Love in the Lineup

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  Personal equipment and gym bags lay ignored or forgotten across the benches and floor. In the other room, water was hissing from the showers, and the stink of old shoes, dirty gear and ripe perspiration filled the small space. Conversations were mixed and varied, some peppered with laughter, words of advice, or choice appraisals of the other jocks’ girlfriends, wives and the female fans that worshipped them. Comments ranged from loud and bawdy to even-tempered and low-keyed. Angel grunted as the first baseman slapped him on the back and congratulated him on his game.

  “You headed out tonight?” the man asked as he dried his freshly washed hair with a clean towel. “It’s ladies’ night at the club. I hear the honeys will be hungry for some beef tonight,” the man exclaimed, palming his crotch as he laughed out loud.

  It was late in the afternoon and with practice finished, all Angel wanted was a hot shower, a hot meal and his bed. “No, I need to get some rest.”

  “Your boy was out last night,” the center fielder chimed in, intruding on the conversation. “Saw him dancing with a real cutie. Baby girl won’t nothing but a mouthful, but she was hot as hell! It looked like someone had poured her into that dress she had on. You take that home with you last night, Rios? ’Cause if you didn’t I sure plan to take her home with me the next time I see her.” He high-fived another player, both of them cheering like they’d accomplished something.

  Angel bristled as he cut an eye in the man’s direction. His eyes narrowed to thin slits as venom filled his mouth to respond. Before he could answer, Patrick Tracy joined in the conversation. “Watch your mouth. That’s family you’re talking about. I can’t having you talkin’ like that ’bout my baby sister.”

  The center fielder laughed. “I see you got a little color in your family, Tracy. What happened to you?”

  “Your mama is what happened to me, boy,” Patrick responded, flicking his towel in the other man’s direction.

  The guys laughed as Mr. Center Field shook his head and rolled his eyes as he resumed dressing.

  Patrick turned toward Angel as the others drifted off in other directions. “Hey, how you doin’?”

  Angel shrugged, the noticeable wave of tension that had dropped down over his shoulders slowly dissipating.

  “Don’t pay these fools no attention. Most of ’em talk big, but there ain’t no harm behind it.”

  “Are you close to Roshawn?” Angel asked as he pulled his baseball shirt over his head, tossing it into his gym bag.

  “She and Nina, my wife, are really good friends. She’s a sweet girl and I think she likes you.”

  Angel tossed the man a quick look, then turned back to untie the lacings of his baseball cleats.

  “Maybe the four of us can get together some time. I think she’d like that. What do you say?”

  Angel eyed him one last time. He shrugged again. “I don’t think she would like that at all,” he said as he headed into the showers, leaving Patrick staring curiously after him.

  * * *

  Israel stood off to the side, watching as Angel swung bat after bat inside the batting cage. Frustration colored the perspiration that dripped from his brow, the salt of it stinging his eyes and impeding his view. With the last ball and subsequent miss, Israel had seen enough and said so.

  “Hijo! No more,” the man said firmly, opening the cage door and gesturing in his son’s direction. “You are going to damage your shoulder doing this.”

  Angel rested the end of the bat against the top of his athletic shoe. He swiped his sleeve across his brow, the dampness leaving a dark, wet stain against the cotton fabric. The two men stood staring at one another until Israel reached his hand and took the bat from his son’s grip. He turned out the door as Angel followed obediently behind him.

  Both remained silent as Israel helped his son pack his belongings in the rear storage area of the car. Even as they settled themselves in the vehicle neither one had anything to say. It was clear to Israel that something, or someone, was on his son’s mind, all the man’s focus centered around such. He also knew Angel would talk to him when he was ready and not one minute before. His son could be stubborn like that, a trait he’d inherited from his mother.

  As Angel maneuvered the vehicle onto the expressway, Israel tapped his fingers against the center console, much to Angel’s irritation. Angel shook his head. “Papí! Stop. You are driving me crazy.”

  Israel shrugged. “You will not talk to me and it is much too quiet in this car.”

  Angel cracked half a smile. “I have much on my mind, Papí.”

  “What is bothering you, Angel?”

  His son shrugged. “I can’t focus, Papí. My swing is off. My head is not in the game. This is not good for me.”

  “But why, hijo? What is in your way?”

  Angel sighed, his gaze shifting between the rearview mirror, the side mirror and the road. He struggled with what to say. Where were the words to tell the man that it was a woman who was disrupting his calm, just the thought of her sending him into a tailspin? It had always been easy before her. The women who had walked in and out of his life before had only been there for as long as his carnal needs dictated. He’d had no want of anything else from any of them. Baseball had always been his first priority. His father had been his second priority. All else was moot. Now, here was this woman upsetting the balance of all his life plans. Where were the words to explain all the emotions embodied in this turn of events with Roshawn? Emotions he himself had no understanding of. Angel shook his head and said all he could even think to begin to say.

  “It is nothing for you to worry about, Papí. Things will be better soon.”

  * * *

  Nina was putting the last touches on her dining room table when her husband Patrick came through the back door of their home.

  “I’m in the dining room,” she answered as he called out her name, searching out her whereabouts.

  “Hi,” Patrick said, coming to her side to see what it was she was doing. “Everything looks great.”

  Nina smiled her appreciation as she adjusted the last napkin against the table that was set for six. “Did you remember to pick up the wine?”

  He nodded. “There are five bottles of Merlot on the kitchen counter.”

  She leaned to kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” Patrick asked, dropping down to sit on one of the cushioned chairs.

  “Do what?”

  “Blindside Roshawn with this dinner date.”

  “I’m not blindsiding her. She knows we’re just having a few friends over for a quiet dinner. And I told her there would be a single man here for her to meet.”

  “But they’ve already met and Angel’s going to be the only single man here.”

  “And one is more than enough.”

  Patrick shook his head. “I sure hope you know what you’re doing, baby doll.”

  Nina laughed. “I hope I’m making a love connection.”

  “The two of them might not be interested in being connected to each other. I told you how he reacted in the locker room the other day.”

  The woman shrugged. “Well, I think they’d be cute together, so what can it hurt to try?” She glanced over to the clock on the wall. “You need to go get ready. Our guests will be here soon.”

  “Just remember—” Patrick grinned as he came to his feet “—this was all your idea. Don’t put me in it.”

  Nina rolled her eyes. “Chicken!”

  Thirty minutes later the couple had greeted three of their four invited guests and were waiting for the last. As usual, Roshawn was late, her arrival timed to ensure that she would make an entrance that would not be soon forgotten. Angel was standing in conversation with Patrick and Evan Hoyle, the team’s resident pitching ace. The men were talking shop, baseball lingo being bantered easily between them. Nina and John’s wife, Candy, were sipping on their drinks, both lauding Roshawn’s skills with a pair of scissors.

  “I absolutely love what she
did for Cindi Davis. I asked her about perming my hair and she told me not to do it. She thought it would make me look like a poodle.”

  Nina laughed. “That’s what I love about her. She doesn’t hold back.” The woman glanced toward the men and then to her clock. As if on cue, the doorbell rang, signaling Roshawn’s arrival. Nina jumped to her feet to answer the door, her excitement greeting her friend in the entrance. Grinning widely, Nina pulled her into the house. “It’s about time!” she exclaimed.

  Roshawn chuckled as she leaned to give her friend a quick hug. “Be glad I’m here.”

  Nina pointed her toward the formal living room. “Everyone’s this way. Come meet my surprise.”

  Roshawn cut her eye at the woman. “If you did what I think you did I’m going to kill you.”

  Nina laughed, whispering as she linked her arm through Roshawn’s. “I told you I couldn’t have an odd number at the table. I just invited one of Patrick’s friends to even us out.”

  Roshawn caught sight of Angel before she could form the words to respond to the woman beside her. She stopped short, nervous tension suddenly consuming her. She had not seen him since that night on the dance floor. As she stood there eyeing him, the memory of that night surged like brushfire through her. He was dressed in a pair of black dress slacks and a black knit shirt that nicely outlined the muscles of his chest. A wide smile filled his face as he laughed easily with his friends. There was no denying the expression that consumed Roshawn’s face, intrigue and wanting swirling past her eyes in his direction.

  Nina gave her arm a quick tug, her broad smile growing wider. “You and Angel Rios have met before, haven’t you?” she said sarcastically as she gestured in the man’s direction.

  Roshawn glared at her friend, struggling to regain some composure. At that moment, Angel turned, noticing her arrival for the first time. The man’s smile faded ever so slightly as he stood staring, a rise of perspiration suddenly beading against his palms. He spun the glass he was tightly holding between his hands and took a deep breath as he tossed a look in Patrick’s direction. His friend noticed his sudden discomfort and smiled.

  “It was Nina’s idea. Since you and Roshawn are both new to the area and you know each other already, she figured it wouldn’t be too awkward for you.”

  The other man standing with him eyed Roshawn curiously. He took a quick sip of his drink before speaking. “Now that’s one beautiful woman. If I wasn’t married myself I wouldn’t mind being fixed up with her. I wouldn’t mind at all,” Evan stated, his voice low so that only his companions heard him.

  All three men turned in greeting as Nina pushed Roshawn through the door to the patio, Candy following close behind them. “Gentlemen, do you all know Roshawn Bradsher?” Nina said brightly.

  Evan extended his hand. “No. I don’t think we’ve met.”

  Roshawn smiled coyly as she shook his hand. “Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Hoyle. That was a great game you pitched last week.”

  The man smiled back, his chest pushing forward ever so slightly. “Well, thank you. It’s very nice to meet you, Roshawn. And, please, call me Evan.”

  Roshawn moved to kiss Patrick’s cheek. She gave him a quick wink. “Hi, Patrick. How’s it hanging?”

  The man returned her greeting with a warm hug. “Hey there, darlin’. Glad you could make it.”

  She turned to Angel who was still staring at her. “Angel, it’s very nice to see you again.”

  He nodded slowly. “It’s a pleasure seeing you as well,” he said, a sudden eagerness filling his eyes. He grinned shyly and Roshawn returned the smile with one of her own.

  “Well, now that we’re all here, I’m going to go check on our meal. If you’ll all excuse me for a moment,” Nina said, turning back toward the kitchen. “I shouldn’t be too long.”

  Roshawn turned to her friend. “Do you need any help?”

  The woman shook her head. “No. You stay and chat. Candy can give me a hand. Won’t you, Candy?”

  “Of course.”

  The group watched as the two women disappeared back inside. Roshawn turned her attention back to the three men. She shifted her body ever so slightly, trying to distance herself from the heat rising between her and Angel, who was standing just a touch too close for comfort.

  Evan spoke first. “So, Roshawn, Candy tells me you’re only visiting with us for the summer.”

  She nodded. “That’s correct. Just until my daughter gets settled in the area. She’ll be attending the University of Phoenix this fall.”

  “Nina is hoping you’ll change your mind and stay here permanently,” Patrick said.

  “Maybe you’ll change your mind?” Angel interjected, his tone soft, his eyes meeting hers with an intense gaze.

  Roshawn shrugged. “I don’t think so,” she answered, avoiding the deep look he was giving her.

  Evan took another sip of his drink. “Maybe we can change your mind.”

  “We’re definitely going to try,” Patrick added. “

  So, Roshawn, have you been to the Children’s Center lately?” Angel asked.

  “Do you volunteer also?” Evan asked.

  “Yes,” she answered, nodding her head. “I was just there for a few hours this afternoon with my daughter.”

  “Volunteering with the boys?” Angel asked, amusement coating his words.

  “As a matter of fact,” Roshawn said, turning to stare directly at him.

  Both Evan and Patrick looked from one to other, sensing that something about Roshawn’s volunteering was an issue between them.

  Patrick raised his eyebrows questioningly. “Did we miss something?” he asked.

  Roshawn shook her head from side to side. “Angel has issues with women volunteering with the boys, doing boy things. He’s a bit chauvinistic.”

  Patrick chuckled.

  Evan nodded his head. “I don’t know if that’s being chauvinistic. I think I agree that there are some places women just don’t need to be.”

  “Does your wife agree with you?” Roshawn asked.

  “Candy knows her place.”

  Roshawn rolled her eyes. “Another one.”

  “Another what?” Nina asked as she and Candy returned to the conversation, both moving to stand by their men.

  “Another man who thinks he knows what’s best for the female population.”

  Nina laughed. “Evan’s a little uptight about things like that. My Patrick hasn’t rubbed off on him yet.”

  “Nor will he,” Evan responded. He wrapped an arm around his wife’s shoulder and leaned to kiss her cheek. “Rules and regulations are a good thing for you females,” he said, humor in his tone. He winked an eye at Angel and Patrick as if they shared some inside joke.

  Roshawn cast an eye toward Candy. “And you put up with this?”

  Color suddenly flushed the woman’s pale complexion as she fanned a hand in Roshawn’s direction. “Don’t pay him no attention. You know how boys can be!” she exclaimed, leaning into the man’s side, her arms wrapping around his waist. “He bluffs a good game but he’s really just a big, old teddy bear.”

  Evan grinned. “See, my baby’s not complaining and I’m happy. So I guess I know a little something about what’s good for you women.”

  Angel tossed Roshawn a sly smile. “Shouldn’t all women want that for their men? For them to be happy?”

  “And what about men wanting their women to be happy?” Roshawn tossed back. “Or don’t we count?”

  “Oh, you count,” Angel said, his accent thickening as his voice dropped low and deep. “You count where you’re needed the most.”

  The duo stared at each other for a brief moment, energy spinning a thick line between them.

  Nina laughed. “Well, let’s take this conversation to the table. Dinner is served.”

  As she led the way, the others followed behind her. Angel moved to follow Roshawn, the palm of his hand pressing lightly against the small of her back as he held the door open for her. The touch sent a
shiver up her spine and she felt her knees quivering ever so slightly. In the dining room, Nina had set the table so that the two would be sitting side by side. Angel held the chair out for her, pushing it in slightly as she took her seat.

  “Thank you,” she responded politely.

  The man smiled again, the warmth of it flooding through her. “I am only doing what a good man should do for a woman,” he said smugly.

  Roshawn shook her head. “As long as that good man understands that a woman is capable of opening her own door and pulling out her own seat, then there’s nothing wrong with it.”

  Angel shook his head, turning toward Nina as he spoke. “Is your friend always so stubborn?”

  Nina laughed. “She might be asking the same thing about you.”

  Roshawn scowled, turning toward Patrick who was gratefully changing the subject.

  “Angel, how’s the house-hunting going?”

  Angel turned to Roshawn. “Yes, Roshawn. How is my house-hunting going?’

  Roshawn dropped a napkin into her lap. “It’s going,” she responded. “I’m sure you’ll be very satisfied very soon.”

  Angel shrugged, looking back toward Patrick. “You know as much as I do, my friend. It’s difficult finding good help.”

  Roshawn tossed him an angry glare. “Excuse me?”

  Angel shrugged, his thick shoulders moving skyward toward his ears. “I wasn’t talking about you, Roshawn,” he said smugly as a thin grin pulled at his mouth. “I don’t mean you any hurt at all. It is just that you are not the first woman who has been helping me find a home. But like many of the women, it is difficult for you to focus on what I need, and your own issues as well. That is why I think women should devote themselves to their children and their homes. Leave the other things to us men. It is what we are here for.”