Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWENTY

MONSTER

The locker room has a different energy tonight as we get ready to take on our biggest rivals.

The Heathcliff Rhinos are a decent team, but they’re filled with a bunch of assholes. Including the biggest douche canoe I’ve ever met, Donny Martin. He’s a homophobic piece of shit who needs to get taken down a peg. He’s the only man who’s made me want to punch him in the face so bad I could taste it.

Our entire team will have to spend the majority of the game keeping our cool so that we don’t get benched because the Rhinos love to talk as much shit as possible. And they always go low with their comments. I’m pretty sure the only reason they haven’t been banned from playing is that they are excellent at making sure no officials hear the shit they say. Our coaches believe us, but their hands are tied because it’s just our word against the Rhinos.

After Coach gives us our pep talk and reminds us to keep our cool, we make our way out to the diamond, ready to kick some ass. The only way to shut up the Rhinos is to beat them, so that’s what we plan to do.

As we head out, I scan the crowd for my family and Finn, smiling when my eyes land on them. I give a quick wave before heading where I need to be. I refuse to let my man down tonight. So no matter what happens with the other team, I plan on playing my best. The Rhinos will not win tonight if I have anything to say about it.

“If those fuckers don’t shut the fuck up, I’m going to punch someone in the face,” Lex grumbles beside me in the dugout.

Every time we are near a player on the Rhinos, they have been ribbing us and saying the most fucked up shit. I know they are trying to get under our skin, and I’m trying not to let it affect my game, but man, does it get to you after a while.

Donny Martin has been trying to get in my way as much as possible, which is normal for him. For some reason, he’s always hated me. I’m always the number one player he targets during a game. If I was a fighter, I’d have punched him already, but that isn’t me. Maybe he thought that since I am the biggest player on the team, I would be an easy target to get riled up, but he is mistaken.

At this point, I just want the game to be done as soon as possible so nothing crazy happens because I know a lot of the guys are at their wits end and are about to blow.

“The game is almost over,” I remind Lex, who nods while glaring at the diamond.

We are in the bottom of the ninth and only have two batters left to go. The score is currently tied, but I don’t see it staying like that for long.

Our strongest batter, Chris, is up to bat, and he’s been on a roll all night long.

I watch as he gets ready to swing and cheer at the top of my lungs when he hits the ball with perfect precision and sends it soaring.

“That’s how you do it,” I shout as he runs his lap for a home run.

As Chris is passing third base, Donny sticks his foot out to trip him, sending my teammate flying into the dirt and causing our team to lose their shit.

“What the fuck was that?” Lex yells with fire in his eyes.

Chris thankfully didn’t get hurt, but the second he’s off the ground, he’s turning around to swing at Donny, hitting him square in the jaw. Donny doesn’t look surprised. In fact, he looks happy it happened. Sensing something is off I run out to the field to defend my friend.

“You gonna let that fly, ref?” Donny asks while rubbing his jaw.

“I don’t care if I get written up as long as the same happens to you,” Chris growls out at him.

Donny laughs while shrugging. “What exactly would they write me up for?” he questions. “You being clumsy? I didn’t do anything. You just can’t run properly.”

“Bullshit!” I shout as I clench my hands into fists at my side. “You tripped him, and you fucking know it.”

“Did I?” he asks with a cocky grin. “Prove it.”

I grit my teeth wanting to say more but knowing that the refs and coaches need to take control of this.

Our coach is talking with the refs as Chris gets sent to the lockers. They better have seen the trip, or I’m pretty sure our team is going to lose their mind.

Thankfully, the ref saw everything, and Donny is taken out of the game, too. No points are deducted, and we are in the lead as our last batter takes his place.

It doesn’t take long for the game to end after that, and we jump around celebrating our win.

The Rhinos look pissed off, but I didn’t expect anything less. Frankly, I'm happy that they are upset. It’s what they deserve after how they acted today.

Once we are done celebrating, we head into the locker room where the coach keeps us until the Rhinos have left on their bus to avoid any further drama. I’d say it was overkill, but it was probably a smart move.

When we are finally released, I head directly to Finn’s apartment, where he is waiting for me along with my family. Once I told him that I’d be late, he offered to host until I was able to leave, which just speaks to how amazing he is.

“Finally, you’re here. I was about to fall asleep on the couch,” Aurora says when Finn lets me in, and I roll my eyes at her.

“Not my fault Coach was holding us hostage until the Rhinos left,” I retort.

“I’ve never seen such a blatant display of poor sportsmanship in my life,” Dad states, and I nod.

“And you don’t even know the half of it,” I grumble, dropping my bag by the door and following Finn to the couch, where we plop down together, and I pull him into my arms. “The Rhinos are pros at hiding how horrible they are from the general public, but the teams they play against know their true colors.”

“I’m sorry Donny tripped your teammate,” Finn murmurs.

I kiss his temple, loving how caring he is. “You have nothing to apologize for. Donny is just a class-A asshole.”

Finn nods. “I know. He’s my brother,” he whispers, startling me.

“Shit. Really?” I question. Finn bobbles his head again, and I give him a comforting squeeze. “Damn, baby. I know you said your family wasn’t great, but I had no idea your brother was Donny Martin. He’s been a thorn in my side for years.”

“Same,” he mumbles. “I had a panic attack when I saw him at the game and almost left.” His voice cracks a little, and it breaks my heart.

“Shit. If I would have known your brother played for the Rhinos, I would have made you stay at home. Obviously, I don’t know everything about your relationship, but you’ve told me enough to know that seeing him would be triggering.”

“Thankfully, your family was amazing and helped me get through it,” Finn says, flashing me a bright smile.

I beam at him before leaning down to press a soft kiss to his lips. Making sure to keep it PG since my parents are in the room.

“Thank you,” I say to my parents, who smile at me.

“That’s what family does,” my mom responds softly.

My family is truly amazing, and I’m glad they were there for Finn tonight, but I hate that I wasn’t able to hold him earlier. At least now I know for next time to give him a warning when we are playing the Rhinos. I’m glad we won’t be playing them again for a while now. Although, the next time will be on their turf, which is going to suck.

“Well, it’s late, so we should get going, but we didn’t want to leave without telling you what a great job you did,” my dad says while he stands, and my sister and mom follow.

I also get to my feet and give them a hug before they leave.

“Thanks for being there for Finn,” I whisper into Aurora’s ear when I pull her into my arms.

“Always,” she says with a bright grin. “He’s a great guy, and I think Mom and Dad love him,” she tells me in a soft voice.

“We do,” Mom confirms, winking at me.

I’m really glad they like Finn because I plan on keeping him in my life for a long time.