Page 5 of Deal with Mr. Cruel

“Duty calls,” Jonas said with a little salute, before turning to walk away.

“But you didn’t get my number,” she called after him as they walked away.

“Thanks, man,” he said, patting Chad on the back.

“I know a cry for help when I see one. Although…she was pretty hot. What gives?” Chad asked, looking back over his shoulder.

“You should go back and talk to her. You’ll see. She’s convinced a baseball is brown with laces.”

Chad let out a laugh. “That bad, huh?”

“You have no idea.”

Chad led Jonas to the other side of the bar where most of the team was standing around playing drinking games at a large high-top. They all stood a little straighter when Jonas approached.

“At ease, gentlemen,” Jonas said.

They gave an uneasy laugh.

“Loosen up, boys,” Chad said, slapping two players on the back. “Let’s let the boss join in.”

The team made room for Jonas to sidle up to the table.

“Bartender! Another beer!” Chad shouted. The bartender nodded. She was used to this. The team frequented the place often. Soon, Jonas had a drink in hand and was playing quarters. The rest of the bar patrons looked on at their rowdy but beloved team and its owner.

“Oyyyy!” Nico shouted, slapping his hands on the table. He had made his quarter in the cup. He picked up the glass full of beer and started debating who he would give it to. He locked eyes with Jonas and smiled mischievously. “Here you go, boss.” He slid the beer toward Jonas.

Jonas held his hands up in protest, but the team started chanting, “Chug it! Chug it! Chug it!”

He shook his head and put the glass to his lips. This was ridiculous, but he was having fun. He drank the beer quickly and slammed the glass on the table as the team cheered.

“So, this was the very important business you had to attend to?” A voice interrupted their game. Jonas looked up and saw the redhead he had narrowly escaped earlier. He gave her a shrug and an apologetic smile.

“You leftherall alone?” Nico asked, sidling up to the woman. She smiled up at Nico, looking at him through her lashes. She nodded, faking sadness.

“I’ll keep you company,” Nico said, drunkenly leading her to the bar. She giggled and put her arms around him.

“Forget him.” Kenny, the team’s shortstop, said, waving them away. “Should we play another round?”

Jonas glanced at his watch. It was just after 11 PM. He didn’t want to ruin the fun, especially since this was the most comfortable the team had been around him. But they had a game tomorrow and he had to be responsible. He was their boss. “I think it’s time we wind down. Big game tomorrow.”

Kenny threw his head back and groaned before saying, “Yes, sir. I’ll go tell Romeo it’s almost time to pack it in.” He nodded toward the bar where Nico and the redhead were already making out. Jonas and the guys stood around the table talking about the next morning’s game and finishing the last of their beers when they heard a commotion at the bar.

“Who is this?” a man shouted.

Jonas could hear Nico. “Sorry, man. We just met tonight.”

“Ah, shit,” Kenny said. “Sounds like our boy is in trouble.”

Jonas began pushing his way through the crowd. The last thing he needed was one of his players getting hurt before a big game. Also, the last thing he needed was another incident with Nico. The guy was always getting into trouble.

As Jonas got closer to the bar, he could see a stocky man with a thick mustache glowering at Nico, as the redhead stood in the middle like a deer in headlights.

“Who the fuck are you?” the man asked Nico, shoving a finger into his chest.

Jonas was almost there. He just had to squeeze through a few more people.

“Ahh, you know what? I do know you. You’re that hotshot pitcher,” the man said sarcastically.