Free Hail Mary Baby: A Secret Baby Sports Romance by Kara Hart

Or are you just going to laugh like an asshole?” I asked him, feeling my blood begin to boil.
    “Oh, an asshole, huh? Is that really what you think of me?” He held out his hand to show that he was holding my towel.
    “Look man, you're being an asshole.” I grabbed my things from my locker. That's when I noticed my wallet was missing. Of course, this only made Charlie laugh louder.
    “C’mon, man , why don't you stop being a pussy for once?” He replied, as he threw my wallet onto the ground. Things got heated fast. He came up to face me and I simply smiled.
    “What, are we not friends now?” I mocked him.
    Taking my comment serious, he replied, “I guess we stopped being friends, pal, when you left me high and dry at the club.”
    I couldn't help but laugh. Was this really the big issue he was losing his shit over? “Man, relax. You're at that club almost every fucking night. What do you care that I left?”
    He turned to get support from the other players, but no one was backing up. In fact, they were trying to act as if nothing was happening. It was embarrassing for him. But even more embarrassing would be if he were to actually throw a punch. I would gladly embarrass him in front of our team.
    “What do I care? Seriously? We’re supposed to be brothers, man! I bring you a girl, drugs, and provide you with a good time, and you leave me alone? Not cool, man. Not cool.” He lightly shoved me.
    “Back off, brother. You don't want any more trouble. Trust me on that. I have enough shit to think about right now.” Laura… I clenched my fists tightly and waited for his move. Charlie was a good player and I liked him okay before this, but he had kind of a bad reputation around here. Coming from a shit team in the Midwest, he's always had something to prove. Unfortunately, that try-hard mentality made people dislike him. Not to mention, he was a total creep. Take the other night for example.
    Charlie decided to follow his gut. However, that might have not been the best decision. He took a swing and I fell back, dodging his punch. “Nice try.” I whispered. He regained his balance and swung again. This time, he hit me square in the jaw. Not a good idea.
    I grabbed his wrist and pushed forward with all my strength, slamming him on the ground. I twisted until I could feel the tension in his bone and muscle. He screamed out in pain. I bent over him and said through my teeth. “Now, I want you to listen to me. The only reason I'm not breaking your wrist is because I need you to play a good game tomorrow. I'm taking my towel and wallet. Don't fuck with me ever again.”
    I turned around to an astonished team. Most of them just laughed and shook their heads at Charlie. The coach, tucked away in a corner, oddly calm and observing, made eye contact with me. I walked past him and said, “I'm not out to hurt one of my own.”
    “I know that.” He said. “Just do me a favor. Get your girl back.”
    I would. I had to. If I didn't, everything would fall apart. I'd quit the game and then it wouldn’t be just Charlie hating me. I started to think about how I could find her again.

Laura
    I held Alex in my arms, slowly rocking him back and forth. “It's okay.” I whispered to him. “Everything is okay.” Beads of sweat were forming on my head. It was six in the morning and I was already completely exhausted. Who was I trying to kid. I was a terrible mother. At least, that's how it always felt. There was no one there to help me. No one there to back me up.
    “It's just for a few days.” I whispered to Alex, my baby boy. “Momma will be home before you know it.”
    “Don't worry, Mrs. Perkins. I have it all taken care of. Have fun on your trip.” The sitter said. I knew I could trust her. It was just hard sometimes to let go.
    Before I knew it, I was at the airport, waiting to check my bags. A woman next to me was holding her crying baby, trying her hardest to stop it from crying. She looked as if she were about to