My free hand lifts to cover my mouth, as my brain catches up to what they’re saying. Everything I’ve worked for, finding my passion, honing my skills, figuring out my goal in life. And the two men in front of me, my two dear friends, are offering me the chance to have it all, here. The place I know I need to be, because I need to be with Kai.
“I would be thrilled to work with you both.” We raise our glasses and clink them together again, all three of us beaming, but perhaps none as wide as I am. I take a sip of the wine, then look to the two of them. “But first, I need to figure out a good way to tell Kai I’m staying.”
Gianni gets a look in his eye that promises he has an idea. “I think I know how you should do that, Bella.”
Chapter thirty-five
Kai
“You ready?” Monty knocks my shoulder with his catcher’s glove. I give him a sharp nod, trying to keep my focus where it matters.
On the mound.
I just have to get through tonight and then I’ll be on a plane home to Vancouver. To Isabelle. I don’t know what to expect, seeing as it’s been radio silence since I left her at my apartment, but there’s a kernel of hope deep inside of me.
The guys think I’m crazy for not reaching out to her. But I know Iz. I know she’s got to figure out how she feels and what she wants on her own. Hell, I learned that lesson the hard way when she moved to Italy.
At least this time, she knows exactly where I stand. And hopefully, she knows I’ll do whatever it takes to make things work.
We take the field for the national anthem, and I push all thoughts of Isabelle into the back of my mind. But as I jog back to the dugout, my gaze catches on Coach. He’s…smiling? Like, broadly. Which is weird.
I give him a nod as I approach the dugout, and he turns and gestures to the stands off to the side.
And that’s when I see her.
“Holy fuck,” I blurt out, coming to a stop. Two rows up, right on the aisle, in a seat that’s gotta be worth a small fortune, is the love of my life holding a small sign.
I want to stay with you.
It doesn’t mean a damn thing to anyone but me. And maybe her mom, I suppose, who I belatedly realize is sitting next to her, grinning widely.
But not as wide as I am.
I look to Coach Stirling. The game’s about to start, but I’m not needed right away since we’re at bat. He gives me a nod, and then I break so many goddamn rules, I don’t want to think about it. I set off into a run and vault up to grab onto the railing just in front of her.
“Get your ass down here, Iz,” I shout, but she’s already moving, the sign abandoned as she hurries down the few steps. My arms are not exactly loving the job of holding me up, and I can only hope it doesn’t impact my game, but I don’t fucking care.
“You mean it?”
She nods, then she lifts the hat from my head and inspects the brim. I know what she’s checking, and as soon as her gaze meets mine, she winks.
“Someone’s got to make sure you have your lucky hats.”
I push myself up and manage to peck her lips with a kiss that’s nowhere near as long as the one I want to give her before I have to drop to the ground or risk my arms giving out.
“I love you, Isabelle Murphy,” I yell up at her, still grinning like a fucking fool. The crowd beyond our immediate area has caught on to something happening, and I’m guessing we’re currently being featured on the jumbotron by the rumbling roar I can hear.
“I love you, too, Kai Yamaki,” she calls back, leaning over the railing. “Now go win this game for me, okay?”
A few shouts of protest from our opponent’s fans come at us, but they’re good-natured, for the most part. Baseball fans are the fucking best.
“You got it, baby.” I run my fingers along the brim of my hat and blow her a kiss before turning and jogging back to the dugout.
“Was that really necessary?” Coach grumbles as I skip down the steps.
I slap him on the shoulder as I pass. “Sure as shit was. Hey, you might be my stepdad-in-law some day.”
“Don’t push it, Yamaki. Win the goddamn game first.”
