Home Base

Annoyed Banter

Alone in the bleachers, I laughed at the game Raymond was making the boys play with Forrest as the ball boy. Raymond would hit fly balls from home base and two boys had to chase after it from 3rd and 1st base and fight over it. Whoever caught it got water. Ashton was first to catch a ball and trotted to the water jug. Taking the chance to talk to him, I headed his way. "Hey, having fun?" I teased him from the other side of the dugout. "So much fun, I'm about to die." He said breathlessly and gulped down his cup of warm water. "Can I ask you something?" I looked at him nervously. He nodded with a mouthful of water. Our relationship definitely wasn't close and asking too many personal questions might piss him off. I just hoped he was open enough to not get mad.

"Who's the blonde guy?" I asked quietly as another guy walked up to the water jug. Ashton gestured to the gate and rounded out of the dugout. I followed his led to the gate. "Don't mess with him." He warned. "Why not?" I sounded annoyed. "He's a bad guy. He has a new girl every week. You don't need to be another notch in his belt." He glared at me and headed away from me. "I don't even know his name!" I yelled at him. "It's Ryland!" The blonde boy waved at me. My cheeks burn with embarrassment. "I wasn't talking about you." I shot back. With a smirk on his face, he shrugged dramatically. The guys around him laughed and pat his back.

After the rest of the boys got water, Raymond offered up to take them to eat. As much as I wanted to hang around the guys, they were sweaty and smelly. "Whataburger!" One of the boys suggested. "Where?" I glanced up at Ashton as we all walked back to the parking lot. "It's a Texas fast food place." He answered, tossing his baseball bag in the backseat of the truck. Four guys jumped in the bed with Ashton. "Why don't you sit back here with us?" A short brunette asked me shyly. Hesitantly, I pulled myself over the tailgate and planted my bottom next to Ashton. "So what's your name?" Another boy asked. "Nicola." I spoke softly. The four boys smiled at me with interest. "Introduce yourselves, you idiots." Ashton poked fun. The short guy was the first to chime, "I'm Josh." "Dawson." "Nate." "Will." "Hi." I forced a smile. "Why are you so shy?" Josh nudged my foot with his. "I'm not. I just don't know what to say. I don't really know any of you." I answered truthfully. "That makes sense." Dawson nodded and looked at the passing houses. The ride became quiet, and no more questions were asked.

The team of idiots swarmed the fast food place in a rush. "It's all on me, boys!" Raymond called out to them as he walked slowly behind them with Forrest. "Are you seriously going to pay for all of their food?" I looked at him in shock. "Of course I am. What kinda coach would I be if I didn't?" He smiled. A normal one. "Hey, Ray!" The cashier yelled over the ruckus. "Hey, man!" He was instantly pulled to the front of the line in interest of a conversation. In annoyance, I sighed loudly. A small hand forced its way into mine. Forrest stared at me with wide brown eyes. His little cheeks were sunburned slightly, and his light brown hair was every which way from the players rubbing his head and calling him "Sport." 

Forrest now on my hip, I stayed back until all the boys ordered. Having never been there, I focused on the menu not knowing what in the world to order. Chicken strips were sounding pretty good since I knew getting a burger would conclude with the contents in my lap. We made it to the front and Forrest automatically talked, "I want my food." I glanced at the small kid with confusion. "They come in once a week so I know their order." The cashier informed me. "Uh-huh… I'll just have a number 13." I stared up at the menu, unsure if I made the right decision. The guy handed me a kid's cup and a medium cup. As I filled Forrest's cup, I listened in on Raymond and the cashier. "That will be $97.36."

My jaw hanging, I finished filling up our cups and walked us to an empty booth. Forrest sat in front of me and giggled. "What now?" I sighed again. He shook his head. I turned around and almost bumped heads with Ryland. "May I help you?" I asked a little louder than I should have. "Can't a guy just admire a girl as stunnin' as you?" He propped his elbow up on the booth's back rest and rested his cheek on his fist. I looked at him speechless. "Nah, I'm just kiddin'. Not about you bein' pretty though." He smiled and turned back around to face his friends. "He likes you." Forrest made a face. I blushed at his silly words. "He likes every girl." He added on.

~~~

The house was quiet once the team was gone or upstairs in Ashton's room. Raymond sat idly on the living room couch with the television on. I casually walked in and cleared my throat. "Whatcha want, kiddo?" He paused the show and looked up at me. "I want to get my license here." I said firmly. "How old are you?" He sounded surprised by my demand. "Sixteen." I replied. "If I let you get your license, I'll get you a car," He shifted in his seat before continuing, "But you have to do something for me." "What's that?" I almost dreaded asking.

"You have to work up at the fields for me." He smiled proudly. "Wait, you own the fields?" I was taken aback. "Yeah, of course I do." He said, scratching his scruffy goatee with the back side of his hand. "Who are you people!? I don't understand any of this." I blurted. "Any of what?" Raymond confusedly asked. "How can you afford all this? I'm not trying to be rude, but when I came here, I was expecting a rinky dink house with two rooms in the middle of nowhere." I admitted. Raymond cracked up laughing as I stood with my arms crossed. "You're mom never told you did she? I'm a personal baseball trainer for several college teams and I''m the president of the baseball association in Destiny." He spoke sternly, "I figured you knew." I nodded my head slowly, contemplating all that's been said, "I guess i'll work at the fields." 

"Good, you start tomorrow at noon for the tournament." 

Groaning in annoyance of my new job, I headed up the stairs to my room. I had never had a job in my life before this. Did he expect me to deal with people? People pleasing was not what I was capable of doing. Disappointing people was more like it. I have never been good enough.

~~~

The orange dirt squished under my wedged heels as I treaded to the assigned job of working the concession stands. I opened the heavy green door and walked into the white room filled with junk food and tons of Gatorade. "Ugh, kill me now." I said under my breath and went to open the order window. "Here, let me help." A strong country voice came from behind me before two big hands held the window gate up for me to fasten it. "Thanks." I breathed heavily, not bothering to look at the stranger. 

"Nice to meet you, too." He followed me to the fridge. "I'm Nicola." I turned hastily around to be met by a tanned, dark green eyed boy with a charming smirk. "Kasey." He stuck his hand out. I hesitantly shook it and avoided talking to him more by walking out of the concession stands all together. "You'll be back." He stuck his head out of the window as I passed. "I can't do this." I marched right up to Raymond and stood with arms crossed. "What?" He glanced down at me and then back at the game about to start. "I'm being harassed so I guess I'll just quit now." I said bluntly.

With an unamused expression, Raymond went up to the concession stands window, "Kasey, come 'ere." A smug smile crawled onto my face as Kasey worriedly moped over. "Teach her how to make the nachos, and make sure she doesn't leave." Raymond nodded and disappeared around the building. "What!?" I shouted. "You heard him. Now get back here." Kasey winked and turned on the cheese machine. 

Hate fumed within me when I stood next to him as he explained the machine. Who was he to tell me what to do? Just that fact was getting on my nerves. "You're gonna have to wear a hair net." He said with matter of fact. "What are you, bro, besides confused? I'm not wearing one." I defended my straight done up hair. "I was just messin' with you." He grinned with a short laugh. I rolled my eyes and continued to listen to his annoying voice.

The lines were becoming longer and the pressure was getting to me. "I asked for no jalapeños!" A middle aged woman complained. "No you didn't." I shot back. "Yes I did." She raised her voice. I turned my back to her to pretend to mess with the soda fountain. A small object hit the back of my head. My fingers picked out a jalapeño from my hair. "Back away from the window, you crazy ass woman!" I demanded of her. A shocked look on her face, she walked off. "You can't say that. This is a family oriented facility." Kasey whispered into my hair. "You're full of crap." I whipped around and glared up at him. "No, I took a shit this morning." He jolted at me to make me flinch. "Whatever." I turned from him, hoping he would go away.

A small smile was forced back at how he has just nonchalantly been teasing me all day. He would constantly tower over me at six foot three. A goofy smile was always on his face. Knowingly trying to annoy me, he was actually earning my respect. He was putting up with my attitude and that is something most people don't take lightly.