Page 32 of Knox (Comeback Duet #2)

CREW

Knox’s mouth was warm against mine, and even though I heard the cheers rising behind us as we kissed, I didn’t ease off.

Instead, I slid one hand up his chest, cupped his jaw, and kissed him deeper until I felt the shift in his breathing.

When I finally pulled back, I didn’t let go right away.

I pressed our foreheads together and kept him close, every nerve in my body buzzing from what had just happened.

We were married.

We turned and walked back down the aisle, past the wildflowers Grady had scattered over the white runner. Our guests got to their feet, cheering as we stepped away from the arch.

The sun had started to drop through the trees, casting long shadows across the grass.

That warm mid-July light touched everything, and I felt as though I was living a dream.

The golden rays soaked into the chairs, the flowers, the familiar faces I didn’t always get to see together in the same place.

For a second, it felt like time had slowed around us, but all I could focus on was my husband beside me.

We passed a small photo setup tucked off to the side, with a white frame, climbing vines, and a chalkboard sign Knox’s youngest sister had made with our names and the date on it.

Mallory waved us toward the photographer with a smile, and he guided us into a few shots in front of the setup, then led us through a handful of family photos.

“Does it feel different yet?” Knox asked as we waited off to the side for Parker to announce us.

I glanced at our hands, at the new rings, then lifted my head to catch the grins people threw our way. “A little.”

“You’re stuck with me now.”

“I wasn’t planning to go anywhere.”

He leaned in. “Good. I’ve got a surprise for you later.”

I grinned. “What’d you do?”

“If I told you, it would ruin the surprise.”

“You can’t tease me like that. Just tell me.”

“Fine. You really want to know?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“There’s a private cabin on the river Archer and Mallory mentioned. It has an outdoor hot tub and a fire pit. I figured we’re used to hotel rooms, so I needed to mix things up for our wedding night.”

“And what if I booked something as a surprise too?”

“Did you?” He raised an eyebrow.

“No.” I shook my head. “I’d just planned to put candles around the condo and spend the entire night showing you how much I love you.”

“Well, that’s my plan too, but under the stars.”

Parker tapped a glass and spoke into a microphone. “It’s my honor to introduce, for the first time as husbands—Crew and Knox Stratton!”

Applause erupted, louder than before. A few whoops came from our teammates’ table, but before Knox and I could take a step, Parker raised a hand indicating he wasn’t finished.

“Or is it Singleton? Or maybe Stratton-Singleton? Are we going hyphenated?”

I beamed as I looked at my husband. “We haven’t figured that part out, but I might just stick with ‘Knox’s husband’ for now.”

That earned a louder cheer, and Parker laughed before adding, “All right, lovebirds. First dance time.”

I groaned under my breath, but Knox pulled me forward. The music that started playing wasn’t what I expected. I thought it would be a slow song. Instead, the opening beat of “Shut Up and Dance” hit the speakers.

I looked at him. “This is our first dance song?” Knox and Mallory had hired the DJ while I’d found the bartender and photographer, so to say I was surprised was an understatement.

He nodded. “Figured you’d groan and pretend to hate that we had to dance, but I knew you would anyway. The song is fitting, right? Well, besides the fact that they’re singing about a girl. But I assumed you wouldn’t mind.”

I shook my head, laughing. “You know me so well.”

Knox slid his hands to my waist and pulled me in.

I went easily. He moved to the beat, hips loose and confident, and I kept up with him.

When he spun me out and tugged me back in, the crowd clapped like we’d just pulled off a double play.

A moment later, Grady slipped between us, beaming as he danced along.

Then Parker’s daughters ran out too. One of them handed Grady a flower, and he tucked it behind his ear, grinning as he wiggled his shoulders to the beat.

When the music faded into something slower, my mom stepped forward for our dance while Knox took his mom’s hand.

She smiled as we swayed to “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. “You always were handsome in a tie. I think the last time I saw you with one was your senior prom.”

I huffed a laugh. “Yeah, probably. Mallory and I went with Levi and his girlfriend. Funny how we both ended up with men.”

“I think Levi is also with the woman who came with them.” Mom nudged her head toward the table where they sat.

I glanced over and recalled the telephone call from my mother back in December, when she had shared the small town’s latest gossip ...

“Crew, you’re not going to believe this. Pastor Sexton is in a whole heap of trouble.”

“Pastor Sexton?”

“Yes! Levi and his boyfriend came to town and barged into the church this morning.”

“Wait. Levi and his what ?” I couldn’t believe my ears.

“Boyfriend,” she repeated, like she hadn’t just dropped a bomb. “Tall. Broad. Looked like he could break a man in half just by blinking.”

I adjusted my grip on the phone. “That’s probably Austin Butcher. Levi never said anything when I saw him last, but they seemed pretty close.” He’d also introduced the woman they were with as his girlfriend. Did they break up, and was he now with his teammate?

“Well, Levi made sure the whole congregation knew. When Pastor Sexton tried to come at him about bringing a teammate for backup, Levi just smirked and said, ‘No, I brought my boyfriend as backup.’ You could’ve heard a pin drop after that.”

I blinked. “He said that in church?”

“Clear as day. The room went dead silent except for Helen Parsons, who let out a little gasp like someone had slapped her.”

“And Pastor Sexton?”

“He turned the color of a ripe tomato and tried to shut it down, told Levi to watch his mouth, but Levi didn’t stop. He went on to say his father had cheated on his mother, knocked up an eighteen-year-old girl, and used church funds to support his other family.”

“Holy—” I dragged a hand down my face. “That’s insane.”

“It was a circus. Pastor Sexton started coming down from the pulpit like he was going to do something to Levi, but the boyfriend stepped in front of him and said, ‘I suggest you think twice about whatever you plan to do.’”

“Damn.” I blew out a breath. “And then what?”

“So, then Pastor Sexton told Levi to get out and called him a disgrace. Levi shrugged and said he had one more thing to say.”

“What was it?”

“Said he gave the cops a heads-up that the relationship with that girl started when she was still a minor.”

“He called Finn?” I wondered. My brother was a deputy in Harvest Ridge, and I figured Levi would call someone he knew and trusted.

“Probably.”

“Wow. Guess I missed quite the sermon.”

“You did. And you better believe the church group text is still going off. I just wanted to call and tell you because I know Levi’s your friend, and well … I figured you’d get a kick out of it.”

The last notes of the song ended, and Mallory stepped forward with a small smile. Her gait was still cautious from the accident, but she was steady enough to make it on her own. “Mind if I get a turn? Just one before I sit the rest out.”

I held out my hand to her, and she stepped in close after my mother kissed my cheek and walked off to dance with my father. Mallory and I settled into a rhythm to “Never Alone” by Lady A.

She looked around the yard and gave a small smile. “I wasn’t sure I’d make it here, you know? Not after everything.”

“You mean the wreck?”

She nodded. “That and life in general,but I’m glad I get to celebrate your special day with you.”

“Crazy how things turned out, huh?”

“Yeah,” she said softly. “I never pictured this, but somehow it fits.”

I glanced over at Knox dancing with Grady and his two sisters in a small circle. “Feels like this is where I was always meant to end up.”

Mallory was quiet for a second. “I’m happy you found your person.”

“Think you’ll find yours?”

Her attention shifted to the bar where Archer was talking to Jase, Dylan, and Knox’s brothers. “I think so.”

We didn’t say anything else, just kept dancing until the song faded and the next one rolled in.

Parker stepped in through the edge of the crowd. “You mind if I steal the groom for a second?”

“Not at all.” Mallory started to walk away, but I held up a finger to my skipper and offered Mal my arm. We walked toward the bar slowly, her steps careful, but balanced. When we reached Archer, I eased her toward him.

“You good making sure she takes it easy?”

He caught her hand as if it were second nature. “Always.”

I wasn’t sure what was happening between them, but the way he looked at her told me enough. My words meant more than just a hand-off for the night.

Turning back to my manager, who had followed us, I asked, “What’s up?”

“Just wanted to say congratulations.” He clapped a hand on my shoulder. “You and Singleton have something solid. Not everyone figures out how to hold on to the good stuff.”

“Thanks.”

“And don’t tell anyone, but your vows almost got me.”

“Almost?”

He tilted his head. “Need to keep up appearances. The manager can’t be the first one crying.”

We both looked toward the dance floor. Knox now had Grady on his shoulders, walking through a tunnel of teammates, the good times in full force.

He stepped back. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a husband to dance with and two daughters to embarrass. Might as well make the most of it.”

He winked and headed off as the music shifted to a slower, softer song. I stood there watching it all when someone bumped my shoulder. I looked over and saw Levi grinning at me.

“Kinda reminds me of prom,” he said. “Except way less awkward and nobody dry humping on the dance floor.”

“Night’s still young.” I chuckled. “And thank you for coming on such short notice. Have anything new to share?” I eyed the band on his left ring finger.

He beamed as he glanced at Austin and Kaylee and said, “Just happy and in love.”

“The three of you?” I pressed so I could confirm he meant more than just his teammate.

“Yep. I know it’s not traditional, but it works.”

“That’s all that matters.”

“Thanks. So, any plans for the honeymoon?”

I shook my head. “Not yet. We still have half a season to play, and I’m itching to get back behind the plate.”

“Will that be soon?”

“They want me to play one game in the minors before they take me off the IL. Just to be safe. But I’ve been throwing, catching, and hitting regularly, and everything feels good.”

Levi nodded, then looked past me toward the dance floor where Knox was crouched low, Grady on his back, both of them laughing while Knox’s sister tried to pull them up into a three-person conga line.

“You gonna go get your husband?”

“Yeah.” I snickered. “About time I dance with my two guys, even if dancing isn’t my favorite thing to do.”

After giving Levi a bro hug, I made my way across the dance floor. Grady spotted me first and lit up, arms reaching out before I even got close. Knox stood and shifted him to one hip, freeing his other arm so he could wrap it around my waist.

He kissed the corner of my mouth. “Come dance with us.”

Grady squirmed to be let down, and Knox lowered him gently, letting him run off toward Mallory and Archer. Then Knox slipped both arms around me, pulling me in as we moved to the beat of “Cake by the Ocean” by DNCE.

“Is it time to get out of here yet?” he asked.

I smiled. “I think we’re supposed to cut the cake.”

“Is that why they’re playing this song?”

“Maybe.” I grinned.

“Good, because after that, I want to say our goodbyes and take you to the woods and?—”

“Murder me?” I lifted my brow.

Knox threw his head back and laughed. “No. I was going to say ‘fuck you under the stars’.”

I smirked. “Then let’s go cut the cake.”

We did the whole thing—fed each other a bite, made a mess, laughed when frosting ended up on his nose. Someone passed us a glass of champagne, and I didn’t stop smiling once.

After hugging our friends and family, we slipped out the back gate while the music kept going and the lights stayed on behind us.

Our relationship started as a fling, but somehow, Knox became the person I built a life with. The one I wanted beside me for all of it.

He was it.

My husband.

My forever teammate.