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CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Kelton

I make sure to look up toward Emerson every time I walk onto or off of the field. I know people were watching. I know that they are still insisting they knew every detail of our lives. But all I truly care about is her.

Emerson feels everything and she feels it deep.

I hate that she feels out of place being a part of one of the things I love the most.

When we are in the seventh inning stretch and my mind is racing with all the chatter I’d been hearing, I make a decision that could possibly get my ass in trouble with the coach.

I tell a few of the guys, most thinking I’m a little crazy but I don’t care.

Walking through the dugout and toward the area I’d seated my family I remain hidden for a few seconds and wait for the text from Jerry.

It’s a go!

The words light up my phone and I push through the door and start walking toward the front row. Her, Gran, nor Liz have noticed me yet, but a few others have and are pointing and smiling.

The kiss cam goes around landing on unexpected couples, as all three of them watch the big screen. Everyone smiles and laughs at the reactions of those that have been caught off guard. That is until Emerson’s face fills the screen and collective squeals and claps can be heard loudly.

Because I am at that point standing right behind her.

All three of the ladies I love so much turn around to face me, but all I can see is the woman who I’ve handed my heart to so freely.

“What are you doing?” she asks with her brows furrowed.

“I’m kissing my girl.” Reaching out I take her hand and pull her up then cup her face.

“This isn’t for show,” I whisper as I move in closer.

“This is validation, baby.” With those words I take her mouth with my own and kiss her like my life depends on it.

Loud cheers, whistles, and screams rotate through the stadium as I deepen our kiss.

“I don’t care what anyone thinks,” I whisper. “I love you,” I say, knowing that later someone will most likely do some lip reading shit to determine my words. “I let you go once, and I’m never doing it again.”

Tears fill her eyes, she leans in resting her forehead to my chest and laughs. Then pulling back her gaze finds my once more. “I love you too.”

The camera flips away from us, moving on to the next couple but I stay right there with her for a few seconds before I remember where I need to be.

“I better get back,” I say with one last kiss.

“Don’t let the haters win, babe.” I wink, then start walking backwards, kissing my hands and blowing her a kiss.

I noticed the phones the moment I entered this area.

Those that got the entire thing on video or snapped a few photos.

I am fully aware that the display would be news by the end of the game.

And I smile with satisfaction as I walk back to the dugout, knowing I’d hear it from the coach. But it will be worth it, so worth it.

“Where are Gran and Liz?” Emerson asks as I hold her hand walking toward the hotel.

“Jerry took them to dinner.”

“We aren’t eating?” I peek over to find her smiling but focusing on where we are walking and not looking over at me. What I find hilarious is that she is smiling but biting her lip failing to hide it.

“We’re eating,” I assure her. “I have room service being delivered in.” I lift my wrist and look at my watch. “Thirteen minutes, to our room.”

“Oh.” She nods, still grinning. “It’s a dinner in bed kind of night?”

“I thought maybe we’d eat out on the balcony, then we can move things to bed, if that sounds good to you.”

“Or we could just go straight for bed and eat after.”

Pausing, she keeps walking ahead until she meets the resistance of my hand still holding hers and stops, looking back over her shoulder at me. I give her a little tug, pulling her in closer and curl her arm behind her back.

“When are you coming home with me?”

Her playfulness fades a little as she gives me a serious look.

“When do I get to wake up in our bed to find you there? Or come home from an away game and see remnants of you all over our home, and find you laying out by the pool or curled up on our couch watching a movie?”

She holds my stare.

“How much longer do I have to wait before you’re where you belong, with me?”

“Look at you,” Emerson grips my shirt at my waist and looks at me through those long gorgeous lashes of hers, “saying all the sweet things tonight, aren’t you?”

“Just saying the things I feel,” I confess. “Telling you exactly what’s on my mind instead of wondering until I feel like my head is going to explode.”

She laughs. “Well, we definitely don’t want that.”

“Are you being dirty?” I say with a smirk and she slaps my chest playfully.

“Not yet.” Emerson nibbles on her lower lip. “But that is definitely in the lineup for tonight’s game.”

Stepping back I let her go and watch as she turns and starts walking toward the hotel once more with a little extra shake to her hips.