must be Connor, she prepared herself to spar, and he was not getting off easy. She flung the door open and found Austin at her front step.

  Shocked, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

  “Hey Lucy, uh can I come in?”

  Did she want him in her apartment? He never once said anything to her about the pregnancy when he found out, he didn’t even stick around to see if everything was alright. Instead he went after Molly. No, he could not come in here.

  “You have no right to be here Austin. I think you should just leave.” She went to shut the door but his hand stopped her and he pushed the door open.

  “Please Lucy. I need to talk to you.”

  Annoyed with him and wanting him to leave, she thought she would just get the awkward conversation over with and get him the hell out of her place. She pushed the door open more and let him in. She took a seat in the chair facing her couch, not wanting to be near him. She didn’t even offer him something to drink, knowingly forgetting about her proper hostess skills.

  “What do you want?” She asked in a bitter tone.

  “I know I must not be your favorite person right now but I don’t know who else to talk to. You always have the best advice.”

  “Please God, do not tell me this has to do with Molly.”

  She saw Austin cringe and knew the answer to her question. “Come on Austin, Do you really think I’m going to help you out with Molly, after everything she has done to me?” Lucy asked.

  “I know she isn’t your favorite person…”

  “You can say that…”

  “But” he said before she could go on. “She contacted me yesterday, she wants to see me and start something between us.”

  Lucy sat there and listened to him talk about how Molly changed a new leaf and Jane even called Austin, backing up everything Molly told him since she didn’t have the best track record with telling the truth.

  Lucy could not believe everything she was hearing, she could care less about Molly and Austin, what about the baby? Did Austin even hear Molly when she told him and Connor about the baby? Her blood was boiling as she heard Austin talk back and forth about the pluses and minuses of giving Molly a chance. She couldn’t take it anymore.

  “Are you fucking kidding me right now?” She said as she stood and crossed the room, pacing uncontrollably.

  “What wrong Lucy?”

  “What’s wrong?” she repeated. “What’s wrong is you’re not the person I thought you were. You used to care about me. What happened Austin? Does Molly really have that much control over you?” Do you not remember her telling everyone I’m pregnant and I don’t know if you or Connor is the father? Have you completely blocked that out of your memory?”

  Austin just sat there in silence. She continued to pace across the room and then shot at him, “Are you going to say anything?”

  She looked him in the eyes and she saw there was hurt in them. Why was he the one who was hurting? She was so confused.

  He cleared his throat and said, “I, uh…shit. I’m sorry Lucy. I’m a sorry excuse for a man. Honestly I didn’t want to talk to you about it because I know how you and Connor have such a great relationship, I didn’t want to mess that up. Plus, I just have so many things going on in my life, I freaked out. I’m sorry.”

  “Well, no need to worry about me and Connor. I haven’t talked to him since the wedding. He freaked out just like you.” She rested her head in her hands. “I don’t know what to do Austin.”

  “What do you mean? Have you talked to him at all?”

  “No. He said he needed time to think. He wasn’t sure he could father another man’s child. That is if the baby turns out to be yours.”

  Austin kneeled down in front of her and placed his hands on her knees, lifting her chin so she was looking at him. Tears spilled over her eyes.

  “Do you love him Lucy?” he asked.

  “Damn it, I do.”

  “Then you have to fight for him. You can’t just let him walk away.”

  “How is that even fair? I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t cheat on him, I slept with you before I even knew him. It’s just horrible timing. That and I’m a giant slut.”

  Her comment made Austin chuckle. “You’re not a slu
t Lucy. You’re a beautiful woman and you are going to get through this. You’re strong and capable. If Connor won’t be there for you then I will. You will not be alone.”

  “What about Molly? Are you going to give her another chance?”

  Austin took a second to answer her and nodded his head. “I think I have to. I love her. I know she doesn’t return the feeling but the fact that she is actually willing to give us a fair shot is something I want to pursue. If there is hope in the future for her to return the same feelings then I want to give it a shot. She has to earn back my trust and we have to do some talking but I truly think I’m going to go for it. I’ve never felt like this for anyone before.”

  A part of Lucy felt sad that Austin never had such strong feelings for her but then again maybe they were just doomed to be friends for the rest of their lives, which was fine by her because she didn’t have romantic feelings for Austin. She loved Connor, the stupid bastard.

  “How do you think Molly would react to you helping me out? We’re not the best of friends you know.”

  Austin gave her a hug and said, “That is one of the rules I have if I get back together with her. She needs to give you an honest chance and if the baby inside of you is mine, then she is going to have to live with that as well. It’s going to be tough but I think we can make it work.”

  Even though Connor wasn’t in her life right now, she felt a little better after talking to Austin. He put her mind a little at ease. At least she wasn’t going to be alone. She was in mid hug with Austin when there was another knock at her door. She went to get up but Austin made her sit.

  “I will get it, you need to rest.”

  ***

  Marc took out his frustration in the batting cage. It had been a week since Patty was found in the ice room, brutally beaten and stabbed…naked. Every time he thought about it he wanted to bang someone’s head off with a bat. So instead, he took his anger out in the cages. He already took three buckets of balls and was on to his fourth when Brady came into the cage.

  The lucky, freshly married bastard looked refreshed. Marc knew he, himself, looked like hell. He stared at himself in the mirror that morning, shaking his head at his appearance. He visited Patty everyday but now that the all-star break was over he had to get back to the ball park. Thank god there first stretch of games back were home, if he had to leave Patty right away he didn’t know what he would do with himself.

  “You’re going to get some serious blisters if you keep at it, man.” Brady said. “Let another guy get a chance in here.”

  “Sorry, I have to keep myself busy or I might go crazy.”

  Brady squeezed his shoulder and said, “Hey, come sit down with me for a second. I brought you a PowerAde.”

  Marc followed Brady out of the cage and sat on a bench, taking the blue PowerAde Brady brought him. Marc noticed Brady was waiting for him to say something so he said, “Just get it over with, say what you want to say Brady or else I’m not talking.”

  “I’m worried about you, man. I’ve never seen you like this.”

  “I never thought I would be in this kind of predicament. The woman I love is in a coma, who knows if she will ever come out and I might never get a chance to actually be with her, the way I’ve dreamed. It sounds like such a cheese dick thing to say but I would give anything to just have one night with her.”

  “I know, bud. I couldn’t imagine what you’re going through. When Jane got in that car accident a couple of years ago, I was going to lose my mind and she was fine. I can’t believe what you might be going through. Is there anything I can do?”

  Marc shook his head and lowered his head into his hands that were resting on his knees.

  “I think this might be my last year.” Marc knew the statement was going to shock Brady but he had to confide with someone and Brady was the only guy he trusted. Marc was getting old and could feel it in his knees, plus after everything that happened with Patty, he wanted to be with her.

  “Are you serious?” Brady asked. “Are you sure? That is a pretty serious decision.”

  “I know. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I’m doing pretty well this year and I would rather finish with a bang then be shuffled to the back like Jorge Posada on the Yankees was. I don’t want to be put through that. Plus, everything that has happened to Patty put me in a new frame of mind. I love baseball but it’s not my life anymore. I want a family and I want to be there for them.”

  “I understand. As long you have given this some serious thought and you’re not just jumping to conclusions. I know you’re hurting right now about Patty, I don’t want you to make a rash decision because of that.”

  “I’m not, this situation was the final nail in the coffin of my career. I’m done.”

  “You know the doctors said she might never come out of a coma.”

  Marc slapped his hand on the bench and said, “You don’t think I don’t know that? Jesus, Brady it’s what I think about every damn day.”

  “I just want to make sure you’re making the right decision. What if she never comes out and you end your career for no reason.”

  Marc couldn’t believe what Brady was saying. If Marc wasn’t so shocked, he might have punched Brady in the face. The doctors said the longer she was in a coma, the less likely it was she would come out, so every day, every hour that ticked by and she was still in a coma, was like little pieces of his soul being taken away. He would give anything for her to open her beautiful blue eyes and look at him. He would give anything for her tiny little hand to wrap around his and squeeze it. He would give anything to hear her laugh again or joke around with him.

  Marc turned to Brady and brought his face as close as possible to Brady’s and said, “Unless you want that playboy face of yours to be bashed into a wall, I would keep the doubts in your mind of Patty waking up to yourself. She is going to wake up, I don’t want to hear otherwise.”

  Marc got up and walked away. He heard Brady call his name but he didn’t care. Brady was way out of line. They had a game at seven tonight, he still had time to get to the hospital one last time and talk to Patty before he had to report back. He rushed to the locker rooms, showered, changed, got in his car and headed for the hospital.

  On the drive over he thought about all the times they shared together. The past two years he had with her might have been hard since he was required to keep his hands to himself but they were the best two years of his life. He had never been happier. She was the reason he had a pep in his step and the reason he woke up in a good mood.

  He thought about the time they were playing Frisbee and she fell in the park when she was doing a victory dance. The image in his head made him laugh. Then he thought about the pool party she set up for him. It was the perfect opportunity to check her body out, and boy she had an amazing body. He never got a chance to experience her body the way he wanted to. He wanted to worship her body in bed but he feared that might never happen.

  Slamming his hands on the steering wheel in frustration he let out a scream. Why Patty? She was a sweet, caring beautiful woman. She didn’t deserve to be in this position. The bastard Gino didn’t even get the proper punishment he deserved. Gino deserved to go to jail and receive his punishment from the inmates. It was well known that rapists and sex offenders were not received well in prison and were subjected to the same treatment their victims were subjected to. Now that was only half the punishment Gino deserved.

  Marc pulled up to the hospital and parked his car. He knew all the nurses by now and made sure there were always fresh flowers in Patty’s room. Patty’s family took turns being with her and he became quite acquainted with them as well. It was weird at first, meeting them without Patty at his side but giving the circumstances they all bonded right away. When he got to Patty’s room he noticed no one was with her. He remembered her mom saying she and the family had to go back to New York for a couple of days to gather some items and check in with their jobs. Since the news about Patty was so urgent they didn’t ha
ve time to square anything away at home.

  Marc walked in the room and looked at his love. The bruises on her face were no longer swollen and had turned into a yellow-ish color. She looked so pale and fragile with tubes and monitors hooked up to her. It took all of Marc’s energy not to throw himself on the bed with her. He wanted to remove all the tubes and just hold her like he always imagined.

  He sat in the chair next to her and grabbed her hand in between his. He slowly rubbed her palm with the pad of his thumb, like he had been since she was emitted into the hospital. He looked at her laying in the sterile hospital bed. He wished he could do more. He already made sure she had the best care and the best room in the place. He made sure her room was comfortable and had constant care. He wanted to do so much more. He wished he could hire somebody to make her come out of a coma.

  He leaned his head on her stomach and said, “Patty Cakes, God I miss you. We have our first game tonight back from the all-star break. I don’t want to leave you but I don’t have a choice. Now if we were married, like I wanted to be a while ago then that would be a different story. I hope you forgive me for leaving you while I go play, what seems like a mindless game now. Don’t get me wrong I love baseball but it seems so small compared to what you’re going through.”

  He lifted his head and placed his other hand on her leg, rubbing it up and down. He had a physical therapist come in everyday to exercise her limbs so they didn’t completely atrophy.

  “I yelled at Brady today. He said something I didn’t like and took all my anger out on him. He had been such a strong support for me and I lost it on him.”

  Rubbing his hand over his face he sighed. “I think this is my last year playing. I want to retire at the end of the season. I just can’t seem to find the same passion I had when I was playing before all this happened to you. I’m getting old too, my knees are not what they use to be and I want to be able to walk when I’m older.”