“What’s the rush, Lee?” she asked with a whiny, breathy tone to her voice. “I haven’t seen or heard from you since last season. Did you get a hotel room?” she purred, giving his body an obvious and, again,familiarperusal. “We can go to mine if you didn’t.”
“He did, but it’s full,” I said, coming up to Lee and hooking my arm into the crook of his elbow. “And you are…?”
“Standing corrected,” she said, popping her brow as she stepped back. “Sorry, I used to be able to take a hint a little easier. Enjoy your night.
“Fuck,” Lee whispered. “Look, Stella, that was?—”
“None of my business. As long as you didn’t agree to fuck her again tonight, no big deal.” I tried to sound aloof, but it was hard to seem breezy when all I saw was red. “Let’s just forget about?—”
Lee grabbed my hand and dragged me into the hallway.
“I met Kaia in Philly. I was very lonely and low, and she was very?—”
“Please stop explaining. Just drop it.”
“And have our night ruined because you think you interrupted something? Forget it.”
“I didn’t think I interrupted something. It was gross to hear, but like I said. It’s not my bus?—”
“She wasn’t the first, but the only one I saw more than once. As I was trying to say, I was lonely and still mad at everything and myself. She was nothing but a distraction. Anything with anyone was hollow, if that makes sense.”
I nodded. It made too much sense, but I let him continue.
“I was so sickened after the last time, I never looked her up again and avoided where I knew she’d be if I was in Philly. She works for one of the donors and bought a ticket tonight.”
“Wanting to see you?”
He shrugged. “There are donor parties after, so I’m sure I wasn’t her only intended perk. But I’m not hers to see. I’m yours.” He stepped closer. “Because I am crazy in love with you.”
I fell back against the wall.
“You’re—”
“I love you. I’ve always loved you, but I’m soinlove with you I can’t even see straight sometimes.” He feathered the back of his hand over my cheek. “You’re all I want and all I’ll ever want. Believe me, baby.”
“Everyone, we’re getting ready to begin, so please place any bids and return to your seats.”
Lee exhaled a groan as the emcee ushered everyone toward the dining area. He took my hand, both of us heading to the table in silence. The playful gleam in his eye was gone as he nodded a hello to everyone already sitting at our table.
“Good evening and welcome,” the Bats’ owner bellowed into the microphone. “It’s my honor to welcome you all to our annual charity gala.”
Lee grabbed his water glass, taking a long sip and setting it down, pinching the stem of the glass back and forth between his fingers as his shoulders slumped.
Did he not think I loved him back? I almost wanted to laugh at how ridiculous that was. If he only knew the years of moments I’d had like the one he seemed to be having now. He seemed as lost and frustrated as I used to be because the one thing I’d always needed was just far enough out of my reach to taunt me.
“Owning the Bats has been a dream come true. I’d already done and seen basically everything when I bought the patch of land that now is Wayne Field. We’re lucky to have found a great group of guys, who not only give those other two New York teams a good run for their money—or just beat them outright like they’ve done for the past two seasons.”
A flutter of laughter wafted across the room, but Lee stayed mostly stoic.
“But this team has made their community a better place. And I can’t tell you how proud I am of that. Thank you all for being a part of it tonight.”
Lee pinched his neck, his old tell when he was stressed. I noticed Silas give Lee a concerned glance as the owner continued his speech.
I drifted my hand across his back, waiting for him to turn his head. His eyes darted everywhere but mine as the low din of the crowd faded into the distance.
I moved closer, pressing a light, lingering kiss on his cheek. “I love you too,” I whispered into his ear. “Back then, now, and for the rest of my life.”
His head snapped to mine, relief and awe flooding his features. He’d probably thought I’d meant the close friends’ kind of love we’d shared when I saidback then, even though it had always been on another level from my side.
