Chapter 4
Chapter four
Top of the Fourth
Derby
We had six games scheduled this week. And I still couldn’t stop thinking about Godwin.
I had to stop that shit since I was the Ace, starting the first game.
I jogged out to the mound. The home crowd cheered.
I tipped my hat to them, which sparked an even louder round.
For not wanting to be a poster boy, I surely was a media darling.
How much was I willing to give the industry?
That was something to think about later. In the moment, I had to focus.
I shook off my errant thoughts and slapped the ball into my glove. Some rockstar had thrown the first pitch, but I’d been texting Amy at the time. Asking her if my next appointment with Ellis Homes had been set up. I needed to stop this obsession. I had a game to play.
Griffin was catching, and we normally worked well together. He flashed a sign, but I waved it off. His second sign was a fastball. I wanted that. I loved throwing hard.
I struck out the first two batters. The third made it on base. That I hated. I switched up my pitches, and the next batter hit a grounder. Our shortstop fielded and threw the runner out at second. On to the next inning...
That turned out to be long, which was good for us.
Starting out the game ahead by several runs never hurt.
We’d had a couple of doubles and a few steals, and we’d scored five runs by the time I was up to bat.
I loved that. Everyone knew I was a gimme.
I had no power and a crap stick. I hadn’t had enough practice, but I’d do my best. At least we only had one out, so I wouldn’t screw things up terribly if I struck out.
No pressure.
I stared down the line at the pitcher. I knew his stats, but what was he going to throw me?
Junk. I didn’t want to stand there like a punchout waiting to happen.
I swung. Surprisingly, I got a hit. A worm burner heading toward third, but I didn’t watch where it went.
I ran like my ass was on fire. My long legs were the one thing I had going for me besides my arm. I never ran track, but I could move.
I was on first.
The crowd cheered. The guys in the dugout were as loud with their razzing as the people in the stands.
The next guy knocked one out of the park. The roar was deafening, but I ignored it and rounded the bases. When I stepped back in the dugout, some of the guys slapped my back, and Franklin hooted. “Way to go.”
Sanchez asked, “How’s it feel to connect the bat with the ball?”
“That extra batting practice paying off? You’ll be hittin’ homers soon,” Brewer added.
I couldn’t help the shit-eating grin on my face. I’d take all their teasing. This was going to be an awesome season. I could feel it zinging in my veins—everything was going right for me and the Mystics.
This game was already wild, and we continued to play well. I pitched six more innings, holding the other team to only three runs before relief came in. Coach Boyd popped his clip board on the back of my shoulder. “Good job, Ward.”
That was enough praise for me. I smiled ear to ear the rest of the game, watching as I iced my arm.
As predicted, Bresnick hit three homers, one with plenty of ducks out in the pond.
The team played well with the infield starting to gel.
We won by seven. This was what I lived for.
A great team. Camaraderie. Everyone doing their part for a sensational outcome.
It was more than winning the game. It was doing it together.
The locker room was a celebration with half-dressed men and reporters rushing in and out. Even female ones, and the guys were very respectful of them. I did my share of answering questions, of course. They all wanted me because I was great in front of the camera.
Afterward, I headed back to my hotel. Alone. Not that I couldn’t have changed that, but I didn’t want anyone else. I was only thinking of Godwin.
Adrenaline was still rushing through my system, making me want more, although I wasn’t sure what it was that I wanted more of. Maybe everything. Life. Exuberance. Something to extend the rush.
Someone close to share it with and a real home of my own, like the one Godwin was building for Momma.
I sat on the edge of the bed. It was a nice hotel, but I needed to buy a house or condo in Mobile. Maybe near the clubhouse in Florida, too. But the one on my mind was in Brexlin. Twenty minutes or so from the offices of Ellis Homes.
I was still pining over him when my cell rang. “Godwin?” I couldn’t believe he was actually calling me. Either he really was interested, or something was happening at the house. “What’s wrong?”
Godwins gravelly voice answered, “Uh...hello? Nothings wrong. I wanted to, uh, talk. Talk to you.” He sounded nervous, and I couldn’t have that.
“Yeah? Well, this is Derby. Derby Ward. You sure you have the right number?” I teased.
Godwin chuckled, the sound going straight to my balls. “I called the right number. I only know one Derby.” His confidence that had me in knots was back.
“Huh. Me too. Imagine that.”
“Not a popular name...” There was a pause. I didn’t know what to say. “But I like it.”
“Thanks. But why are you calling?”
“I, uh, I don’t know. I saw the game. Saw you win, and I wanted to congratulate you.”
“You watched!” I didn’t know why that surprised me.
“Yes, of course. I always do. You looked good out there on the mound. Real good.”
I blushed, relieved that he couldn’t see that through the phone line. “Thanks.” Did I sound too breathy? Did I care? “It was fun.”
“You even got a hit. Way to go.”
“I struck out next at bat. One for three isn’t great.”
“Is for a pitcher.”
“I guess.” I wanted to do better. “I always push myself for more. Makes it hard to accept anything that isn’t up to my standards, even when those standards might be unrealistic to anyone but me.
” Before he had a chance to comment on that revelation, I jumped back in, pushing for what I wanted.
“How did your day go?” I planned on pushing Godwin a lot further.
“Fine. I picked up two new jobs. Don’t worry, they won’t interfere with yours. You’re my number one customer right now.”
I pursed my lips together hard. I didn’t want him thinking about that. I wanted to shift our dynamic away from customer-contractor. “What about after work?”
“Eh. Had some dinner. Watched the game. Had a couple of beers.”
“Uh, any, uh...” I wanted to ask him if a lover had joined him, but my confidence suddenly left me. “Friends? Or whatever?”
“No, Derby. I was alone.”
Silence set between us. I had to embrace the risk, despite my nerves. “What would we be doing if I was there?”
“What would you like to do?” His voice sounded husky, making me wish he were breathing in my ear—in person.
I shivered, taking it in. And tried to push him a little bit more. “Would you like me to be there?
Godwin chuckled. “Stop answering questions with questions.”
“Am I?”
“Sounds like it. What do you really want to know, Derby?”
I took a deep breath. I wanted to answer that a million different ways. I was so in to him, and I was pretty sure he felt the same, but maybe I was off. “Are you gay?”
“You’re doing it again.”
“Fine. Truth then? Wait. I take that back, no questions. Right.”
“Right. Just tell me.” His voice was so gravely, deep, and sexy, I wanted to come from that alone.
“Fine. I’d like to crawl up into your lap and kiss you like I meant it.”
Silence.
“Godwin? Did I scare you?”
“No. What else?” His voice was huskier, deeper. Had that turned him on?
It turned me on. “So, you wouldn’t be opposed to...”
“We shouldn’t go there, you’re my client. But I am attracted to you, Derb.”
I punched my fist up. “Let’s check out this feeling. We’re adults. We can keep business and pleasure separate. Right?”
“We can try. But if it interferes with business, I’m going to put the brakes on.”
“It won’t.”
“Good. Now, what else?”
“Mmm...I’d rub against you, letting you feel how hard my cock is.”
“Is it hard now?”
“Fuck yeah.”
“Mine too.”
“Take it out. Grip yourself. I want to know what it feels like when you come hard.” I worked on my pants, pulling them off with one hand while I held the phone to my ear with the other.
“I have a pretty thick cock, Derb. Can you handle it?”
“Are you asking if I bottom?”
“Uh, I guess.”
“Yeah. I do, I am, and I’m sure I can handle it. If I were there, I’d ride you like a fucking cowboy.”
“You have a clever mouth, Derb. I’d like to shove my cock in there and see just how clever it can be.”
“Oh yeah. Shut me up with your fat cock.” Then I giggled.
Godwin was laughing, too. “You’re crazy.”
“Sorry, guess I went too far. But, yeah, I would suck your dick. I can’t wait to see you again.”
“Have you been fantasizing about me?”
“You know it, Godwin.” I was all in, no holding back now. “I keep thinking about what we would be like. How it would feel. I want you to fill me up.” I was so fucking horny for him.
I squeezed my dick. I wanted to come. Needed it.
I heard some grunting over the phone. “You there? Godwin?”
“Uh, yeah. Jack yourself for me, Derby.”
Diamonds flashed as I let my load go. “I just came all over myself.” I couldn’t hold it back. I felt like a teenager again.
“Good.”
“Did you?”
“Not yet, but I’m so fucking close.” Godwin made a strangled noise.
“I want to see that. Like to see you naked. Spread out in front of me.”
That was it. He whispered a few more words, then grunted. I imagined him spilling over his fist.
“I messed up this hotel bedspread. How ‘bout you?” I asked.
“Hotel? You don’t have a place there in Mobile?”
“Not yet. Still looking.”
“I’ll send Amy the name of a good agent down there. She’ll get you hooked up.”
“I can figure that out, Godwin.”
“Can’t help it. I’m a nurturer.” His chuckle sent tingles down to my flagging dick.
I could imagine him cleaning me up and tucking me beneath the covers after a hard round of sex. My insides were warm and fuzzy. “Hope I didn’t push you too fast.”
“Nah. I caved. That’s why I’d called.”
“Okay then.” Not that I cared why he’d called, only what had happened since he had. And I certainly wanted more than phone sex with the big guy. “When the fuck is our next meeting?”
It felt good to drift off to sleep with the sound of Godwin’s laughter echoing in my heart.