Mike calls for her screwball. Ginny winds up. Releases. The thwack of the ball hitting Mike's glove sounds louder than usual. It echoes in her head. That's fourteen batters who haven't made it to base.
She concentrates on breathing. In. Out. In. Out.
Mike calls for a slider. She shakes him off. He calls for her fast ball. She takes a deep breath and delivers the pitch, glimpsing a flash of a grin behind his mask as he easily catches the ball.
Fifteen at bats. Zero hits.
Ginny closes her eyes and squares her shoulders. Inhale through the nose. Exhale through the mouth. In. Out. In. Out.
Sometimes being on the pitcher's mound can feel like the loneliest place on Earth, but she's not feeling lonely today. If anything, Ginny feels an almost overwhelming sense of calm and she credits it all to her friends, her team, her family and of course Mike - they are all here for her.
Will Baker is in the stands to watch his sister pitch one more time before he heads east. Evelyn, Amelia and Eliot are all here as well, sharing space with the wives and girlfriends in the luxury box. Her fellow Padres are watching her with bated breath from the dug-out, teasing her with a collective (but good natured) cold shoulder as her hitless innings add up.
But it's having Mike behind the plate - meeting his eyes and knowing with every fiber of her being how he feels about her - that warms her heart in a way she's never known before. It is his presence that gives her the strength she needs to do what she needs to do.
No, support isn't the problem today, but that doesn't mean there isn't a problem. It seems that Oscar's numbers guy might have been right. Even though she's on the verge of pitching a no-hitter, she knows her arm is fading. And fading fast. She motions for Mike to come out to the mound.
He jogs out. "Talk to me, Rook."
"I think I'm done."
He nods, his eyes searching hers. "You're sure?"
"Yeah. I think I am. I'm losing steam. Arm is feeling tight." She rotates the shoulder carefully. "What would you do, Mike? I could maybe pitch a - "
"Don't say it."
"Fine. I'll use different words." She rolls her eyes. "If I stay in, I could maybe pitch the Voldemort of baseball..."
"You could do that, and it would be epic or you could hurt yourself and spend next season - maybe my last - on the DL after a Tommy John surgery and I'd have to catch for everyone but you and that would suck." He takes a deep breath.
"So, it's all about you then?"
"Well, it's a little about me." Mike's smile flashes under the beard. "Rookie, if I was in your place, I'd hate to end my season just shy of something like... this, but I'd also want to avoid injury. So, if it was me, I'd call it, but I get why you would want to stay in. It's a gamble. You know how I feel, but what's it going to be? How much of a gambler are you?"
She bites her lip. "I don't like the odds."
"Neither do I. Are your ready to hang it up?"
"Maybe." She bites her lip, attempting to stifle a smile. "But if I do leave the game, I might be frustrated. Sad. Might need someone to cheer me up?" Her eyes sparkle up at him.
He chuckles. "I could probably help you with that."
"Yeah? Well, all right then, get the skipper out here and let's make it official."
Mike motions for Al to send out a reliever and Ginny's season is done, but you wouldn't know it to see her face. Her smile is wide and genuine as she waves at her friends, her family, her teammates and all the cheering fans who stand to applaud and yell.
They don't leave the park together. Mike leaves first, signing some autographs for fans who have stuck around, before he drives away in his Range Rover. She takes an Uber to her place. Then, just to be sure nobody is following, she takes a different Uber to Evilyn's and Evi drops her off at Mike's.
"Is this going to be a regular thing?" Evi asks with a grin. "Not complaining. I feel like a spy."
"Calm down Double O Evelyn. Not sure how it's going to be, but yeah. Pretty sure my going to Mike's will be a regular thing." Ginny can't hide her satisfied smile.
"Damn, girl. I'm happy for you. I really am. You deserve all the good things and it seems to me like Mike wants to give them to you."
"I don't want his money."
"Good thing I wasn't talking about money, then."
Mike opens the door before Ginny can knock or ring the bell. "Hey," he says, his eyes soaking her in.
"Hey, yourself." She has a bag slung over one shoulder and he can't help but hope that she has decided to stay over night.
He motions for her to follow him. "Are you hungry? I ordered some take out but wasn't sure what you'd be in the mood for." He leads her into his kitchen. They stare at the counter and now that Mike sees his efforts through fresh eyes, he groans. "Maybe I went overboard."
Ginny drops her bag on the counter and walks closer. "Chinese, pizza, tacos, nachos…" She points at boxes and cartons as she goes along, stopping as she reaches a plain square box. "What is this?"
"Chocolate cake. Ice cream is in the freezer."
"What if I'm not hungry?"
He watches her for a beat, and shrugs. "Then we don't eat."
They stare at each other for a long time, savoring the freedom of being alone even as they fight the awkwardness of this new phase of their relationship. Ginny finally breaks the gaze and chuckles. "Totally kidding. I'm starved. Did you get sweet and sour chicken?"
Mike grins, relieved. "Of course. Those crab rangoon you like too."
"Got any grape soda?"
He turns to the fridge and returns in a moment with a frosty can of Grape Crush. "Your wish is my command."
"Gonna remember that for later." She watches him from under her lashes as she takes a drink from her soda.
He feels a happy warmth grow in his chest. "Good. Cause I meant it."
They eat in silence, just watching each other. Ginny finishes up the carton of sweet and sour while Mike eats a slice of pizza and some fruit. He gets done first. "Full yet?" he asks.
She grins wickedly and shakes her head. "No. Not all of me is full yet."
"Damn, Rookie." He feels his cock twitch in his jeans. "Now it's my turn to remember something for later."
She pushes her carton aside. "I worry about your memory, Old Man, so maybe we should skip to later now."
He stands up and grasps her hand. "I like the way you think."
She preens. "I know."
Mike hesitates, tilting his head to one side. "But what was your name again? You seem familiar." He taps his temple as if searching his memory bank for signs of who she might be.
"Not funny," she laughs.
He pounces, tossing her over his shoulder like she's no heavier than a sack of potatoes before heading to the stairs. She squeals and tries to wiggle down but he smacks her ass. "Don't fight with me, Rook. Would hate to ruin our big moment by throwing out my back."
Ginny stills. "You're right. Wouldn't want that."
When they get to his room, he carefully sets her down. Ginny's hands are on his arms. She gently runs her fingers up and down the cut of his biceps. "Hey, Lawson. Remember last time?"
"I was kidding earlier about forgetting, Rook. I'm not that old. I remember every damn thing."
"Yeah. Me too." She smiles up at him. "But."
"But?" His eyebrows rise.
"Can we go a little slower tonight? Take our time?"
He leans into her, nuzzling the base of her neck. "If that's what you want."
His breath is hot on her flesh. She nods. "It is."
He answers by trailing his lips up the column of her throat. He doesn't rush, pausing here and there to lick and nip at her heated skin. When his lips finally find hers, she is eager for his touch.
Mike pulls back, his eyes black with need. "Oh no. You said slow."
Ginny groans until he moves back in, his lips are soft and supple and he slides them over hers with a feather light caress. His hands are moving as well, stroking the planes of her body, mapping out the pleasure he has planned.
His moves are sensual and languid as he teases her lips with his teeth. Ginny feels his beard against her mouth and cheeks and imagines how it will feel elsewhere.
Mike deepens the kiss, gently exploring her mouth with his tongue. She responds fully, wrapping her arms around his back as they taste one another. He buries his hands in her curls, pulling her even closer. He devours her slowly and Ginny feels her knees weaken.
She runs shaky fingers down the hard lines of his back, edging lower, gently caressing his ass. He growls into the kiss, thrusting his hips against hers. Ginny arches into his body, loving the feel of his need for her as it grows against her belly.
They undress slowly, removing items of clothing only as they get in the way of exploring and touching and worshipping each other.
Naked at last, they fall into his bed. He pushes her gently onto her back, working his way down her body, inch by glorious inch. He licks and kisses and sucks bits of her flesh between his teeth, leaving a tortuous trail of little hickies and patches of beard burn as he works his way south.
Ginny writhes on the bed, watching as he settles low between her legs. His eyes are on hers as he spreads her knees and licks her velvety slit. She bucks against his face and he chuckles wickedly before pushing down her pelvis with his forearm. Once she's still, he does it again, slower this time - as if drawing out this moment is his new goal in life.
He loves the way she tastes - like spice and sunshine - and he buries his face in her heat, sucking and licking and fucking her gently with his probing tongue. He thinks he could die happy right now, and from the sounds Ginny is making, she feels the same way.
Ginny moans as he flicks her clit with the rough of his tongue before sucking it gently into his mouth. Her nerve endings are sending bolts of desire through her body as red hot need burrows deep in her core. "Mike," she whines.
"Hmm?" His mouth is still on her and his question vibrates through her in a way that shoots her over the edge. She shudders and quakes, coming hard as Mike slides two fingers between her drenched pussy lips. He thrusts his fingers in time to feel her heat clench his digits with fluttering spasms.
Ginny collapses, eyes closed and chest heaving. Her voice is a husky whisper. "That was… I can't... There aren't words..."
Mike crawls up her body, nuzzling kisses against her throat. "Just wait. There's more where that came from." He bites at her earlobe as his hips nestle between her thighs. His cock is hard and thick, jutting into her flesh.
She recovers quickly, pivoting up and against him, begging without words to be filled. He props himself up with one arm, using his other hand to cup and stroke her breast. Mike tweaks the nipple, pinching and pulling lightly. "I love your tits, Baker. Gonna spend a lot of time on them later."
She moans as he ruts against her wet center, not entering yet. Teasing.
"Mike?" her plea is desperate.
"Tell me what you want."
"You know."
"Yeah, I do." He takes his dick in hand, sliding it through the messy slick at her entrance, before pressing the flared tip into her ever so gently. Mike pauses there, using his arms to lift his upper body.
"What are you doing?" she pants, lifting her hips to take him in farther.
"Watching." His eyes are black with need and he holds his gaze on where her swollen pussy lips surround the tip of his engorged cock. He pushes in a little bit more, savoring the feel of her tight heat. "Damn. Get up, Rook. You should see this too."
She can't think about anything except taking him deeper but she lifts up on her elbows and follows his gaze. "God, Mike. You're so big."
Mike pushes in a little more. He's still not even half in, but he can feel her cunt stretching to accept his girth. "I could die happy right here."
"Don't die on me yet, Old Man. Need all of you inside me. Need it bad."
"Thought you wanted to take it slow?" He lifts his face, meeting her gaze with his own. He's grinning.
"I think I was wrong."
Mike pulls almost all the way out, leaving only the head of his cock in her pussy. "You sure?"
She nods and he doesn't hesitate, thrusting deep with one surging stroke. "Fuck," he moans, pulling out again only to sink in deeper.
Ginny is scrabbling at his shoulders, scraping his back with her short fingernails and arching for more. More of his cock. More of his thrusting. More Mike. More.
He begins to pump in and out with long sure thrusts, stretching and filling. He bottoms out and pulls one of her calves over his shoulder. They are a sweaty, panting mess and neither one cares at all.
Mike grimaces and Ginny feels a change in him. "You okay?"
"My back." He slows, still deep inside. "Need a little time out. Gotta switch it up a bit." He pulls from her pussy and crawls up to sit at the head of his bed, with his back to the headboard and his cock throbbing and wet against his belly. "Come up here, Gin."
"Timeout is over?"
"Yeah. Timeout is over."
Ginny grins at him, crawling her way up his body, taking a moment to lick a stripe of her essence from the base of his cock. He moans, pulling at her arms to bring her into his lap. She lines him up and settles down, sheathing his throbbing penis until she's seated flush with his hips.
She rotates and lifts, sighing happily at the feel of his cock so deep inside. He wraps his arms around her and pulls her against his body. His mouth finds hers and they kiss as she rides. The pace of the kiss matches their coupling - leisurely and perfect.
As she moves, slowly bouncing up and down, he grasps the globes of her ass in his hands, squeezing firmly. She digs her fingers into his shoulders. And the kiss continues.
She can taste herself on his lips, feel her moisture on his beard. Ginny feels another orgasm building within her and she moves faster, chasing it, still not breaking the contact of her mouth on his.
Ginny's body shudders and Mike feels his balls tighten. He keeps one hand on her ass, moving the fingers from his free hand down in front to stroke her clit rhythmically. She stiffens around him, crying out his name as she comes. Her velvety cunt grips and pulls at him as she crests. He follows, yanking her hips down hard against his as he shoots his load deep in her pussy as it milks him dry.
"Damnit, Baker."
"Yeah."
"That was -"
She nods, satisfied, cocky and maybe a little sleepy. "No words, right? I know."
They are laughing as they separate to lie side by side. He grasps for her hand and squeezes her fingers. "You are amazing."
"Mmm, you too."
He pulls her into his arms, burying his face in her curls. "True."
"God, you're a jerk," she laughs.
"Well, this jerk has worked up an appetite. Food?"
Ginny kisses him, biting at his lower lip playfully. "You stay here and take care of your back. I'll bring food."
"My back is okay. Really, it's -" He tries to sit up but groans. "Yeah, you go get the food, Baker. I think you broke me."
Ginny presses one final kiss on his forehead before bounding out of bed with a grin. "Don't worry. I'll fix everything I broke with some cold pizza and pain killers. Be right back."
He watches in awe as she walks across his room, her youth and exuberance in stark contrast to the new twinge in his back and the ache in his knees. Mike doesn't dwell on his minor discomfort. Instead, he watches her perfect naked ass as it sashays away. "Don't forget I live in a literal glass house, Baker," he calls after her. "You could wear a shirt or something."
She returns several minutes later, still deliciously naked, but with arms loaded. "Pizza, Doritos, Chocolate cake and drinks."
"Jesus, Baker. Did you bring enough for both of us, or is that all for you?" He catches the bottle of Extra Strength Tylenol she tosses his way.
"You aren't the only one with an appetite. Awesome sex makes me hungry."
"Awesome sex, huh?" He smirks as he swallows two capsules dry.
"Well, I mean it was okay." She takes a bite of pepperoni pizza and grins as she chews.
"Give me some of that food, liar."
She passes him the bag of chips and a Red Bull. Popping open a can of grape soda for herself; she watches him. "This is good, isn't it?"
"They're a little stale…"
She punches him playfully. "Not the chips, Old Man. This. Us."
"Yeah." He nods, taking a drink. "It's really good."
"The secrecy thing is going to suck."
He nods. "Yeah, but it's a small price to pay."
"You're right. It will be worth it. And maybe we can get away some time, just us - somewhere that we don't have to be so secretive. Away from San Diego. Away from Baseball." She grins at him. "We'll use fake names..."
"And disguises?" He looks skeptical. "They better be good ones, because people will know us. I mean, we aren't the Kardashians but we will be recognized, even if we're in a different city."
She frowns. "Yeah, I guess I could wear a hat and sunglasses? You could shave?"
Mike shakes his head. "Nice try. If I shaved, it would break your heart. You love the beard."
Ginny's smile fades and her eyes heat up as she remembers just how much she does, in fact, love the beard. "I'll admit that might be a little bit true."
"Little bit?"
She shrugs playfully, taking another bite of pizza.
"So where are we going on this incognito vacation of yours?"
She thinks about it for a time, taking another drink of her soda to wash down the pizza. "Paris? Tahiti? Maybe you could go with me to visit my Mom? She loves you. Wouldn't even have to shave since she knows who you are already."
"What's going on with your mom?"
"Nothing. She's just been pushing for us to catch up. And I'm trying to be more open, or whatever."
"Maybe we can do that, Rook. We could tell your mom we're just friends."
Ginny nods. "Yeah. That works. Maybe you could meet my brother too. He's moving back home so he'll be there."
A flash of something undefinable passes across his face. "Your brother? I think I met him once, maybe."
Ginny has a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach and she carefully sets the pizza box aside, watching him.
He is having trouble meeting her eyes.
"Oh, god. It wasn't Amelia. It was you, wasn't it?"
"Me what?" His expression is guarded.
"You made that job happen for Will. You got my money and Blip and Evelyn's money back." She frowns. "Tell me the truth."
He scowls, swinging his feet to the floor and standing stiffly. He turns and faces her with a sigh. "Fine. You caught me, Rookie. I paid a charity in North Carolina to bankroll a new position and told them to recruit your brother. It was a win-win. Good for that charity and good for your brother. It was anonymous so unless you tell him, he'll never know. You weren't ever supposed to know either."
Ginny is flabbergasted. "But, why? Why would you do that?"
"Because Blip was freaking out about losing money and Evelyn was sick because of it and they were both worried about you and said you were stressed out. Blip said this was causing tension between you and Amelia. I wanted for you to not worry about anything and I wanted your brother to not feel singled out or like you didn't trust him..."
She yanks a blanket up to cover her body. "I don't need you to be my knight in shining armor."
Mike grabs his discarded boxes from the floor and pulls them up over his hips. "I get that you like to be independent and take care of yourself, but sometimes it's okay to get help."
"I didn't ask for your help."
"You didn't have to."
"I don't need to be saved, not by you. Not by anyone," she says as her breathing becomes labored.
"Breathe, Ginny. Breathe." He places his hands on her shoulders, hoping to help her avoid another panic attack.
She shakes him off, but her breathing calms. "Why did you do it? Why would you think that I -"
Mike kneels down in front of her, gently stroking her hair away from her face. "From what Blip told me, your brother is a lot like my mom. And there were times over the years that I think she could have benefited from someone helping her out. But it never happened. Anyway, that doesn't matter."
"It does matter. Why would you think you could just fix my problems without asking me first? Will is not your family. He's mine. I should be the one to help him."
"You are way smarter than this, Baker. You have to know why I did it."
She shakes her head as tears threaten. "No. I don't know. Tell me."
"I'm gonna be your knight in shining armor as often as i can be and I'm gonna save you every damn time that I have the opportunity. It's not because you can't do it on your own. You are strong and amazing and self sufficient and perfect. It's not that you need me to be your hero. You don't. It's because that is the kind of shit that a man like me does when he loves a woman like you."
Ginny's eyes are wide. "Wait. You love me, Lawson? But -"
"No buts. I love you, Ginny Baker." He wraps his arms around her, pulling her into his embrace. "I know it's going to be difficult because we'll have to keep it quiet. I know it may get awkward because we work together. I know that I'm older and someday you are probably going to regret hitching your wagon to this old horse, but none of that matters to me because I love you with all I got."
Ginny isn't used to accepting help, but she's not used to this either - this feeling of being loved. Wanted. Cherished. So, he wants to help her. Someday maybe she'll be in a position to return the favor. After all, that's probably the kind of thing a woman like her does when she loves a guy like him…and yes, she loves him too. Ginny almost says it out loud, but her mouth is dry and the words won't come. Not yet.
Ginny takes a deep steadying breath as he runs his hands over the planes of her back. She lets everything he's said soak into her heart where it soothes her worry. "I can't believe you love me."
"Well, I do."
She reaches up, stroking his chin and sliding her fingers through his beard. Her eyes shine with the feelings she isn't yet ready to put in words. "Show me?"
"Only for as long as we live, Rook."
"Well, that's a start."
A/N: Thanks to everyone who left a comment or kudo. Your feedback and support have been amazing and lovely and you all deserve a big virtual high five. Thanks also, to WildIrish, my dear friend, who gave me some assistance with this fic and who lured me into the Pitch fold to begin with. I love it here, by the way. It's cozy.
This started dark and angsty and then (because evidently regardless of fandom, I am incapable of leaving a story without tacking on an HEA) it became something else entirely. I'd love to hear what you think. Please leave a comment if you have a moment.