Playing the Field (Hot-Lanta Series) (42 page)

             
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 have 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.”

             
He lowered his voice and brought his mouth closer to her ear to make sure she was the only one who could hear him. “Want to know a secret? The truth is, the real reason I want to retire is because when you wake up, I’m not going to let you out of my sight. Unfortunately you’re stuck with me babe and we’re going on a really long vacation, one that requires a lot of alcohol and very little clothing.”

             
The image of him and Patty lounging on a pristine white beach made his gut churn. He wanted that image to be true. He wanted to lay in the sand with her laying on top of him, soaking in the sun and just simply enjoying each other. He wanted to swim and play in the ocean with her, maybe even participate in some pleasure activities.

             
His thoughts were interrupted by a nurse coming into the room to check on Patty.

             
“Well, hello Mr. Sullivan. Don’t you have a game tonight?”

             
It was Janice, his favorite nurse. “Yes, I do. I just had to come see my girl before the game though. How is she doing?”

             
“Same old, same old. I’m sorry Mr. Sullivan. I wish there was more we could do. It’s just a waiting game now.”

             
“I know. What are the chances the doctors would allow me to take her with me to the game tonight?” He asked with a grin.

             
“Slim to none buddy.”

             
Faking he was punched in the heart he said, “Your words bruise me, Janice.”

             
“You know when this girl finally wakes up, I’m going to tell her you flirted with me.” She responded with a sly grin.

             
Marc chuckled. “Now, now Janice. Let’s not get hasty.”

             
“Just putting you in your place. I will be back in a little bit. If I don’t see you again, good luck tonight. I have a feeling it might be a good night for you.”

             
“I hope you’re right Janice.”

             
When Janice left Marc looked down at his watch and realized he had to get going. He got up from the chair and leaned over Patty, placing a soft kiss on her lips. He rubbed her forehead with his thumb and told her he loved her. He gave her hand one last squeeze and was shocked when he felt her finger curl around his. His heart completely dropped and he called for a doctor immediately.

                                          ***

              Connor was waiting impatiently at Lucy’s door for her to answer. He had time to think about everything that happened between him and Lucy and he realized he was being a complete dumb-ass. He loved the girl and nothing could stand in the way of that.

             
The door opened and Austin stood right in front of him. Austin was the one exception of something that could stand between him and Lucy. Connor felt his blood start to boil with just the look of him. What was he doing at Lucy’s apartment? The bastard had a smug look on his face and it took all of Connor’s energy not to punch it right off his face.

             
“What are you doing at Lucy’s apartment?” Connor asked trying to level out his voice.

             
“Probably the same reason you’re here. You don’t deserve to be here you piece of crap. Do us a favor and leave her alone.”

             
Austin started to shut the door but Connor was not going to let Austin control his future with Lucy, so he wedged himself between the door and the jam, getting squashed by Austin.

             
Startled, Austin asked, “What do you think you’re doing?”

             
“I’m not going anywhere until I get to talk to Lucy.”

             
Connor was about to be shoved by Austin’s hand when he heard Lucy say, “Let him in Austin.”

             
Austin stepped aside letting the door fall open, revealing Lucy. Connor’s heart constricted with the sight of her. She was in a pair of yoga pants and a simple white t-shirt. Her hair was thrown on top of her head and she was wearing her glasses that Connor loved. He wanted to instantly gather her in his arms but with his better judgment, decided not to due to the look on her face. She didn’t seem too happy to see him and he didn’t blame her.

             
The mood in the apartment was incredibly awkward thanks to Austin’s presence. Connor kind of wished he would get the hint and leave so Connor could have some private time with Lucy.

             
Connor started to walk toward her but was stopped abruptly by Austin’s hand to his chest. Looking down at Austin’s hand and then at his face, he could see he was ready to fight. Damn, he was in no mood to start up with Austin.

             
“What are you doing?” Connor asked.

             
“I was about to ask you the same question.”

             
“I was going to go talk with my girlfriend if you don’t mind.” Connor said while pushing Austin’s hand off his chest.

             
“Girlfriend? I didn’t know that’s how guys treat their girlfriend’s these days. When things start to get tough they run away with their tail tucked between their legs.”