Page 27 of Knox (Comeback Duet #2)

Knox

I wasn’t sure if it was the way Crew had kissed me the night before, the way he’d held me in his lap like he never wanted to let me go, or the things he’d said, but for the first time in a while, I woke up feeling as though I could breathe again.

He slept beside me, tangled in the sheets, his hair sticking up in different directions. According to Reynolds, he’d likely be out until after the All-Star break, which meant another road trip without him. Still, if I believed Crew’s words, then I had to trust we’d be okay.

For now, the Seawolves had a homestand. Nearly a whole week in Portland, and I planned to make the most of it. I reached out and brushed my thumb over his cheek. He stirred and squinted against the sunlight streaming in through the crack in the blinds.

“Morning,” he rasped. “Why are you up so early?”

I smiled. “Just felt like watching you.”

He pushed up on his elbow. “You know, from anyone else, that would sound creepy as hell.”

“Yeah.” I leaned over and gave his stubbled chin a quick peck. “But you love it when I check you out, so I know you won’t complain.”

“True.” He scooted closer and slipped an arm around me.

I let myself sink into him. “I missed waking up with you and starting the day together.”

He trailed his fingers up and down my side. “Me too. Being sidelined because of an injury sucks, but being away from you is a hundred times worse.”

It no longer sounded like he was trying to convince me of my place with him; rather, he was simply being honest about his feelings.

The night before, I had needed the reassurances, but this morning, I focused on the way he was holding me, stroking my side, and the warmth of our bodies pressed together.

Those simple actions left me with no doubt of where I belonged.

I turned my head and pressed another kiss to his shoulder, then nudged him. “Come on, let’s make breakfast before we go see Grady. I’ve got a shit ton of chocolate in my bag for all of you.”

“We should probably take Grady out for a bit if you’re going to give him candy when we see him.”

I laughed. “Mallory’s probably still not up for dealing with a sugared-up kid, huh?”

“She might ban you from the house,” he teased, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. “Which wouldn’t work well for me since I like having you around.”

“Aww, look at you being sweet again.” I followed him out of bed.

“You’re the only one who gets to see that side of me.” He winked.

We moved through our morning as usual, making coffee, whipping up some scrambled eggs and bacon, and stealing kisses as we moved around the kitchen.

After we ate, Crew leaned against the counter and held up his phone. “Do you think we should post something to The Loop? It’s been over a week.”

“Let’s give the people what they want.” I stood and walked over to him.

We recorded a small recap of our boring morning. And maybe boring was exactly what we needed in that moment.

We spent some time with Grady before heading to the stadium. Just as we had before the games prior to the road trip, I headed for the clubhouse, while Crew went to see Reynolds in the training room.

As good as it felt to be with my boyfriend, I couldn’t wait until he got cleared and was behind the plate again where he belonged.

After batting practice, I changed into my uniform and then headed back to the field.

When I stepped into the dugout, the grounds crew was finishing chalking the lines, and the fans were filling up the seats quickly.

The energy that came from playing in front of a home crowd was unlike anything else.

Crew came up a minute later, trailing behind Reynolds. He used his good hand to offer fist bumps to some of our teammates before dropping onto the bench a few feet down from Parker. His gaze landed on me, and he offered me a flirty grin. I blew him a kiss in return.

“You two need to get a room,” Pearson cracked from behind me.

“You jealous?” I asked without turning around.

“Of you and your boyfriend? Fuck no. I’m not one to be tied down. See those two blondes over there?” He pointed to a group right behind home plate. “I’ve got plans with both of them after the game. Bet you can’t remember the last time you enjoyed a celebratory threesome.”

“Are you talking about the one trying to take a selfie with her hot dog, and the other flirting with the cameraman?” I shook my head. “Dude, your taste in hook ups is even worse than your batting average when we were in Albuquerque.”

He gasped, playfully. “Words hurt, Singleton.”

“Not as much as watching you go oh for three,” I tossed back as Matthewson told us to get our asses lined up for the national anthem.

Pearson flipped me off with a smile before jogging onto the grass.

It was game time.

My first at-bat came in the bottom of the second. I stepped into the batter’s box and tapped my bat against the plate. Two fastballs came in quick, but they were just outside, and I was able to lay off them. Then came a changeup that had me swinging too early.

“Fuck,” I muttered as I adjusted my grip on the bat.

The next pitch was a curveball that dropped in perfectly, and I chased it like a damn rookie. Strike two.

The pitcher threw another fastball, and I didn’t even catch a piece of it. The ump rang me up, and I jogged back to the dugout.

Crew was waiting near the water cooler. “You’re dropping your back shoulder,” he said, low enough so only I could hear him.

“I didn’t feel off-balance,” I argued, madder at myself for striking out.

He cocked a brow. “That’s why you’re standing on base right now, huh?”

“Fine, Coach ,” I huffed. “I’ll work on that next time.”

My opportunity came in the bottom of the fifth. That time, I focused on my stance, and when the first pitch caught a little too much of the plate, I didn’t hesitate. The crack of the bat echoed throughout the stadium, and I watched the ball clear the centerfield wall.

Glancing toward the dugout, I saw Crew leaning forward against the railing with a smile on his face. And when I ran past him, he winked and mouthed, “Told you.”

I tried to hide my smile, but I was already planning on showing my appreciation for his impromptu coaching once we were back home.

The morning of my next road trip, I sat cross-legged on the floor of Crew’s living room, working on a puzzle with my boyfriend and his son.

Our week together had been relatively low-key.

Each day, we’d wake up and eat breakfast together before picking up Grady to spend some time with him.

We’d go to the park, watch movies, and swim, then drop Grady off with Mallory and head to the field.

Crew still hadn’t been cleared to play, but he’d been in the dugout every game, offering advice and cheering me on.

And every night, we’d go home and spend hours tangled together in bed, only to repeat everything the next day.

Now with my suitcase packed by the door and the clock ticking down until first pitch, I thought back to the last time I left. All of my doubts and insecurities had followed me and fucked with my head again.

I didn’t want that.

This time, I wasn’t leaving with uncertainty. I was leaving with the knowledge I’d be coming back to a place I belonged and was wanted.