My hand fists my catcher’s mitt as I grind my molars. Of course he did. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”
She nods, but it’s timid. Amaya pats Kenzie’s shoulder before she and Mallory step away, giving us privacy. I want nothing more than to slide my fingers over her jaw and bring her lips to mine to reassure her—weird beard be darned.
“The important thing is that I got to see your game. Well, I missed the beginning of it because once security turned me away, I had to change out of my jersey.” Her fingers tug on her flannel shirt with a pout. “I also had to leave my homemade sign.”
“Your sign?”
Kenzie brightens. “It saidChapman is The Manin glitter pen. I also troubleshot other phrases, likeWhat a Catch,Catcher’s Always Right, andShook Him Off? Bold Choice. But I thought that last one might be too on the nose.”
The corner of my mouth kicks up. “Can I see it later?”
“Sure, it’s in the trunk of Mallory’s car.”
“Is your jersey also in there?”
“Yep.” She pops the P in that word, drawing my attention back to her lips.
I feel a bit like a caveman as I grit out the next question, unable to drag my gaze away. “Whose name is on it?”
I already know the answer, but I need to hearhersay it.
“Yours.” Kenzie’s blush draws my focus up, evident even through the wrinkle lines drawn on her face. “I wanted everyone to know that I was yours.”
I barely stifle a groan.
Kenzie’s breathing kicks up in time with my own as pinpricks cascade down my arms. If I don’t touch her in the next—
“Most importantly,” Kenzie pauses, giving me a look that sucks the air from my lungs. “I’m dressed like this, sneaking into your game, because I wanted you to have someone in the crowd who truly cares about you. You deserve someone at every one of your games, Trevor. As long as we’re together, I’d like that to be me.”
My hand splays over my chest protector as Kenzie’s words hit harder than a fastball. Then I’m acting without thinking. I brace a hand on the wall, pulling Kenzie closer with the other.
“Thank you.” I swallow when my voice cracks. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”
I should let her go, but my fingers twitch against the smooth skin beneath her wig’s ponytail. Kenzie’s gaze skips all over my face as time crawls to a standstill. I should move, step back, but I’m frozen. Braver than me—always braver than me—Kenzie smashes the indecision of the moment. With a quick tug, she pulls her beard down and crashes her lips over mine.
The stadium lights dim into fuzzy oblivion, the noisy crowd zeros out into silence as Kenzie deepens the kiss. I stink, and my sweaty hair is dripping on her makeup-laden face, but neither of us seems to care. Her fingers dip into the collar of my chest protector, holding me tight as I palm the back of her head.
The kiss seems to expand the limits of what I thought was possible, what I expected life to be. I’ve experienced unparalleled success, but having the woman I love and admire chooseme, go through all this troublefor me…it feels like being drafted all over again. Excitement and boundless effervescence careen through every cell in my body.
It’s not until Mallory’s alarmed voice creeps into my consciousness that either of us take a breath.
“Shoot. This isn’t good.”
“What the heck is going on here?” Aaron’s tone could cut steel.
Kenzie’s lips pop from mine with the most delicious sound, but I can’t enjoy it because half of my team is behind Aaron, expressions varying from surprised to puzzled. To be fair, it looks like I’m locking lips with a seventy-year-old man, so I understand their confusion.
“She’s not supposed to be here.” Aaron points and then looks around for a security member. “Someone escort her out immediately.”
Murmurs of bewilderment echo through the surrounding area as Kenzie readjusts her beard, glancing down to hide her face.
“Her?” Kenzie says in the worst impression of an old man I’ve ever heard. “My pronouns are he/him, thank you very much.”
Amaya tucks Kenzie under her arm again. “Come along, Granddad. Time to go.”
“Best be on our way.” Mallory flanks her from the other side.
When a behemoth of a security guard stops the trio, my pulse slams against my chin. My words are out before I have a chance to consider the consequences.
