Skyler squeezes my free hand. “You’re family, Lindsey. We got you.”
And then there’s no holding it back. The tears start to come, and I can’t contain them. Miller holds me to him, soothing my hair. “It’s okay, honey, let it out.”
I suck in a breath, knowing I need to pull myself together. I need to be strong for Eli. Miller wipes away my tears, and I focus on the ball field as they get started. That’s when I see Guy standing beside Eli on first base. “Is that Guy?”
Miller chuckles. “Yep, I knew it would happen. There’s no way he can go to a baseball field and not be involved in some way.”
I look at Eli, who is concentrating on everything Guy is telling him, and when the game starts, Guy moves to the dugout and coaches from the side.
The game goes on, and it’s fun to watch. I’m good until I see Eli tense. Even from across the field, I can see his whole demeanor change. And that’s when I spot them. The Davenports. They’re leaning up against the fence, closest to first base where Eli is playing.
I’m on my feet before I can think twice.
I’m down the bleachers and running through the spectators to get to where the Davenports are standing. I’m almost there when I see Mike, Miller’s driver, shooing them away. They’re glaring daggers at him, and I stop next to the fence. Eli and I exchange a look, and he’s scared but gives me a nod.
It’s not until I’m leaning against the fence that I realize Miller and his brothers are all over here with me. I let out a breath of relief. It’s a good feeling that I don’t have to do this alone. Miller puts a hand on the fence on each side of me. His body heats upmy back, and I lean into him. “It’s okay, honey. I had Mike stationed on this side of the field.”
“Thank you, Miller.”
Guy stops next to us, and I smile at him. “Thanks for being here. You made Eli’s night.”
Guy just shrugs, and that’s when I remember. “Wait. Didn’t you have a game tonight?”
He blushes. “Yeah, but I told my manager that my family needed me.”
When I realize he’s talking about Eli, I’m shocked. “Wow… Guy… that’s incredibly nice of you.”
His voice drops. “Contrary to popular belief, I’m not just some dumb jock. I have priorities, and family comes first.” He ends it with a smile.
Miller still has me caged in, and when I try to get out, he doesn’t let me go. I look up at him. “I just wanna hug your brother.”
He scowls. “Make it fast.”
I laugh and pat him on the chest before giving Guy a small hug. “Really. This means so much to Eli—and to me—that all of youare here.”
Guy squeezes my shoulder. “That’s what family does.”
Miller brings me back into his arms, and I look down the first base line and see Ozzy is staring at the field. “Is he okay?” I ask Miller.
He brings me back into his arms. “Yes. No. He will be. His wife died a few years ago, and he still struggles with it all. He’ll show up any time we need him, but he’ll never let us be there for him.”
We’re both quiet for a minute, and then Miller whispers, “Why don’t you go back and sit down on the bleachers. My brothers and I will stay here.”
He brushes a hair off my face and promises me, “I won’t let him out of my sight.”
I nod, and he looks at Mike. “Hey, Mike. Can you walk Lindsey back over to the stands?” He lowers his voice. “And hang out over there with them. We got Eli.”
Mike nods and gestures for me to go with him. I turn to Miller. There are parts of me that wants to hug him, hell, even kiss him, but I don’t do either. I awkwardly tell him, “I’ll see you after the game.”
He smiles. “You sure will, honey.”
I walk back toward the stands and feel all eyes on me. I know everyone is wondering what’s going on. A few people stop us on the way back, expressing their condolences about Tammy. Some of them just give me reassuring smiles. “Thanks, Mike,” I tell him for walking me to the bleachers. “You coming up?”
He shakes his head. “No, but I’ll be standing right here if you need me.”
I climb the stands, and Zach kisses Skyler and then stands up. “I’m going to go talk to Mike.”
The girls make room for me to sit between them, and Skyler squeezes my hand. “I know it doesn’t feel like it, but it’s going to be okay.”
