The horrifying reality of what this meant became clear: Addison had lied to him so effortlessly the night Bigsby got in her face, the night that had ended so beautifully, and this asshole was Clair’s dad.

Rage.

It was fast, unforgiving, and detonated the loudest. This piece of shit was responsible for the tears of both his girls tonight. This was who was accusing AJ of trying to hurt Clair.

“My everything!” Bigsby yelled again.

The fury practically blurred his vision, and AJ heard a roar. Not until he’d pushed past several guys charging at Bigsby did he realize he was the one still growling as he tried to get past more of them, but there were too many between them. Chaos ensued for a while because, no matter what, AJ was incapable of calming down. He wanted nothing more than to rip Bigsby apart.

Sabian was finally the only one that was able to snap him out of it. Before tonight, no one hated Bigsby more than Sabian. He’d always thought him a total dick. Sabian kept yelling something over and over, holding AJ by the front of his jersey tightly. But AJ wouldn’t even glimpse at him.

The entire stadium was going wild. All the players from both teams were on the field, including the guys from the bullpens. The game had completely stalled for fifteen or twenty minutes now as the umps and coaches tried unsuccessfully to regain control of the game. Bigsby was still yelling at him and being held back, and AJ finally heard what Sabian was saying.

When his and Sabian’s eyes finally met, his good friend’s brows lifted. “You’re both still in the game,” he repeated again, only calmer now that he had AJ’s attention. Then he smiled. “Don’t get ejected, man. I’m up next. These fuckers insult me by walking you because I’m no threat? We’ll see about that. I’ll hit one that’ll get you around those bases and right into home plate.”

It took a moment for what Sabian was saying to sink in as AJ stared at him, chest still heaving. Right into home plate. He liked how Sabian was thinking, and he almost smiled when he saw Sabian’s eyes brighten and his smile widen. “I promise.”

Despite the visual he was already having about what he’d do if he made it around those bases and into home base, AJ was still too enraged to smile. With a deep breath, he stopped fighting Sabian and some of the other guys holding him back. As much as he wanted to, he knew there was no way he’d get to lay a finger on Bigsby. Not here. Not now. Bigsby knew this too. It was why he was still running his mouth and holding up his arm to make sure AJ could see the fucking tattoo. The only thing that confused him—though he didn’t doubt for a moment now that this was Clair’s dad—was the name Fred. Bigsby’s name was Win. AJ had always assumed it stood for Winston or something as pretentious sounding as Bigsby looked and acted. But it didn’t matter.

AJ slowly made his way to first base. Seeing that he was calm now, everyone else began making their way off the field again. It appeared the mayhem was over, but AJ knew better, and he could already feel the adrenaline building again. His insides were readying themselves for an even bigger—more satisfying—blowup this time.

It took a while for Sabian to finally get his at bat because they’d had to give the new pitcher as much time as he needed to warm up, but AJ hadn’t calmed at all. In fact, the longer he stood there at first base, piecing it all together, the more fired up he got. AJ had been way off—clueless about why Bigsby had come at him the way he had at first. He wasn’t upset that his team was down. He was still mad about the same shit his little bitch ass had been whining to Addison about.

It didn’t help that every time AJ glanced at him he had that smug smile on his face. AJ had so much time to think that every minute that passed made his insides heat. They were now boiling violently. He had plenty of questions for Addison too. Remembering how quick she’d been to come up with a lie at that cocktail party, he was certain now the asshole jumping in her face the way he did had nothing to do with taxes. What else had she so easily lied to him about?

The moment the ref motioned that the pitcher was ready so was AJ. So ready. He’d decided not to make the pitcher too nervous by taking too big a lead off first. He didn’t want this to be one of those at bats. He needed Sabian to get a hit as soon as possible.

The first two pitches were hit into foul territory, and AJ began to worry Sabian might not get a hit. Then he did—a beautiful line drive down the middle—and AJ took off. He didn’t bother checking to see where the ball was. AJ was going for it no matter what. The third base coach began giving him the hold-at-third sign, so he knew it’d be a close call at the plate, but he didn’t even care if he scored. That wasn’t what this was about.

With his eyes focused on Bigsby, who was standing at the plate, waiting for the ball and bracing for a collision, AJ prepared to hit him hard, but not too hard. He knew he could easily knock him out if he collided into him hard enough. But he didn’t want that. Oh no, he wanted so much more.

As expected, the collision was a violent one. Violent enough that, even though the ball got there before AJ, Bigsby wasn’t able to hold on to it. The second AJ found his bearings after the collision he spun around. Perfect. Bigsby’s mask had flown off in the collision, and AJ nailed him twice, right in the fucking mouth, with his fist before someone attempted to pull him off. At first, his teammates were no match for AJ who easily threw anyone off who tried to hold him back. He managed to land a couple of more fists onto Bigsby’s already bloodied face. He was on his feet now.

As the brawl grew with both teams out there again, Bigsby and AJ were pulled further apart. Then AJ saw Sabian land an unsuspecting punch to the side of Bigsby’s head, and more brawling ensued when Bigsby’s teammates came to his defense. Seeing someone land a punch to Sabian’s chin then Bigsby start yelling his stupid shit again only incensed AJ more, and he came loose from the guys holding him. But he was quickly bear-hugged by several more players.

Once again the game was stalled, only this time AJ, Bigsby, Sabian, and a couple of other players from the Cardinals were ejected. Even back in the locker room, AJ was still on fire. Coach Lara and Sabian tried calming him down, but he still broke a few more of the wooden stools against the lockers, just as he had the day after Clair had fallen into a coma. It didn’t help; he was too pissed. Too hurt. Too fucking enraged to calm down.

“I need my phone,” he said, stalking to his locker, even as the coach and Sabian stared at him wide-eyed.

Neither had any idea why he was so enraged, and as many times as they both seen him lose his shit on the field, this was by far the worst. Not even the smeared blood still all over his knuckles gave him the satisfaction it should have. He knew he should calm down before speaking with Addison, but he needed answers now. The very idea that she might give into anything Clair’s dad demanded now—anytime he’d request to spend with them both—sickened him even more now.

He’d been patient and as understanding as he was going to get. Addison talking or spending any time with Bigsby was unacceptable, especially after today.

My everything!

A growl escaped him as Bigsby’s words assaulted him once again. He grabbed his phone out of his bag, knowing it was a risk to talk to Addison this angry, but he couldn’t wait another minute. “Can I get a minute alone?” he asked Lara and Sabian even as he punched one of the lockers.

The both exchanged glances but nodded. “Calm down, son. It’s over now,” Lara said one last time, just as he and Sabian walked out.