I appreciated the gesture, even if I knew it had been strongly suggested by my alpha boyfriend. Everything had ended well, but the trauma of being double doxxed with a kid to take care of was fresh, even now.
Each day, both Silas and I made an effort to move past the anger and focus on the good the Bats had given us, like the path to stumble back into each other’s lives and the chance to stay there for good.
I’d found a freelance writing job instead that brought a small but steady income, but I spent most of my time at the computer writing my own stories. Now that everyone knew I was R.M. Dioro, I was embarrassed about hiding it.
Romance was something to be celebrated. If someone was too limited to understand that, their opinions weren’t worth any consideration.
It felt so damn good to live the life I wanted without compartmentalizing the pieces I thought I couldn’t show.
Starting with the hot-as-hell baseball manager jogging over to me.
“It’s cold,” he said, shaking his head as he came up to where we were sitting. “That hoodie is too lightweight.”
“But how are people supposed to know I’m your girlfriend?” I turned to show him his name and number on my back.
“Oh, they know. Trust me,” he said, coming in for a slow, sensual kiss that triggered whistles from the stands.
“Your parents are behind us,” I said as I backed away.
“They already know I’m hopelessly in love with you,” he said, coming back in for another quick kiss. “I’m supposed to be focused on the game, not warming you up after.”
“Ick,” Taylor said, making a gagging noise as her face twisted in a grimace. “You guys are cute, but stop testing my gag reflex.”
“Sorry, Tay,” Silas said, adjusting his hat and going in for one more peck. “Wish us luck.”
I spotted Nate on the field, still in uniform despite recovering from shoulder surgery. Silas had said Nate would be here today to support and, hopefully, celebrate with, his team. He’d waved a hello at us as we’d headed to our seats, my sister turning all kinds of red when he’d asked her if she was playing softball again next season.
“He remembered me,” she’d whispered. Nate was your typical ballplayer kind of gorgeous, but my eyes were on someone else in uniform today.
I spent most of the game shivering in my seat. The score went back and forth, each team only taking a narrow lead but not holding it. After an exhausting nine innings, the Bats wereone out away from going to their first championship series. The batter popped up what seemed like a million foul balls into the stands as the count stayed at three and two.
One out was all they needed, and it was taking forever. I couldn’t see Silas’s face, but I could picture him leaning on the rail of the dugout, stoic and solid as always. Only I knew the nerves beneath and the insecurities and specters from his career as a player that haunted him in moments like these.
It made me love him more, because he loved me enough to show that side of himself only to me, because he trusted me. Even on that first day.
I wanted this for him so badly, I tasted blood from where I’d sunk my teeth into the inside of my cheek for the past five pitches.
“I can’t look,” Taylor said, burying her head into my shoulder.
“What kind of ballplayer are you,” I said, giving her a playful nudge. “You know it gets tense, especially during a big game.”
“I know. I just really want this for him,” Taylor said, her face twisting into a grimace I could feel. I took both her hands and held on tight.
“I do too,” I whispered. “But whatever happens, we’ll celebrate him big tonight.”
She nodded with a strained but wide smile.
Our heads popped up when we heard another crack, this ball sailing deep into the outfield. I gasped, afraid it was going over the wall, but it started to land just short of it. It was so quiet, I swore I heard the thump of the ball against the glove before the crowd went wild.
Everyone was on their feet while Taylor and I folded in relief.
My mind went to the mysterious man sitting next to me on a park bench, confessing his worries about the new job he didn’t think he’d be able to do.
He always forgot how amazing he was, and I was thrilled to spend the rest of my life reminding him every single day.
We sat for a minute, Taylor and I silent as everyone cleared the dugout, piling on top of one another.
“Think they’ll stop me if I rush the field?” I asked my sister.
