Page 39

TWO AND A HALF YEARS LATER

CHEETAH

I ’m awakened by three tongues licking my face. I blink my eyes open and see our three golden retrievers, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, and Luke Skywalker, all on top of me, begging for their morning walk.

I look over to the other side of the bed. Sadness blankets me at its emptiness. I miss her.

The dogs all sniff her pillow. “You guys miss her, don’t you?”

Luke Skywalker barks and I nod. “Yep. Me too, buddy.” I sit up. “Let’s go for your morning walk. I’ve got a long day ahead of me.”

I approach the front door of my building when Evan opens it. I pinch my eyebrows together. “You’re working the early morning shift today?” He’s been working the afternoon and evening shifts lately.

He nods. “I am. I’ve got a big game to watch later this afternoon. I switched shifts so I could watch it.”

I mumble, “I wish I could do the same.”

It’s the gold medal softball game at the Olympics tonight. Per Major League Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement with the Players’ Association, only spouses are permitted to miss games for special circumstances like this. Kam and I are “only partners” as it was worded to us when my request for a leave of absence was denied. Quincy was granted a leave because he and Ripley are married. I wasn’t because we’re not. It’s such bullshit.

I offered to pay any fine they could levy, but Kam was adamantly against it. She said it would tarnish my reputation, and she wouldn’t allow it. I’m devastated to be missing the game.

What’s worse? We play at the same time. Reagan Daulton promised to have the game playing on the big screen at our stadium. It’s not enough.

As I’m walking the dogs, my cell phone rings, and I see that it’s Kam. I accept the call. “Hey, Kam bam.”

She smiles into the screen. “Hey, kitten. Are you walking the kids?”

I nod. “I am. I wish I was with you.”

She gives me a sad smile. “I do too, but I’m in the Olympic village. It’s not like we could spend time together. Bailey hasn’t been allowed to spend time with Tanner and the kids, Arizona hasn’t been allowed to see Layton and Ryan, and Ripley hasn’t been allowed to see Quincy and Kaya.”

“I know, but it still sucks. They get to watch the game in person.”

She sighs. “Just another thing to fight for.”

Kam ended up joining Tanner’s company and built the women’s division into the most successful one in the country. She’s a full-fledged badass lawyer now, with every female athlete clamoring for her to represent them.

She and Tanner still go at it from time to time, but I know he appreciates what she’s done for his company. She keeps threatening him that she’ll go out on her own and take all her clients, but she won’t. I think being around Tanner is her way of still keeping a protective eye on her sister.

Speaking of Bailey, it took a lot of time and effort, but she eventually got her game back just in time for the Olympics. Frankly, it wasn’t quite back when the team was selected, but Kam, Arizona, and Ripley all told the committee that they wouldn’t go without Bailey also on the roster. It was risky, but it paid off.

That was months ago. In the time since, Bailey has regained her form and has been playing extremely well. Kam is still the best player in the world and the reason they’re in this game, but Bailey holds her own. Kam hit a grand slam in the semi-final to send them to the gold medal game. She’s my hero.

We chat for a bit until it’s time for us both to go. I make my way to the stadium and sit in the locker room with my head a million miles away.

I’m zoned out so I don’t see Reagan Daulton walk in. She sits next to me. “I’m sorry about this, Cruz. It’s shitty.”

I nod. “I know your hands were tied.”

“They were, but it doesn’t make it okay. At the next owners’ meeting, I’ll be advocating for partners’ rights. In the meantime, I have my jet waiting for you. As soon as this game is over, you can fly out to her. I know you’ll miss the game, but at least you can be there for the celebration. I have no doubt there will be one.”

I suppose I should better express my gratitude, but I only offer a solemn thank you before she leaves.

KAMRYN

We’re in the dugout about to take the field for the gold medal game in the Olympics. All my friends have their husbands there as they warmly greet them in the stands for some pregame affection. I’ve never wished more that I had accepted one of the nearly thousand marriage proposals Cheetah has thrown my way over the past three years. Every single day, he finds some random way to propose. Every single day, I say no.

I make my way over to hug my father and my three nieces, Harper, Lorelei, and Rory. Bailey had twins, and she’s freshly pregnant again. So is Fallon. I was with them when they took pregnancy tests together. I’m excited for them, but the moment confirmed for me that I’m still not ready to be a mother. I might have some marriage jealousy right now, but I don’t have an ounce of pregnancy jealousy.

I told Cheetah how I was feeling about their pregnancies, and he was fine with it. We’re sublimely happy with each other and our growing canine brood. Neither of us has any interest in changing things right now.

I haven’t publicly admitted that I’ll be retiring from softball after the Olympics like my three best friends have, but I’m going to. Why would I want to play without them? And my career is exploding at Montgomery Sports Management. I can hardly keep up with my current list of clients. Retiring would give me a little extra time in my life. It would also mean less time away from Cheetah. Conflicting schedules and weeks away from each other are wearing on me. I can’t live for the off-season anymore. It’s too hard.

After an emotional last-ever pregame huddle with my three besties, we take the field for what will be our final game. It’s almost hard to believe that after all the years of dreaming of this moment, it’s finally here. We’re so close to our gold medal dream that I can taste it.

We almost didn’t make it. We were down late in our semi-final game, but with the bases loaded, I did what I’ve done many times throughout my career. I played the part of the hero.

My sister has had a great Olympics. It took a lot of time, energy, and tears to get her here, but we did it. I initially feared she’d be relegated to the bench, but she’s peaking at just the right time. Even better, her husband and three daughters are here to witness what hard work and perseverance look like. I’m proud of her. I’m in awe of her.

The game is underway, and it’s a tight one. We’re down one run as we enter the bottom of the sixth inning. Arizona uses her speed to get on base, as always. I watch the first pitch to enable her to steal second base, which she does.

I then look at the coach, waiting for a signal, even though I know what it will be. She’s going to want me to swing away and bring Arizona home to tie the game. Or possibly hit a home run to give us the lead, once again making me the hero. I happen to have the best career batting average on my team against this particular pitcher. She’s second only to Ripley in the world and shuts most batters down.

As expected, the coach gives me the signal to hit away. The batter after me will undoubtedly strike out. She’s done that against this pitcher for her entire career. The coach should have moved her down in the batting order. Bailey bats after her, and she’s a contact hitter, always putting the ball into play.

I decide to bunt Arizona over to third base and leave her there for Bailey to drive in. After laying down a perfect sacrifice bunt, I’m out at first base, but Arizona is now sixty feet away from tying the game. Both the coach and Arizona narrow their eyes at me in confusion. It’s not often a power hitter like me bunts, but I had my reasons .

As expected, the next batter strikes out. Some pitchers just have the number of certain batters.

My sister has historically made decent contact against the pitcher. That’s all we need right now. She needs to knock Arizona in. I have faith in my sister.

I stand at the edge of our dugout as I watch Bailey enter the batter’s box for what will likely be the last time in her life. Everything we’ve been through in our thirty-two years flashes through my mind. We’ve had a lot of tough times, but we’re finally at a point where the good severely outweighs the bad. She’s so blissfully happy with Tanner and their girls. My heart bursts for her. I’d like to think I had some hand in helping her down this path.

She’s told me many times throughout the past two years that she doesn’t regret being pulled into softball. She doesn’t regret anything in her life because it led her to where she is now. I want so badly for this to be her big moment. She’s earned it.

She’s got one ball and one strike in her count. She’s laser-focused on the pitcher. Softball is a bit like poker. All pitchers have tells as to what pitch they’re going to throw, you just need to learn how to read them. I think that’s why I hit so well. I can usually figure out what pitch is coming. There’s no bigger thinking person’s sport than softball. It’s what drew me to the sport in the first place.

I can tell the pitch is going to be inside and see the moment Bailey realizes it too. Come on, Bails, turn on it. Drive it down the left-field line.

The pitch is thrown, and Bailey begins her swing. The second the ball hits the bat, I know it’s gone. It’s like time momentarily stands still. We all watch as the ball sails way over the left-field wall for a two-run home run.

My sister undoubtedly just won the Olympics for us. Tears of joy immediately sting my eyes.

She hasn’t moved. Her hands are on her helmet in shock. At some point, she realizes she has to trot around the bases and takes off in a sprint. She does some uncharacteristic twirly move. I can’t help but laugh through my tears. It’s so unlike her to showboat, but I’m happy she picked this moment to do it.

We all run out of the dugout to greet her at home plate, but I make sure I’m the first. I’ve never been so happy in my entire life.

She’s got the biggest smile I’ve ever seen as she raises her fist in the air and stomps on home plate. I immediately wrap my arms around her and lift her in the air, shouting, “My sister, the hero. The unbreakable Bailey Hart Montgomery.” I’m overwhelmed with emotion as I manage to croak out, “I’m so fucking proud of you.”

We cry together as we make our way to the dugout. I can see Daddy, Tanner, Fallon, Harper, and the twins all jumping up and down in glee.

Our next batter grounds out, and then we take the field for the top of the seventh and final inning. If we hold them here, we win the gold medal. I glance at the stands, willing Cheetah to miraculously appear, but he doesn’t. He can’t. He was willing to be fined hundreds of thousands of dollars to skip their game, but I wouldn’t let him. He’s on the borderline of being a possible Hall of Fame player. Something like skipping out on a game without permission is one of those random things that would cause voters not to vote for him. I won’t allow that to happen because of me. As much as I ache for him to be here right now, it’s not best for him.

After Ripley strikes out the first two batters, our opponents are down to their last out. The batter steps in and Ripley winds up for the pitch. The batter swings and hits a missile toward the five-six hole. Fuck.

I tuck my glove, pivot, and take off as quickly as I can. Laying out until I’m completely parallel to the ground, I reach my glove all the way out and feel the ball hit it at the same time I come smacking down onto the unforgiving dirt.

Knowing I’ve got no time to spare, I pop up to my knees and throw the ball toward first base as hard as I can from this position. The ball hits into the first baseman’s glove a hair ahead of the runner.

Game over. We win.

We all run toward Ripley, as it’s standard to pile on top of a pitcher after a huge victory. My sister runs toward me. Throwing her arms around my neck, she screams, “Best. Play. Ever.”

The next thirty minutes are full of tears and celebration. My sister is being hailed as the hero. I couldn’t possibly be any happier for her. I love seeing her get all the attention she deserves.

Harper is standing next to her, looking at Bailey like she hung all the stars in the sky. The twins don’t totally know what’s going on, but they know their mommy is a star. That’s all that matters. When they’re older, they’ll be able to watch this moment over and over, knowing what it took for her to get here and how she rose to the occasion.

It’s late into the evening, and I’m sitting in a booth at a bar all alone. My friends are long gone, celebrating privately with their husbands. The younger players on the team are either already passed out or getting it on with some random person on the dance floor.

I stare at a few of them making out with strangers. That used to be me, but I’ve got no interest in that now. Not one ounce. A few people hit on me tonight, but there’s only one person I want.

I try to focus on the ceremony earlier tonight when the four of us received our gold medals. We cried like babies at the moment our forever dreams became our reality.

The best part was right after the ceremony, when Bailey and I presented our father with our grandmother’s gold medal, which our mother had sold. It took me a few years and a lot of money, but I was able to track it down and buy it back .

Even the memories don’t fill the emptiness I’m feeling. I miss Cheetah terribly. The hole in my heart feels so real.

Suddenly, a familiar scent invades my nostrils and a voice whispers in my ear. “Want me to play a firefighter? You’re hot, but when I’m done, I’ll leave you dripping wet.”

I can’t help but smile as I respond, “Can I slide down your pole?”

My man chuckles as he slips into the booth next to me. I immediately wrap my arms around his neck and inhale him. I start sobbing as I mumble into his neck, “How are you here?”

“Reagan felt bad about everything. She sent the company jet for me. I left as soon as our game was over.”

Tears freefall from my eyes. “I’m sorry you weren’t here. It’s my fault.”

He squeezes me tightly. “Don’t say that. I got to see most of the game on the screen in our stadium. That final play was sick. It substantiated all these years of me telling everyone how good you are on your knees.”

I giggle. “How did it look?”

“Like my girl is the only person on the planet who could make that play.”

I pull my head up and smile at him. “Did you see Bailey’s big hit?”

“I did.” He licks his lower lip. “Funny thing. I’ve watched every inning of you playing for this coach. I know the bunt signal. I didn’t see her give it to you.”

I pinch my lips together to hide my smile. “You must have missed it.”

He lifts an eyebrow. He doesn’t believe me.

I shrug. “I wanted Bailey to have this unforgettable moment in front of her three girls. She more than earned the right to be the hero this time around. It was her time to shine.”

“That was a risky move. You’re the best hitter in the world. She may not have come through.”

“Twin intuition. I knew she would get it done. ”

He sighs as he cups my cheek. “I love you.”

I bring my forehead to his. “I love you too.”

His lips move over mine, and a sense of calmness and fulfillment runs through my body. It’s like the moment you take a deep breath after you’ve been underwater for a little too long. Damn, I’ve missed him.

Before I know it, our tongues are in each other’s mouths, teeth nipping at each other like we want to swallow the other whole.

Eventually, I break us apart. “Take me to your room. I don’t want today’s memories to be the only thing left inside me tomorrow morning.”

He nods as he stands and pulls my hand to stand with him. As we walk back toward his hotel, arm in arm, I turn to him. “You didn’t ask me to marry you today.”

He smirks as he drops down to one knee, throws his arms in the air, and loudly shouts, “Kam bam, love of my life, want to do the divorce court foreplay and marry me?”

I laugh. “I haven’t heard that one before.” I run my lip through my teeth. “Hmm. Okay. Yes.”

He shrugs, stands, and starts walking again. “Maybe tomorr—”

He stops dead in his tracks and turns to me. “Did you just say yes?”

I look down for a second before looking up at him. “I just…I wish you were there today. I truly wished you were my husband and not my boyfriend today.”

He nods in realization. “It was a unique situation. I don’t think we’ll encounter anything like it again. You know I’m happy the way we are. I don’t want you to do anything you’re not comfortable doing.”

I nod. “I know. I love you for that. You’ve never once pressured me.”

“And I never will. I don’t want this to be an emotional decision. Today was a big day. You’ve worked toward it your whole life. We’ll see how you feel tomorrow. I promise to ask again.”

I twist my lips. “I’ve got a legitimate reason though.”

He smirks. “What is it?”

“Bailey is about to have her fourth kid. She’ll never be available. I need a new In Case of Emergency contact in my phone.”

He chuckles. “I can’t argue with that logic.”

I take a deep breath. “This isn’t an emotional decision. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. I’ve talked it through with Dr. Pearl a lot in the past few months as my feelings about marriage began to change. I’m ready, Cruz. I want forever with you.” I grab his face. “I love every single thing about you. I no longer see marriage as a death sentence. I see it as a promise of great things. Thank you for waiting. Thank you for loving me exactly how I am. Crazy and all.”

His dimples make an appearance as he wraps his arms around my waist. “I dig your brand of crazy.”

I nod. “I know you do.” Running my fingertips through the back of his hair, I say, “Our marriage will have to be a fifty-fifty partnership.”

He rolls his eyes. “Obviously.”

I smile. “You’ll give me your last name, and I’ll scream your first.”

His smile widens. “Is this for real? You’re not fucking with me?”

“I definitely want to fuck you, but I’m not fucking with you.”

“We don’t have to get married. It’s not something you have to eventually get to. I know I’m going to spend my life loving you; I’m confident in that. I don’t need a piece of paper. I just need you.”

I love him so much for saying that. I kiss his lips. “Why don’t we try being engaged for a while and see how that sits with me?”

He wiggles his eyebrows. “So you’re moving from my live-in doggie mama bitch to my fiancée doggie mama bitch? ”

I nod. “Exactly.”

“Evan might cry tears of joy. He’s going to be very excited.”

I giggle. “I aim to please Evan in all my life decisions.”

“Mamá probably won’t let up.”

I sigh. “I can handle her. She’s all bark and no bite. She knows I love you and that I make you happy. That’s all that really matters to her.”

He nods as his face turns serious. “It’s all that matters to me too.”

Yep, because in my fairy tale, it’s the prince who cares about making the princess happy.

He tugs on my red Team USA hooded sweatshirt. “You look like Little Red Riding Hood.”

“I guess that makes you the Big Bad Wolf.”

He roughly grabs me by the waist and brings his lips close to mine. “This Big Bad Wolf is going to kiss Little Red Riding Hood.”

I shake my head. “No, kitten, in that story, he eats her. Get to work.”

THE END

Thank you for reading Off Season. I hope you enjoyed Kam & Cheetah’s unique love story. Please consider leaving a review . It’s so helpful for us indie authors.