After the cheers....

[Anakin20]

"God, my arm aches," he thought. No amount of ice could ease the dull throbbing after a hard game like that one. Nine innings, five hits, one run and seven Ks. He hated to lose the shutout in the eighth, but...

Now, the locker room was empty, no more reporters, alomst no teammates either. He began to slowly dress, slipping himself gingerly back into the pale olive Armani he had worn to the game. It hurt to comb his hair, so he left it kind of rakish. Besides, it kind of looked like his 10-year old son's.

"All set for a night out?" The question came from 'Hammy', the clubhouse attendant. Wilbur Hamstead had been with the club for 45 years. They were all 'his boys'.

"No, Hammy," he smiled. "You know I don't like the groupie scene. Especially since Lynda died. Home to my boy, actually. We might get in a round of golf tomorrow morning before the doubleheader."

"Have a good night, then."

It wasn't as easy as it seemed, being Connor MacNeill. The 6'4'' pitching sensation from just outside Atlanta had always been the best pitcher on some bad teams. He had married his high school sweetheart and had a son soon after, Brendan. Lynda had died a year later of cancer. MacNeill didn't do much except pitch and be both parents to his son. Now, at 37, he was finally on a serious contender and was still pitching well. If only he could find someone that wasn't after his 6.5 million dollars a year.

He was driving home in his SUV when he stopped in a convenience store to grab some ice cream for his son and Advil for himself.

 

[Make_My_Day]

“OK.. I’m really lost now” I mumbled to myself, walking through the corridors underneath the stadium. “Ok.. you know what Diana.. this was a really bad idea!”.

I was supposed to meet a reporter here. And I was supposed to be a photographer.
The thing was, however, I was new here.. new to the city.. new to the state.. hell!
I was even new to the country.
After finishing my university in the Netherlands I decided that I wanted to do something totally different, so.. I packed my bags and came to the states to spend a couple of months there.
I would take any job I could find, and “bigmouth me” said.. “Photo’s? Sure I can take photo’s”.
They gave me a chance.. and well.. there I was. Camera around my neck and I had been lost all day.. first I was having a hard time finding the stadium.. then I couldn’t find my way in.. and now that I was in.. I couldn’t find anything anymore.

Somewhere I could hear the sound of a closing door. I gathered my blond curls to uncover my ears and listened “hello?” I called out. Nothing.
I started walking towards where the sounds had come from..

 

[Anakin20]

Connor MacNeill

I heard a voice call out, "Hello?" which was strange, because no one was supposed to be here at this point. Which is why I usually made my escape at this time.

"Hello?" I called back, stopping to wait for whomever it was. Sounded female. God, I hoped it wasn't some groupie. I had no time and no interest.

 

[Make_My_Day]

Diana Stevens

It took a little while but suddenly I heard it loud and clear: a males voice calling out “hello?”.

Oh god, oh god.. I thought I’m saved!

“Yes.. Hello?” I called out again to make sure, I took a deep breath “Ehm.. I’m sorry but I seem to be lost!”
In the meantime I hastily moved towards the voice.. somewhere around the corner I hoped. It all sounded so hollow in here..

 

[Anakin20]

Connor MacNeill

I could here her getting closer, so I stopped. Brendan would be asleep anyway, with the new nanny in place, his life had gotten a little easier.

The first thing I noticed when the woman turned the corner was the blonde hair, and the eyes! Oh, man! I realized I had stopped breathing for a second.

"Uh, hello, you must be...lost," I said.

"Oh, geez, do you sound suave, you moron," I thought. No wonder I was still single, five years later.

 

[Make_My_Day]

Diana Stevens

I turned around the corner wow!!
"Uh.. hello.. you must be.. lost"
I smiled, showing my white teeth.. “Yeah!” I said, the tone displaying my amazement over the handsome tall stranger that had appeared before me.
With my 5’7”.. he appeared enormous.. and again.. wow
I just stood there, staring at him with big blue eyes snap yourself out of it girl!

“ehh.. yeah.. I can’t seem to get out of this maze..” smiling a little embarrassed..

 

[Anakin20]

Connor MacNeill

"Well, usually only players and reporters are allowed down here, so you really ARE lost. I'll show you the way out, though. No problem," I said.

"Better, that was much better, Con!" I thought to myself. "Just some lost fan. No big deal. Show her out, flash a smile and forget her enchanting eyes and long blonde curls. She looks European, though. Like a tall, Nordic beauty, what's she doing at a baseball game?"

 

[Make_My_Day]

Diana Stevens

I start laughing.. not at him.. just over the whole situation. “Yeah.. well..” I say “I’m supposed to be a photographer” and I start laughing even harder.
“See?” and I hold up my camera.
He looks at it as if it startles him somewhat. “Don’t worry” I say “It was a stupid idea really.. I won’t take your picture. Are you one of the players”
He raises an eyebrow.
God.. that must sound stupid.. a true dumb blonde.. way to go girl!
“I mean.. I mean.. “ I stumble “I’m not from around here you see.. I don’t mean to offend you. I just REALLY don’t know anything about football”
In an hopeless attempt to set it straight, I smile up to him.

 

[Anakin20]

Connor MacNeill

A smile broke out over my face, and I tried to hide it with my hand.

"Um, you mean baseball, right?"

I really had this woman pegged for a groupie now! Still, I saw why guys in my sport would travel down this road. She was very sexy.

 

[Make_My_Day]

Diana Stevens

I was blushing all over..
DUMB BLONDE I shouted to myself..

"Didn't I say Baseball?.. I meant to say baseball" and then I just burst out laughing over my own sorry attempt.
"I'm sorry.. I'm just a little off today..
now.. please.. how do I get out of here so I can soak in a hot bath and drown myself?"

 

[Anakin20]

Connor MacNeill

"Well, we have a whirlpool back through there," I pointed at our locker room. But if you really want to end it, how about sky diving, sounds like more fun..."

"No, seriously, don't worry about it. You don't seem like a sports photographer. What do you usually take pictures of? The parking lot is this way."

I started to walk, but looked back so she might follow. I thought I caught her glimpse toward the locker room after my first comment. Hmmmm. I snapped out of that quickly before anything crossed my mind.

 

[Make_My_Day]

Diana Stevens

a whirlpool? really? I thought. But then quickly followed him, not wanting to be left alone in these catacombs again.

“Well.. actually photography is just a hobby. And then I like to photograph people, either aware or unaware. But ehh.. don’t tell anybody” I said smiling and looking around me in the act “I’m actually just graduated from the Business School. Marketing.
And ehh.. you didn’t answer my question yet. What are you doing here”
As he was walking, with me trying to keep up I admired his enormously sexy body. Tall, big, muscled.. cute ass too!

 

[Anakin20]

Connor MacNeill

I was surprised she was asking me what I was doing here. Maybe she really didn't know much about baseball...hmmm

"My name is Connor, Connor MacNeill. I pitched in tonight's game. I play for the team. I guess I must look different without a uniform on."

Was she staring at my ass? I am sooo out of practice. Are we flirting?

 

[Make_My_Day]

Diana

"oh" I said smiling, turning my eyes to him and finding out I had been caught..

"and.. the pitcher is the guy who throws the ball right?" I was getting bold by know.
My whole day had been fucked up.. running around.. getting late everywhere.. and lost everywhere. And now here I was.. I just needed to tease him... I couldn't help it.

I looked up at him while walking, on my face a perky smile and a twinkle in my eyes.

 

[Anakin20]

Connor MacNeill

I ran a hand through my close-cropped dark hair which was slightly graying. I sized her up with my cool blue eyes, "Was she serious?" I wondered.

"Yes, the pitcher is the one who throws the ball," I said. "You've been photographing baseball for a long time, I see."

I let a smile play across my lips, hoisted my travel bag higher on my left shoulder and walked on.

 

[Make_My_Day]

Diana

I smile "I was just teasing you.. I've played baseball you know.. And as far as taking photo's.. well, as I just explained, I've never done it before. Professionally I mean"

I kept silent for a while, just trying to keep up with him. We reached the door to the parking lot. I don't like parking lots.
what am I doing here I wondered I came by bus!!.
"Say.. ehm.. Connor was it?" he nodded. "Do you know where the busstation is?"

 

[Anakin20]

Connor MacNeill

"Bus Station?" I looked at my watch, past 11:00 p.m., which meant that the buses were on late night service, once every hour. I was about to do something that I might regret later, but...
"It might be a while for the next bus, you know, since they stop running regularly at 11. I can drive you back to your...hotel or apartment..."
I held my breath, "Or I can call you a cab." I exhaled, realizing that I had given her the out she needed. What a chicken I was!

"So, where did you play baseball, anyway? What position?"

God, I hoped I didn't sound like some love-struck teenager. But I kept drinking in her outfit, hair, eyes and overall beauty!

 

[Make_My_Day]

Diana

"Oh.. it was nothing really, we used to play baseball in highschool. We didn't really have regular positions.. but for a girl.. I was a pretty good pitcher you know!" Smiling, hoping it didn't sound too arrogant.

While I was telling him the story I was thinking on what to do about his offer. I didn't want to bother him.. and I have never in my 26 years gotten into a car with a stranger..
.. but I just wasn't ready to leave him there either.
I liked him. A lot. And I knew I would regret it the rest of my life if I would just walk away.

Don't ask me why, he just seemed kind and somewhat shy.. just.. a normal, sensible guy. And basicly.. I hadn't met too many nice, normal guys in the States yet.
Serious, reliable.. but all with a twinle in his eyes.
There was just something about him..

"You know.. I really don't want to bother you.. I'll just take a cab". Hoping he would persist however.

 

[Anakin20]

Connor MacNeill

"Well, no problem," I said, feeling a little downcast. I whipped my cell phone from my jacket
"I can understand your reluctance," I continued. "I am a stranger and all, but I haven't eaten anyone who hitched a ride with me since my son was born." It was a weak attempt at a joke, but I was reaching.

Wait a sec, did I just say 'eaten'? Oh, great, now I look like a total pervert. I started dialing a cab number. I knew a few since I called numerous ones for my drunken teammates before.

"It's no trouble, Diane, really," I tried to look normal. I hoped it was working.

 

[Make_My_Day]

Diana

I couldn't help but laugh over his unfortunate choice of words... He just smiled and bowed his head.. to start dialing.. no no .. don't do that!

"It's no trouble, really" he said.. did he mean that?

"Well.. ehm.. " think fast Diana.. think fast
I looked at him, his face.. his hair. God, I think that bit of grey hair is so sexy!
"Which way are you heading?.. I mean, my apartment is really not that far from here.. if it's no trouble you would really be helping me out.."

ok.. how obvious can I be.. I bit my lower lip. If I would be calling or getting a cab now, I will feel a real fool about the whole thing.

 

[Anakin20]

Connor MacNeill

"West, up the interstate and out a little bit. I like the fact that I live technically outside the city, but close enough to work," I smiled, thankful that my choice of words seemed to have passed without further incident.

I held up my phone. "Am I turning this off?"

"Please say yes." was the only thought running through my mind.

 

[Make_My_Day]

"Uhm.. yes!.." I think "I need to go West as well, I'm sure you can drop me off somewhere.."

I honestly had no idea where, but that would be of later concern...

 

[Anakin20]

Connor MacNeill

Now I was amused. "You think you're going west? Where are you from and where are you staying? It doesn't have to be on my way, I'll make sure you get there."

I was enchanted! She was great! A hidden impish quality that I found irresistable. Slow down, boy, you're not 21 anymore!

 

[Make_My_Day]

Diana Stevens

(OOC: Oh god.. I just saw a sentence I hadn't noticed before: you were already driving home.. I'm so sorry!! It won't happen again! )

I laughed "Yes.. well.. I live at 42, Virginia Road.. I believe that to be West from here. Right?”
There was a brief silence in which he was probably figuring out where Virginia road was.

“Ok..” I said “I’ll be honest with you.. I have only moved here about two weeks ago, so.. I really don’t know my way around here yet”
I gave him a mischievous look, the expression on my face stating give me some slack ok..

I just stood there.. awaiting the verdict. On the one hand I was feeling very comfortable around him but on the other hand.. I had never gotten of with such a bad start with anyone.. or so it felt anyway, making such a fool of myself

 

[Anakin20]

Connor MacNeill

OOC: Don't worry, I noticed you hadn't actually told me your name, either.

IC: "Virginia Road? I do believe that's just a few blocks away, and west it is. No problem at all, but first, you have to tell me your name, that way we're not total strangers," I smiled again, hoping to ensure her comfort. She agreed! How cool was that?

What was I going to do next? Oh, yeah, lead her to my truck.

"My explorer is this way, where were you before moving here?"