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CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Kelton

The game is so close, it has been from the start. Like a tug-of-war, we pull ahead and then they jump forward. It’s been a constant battle and some of the guys are growing irritable with the uncertainty, but I can’t wipe the smile off my face.

I know there isn’t much that could ruin my mood. Not after the night I had, and morning.

For the first time in weeks, I feel like maybe things would work out. I think Emerson and I have hit that point where we know this is happening, she and I would make this work. One way or the other in the end, we’’ll be together.

But for now, she is here and I’m fucking floating on cloud nine.

“You need to stop smiling.” Tripp kicks my shoe as he walks by and I chuckle. “Haven’t you noticed we are down by two?”

“Yeah.” I lean back crossing my ankle over one knee. “I noticed, but what’s me getting all pissy about it gonna do? You are pissy enough for the both of us.”

He flips me off and walks off to grab his bat.

“Piss him off before he goes up to bat?” Evan says, also leaning over to rest his elbows on his knees.

“He’ll get up there and imagine the ball is my face.” I shrug. “Just might get grumpy a home run.”

“Or at least a double.” Evan smiles. “Hell anything at this point. We’ll take what we can get.”

We watch and wait, seeing the tension in Tripp’s shoulders as he walks toward the plate. When I hear the crack of the bat as the ball goes soaring I chuckle. “And there goes my head.”

A few other guys who’ve overheard Evan and my conversation join in and the rest of the inning allows us to once again pull ahead. Continuing our tug-of-war.

When I’m up to bat I glance toward the area I know Em and my sister are sitting in. Tipping the bill of my hat down, I offer a smile, then get into position.

The crowd is humming, St. Louis locals chanting for their home team. It’s all the thrill of the game, the things I love the most. The electric feeling of the fans, and the news crews, all those who aren’t here watching but are on the edge of their seats at home, eyes glued to the screen.

The first pitch comes in a little outside and low.

Ball one.

I know it the second the ball leaves the pitcher’s glove, it’s right down the middle. Just how I like it.

We lose, and I should care, I know I should. It was a good game.

Win or lose, I had a hell of a time playing the game I love. It was close, and we still have three more games against St. Louis.

The truth is, I don’t think anything can bring me down.

I spent last night reconnecting with the girl I know I’ve loved for years but now have truly fallen in love with.

Emerson has been a part of my life for years through my sister. She was always at our house, staying over, tagging along to all my games both home and away. She was a constant.

Now, that love has shifted into something bigger than I ever imagined it to be. When she isn’t close I feel that loss. I also know that she won’t always be right here by my side, but for today, I’m still riding the high that she is.

Being able to look up in the stands to the very place I know she is sitting and see her at my sister’s side makes the scoreboard disappear.

So tomorrow, we win, tonight I will accept that we lost the game, but I still fucking won.

Sitting at the table, I stare across at Emerson as she laughs at something my sister said. Her head is thrown back, her palm pressed to her chest, everything about the moment is beautiful.

When she looks up and sees that I’m watching I wink and instantly notice the way she melts right before me. Her shoulders relax, leaning back in her chair. Reaching out across the table I do the same and we link our fingers together.

I ignore the flirting my sister and Jerry do right under my nose. I’m too focused on Em and the comfortable pattern her and I have settled into so easily.

Dinner is full of conversation and laughter. When we make our way back to the hotel, Emerson and I go to my room, and Jerry and Liz decide to stop in at the bar for a late drink.

One of these days I need to sit down with Jerry and have a little one-on-one. My sister is a big girl, but she is still my sister. I respect Jerry, but there is a line, and using my sister as someone to pass the time, that would be crossing that line.

I need to make sure he understands that.