It had been a week since the last time he talked to Maleeyah. He decided he would let her get over whatever it was that was bothering her.
�So where are we going?�
They were in Orlando and Maleeyah was driving. They had just dropped Ben off back at the dorms after the three of them went out to lunch.
�It�s a surprise.�
He didn�t call her that entire week. He let her make the first move and when she did he never brought up what happened on the phone and neither did she.
�Do you have a boyfriend yet?�
She playfully sighed as if it were a question she was asked all the time, �No.�
In the relatively short time that they had gotten to know each other he had never heard her speak of a specific guy.
�When�s the last time you went on a date?�
�A couple of days ago actually.�
�Really? What's his name?�
�Roger.�
�Did you get some?�
She looked over at him and threw him a look astonishment, �You can�t ask me that. That�s very personal you know.�
He shrugged, �So, answer the question.�
He laughed at her as she mumbled, �No.�
�That�s probably what was wrong with you when you got all snippy with me the other night.�
�Snippy? I don�t know if I would say snippy but I am sorry about that.�
�What was wrong?�
She didn�t answer right away and he knew he was probably headed in the right direction, �Was it guy problems?�
She hesitantly nodded her head, �Yeah, you can say that.�
�I thought so. Well, at first I just thought it was that time of the month.�
She reached over and slapped him on the arm and he laughed as he tried unsuccessfully to get away.
�Why does it always have to be that?� she asked. �You know every time something is wrong with a woman it�s either that time of the month or she�s pregnant.�
�That�s because you women let those two things run your lives; well actually its one thing, they are connected.�
�What are you talking about? Men simplify things way too much. If a woman says her stomach hurts or she doesn�t feel well she�s pregnant. You know, maybe she has cancer, or some tumor or kidney failure.�
�You know it�s a legitimate possibility. If you go to the doctor and you say you don�t feel well they give you a pregnancy test.�
He knew this because he and his sister had a similar argument when she wasn�t feeling well and he asked her if she was pregnant.
�Oh shut up.� She said and laughed.
Having a sister had its advantages when dealing with women, he learned that a long time ago.
**
�Ok, get out.�
�A batting cage.�
�Well, it has all kinds of things, not just the batting cage. But yeah, that�s why we�re here. The batting cage because I want to see what exactly you do that deserves one hundred million dollars.�
He got out of the car and met her at the trunk while she changed into a pair of tennis shoes.
�189, but who�s counting.�
She smiled at him, �Ooh, didn�t mean to shrink your bank account.�
He leaned against the car and crossed his arms, �That�s ok, just don�t let it happen again.�
He looked around and they seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. �Where are we?�
�Apopka.�
�There aren�t any batting cages in Orlando?� It looked like a totally different world from Orlando.
�Yeah but this is more out of the way.�
He didn�t have a problem with that. The one thing about Orlando was that damn near everyone was a tourist and there were cameras everywhere.
�Are you looking out for me?�
She rolled her eyes and he pulled her into his arms giving her a hug, �I might have to hire you.�
**
�Good grief. Hold the bat Maleeyah.�
�I am holding the bat.�
�Pull your arms in.�
�I can�t.�
He stepped up behind her, �You�re standing like a girl.� He moved in and began to adjust her stance and her grip on the bat.
�I am a girl if you haven�t noticed.�
His arms were wrapped around hers, with his hands over hers on the bat. There was barely any room between her back and his front.
�Oh, I noticed.�
She squealed as he forced her arms around and the bat, for the first time, connected with the ball.
�Ouch.� She squealed as dropped the bat.
�If you don�t hold it tight it can sting a little.�
�A little?� She said as he shook her hands.
�Here.� He covered her hands with his and gave them a little massage. �You�re such a whiner.�
�You bat, I�ll get some tips from you.� She stepped out of the cage and sat down on ground. He decided to put on a show for her. He just wanted to hear those two words, �I�m impressed.� It was just the way she said it, she seemed genuine and playful at the same time.
046 | No Ordinary Girl