Dirty Curve

by Meagan Brandy

“Okay.” My brows jump, my smile fucking wide. “Yeah?” “Yeah.” “You’ll be there?” “I said yes.” She laughs. “That means I’m coming.”

Aayyeee. She is finally going to a game. Good.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but suck it up, bitch. You want to be pissed at something, be pissed at the fucker who hit a double off you and leave his ass stuck on that base.”

Lmaaoo

“Fuck you.” “That’s right, fuck me.” He punches his glove with his closed fist. “Right here, baby. Hard and fast, just the way I like it.”

Annoying lmAaoo

In my peripheral, Coach crosses his arms, spitting to the side as he eyes me, but mine move to the seat two spaces left of home plate, still empty two innings in. It fucking stings.

Of course thats why hes pissed. Lol. Hes whipped.

‘Cause I’m a glutton for punishment, my eyes cut right back to the seat, the one my girls are supposed to be sitting in, and my heart drops to my feet, nearly knocking me over on its way back up. The seats are no longer empty, but my girls, they aren’t sitting there … my mom is.

He said my girls. Aawwww.

I walk to the fence, slapping my palm against the warm metal, and I couldn’t stop the smile on my face if I tried. My mom smiles sheepishly, slipping Bailey’s bow into her hair. Tutor Girl.

Aaawww. Thats really nice of her.

“You mean the ones that didn’t exist?” I look back to him, unsure of why I threw that out just now. The creases at the corner of his eyes deepen slightly. “I told you, I called them off.” “You also told me I was out fucking off, but I was with the boys. And you, the way they tell it.”

Shadddyyy. Im telling you..that man is shadyyy

pulling out two more of the pills he gave me this morning, the ones I must have forgotten in his room. “Here, take these, now, get some electrolytes back into your body and get some rest on the ride home.”

Nope ! Nu uhhhh. I dont trust hiimmm.

My feet freeze in place, an instant frown building. Before I realize what I’m doing, I’ve typed out well where the fuck are you going to be, but quickly delete it and go with something that hides the possessiveness burning inside when every bone in my body is screaming to show it.

Lmaaaoo. Yeah chill.

All I know is Meyer is here, at a junior college baseball game twenty miles away from campus when I couldn’t even get the girl to come to mine, a D fucking 1 University game that I play in. Sure, she’d have been at my last one had she not found the opportunity to send my mom instead, but that’s not the fucking point.

Man is starting to get down bad. Lmaaoo

The dude at her side snags her, bringing her in to kiss her cheek. The way I like to. He holds her against him. The way I’ve done, too. Anger and confusion swim in my gut,

This should be good. Lol

“Tobias?” the guy repeats, his head jerking toward me. “Holy shit! You’re Tobias Cruz—” His words are cut off when my fist connects with his jaw, sending his neck snapping back, and he drops. “Oh my god!” Meyer shouts.

Lmaaaooooo. Saw that coming.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” she screams, shoving at me, so I push to my feet and she follows. “What’s wrong with you? Huh?” I throw a hand out. “What the fuck am I?” Nothing, like I’ve been to my family for years. Like I’d be without ball.

Mmmm. Those insecurities are loud babes.i blame your mother.

My lips curl and I dart forward again, but then Meyer is in my way. In my face. Stepping fucking closer and my body starts to shake. Baby ... “He’s my brother.” I blink. And then I blink again, slowly cocking my head as I stare at her,

Yuupp. Makes sense.

“No lie.” Her shoulders fall and she shakes her head, whispering, “No lie.” “He’s your brother?” “He’s my brother.” I nod, looking off to the side as I blow out a long, strangled breath

Lmaaoo. Yupp. Her brother. Who you just punched and spit at uncalled for.

“And I’m what?” “Tobias ...” “Nuh-uh.” I tip my chin, my heart still slamming against my ribs. I need to hear it. Now. I need to fucking feel it. “Tell me, baby ... I’m what?”

Mans is nearing down bad mlre and more. Lol

Her smile is soft, but a fire roars behind her eyes as she says, “More.” I don’t wait, the need too strong. I crash my lips to hers and my baby melts against me, kissing me right back.

Aaawww.

“My bad, man. I didn’t know you were her family.” He lifts a blond brow, his knuckles coming up to dab at the blood dripping down his cheek. “So, if I wasn’t, you’d have no problem knocking me on my ass?” “None at all.”

Lmaaoo. Fair enough.

“Fellas, tip your hats and pull out them handcuffs. Time to lock a woman up or watch her go, ‘cause Tobias motherfucking Cruz has returned to the hothouse!” The team shouts like they’re in a fucking nightclub, and I catch Neo’s eyes again, gliding my fingers past my throat as if to say cut the shit.

Embarrassingggggg.lmaaooo

He frowns, but then he spots Meyer at my side and winces. Then the fuckhead shouts again. “And to all you lovely ladies, keep your clothes on, and steer clear of my boy ...” His grin is slow, and he shifts all his attention to Meyer. “’Cause he’s got a woman now and trust me when I say, she’s first-string material. You don’t stand a chance.”

Lol. Nice save.

“You’re literally a celebrity to your own team,” Meyer mumbles through clenched teeth. “You proud?” I joke, and her lips pull to one side. She thinks I’m fucking adorable. It’s odd I love that she does.

Using the word love a lot now huh

“My body owes you for that one.” “What the fuck, bro?” I snap and both their heads snap to me. Along with a few others around us too. “Your body owes her?” I step in front of him. “Are you for real right now? You’re gonna come into this house and say some shit like that? To my girl?”

LMAAOOO. Brroooo. please !

“Aye, I was referring to the ass kicking my coach would give me in the gym and on the stairs, man. Legit my body, my muscles ... I didn’t mean anything else by it.” His eyes flick past my shoulders briefly. “She’s a badass tutor, that’s all.”

Right. Not too much on him. B

But then Meyer’s fingers flex alongside my own, reminding me that her hand’s still tucked in mine, and the stormy sensation is smothered. With a calm I don’t quite feel, but confidence I do, I look to my girl. “That she is, my man.”

Lol. Get it together.

Last time I was here, it was for all the wrong reasons, a night I’ve regretted for far too long, but somewhere along the way, that regret faded into something else, something a little more dangerous. It transformed into hope.

Hmmmm.

“How can you be like this to me?” I cut him off, my panic morphing into something else. “I’m just trying to get through school so I can take care of myself and my daughter. Why are you making it so much harder than it has to be?” “Don’t put this on me.”

Thata wht im sayinv..what is his issue and problem with her ???

“Do as I said and everything will be fine.” “It’s not that simple.” “Make it that simple.” My eyes begin to burn, but I won’t cry. Not yet.

Im so confused

“No, actually. You’re not ...” I was joking, but the finality in her tone stirs something inside me and my muscles grow tight. “What?” Slowly, her head lifts. “You’re not on my schedule anymore, Tobias. Your grades are up. You’ll go back to working with your team during study hall hours. That should be enough to get you through finals.”

If she would just open her mouth..she wouldnt have this problem.

“Whatever, fine, it doesn’t matter, but tell me when I can see you? I can come early or late. Walk you to class or to drop off Bay. Whatever works for you, I’m there.” Meyer’s eyes cloud and she looks away.

Damn. Hes down bad and youre taki g his family away

“Baby, what’s wrong?” I step forward, but her words have me jerking to a stop. “You’re not my student anymore, Tobias.” Her voice cracks, and I’m too fucking stuck to register what she’s saying until she’s closed the door in my face.

Aaawww. I kinda feel bad for him right now

I’m not her student anymore, she said. Well, so fucking what? I’m her man. She’s my girl. And Bay ...

Aawwww

I’m not sure what just happened, but I know something’s not right. She’s pulling away, pushing me away and I don’t understand why. She’s ... I ...

Mans is confused

My frustration bleeds into anger and I’m far past pissed as I reach Coach’s house, a two-story home a couple blocks from campus. There’re a few cars out front, but I don’t care. I bang my fist on the door, and I don’t stop.

Whew chile..

“Why am I off her schedule?” He steps out, closing the door behind him. “Son—” “Why am I off her fucking schedule?! You need to force her to put me back!” “You need to calm down.” “I can’t! Give her back to me!”

"Not give her back to me." Okaayyy. Yeah he's down bad for sure.

“Give her back ... son, she was your tutor, nothing more.” Before I can think, before I even know what I’m doing, my fist flies, connecting clean across his jaw.

Lmaaoo. Good ! I mean crash out but good.

I fucking scream, shoot up and start tearing shit off the wall, throwing anything I can grab and reveling in the sound of the clacking metal on metal, but it’s not loud enough to drown out the pain.

Damn

The fucking confusion. The ache I never wanted to feel but do. This is worse, so fucking much worse, than when my parents turned their backs on me my senior year. Worse than when I realized I’d never live up to my brother in their eyes.

Aaww. Im sorry

I feel weak, like a pussy. Like a little bitch. ‘Cause, fuck me, I’m pretty sure my heart is actually breaking. Straight up tearing into little pieces inside my body and ripping every blood vessel open with its end.

Thats love for ya.

I pull in a choppy breath. “It is.” I sway, fighting back tears. “I knew what would happen, I knew he was more than what everyone saw. I felt something that night months ago. I told ... I told him I couldn’t tutor him. I should have fought him harder. I should have fought myself harder.” I shouldn’t have fallen in love with him.

All those nights agao ? Soo she did know him a whike ago.

To allow Tobias to love me would be selfish, because I would be taking away someone else he loves, and that’s wrong. He doesn’t deserve to feel betrayed by everyone in his life, and I know that’s exactly what would happen, so it’s my job to make sure it doesn’t.

Girl...wtf are you talking about ??

My lips twitch and I nod, and with a shaky breath and strength I don’t feel, I pull the door open, revealing Tobias on the other side. “Tutor Girl ...”

Ok so we're doing this...

“I need you to leave, Tobias, and please, don’t come back.” “Baby, just ... just tell me what I did, and I’ll fix it. I’ll change it. Ma, I’ll be anything you want me to be if you just let me be yours ...”

Oh the begging..aawww. He's So down bad. And can we talk bout his character arch.. Nice !

Meyer laughs, but it sounds more like a cry. Don’t cry, baby. Don’t cry ... “Is that a joke? I saw you on the field, you lost your mind. I can’t have someone who acts that way around me or ... or my daughter.”

Ooooo. Ouch.

“I would never do anything that put her in danger. Her or you. Meyer, I love—” “Get away from my house, Tobias, or I’ll call the police and tell them you’re harassing me.”

Damn. I know this hurt him.

Everything fucking aches, but nothing could possibly sting more than the last words Meyer spoke to me before she slammed the door in my face. “You’re nothing.”

Aawww. She used your insecurity against you. Damn.

No fucking duh a woman, a beautiful, kindhearted, strong as fuck woman with a beautiful, precious baby girl doesn’t want me. Why would she? I’m a fuckup. I don’t think, I act.

Damn brodie.

Neo opens up his palm and sitting inside them are two familiar blue pills. He sees me looking and scoffs. “Coach Reid to the rescue.” A frown pulls at my brows. “Rehydrating?” “More like flushes your system.” He tosses them in his mouth, downing the water, and climbs to his feet. “Two more tonight and I’ll be good.”

Wait....i knew he was being shady !

“Remember how I tested dirty in preseason last year?” He pulls his joggers off over his shoes, his gym shorts already on underneath. “Coach said if I act a fool like that again, let him know and he’d do what he could, so I told him first thing this morning and he gave me these.”

Woooowww. Smdh. I knew it

All I wanted four months ago was to end the year with a winning season and go pro. Now, all I want is to look Meyer in the eye and hear her say she wants me, that I'm worth it. That I'm worth more. That she believes in me, chooses me, and knows in her heart I can be what she needs, what Bailey needs.

Its gettinvg real Meridith Grey in here right now. Lol.

I wish I could see Bailey, kiss her chubby little cheeks, and make her understand I’m not leaving her, but her mama is leaving me. All I know is I can’t go back to before they were mine.

You knoowwww. Meagan Brandy really has the same method and formula for her books. Lmaoo. I do t understand how SYS was sooo good and then she just stopped caaring about others.