Free Hungry for Love by Nancy Frederick Page A

having another affair.  If so , he didn ’ t know with whom , though he did suspect one of the nurses at work , more trouble if so.  “ He ’ s a lot more insecure than you realize.  Needs validation ,” he said kindly.
    She sighed and looked down at her hands.  “ Maybe so.  Maybe so. ”   
     
     
    Kevin was psyched.  He strode onto the baseball field like the conquering hero he knew himself to be.  He and the Cedars Sinai team were going to teach those UCLA bastards a thing or two.  There was nothing like being on a winning team , and Kevin intended to win.  He was going to be the star player , today and always.
    Kevin was first up to bat and he planned to make it count.  He sauntered into place , making sure that the other team knew he was a force.  Casually he rubbed his hands in the dirt and wiped them on his pants.  He wiggled his butt , not just once but twice.  Then he stood there at the plate , sending a searing look toward the other team ’ s pitcher , a dermatologist.  In his mind , he practically sneered.
    “ C ’ mon there , Barb , we all know you throw like a girl. ”   He laughed at this excellent joke then leaned in toward the catcher and spoke softly , “ We had a little thingy.  She ’ s still soft on me. ”
    The catcher , clearly a lesbian , shot Kevin a scornful look.  Well that was her business.
    About twenty feet away , standing behind a large tree with gnarled roots lacing the ground , Butch and Wimp lurked covertly.  They might have looked rather out of place in this Beverly Hills park in their omnipresent black leather , but nobody really spotted them—it was a big tree.  Wimp held a baseball , and paced in miniscule steps back and forth , still hidden by the tree.
    “ Get focused ,” said Butch.  “ This is your moment.  All your energy.  And when I say NOW , let it rip. ”
    Wimp clenched his mouth tightly as he wiggled his shoulders , attempting to loosen them up.  There was a knot in the pit of his stomach , and he knew it was old memories , high school , gym class , nothing good.  He tried to shake them off.
    Kevin was enjoying his moment of glory.  He wiggled his butt yet again.  He clucked his tongue a couple of times.  “ This is gonna be too easy.  I almost feel guilty. ”
    The pitcher was about to wind up , and Kevin noticed a devilish glint in her eye.  She must be thinking about that time they shared that quickie.  He shot her a crooked smile.  Maybe he could tap that again sometime soon.  Then , back in the spirit of the game , he said. “ Here it comes , a big fat doughnut.  Maybe I should just get a cup of coffee to go with it. ”
    Butch was on her game.  She was ready for the first confrontation.  When a lesson needed to be taught , she was the one to teach it.  She muttered to Wimp , “ See how he likes being up a tree without a paddle.  This is it—get ready….Now! ”
    Wimp wound up , and with a heave as mighty as he could muster , the ball flew out of his hand , but it was far from the head-denting speedball Butch had envisioned.
    At the same moment , the ball left Barb ’ s hand , flying fast and low toward Kevin.  It arced in the sky and hurled toward him.  As it was coming , Wimp ’ s ball , far short of its target , rolled onto the field toward Kevin , who with self-described lightning reflexes , jumped inward to avoid it hitting his foot.  Where had that come from ?   He looked behind him toward where Butch and Wimp stood invisibly behind a giant tree.
    “ Quick ,” said Butch , “ Let ’ s get outta here. ”  
    Kevin returned his gaze toward the pitch , but it was too late , and the ball smashed into his crotch , causing him to collapse.
    “ Ball one! ” said the umpire.
    “ Glad she ’ s not soft on me ,” intoned the catcher.
    From where he lay on the ground groaning and scowling , Kevin caught a glimpse of Barb laughing on the pitcher ’ s mound.  That bitch!
    Butch seethed as she started the