And what’s even crazier? I have no doubt he’s going to say yes.
Now I just have to come up with a proposal fitting for Shane Michaels. Because he deserves to be swept off his feet. I wish you were here to plan it with me. I know you’d have the best ideas.
“Noooo.You’re Jed Stone Junior?”
I glance up from where I’m sitting in the Jetties dugout, a grin already spreading across my face.
My gaze clashes with a set of sparkling blue eyes. His dimples are on full-display, blonde curls half up in a topknot. He thinks he’s so funny. Fuck, he’s so damn cute.
His smile softens. “How’s Pops?”
“Good. We talked about you a bit.”
He perks up and bounces on his toes. “Yeah? Only good things, I hope.”
“Only ever good things, Sunshine,” I say quietly.
He presses his fingers to his lips and then lifts them to the sky. “Thanks, Poppa Stone.”
I blow out a watery breath. This man.
He offers me a hand, and I let him pull me up. His hand tightens around mine, and we hold chest-to-chest a second longer than would be typical, give ourselves a brief moment of closeness.
Time to head in for our morning team meeting before practice.
With my man by my side.
EPILOGUE: SHANE
OCTOBER
What a fucking crazy turn of events. This baseball season has beenwild. We literally just got back from Cali. We’d flown out for the World Series. Unfortunately, the Jetties didn’t make it that far. Knocked out in the wildcard round. I didn’t get any playing time, but it was pretty cool to be asked to be on the taxi squad.
We didn’t make the playoffs for Triple-A. It was a rough year with all the roster changes. I swear there was more drama on the Clippers than you’d find onGossip Girl.
I finish rubbing the body oil into my abs and grin at my lubed-up self in Jed’s full-length mirror. Hell to the yeah. He’s not going to be able to resist this. Shane is officially slick-a-fied. I spin and check out my ass. Just normal, cheeky briefs. I flex. Yup. Jed is going to be putty in my hands later. I’d have gone a little more risqué, but we’re going to be in public company. The lingerie I bought is for my man’s eyes only.
And, damn, I’m a fan of what me wearing lingerie does to Jed. The man is a fucking animal. It turns him into a total caveman. He actually threw me over his shoulder and carried me to the bedroom one time. I may have been taunting him a bit. But brats will be brats, what can I say?
Off-season has been a literal dream. We’ve bopped around, visited Mom in Tampa, spent some time in the City and a bit in Providence. Jed took me to my first fall fair a couple weeks ago too. That was an experience. I’ve never come across more fried things in my life. Fried dough. Fried pickles. Fried Oreos. All of which were bomb. Fall fairs? Your bro is a big fan. My gaze lands on the giant stuffed panda. My heart swoops. Jed won that guy for me. I swallow hard. It was with that strongman hammer game. Holy sexy.
We have so much to look forward to this off-season too. Thanksgiving. Christmas. New Years. Gah, I can’t wait. And the best part? There’szerostress during it all. The Rule 5 draft takes place in December, but this guy right here is safe from it. My eyes slide shut, and I send a thank you to the baseball gods.
I’ve been walking on air since I got added to the 40-man. It feels like this is really happening. If I keep at it, keep my head down and work hard, I can get the call-up. And play major league ball with my boyfriend.
Like, what is this life?
It’s going to happen.
Manifest.
My phone dings, and I walk over and snatch it up. My heart bounds around my chest.
Graham Cracker
Happy Halloween, Shane!
My gaze traces the words. Graham and I have gotten pretty close. Especially now that he’s at college. I haven’t had a chance to go out and visit him yet, but I’m definitely planning a trip.
