Page 96 of Diamonds in the Mud

I sat up slightly, feeling something sticky in my hair and running down my back. I didn’t want to think what it was. A shiver raced over my body.

“I… can I shower?” I asked after a moment of composing myself and trying not to vomit.

“Yeah.” Randy’s eyes moved over me. “I thought we were going to lose you.”

I watched tears fill his eyes. “I want to hug you right now, but…” I held up my hands and shivered again. “I’m trying not to think about what is on me.”

Randy sighed. “Quincy was… for a while, I thought he was good for you.”

“Me too,” I said, taking his hand.

“Go shower in the locker room. I’ll be here”—he shook his head—“dealing with things.”

I walked very stiffly towards the locker room. I kept my eyes away from the bullpen as I passed through. The entire building was empty now.

Jameson rushed towards me. “Everything okay?”

“Shower,” I said, holding in bile.

“Right. I’ll find you a change of clothes.” He turned to go.

“Don’t bother. I have some in my locker.” I rushed towards the locker rooms.

Inside, I tossed my clothes into the trash as I disrobed. When the lukewarm water hit me and I felt a chunk of something slide down my back, I leaned over and lost my stomach contents.

I don’t know how long I stood under the water, unwilling to reach up and make sure there wasn’t any more of Quincy in my hair or on my skin. I stood under the spray, my eyes closed, thankful that I hadn’t witnessed what Quincy had done behind my back. I was shivering when I heard Jameson’s voice.

“Are you okay?”

I opened my eyes, tears mixed with the shower water.

“I can’t…” I said, shaking my head.

Suddenly, Jameson was there, holding me. My tears and the shower water soaked his black shirt.

“You’re getting wet,” I said into his chest.

“Let me help you,” he said softly.

He pulled me back under the spray, took a handful of soap, and started washing my hair. His fingers brushed through my tangles, gently removing anything I’d missed or hadn’t wanted to touch.

“I was so scared,” Jameson said softly. “So afraid I’d lose you.”

I watched his eyes move over to mine. “I love you too,” I said with a weak smile.

“Shitty timing.” He smiled down at me.

I nodded and swallowed. “What happened?”

After assessing that he’d gotten my hair clean, Jameson shut off the water and walked over to get me a towel.

Once I was wrapped in it and sitting on the bench next to my locker, he took my hand.

“I’m sorry, it looks like I’m going to be tied up here for a few hours,” Jameson said to me. “Can I come over to your place after? Explain everything then?” He lifted my hand to his lips.

I nodded and watched him stand up, lean in, and kiss me, before heading out of the locker room.

I pulled on my spare jeans, shirt, and running shoes, then I ran a comb through my hair before heading back outside.