AN: So, this was another chapter that I hadn't originally planned to write but just flowed out of me. It's basically a date that's absolutely not being called a date. Also, I know nothing about baseball or batting cages, I'm not American. So if there's anything off, please forgive me.
The title comes from the song This Town by Niall Horan. I hope you enjoy! Please review. :) LT.
entangled
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part five
butterflies they come alive when i'm next to you
..
Mark had thought that by the time they had walked to his apartment and he'd showered and changed, Addison would have cooled down a little. But as he stepped out of his bedroom he could see Addison waiting on him almost impatiently; he was sure that if she had less decorum, she'd have been tapping her foot.
"Are you sure you want to go to the batting cages?" Mark asked, as a way to announce his presence to the woman. But even before she answered, he could see the answer clear on her face - apparently she still needed an outlet - and Mark figured he may as well give her one.
"Yes," Addison stated plainly, brows furrowed and body tensed as she stood up. "I know it's not my, you know, usual way of relaxing but, I just need to do something different. You know?" she continued, fidgeting with the rings on her fingers, hands pressing together tightly.
Mark nodded, grinning at her. He wanted to ask what had happened in the short few minutes he'd been upstairs at the brownstone getting changed but knew it really wasn't any of his business. Addison and Derek may have been his best friends but he tried his hardest not to get involved in their disputes and arguments. It didn't help though that the pair liked to, at times, put him in the middle.
"Sure. You must really be wanting something different if you're suggesting something baseball related though," Mark replied with a laugh, giving her an easy grin. He wouldn't ask but if Addison offered up information, that was up to her. Though they both knew she wouldn't offer anything up so easily, she was much more aware of the boundaries of friendship with Mark then Derek was.
Addison chuckled a little drily at his words, giving him a shy smile. Mark made his way to the closet by the door and pulled out an old looking wooden baseball bat, holding it deftly in his capable hands.
"Yeah well, they say hitting things can be a good release," Addison joked with a shrug of her shoulders. Immediately, she shakes her head at Mark, a mischievous grin on his face. "Don't even try to make a dirty joke right now. How old are you?" She teased, sighing playfully.
Mark continued to grin but said nothing and instead lead the way to the front door. Addison followed and as they made their way out of his apartment building and towards the batting cages, she couldn't help but feel a comfortableness settle over them. She was still slightly agitated from her argument with Derek but slowly she could feel the anger draining away; it surprised her, how much being around Mark could effect her mood so easily.
It didn't take long for them to get to the batting cages and Addison frowned a little as she looked at the set up and realising she really didn't know much about baseball at all. Thankfully Mark could see her confusion and as they made their way into one of the cages, he helped set her up.
"Alright, I put it on the lowest setting for you," Mark told her easily, pointing towards the ball machine and directing her towards the fake home plate. "Now, stand here and watch for the ball. Then just...swing and hit," Mark said with a slight shrug as he moved towards the door of the cage and out of the way.
He stood, arms crossed, watching as the first ball shot out towards her and Addison swung, missing the ball completely. He grinned a little, trying not to chuckle as the ball hit the back of the cage, bouncing to the ground. Addison huffed, glancing at the ball before bringing the bat up again, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip in concentration. The next ball came and this time she swung eagerly, her whole body turning forward and the bat almost falling from her usually deft hands.
"Okay, okay. Calm down there slugger," Mark teased, actually chuckling this time as the second ball bounced against the back of the cage. "You've really never hit a ball before have you?" he asked lightly, smiling at Addison as he made his way over to her.
"I was a band geek Mark. Sports were definitely not my thing," Addison huffed, turning to look at him as he moved closer, brows furrowing a little as he positioned himself behind her. She turned her head to look at him in confusion, as a third ball zoomed past them and hit the chainlink like the previous two had. At least this time, Addison hadn't embarrassed herself with a ridiculous swing. She was however, very aware of how close Mark's body was to hers. "Uh, what are you doing?" she asked, lips pressed together as her mind flashed-back to that morning of him shirtless, in her kitchen.
"I can tell," he teased, smiling widely. "And you're not positioned right. I'm helping. So you can, you know, actually get the ball and bat to connect," Mark continued lightly, letting his hands drift to her arms. "Widen your stance and bring your arm up," he instructed, tapping at her elbow to lift it into a more perpendicular position. And then he's pressing closer, his arms wrapping around her body, his hands settling on hers over the baseball bat. "Hold it like this," he whispered, hot breath tickling her cheek as he shifted their hands on the bat. "This next ball, just follow my lead, alright?"
All Addison could do was nod as she tried not to think too much about how his chest was pressed against her back so comfortably or why her heart had started beating so fast.
The next ball came then and Addison followed Mark's lead as he guided the bat and their bodies into the proper movements. Bat and ball connected and the resounding crack sent a thrill through Addison as she watched the ball go flying back in the direction it had come from. She smiled widely, almost giddy over the fact she'd actually managed to hit the ball this time.
"I did it!" she exclaimed happily, head twisting a little to try and look back at Mark. Her smile widening as she saw the happy grin Mark wore.
"Yeah, you did. Good job," Mark told her happily. He stayed in his position though, guiding her arms and hands back into the right places. "One more swing and then you should be good," he said, letting his body fit around hers in a way that he knew wasn't strictly friendly but for the moment, she didn't seem to mind. "Alright, focus on the ball," he murmured against her ear just as the next ball came barrelling at them.
This time he let Addison lead as they swung the bat. He grinned wide as they hit the ball, bodies turning in unison for the follow through. Mark tried not to think about how good it felt to be so close to Addison, their bodies pressed up together so closely; but he couldn't deny, at least to himself, that was growing more and more attracted to Addison. But he shook his head slightly, he couldn't think like that, not when she was his best friend's wife.
After a moment Mark pulled back, dropping his hands from hers and finally putting some space between their bodies. "Seems like you've got the hang of it, Red," Mark told her, running a hand through his slightly curled hair. He hadn't had the time to gel it after his shower earlier, too intent on getting back to Addison.
"Are you sure?" She asked, her eyes wide and bottom lip captured between her teeth as she looked up at him.
"Yeah, yeah you're good," Mark insisted, moving towards the door of the cage once again. "Just remember what I told you Red,' he continued, nodding towards the ball machine as it got ready to shoot out another ball.
"Okay," Addison nodded, looking a little nervous as she turned back towards the ball machine. Mark watched as she brought the bat up, held it steady and then swung. It wasn't the best hit he'd ever seen but he grinned anyway. His smile only widening when Addison turned towards him, smiling brilliantly with happiness. "I did it!" she exclaimed almost giddily.
Mark just chuckled at her, thinking how cute she was being so excited about hitting the ball. It felt like it had been a long time since he'd seen her so happy and carefree. He liked seeing her like this.
"You'll be hitting in the major leagues in no time," Mark encouraged, chuckling a little as he heard her laugh.
Addison had a few more swings before deciding to let Mark take a turn. Leaning against the cage, she was impressed by just how well Mark was hitting the ball. She watched Mark eagerly; the way he positioned himself, the way his body moved as he swung, the way his muscles rippled with each movement he made. She'd never noticed before just how in shape Mark was and had to wonder where he found the time. It was impressive, really.
"You're very good at that," Addison called out to him, trying to be as encouraging and supportive as he'd been of her. It seemed only fair. "Oh, I forgot you used to play in college, didn't you?" Addison asked after a moment, suddenly remembering him mentioning it years ago.
Mark laughed, turning to grin at her as he heard her words. "Damn right I did, Red. One of the best. Could've gone pro," Mark bragged, throwing a playful wink her way. Addison giggled and Mark grinned as he turned back to face the other end of the cage. He'd made her laugh and he'd made her happy and he never would have guessed how good that would make him feel.
"Oh, I'm sure you could have. I can just imagine you in those little baseball pants right now," Addison teased, tone closer to flirty than she'd intended. But even as she said the words, the image of him in those tight little pants flashed through her mind, sending a blush to her cheeks. It wasn't hard to imagine that he'd look very, very good in them.
Mark hit the last ball with ease before turning back around to Addison with a cocky smirk. "If you want to see me in them all you have to do is ask, Red," Mark said, voice dropping an octave as he made his way out of the cage. He threw a flirty wink her way before he could stop himself, the banter they'd fallen into coming so easily to him. But he knew he couldn't take it any further, despite the fact that Addison looked rather pretty when she blushed.
"Uh, you all done in there? You looked like you were having fun," Addison asked, leaning back against the cage, looking up at Mark almost coyly. She knew she was still blushing she just hoped that Mark put it down to the physical exercise and the warmth of the spring day and not the mental images she'd conjured up of him.
Mark grinned, tucking the bat up under his arm as he took the slightest step closer to her. "Had so much fun I'm hungry now. If I remember correctly, someone offered to buy me lunch…" he said jovially, grinning at her easily.
Addison laughed a little but nodded, smiling wider. "I did say that, didn't I? Come on then," Addison said, pushing away from the cage and heading for the exist. Mark was right beside her, bumping her shoulder playfully. "What're you in the mood for?"
"Hm," Mark hummed, pretending to think hard as they made their way out onto the street. "What about a hotdog?" he suggested, spying a hotdog cart up ahead of them on the sidewalk.
"A hotdog it is then. You can be such a child," Addison teased, smirking over at him as they walked together.
..
By the time they got to Mark's apartment building, their hotdogs were long gone and Mark was swinging the baseball bat playfully by his side.
"You know, when I was like...19, the first spring break home from college I had this boyfriend I brought home from college. He was a bit of a dick. But I was newly out of braces and uh, growing into my body and, anyway. We were home for spring break and we were out on the patio, by the pool and he was very insistent, not taking no for answer, you know? And then Archie just pops up out of nowhere, swinging a baseball bat. I don't even know where he got it from. Apparently he'd been watching us," Addison told Mark, chuckling a little at the memory as they made their way up to Mark's apartment. She was enjoying spending time with Mark and didn't want to leave him just yet.
One of Mark's eyebrows rose at the story, a concerned expression settled on his face. "Addison…"
But Addison waved his concern away, grinning up at him. "It wasn't anything particularly traumatising. And Archie was a little drunk. But really, all that was to say that, Archer's actually got a pretty good swing. I was trying to emulate that earlier but I guess swinging a bat at an idiot teenage boy isn't exactly the same as trying to hit a ball. Though the same outcome happened," Addison chuckled a little, shaking her head as they stepped into the elevator from the lobby of his apartment building.
"I knew I got along with Archer for a reason," Mark said, still frowning a little at her story. She was laughing it off but it didn't sit well with him that someone had tried to take advantage of a teenage Addison. Even if the point of the story was about a baseball bat.
"Yes, I'm sure that's the only reason you and Archer get along," Addison deadpanned, rolling her eyes at the thought of Mark and Archer's competitive friendship. She sighed then, leaning back against the elevator wall, watching Mark curiously. She'd had such a good time with him so far today and she didn't want that to stop just yet.
Mark stood by her side, looking at her curiously. "So...you feeling better?" he asked, glad to see she wasn't as agitated as she had been earlier that morning. He still didn't know what she and Derek had argued about; he was just glad that she was finally relaxing and having fun.
Addison sighed. "Yes. It felt good to uh, do something different. I had fun today Mark, thank you. You didn't have to, you know, hang out with me. I know you probably had better things to do," Addison said as the elevator pinged and they finally arrived at Mark's floor. She followed him out of it and towards his door. She was having fun and relaxing and she didn't want the day with Mark to end just yet.
"I told you before Red. I didn't have anything else to do today and you're not the worst person to spend time with. I had fun too," Mark told her earnestly, grinning widely at her as he unlocked and opened his apartment door. "So, you coming in?" Mark asked, opening the door wider for her. "Or do you have to get back?"
Addison bit her lip, shaking her head as she stepped into Mark's apartment. "No, I don't have to get back. I was just going to to go shopping for Nancy's birthday gift. But-" she shrugged at the words, wandering further into his apartment as he closed the door behind her.
"Oh, what are you getting her?" Mark asked, tossing the bat into the hallway closet that it usually resided in. He watched Addison as she moved to sit down on his couch and he made his way over to sit with her.
"I was thinking jewellery. There were some really nice bracelets I saw the other day but I didn't have time to stop and really look," Addison sighed, thinking of the jewellery shop she'd passed on her way back to work a few days ago. She'd gone in briefly on her lunch break but then she'd been paged and had had to rush out before she could properly examine the few pieces she thought Nancy might like. She had wanted to get Derek's opinion, after all Nancy was his sister but clearly he wasn't interested.
"I don't know much about jewellery but I'm sure she'd like something like that," Mark chuckled, giving her shrug as he relaxed back on the cushions. "Plus, you've got good taste Addie."
"You think?" Addison asked, teeth worrying her bottom lip as she glanced over at him. It wasn't often she and Mark hung out like this but over the last year it had been happening more. Addison was surprised by how comfortable she felt with him and just sitting around in his apartment.
"Of course, Addison," Mark nodded, grinning over at her. He shrugged then as a thought occurred to him. "We could go now, if you want? I know this is your only day off this week," Mark suggested lightly. Jewellery shopping was not his idea of a good time but it seemed important to Addison.
She shook her head though, brows furrowing a little. "Oh, Mark. I couldn't ask you to do that."
"You're not asking Red. I offered. Besides, I've known Nancy for 30 years. I can help. Or...at least try to help," he told her firmly, grinning at her as he moved to stand up. He held a hand out to her as he stood in front of her, grinning cheesily. "Come on, it'll be fun."
Addison bit her lip as she looked up at him but he looked so eager to please she found herself nodding. She took his hand and let him pull her up, so that they were standing almost chest to chest. "Are you sure?" she asked softly, wondering where Mark's apparent generosity had come from.
"Yes Addison. I'll even carry your bags," he told her teasingly and Addison simply nodded.
"Alright. Come on then," she said with a smile, nodding towards the door. She hadn't expected to go jewellery shopping with Mark but she couldn't find it in her to say no to him. Not when he was looking at her so sweetly and earnestly.
Mark grinned and started for the door, Addison following him with a grin. As they made their way down in the elevator and out of his apartment building, Addison felt a level of comfort with Mark that she'd never experienced before. She grabbed his hand as she pulled him along in the direction of the jewellery store she wanted to check out, not dropping his hand as they walked. Mark was surprised by the gesture and a little hesitant but seeing that Addison wasn't bothered by it, he shrugged it off, letting her lead for the rest of their afternoon.
..
It was early evening when Addison eventually got home. Her day with Mark had been much more fun then she'd expected and she realised she rather liked hanging out with him, just the two of them. She'd laughed with Mark more that day then she had in a long time.
Pushing open the door of the brownstone, Addison hesitated, unsure if Derek was there or not. She didn't want to have another argument with him but disappearing for the day probably hadn't been the most mature of reactions. She kicked off her shoes and tossed her things down on a side table, a small jewellery bag in her hand that contained Nancy's birthday gift. Mark had been surprisingly helpful in the store - she should've known a plastic surgeon would have an eye for details and beauty.
"Addison?" Derek called out, coming down the stairs. He must've heard the front door closing.
"Hey," Addison greeted him, giving him a shy smile as she leant against the stair railing. She felt awkward and unsure of what to say to her husband.
"Did you have a good day?" Derek asked coldly, glaring a little as he stopped on the last step. Clearly, he was still annoyed by their argument that morning and Addison sighed. She'd hoped he'd have calmed down a little but she shouldn't have been surprised he hadn't. Derek could hold a grudge, she knew that.
"I did actually. I just needed some space, Derek," Addison told him softly, frowning as he simply sighed, shaking his head. "It got a little out of hand this morning," she admitted, knowing she'd escalated the argument that morning.
Derek scoffed. "Yes, it did. But at least I didn't go smashing any of our glasses," Derek sniped pettily as he moved passed her and towards the living room couch.
"I'm sorry, okay? I know that was out of line," Addison insisted and she did know that her behavior that morning hadn't been okay. But sometimes it felt like the only way to get Derek to acknowledge her was to make a fuss or a mess; throwing the glass had been childish but had felt necessary in the moment.
"Okay Addison," Derek said simply, barely acknowledging her presence now as he picked up a medical journal and turning his back to her.
Addison sighed, rolling her eyes as she headed for the kitchen. She couldn't deal with Derek's pettiness and she found she needed a glass of wine. She stepped into the kitchen, setting the jewellery bag on the counter but stopped when she saw the mess of glass that still resided on the kitchen floor. Derek had left it for her to clean up and though she knew it was a mess of her own making, she couldn't help but be annoyed with Derek as she reached carefully for a dustpan and brush.
Sweeping up the broken pieces of glass, Addison sighed, wondering when being in her own home had started to feel so suffocating.
