Sucker Punched (Resilient Hearts Series Book One 1) (19 page)

TWENTY FOUR

Caitlin

My head’s still hazy as I wake to a monotonous sound that won’t shut up. I’m so cozy and warm under Ethan’s covers. Fortunately, Ethan has blackout blinds, and I’m so bloody comfortable nestled in the middle of his bed. I’m not ready to wake yet. This bloody noise won’t stop ringing in my ears! My arm slips out from the covers, but it recoils back into the warmth because of the freezing air. Groaning, I slam a pillow over my head and snuggle deeper, but it just won’t die down. Finally, I can take no more. I fling the covers back and hit the button on the alarm clock with more force than necessary. It’s lucky I didn’t throw it across the room. Ethan already left, and if I don’t want to be late, I better get my arse moving.

It’s now been a couple of weeks since we last had Danny visit. He’s an amazing kid, but we can’t have him stay today because of the charity baseball match. I’m so proud of Ethan and Blake. They have put so much effort into it, and the community has been generous, donating their time and resources for the injured vets.

My job today is catering, so I need to collect and deliver all the food from Len’s. Kiaya agreed to help me. Once I’m dressed, I drag my sleepy self over to Betty’s.

“Hi Kiaya, are you ready?” I holler towards the back room.

“Yes, just loading up my car,” she shouts.

I notice Len sitting at his usual booth, focused on his radio. “Hey Len, thanks again for all this. Are you still coming today?”

Without looking up, Len says, “Yes, don’t fuss. I’ll be there.”

Leaving Len, I join Kiaya, and we load the car before finally setting off. We arrive half an hour later. Asher greets us and helps us unload when I spot Ethan making his way to us.

“Hi, how’s it going?” I greet him with a quick kiss.             

He’s looking relaxed, so I hope things are going smoothly, “Good, thanks, babe. People should start arriving within the next hour or so.”

“Well, you better stop distracting me then so I can get this food sorted and make some much needed money.”

Ethan pulls me back as I try to walk off. “Hold on, I just want to say thanks for everything you’ve done and for what you’re going to do today.”

“Of course, anything for you,” I say with a wink. I turn again to walk away, but I’m stopped dead in my tracks as I spot Nicola walking in. I feel Ethan tensing up behind me. She pauses for just a second, and if I’d blinked I would’ve missed it. She straightens her back, composes herself, and then walks past us as if we’re strangers—not someone whose jaw she tried to break a few weeks ago. At least she has clothes on. Since that day at the gym, we haven’t seen or heard from her, which suits me just fine.

A few days ago though, Ethan told me she’d be here because she just happens to be Blake’s cousin. I mean of course she is, being that’s how Ethan had been introduced to her in the first place. She is playing on Blake’s team, so there’s not much I can do about it. I’ll just do my best to ignore her, but I have a feeling she won’t let it be that easy.

I’m still glad I declined to play today, and I don’t think Ethan’s team will regret my decision either. Ethan’s team consists of Ethan, of course, Roman, Asher, Kiaya, Donnie, Lucas, the doorman from Vertex, and then a few guys from the gym. It sounds like a solid team.

Thanks to Len, we have plenty of tea, coffee, and soft drinks, and I’ll be cooking hot dogs and burgers. Donnie has joined me to set up and will help until it’s time to play. A few tables are set up in front of the hut. When Len joined us ten minutes ago, he took one over, getting out his paper and radio. I’m thinking his arse will remain firmly in that chair for the remainder of the day.

As I walk into the hut, a familiar smell takes over my senses, and my mouth begins to water. My nose morphs into that of a tracking dog’s as I walk around trying to sniff out where it’s coming from. I’m excited upon spotting some large containers at the far side, and I know exactly what they are. I need at least one before they’re all sold. Okay, well maybe two. They’re Grace’s cookies; Asher had picked them up on his way over. It’s a good thing he did because she’d never have been able to carry all the boxes herself. I pop open the side of one box and bend over to inhale the heavenly aroma. I hear a familiar chuckle.

“This reminds me of the first time we met, but please don’t fall over this time.”

My feet remain firmly rooted to the ground. “You just like ogling my arse.” I joke giving it a little wiggle.

Ethan moans, and I feel him move in close. He grips my hips and tugs me closer, and my pulse races. I’m still bent over the counter as he leans down and nips at my neck while grinding himself into me. Although the shutters are down and the door is closed, I can still hear people outside laughing. “Ethan, we can’t,” I protest, as much as I want to continue.

He groans into my neck, hugging me tightly. I wrap my arms around his, not ready to let the connection go so soon. He backs away, and I immediately feel his loss. As I turn around and see him, I stop, unable to move due to the sight before me. My eyes slowly roam over his body.

He laughs. “I take it you like it then?”

Yes, I bloody well do! He’s changed, ready for the match, and he looks damn good. So good I nearly pull him back to finish what he just started and damned if people hear. He’s wearing light colored trousers, and his jersey is red with black stripes. His baseball cap matches his shirt. Now I’m the one groaning as I lean back, gripping onto the counter. Ethan’s face is deadly serious as he walks toward me. His fingers grip my hair when he crashes his lips to mine. It’s over all too quickly, and his voice is gruff as he says, “Thank you for my good luck kiss.” My heart hammers so fast in my chest that I take some deep breaths to slow it down. Ethan strokes his finger down my jaw, “I need to go, babe. I’m sorry.”

“Well that sucks.”

He lays a quick kiss to my lips and with a broad smile says, “Right now, I have to agree.”

Ethan links his hands with mine as we step outside. Kiaya, Grace, and Donnie have joined Len around the table. Kiaya and Donnie balance on two chairs while hanging the banner we painted this week to advertise Betty’s.

“Hi,” I say as I greet them.

Kiaya’s wearing the same clothes as Ethan, but luckily it doesn’t have the same effect on me as when Ethan wears it. Kiaya has a knowing grin on her face as she jumps off the chair. Her look says “I know what you’ve been doing,” and my face flushing only makes her grin bigger.

“So Caitlin, are you excited to watch a game of baseball?” Grace asks.

As I have explained already, I know nothing about the sport, English or American. I’ll be busy in the hut most of the day anyway. I’ve brought my Kindle, so I probably won’t watch much of it. Everybody here is really excited about today. I am too, but I’m more excited about why we’re here. That’s to raise money. If I weren’t so clueless to the rules, I may feel differently. “I have no idea about the game, and I’ll be busy in the hut anyway.” Ethan is behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist, and his chin resting on my shoulder.

“You don’t know anything about baseball? You must know something,” says Kiaya “Ethan, haven’t you explained even some of the rules?”

I feel him shake in silent laughter. “Oh, I’ve tried.”              

The conversation from last night went like this.

“Okay, so let me explain about the pitcher,” Ethan starts.

I stop him. “You mean the pitch?”

He looks at me. “What? No, babe. The pitcher.”

I stop him again. “I don’t know why you call it a pitcher. In England it’s called a pitch.”

Ethan rubs his hand across his face in frustration. “What the hell is a pitch?

Now I’m looking puzzled. “What they play on. You know the grass, duh.”

Ethan rubs his face again. “No, that’s the field.”

“Oh, in cricket it’s called a pitch.”

“Well, this isn’t cricket, babe. It’s baseball.” My lack of knowledge seems to amuse him.

“Well, it can’t be that different because they both use bats,” I say feeling more confused and a little stupid.

He tries to stifle his laughter but fails miserably. “Right, let’s get back to the pitcher.”

I stop him again. “What the hell is the pitcher if it’s not the field?” I’m starting to get a bit frustrated.

“In a term you might get, it’s the person who throws the balls,” he says it slow, like I’m stupid.

“You mean a bowler?” I ask, beginning to lose patience now.

He can’t hold in his laughter. “Again babe, this is not cricket. They are two very different games.”

That was as far as we got. At that point, I got pissed and refused to listen. I may have put my fingers in my ears while humming until he stopped talking.

“I don’t get it. I’m sorry, Kiaya. That’s why I’m not playing. I would be more of a hindrance than a help.”

Kiaya replies, but I don’t hear her because Nicola walks past us with Blake. They’ve changed too, and their colors are white with black stripes.

Nicola glares directly at me as she passes us without stopping. “Bitch,” I mumble.

“I have to agree with you there,” says Ethan in my ear.

                                                                   ***

The game started half an hour ago, and the hut’s been really quiet since. For a while I watch empty wrappers roll around in the light breeze like tumbleweed in the desert. “Len, can you shout for me if anyone comes for food?” I call before making my way to the chain link fence to get a better view. Ethan’s pitching to Blake. See, I’m not completely ignorant; I did learn something. Enjoying the view, I watch Ethan’s fluid movements; he’s like a well-oiled machine. He looks so good in his clothes, and I wonder if he can bring them home and give me a private show later. I’m so wrapped up in my thoughts that I don’t hear Len until he taps me on my shoulder.

“Customers,” is all he remarks before heading back to his table with Grace. They appear to be hitting it off, and she’s even helped him pick out some winners. I think Len’s smitten.

The game lasts a couple of hours or so. I’ve not really been clock watching as I became lost in a good book, but as it finishes, a steady flow of customers gather again. Luckily, Donnie joins me as the game comes to an end. He’s so excited, bouncing up and down as he announces they won.

Apart from Donnie, the rest of the players are getting changed. Danny and Pat join us, too. Danny comes bounding through the door to give me a hug. “Did you see Ethan score that home run?”

“Umm yes, it was great.” I lie; I have no idea what that is.

It’s not long before it quiets down and people leave. Ethan’s team joins us at the hut. They all seem on a high, so Roman suggests, “Who’s up for celebrating?”

Len, Grace, and Pat pass, which leaves Danny pouting and unhappy. I still need to clean up the hut, so Ethan and Donnie stay to help, and everyone leaves agreeing to meet up in a couple of hours. “I’m just going to grab my clothes from the locker room,” says Ethan.

“Okay,” I say, dragging two hefty garbage bags out the back door. Donnie carries two more and follows behind me, and we stuff the bags inside the dumpster. I turn around, and Nicola and a woman I haven’t seen before stand there with their arms folded across their chests and scowls on their faces. Oh shit, here we go again.

Though motionless, I notice Nicola’s fists clenched at either side of her. Even poor Donnie, who’s normally oblivious to things that are going on around him, seems to be getting worried. “C-C-Caitlin,” he stutters, pulling on my jacket sleeve and moving close so I’ll help shield him. He’s right to do so. Damn it, I’ll protect him. Normally, in hostile situations I can’t help but clam up, but right now I’m furious, and Nicola better watch out. I’ve been pushed too far by this nasty bitch, and now I’m way past my breaking point.

I don’t want to do anything to scare Donnie any more than he already is, so I take his hand. “Come on, Donnie. Let’s finish cleaning up so we can leave,” I say, trying to sound as calm as possible in my enraged state.

Nicola and her friend stand between us and the door. As I try to walk around them, Nicola side steps in front of us, blocking our path. “Well, look at this. Isn’t it cute? The slut and the retard.” Each syllable is spat in my direction as her friend snickers on the side of us.

My blood boils in my veins. She shoves my shoulder, and I feel poor Donnie flinch as he gives out a strained yelp. I begin to shake, but for once it’s not out of fear. No, I’m livid! I struggle to see straight. I can handle the personal attacks. I’ve only had sex with five guys in all my twenty-seven years, so I don’t think I can really be classed as a slut, but she can call me anything she damn well wants. I’m fucking raging right now, and it’s because she called Donnie, the sweetest and kindest guy I know, a retard. She’s gone way too far!

I’ve been bullied, made to feel unworthy, and beaten black and blue until every part of my body was bloody and swollen, but I can honestly say I’ve never wanted to hurt someone like I want to hurt Nicola in this moment.

I turn my eyes to Donnie, trying not to show him the anger I’m feeling. “Go back inside, Donnie. I’ll be okay.” He looks at me with a frightened expression. “It’s okay,” I assure him.