Page 34 of Shades of You (Calypso Key #4)

Chapter Thirty-Four

Hunter

“Come on, Hunter!” Maia shouted from the dugout. “Knock the cover off the ball.”

Without reacting to her encouragement, I tightened my grip on the aluminum bat and stepped up to the plate. The early afternoon sun blazed down on us, making the Big Pine Key baseball field shimmer like an emerald. Palms swayed lazily beyond the outfield fence, and the air was thick with the scent of freshly cut grass—a balmy tropical day that seemed at odds with the tension of a championship game.

We were running out of time. The Sugarloaf Key Barracudas were ahead, thanks to their ace pitcher, Tom, who’d been shutting us down all game. Except for Evan. In the sixth inning, he’d launched a solo home run that gave our Stingrays a flicker of hope as he narrowed our deficit to two runs to one.

Evan had pitched a solid game—more than solid, really. But his fastball didn’t have the usual sting of our sessions behind the Big House. Last inning, I’d jogged out to the mound, peering at him for any sign of injury. “What’s up? Is something wrong with your arm?”

Evan just frowned, the lines around his mouth deepening. “It’s a rec league, Hunter.” He shook his head. “I’m not gonna throw my best stuff to a bunch of neighbors. That wouldn’t be sportsmanlike.”

“Sportsmanlike?” I snorted, glancing over at the Barracudas’ dugout where Tom was practically breathing fire, no qualms about showing us his best. Not to mention their goddamn slugger, Brent Hannigan. Since our catharsis the other day behind the Big House, Evan and I had become easier around each other. Finally relaxed enough that I could tell him what was on my mind. “Their guys don’t seem too concerned with being gentlemanly. And maybe you’ve been a little too easy on Brent. We’re behind, you know.”

“There’s still time. I’ll tighten up if I need to. Don’t worry.” Evan shrugged, the muscles in his jaw working as he suppressed whatever emotions were brewing beneath the surface. “We play our game, our way.”

Our way was apparently him pitching just enough to keep us in the game without making the Barracudas look like fools. It was typical Evan, trying to find balance.

“Fine. Let’s get this win, then.” I clapped him on the shoulder.

“That’s the plan.” The determined glint in his eye told me he wasn’t going to let this game slip through our fingers.

Now, as I settled into the batter’s box in the top of the ninth inning, digging my cleats into the earth, it was my turn to do what I could. For the team, for Evan, and for the second chance we were both scrabbling after. Maybe it made no sense, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that my future hung in the balance right now. I took a deep breath and expelled it in a rush.

My gaze involuntarily flicked to the bleachers for the hundredth time. To where Brenna sat, her willowy figure unmistakable even at this distance, sitting beside April, who looked about ready to pop. I couldn’t believe Brenna had shown up. After her text, I’d been positive she wouldn’t come.

I was wrong.

“Come on, Hunter!” Aiden called from first base, snapping me back to reality. He’d just hit a single and was itching to advance. I nodded, gripping the bat tighter as he took a healthy lead.

Tom wound up, his arm a blur as he released a fastball that cut through the air like a knife. Time slowed as I tracked its path, every muscle coiled and ready. I was laser-focused on the ball, not even thinking as I began my swing. Pure instinct.

And then, contact.

The crack of the bat meeting the ball resounded like a thunderclap and sent the crowd into a frenzy. I watched, almost in disbelief, as the ball arced high.

Higher.

Then it sailed over the outfield fence.

“Yeah, Hunter!” The shouts from the dugout reached me, distant and muffled as if underwater. But I was already in motion, legs almost numb as adrenaline surged through me. Rounding the bases, I didn’t dare look into the stands, afraid to break the spell of the moment.

I crossed home plate and fell into a back-slapping hug with Aiden as reality hit me—we’d just taken the lead. Three to two, just like that. A raw and exultant cheer ripped from my throat as I scanned the crowd for Brenna’s face. She cheered wildly for me, on her feet. Her eyes held a note of pride and suspense I tried not to read too much into. Her presence here was a curveball I hadn’t seen coming, and yet it felt so right. Our gazes held for a long moment, and my body felt light and free as Aiden and I strolled off the field.

As I entered the dugout, Evan was waiting. He raised both hands, and I met them with mine in a solid high ten, the slap echoing our exhilaration. His eyes blazed with that old fire. “Way to bring it home!”

Stella stepped up to bat next, her stance confident, her eyes fierce. She swung, connecting a sharp crack, but the ball skimmed low—a grounder speeding toward the shortstop. The throw was quick and precise, and she was out, ending our turn at bat.

“Nice try!” I called, applauding for Stella as she trotted back to the dugout.

As I strapped on my catcher’s gear, the weight of the pads felt like armor, the mask a visor for the final battle. This was it—the last half inning to defend what we had fought for all season.

Maia clapped her hands. “Okay, guys! All we have to do is hold them. Holy shit, am I nervous now. Let’s keep our same positions. It’s worked all game?—”

“Maia.” Evan stepped forward and cut her off. “I think we should change it up.”

Her face went blank. “You do? What do you mean?”

Evan stared straight at her. “I want to take over as manager.”

Silence blanketed us for a heartbeat, then understanding rippled through the team. At what it meant for Evan to step up at long last and take center stage. Everyone straightened a little as those sharp blue eyes raked over us. Then they stopped on Maia. “But it’s your call. What do you say?”

She bit her lip, then nodded. “I’d love it if you led us, Evan.”

He gave her a brief smile before his expression hardened, his eyes becoming fierce. “Hunter just scored the go-ahead run. All we have to do is hold them for a half inning and this game is ours, guys.”

Liv’s hands twisted together, her face pale beneath the brim of her cap. “Maybe I should sit this one out, honey. I missed my last catch in the sixth inning, and that gave them the lead. Someone else could definitely do better than me.”

Evan’s expression softened as he brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “None of that. We all got here together, remember?” His gaze swept over each of us before settling back on her. “Everyone plays, including you.”

Then he straightened, and all of us followed suit. I damn near stood at attention from the authority he was radiating. “Aiden,” Evan said, pointing to the doctor. “I’m moving you to shortstop. Your speed is what we need right now.”

“Got it,” Aiden replied, his face setting into determined lines.

“Gabe, you’re on first. Maia, take third base. I want you on the hot corner. Wyatt, be on high alert out there at center.” Evan’s commands were met with immediate nods from everyone. “We play as one, and we win as one. Let’s show these assholes how it’s done.”

While everyone else trotted to the diamond, I strapped on the rest of my catcher’s gear. Evan and I were alone, and I caught his eye. “You’ve got your game face on, but what about Brent? He’s up third.” In addition to scoring all the Barracudas’ runs, Brent Harrigan had hit the ball Liv was worrying about, which only made me more pissed at the guy. Plus, he’d been a jerk the whole season.

Evan’s lips curled into a grin that was anything but friendly. “Brent? I went toe-to-toe with that prick in the minors. Trust me, I’ve got his number.”

Laughter rose from my chest. “What about keeping it clean enough for the rec league?”

“I’m not a dirty player, but I’ll do what it takes to win,” Evan snapped. This was the Evan I remembered. The Enforcer, his nickname when he’d been notorious for not giving an inch. “Don’t worry. He’ll get what he deserves.”

As Evan settled on the mound, I crouched behind home plate. I risked a quick glance at Brenna, who chewed on her lips as she sat with her hands pressed between her knees. Next to her, April was frowning and shifting on the bleachers. Everyone was feeling the tension.

As Evan struck out the first two batters with ease, pride filled me. He was pitching at full capacity now, and the two Barracudas hadn’t even made contact with his fastball. Redemption suited him well. Our Stingrays were more than just a team—we were a family making ourselves whole again.

The Barracudas’ slugger approached. His bat tapped an impatient rhythm against his cleats, then he settled in with his toes hugging the line.

“Careful, Brent,” I said casually. “You’re a bit close there.”

He shot me a dirty look, the corner of his mouth twisting. “I’ll stand wherever I damn well please.”

God this guy is an asshole.

Enough. Focusing on the pitcher’s mound, I signaled for an inside fastball. My brother’s response was measured—a slow nod I remembered very well. Evan wound up and let it fly. The pitch hurtled toward home, a streak of white fury that nearly kissed Brent’s nose. He whirled into a crouch, cursing, while I launched upward to catch it.

“Whoops!” I smirked behind my mask. “Shit. That one could have gotten away from him. Told you.”

Ignoring me, Brent stood up again. He glared at Evan, who stood tall and unyielding on the mound, the Enforcer personified. The moment stretched taut as Brent settled into his batting stance once again. I debated about what pitch to ask for and settled on a curve. Evan shook me off.

Yeah. I guess he’s not messing around.

I knew what he wanted and gave him the signal. His next pitch was a fastball that Brent took a mighty swing at and completely missed. This time I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to rile him too much. Evan wound up again and delivered a fastball that screamed toward home plate.

Brent swung hard, and I flinched as he sent a high fly ball arcing toward right field. My heart lodged in my throat as Liv shuffled her feet, eyes skyward, tracking the motion.

“Oh, no! Oh my God,” she squeaked, a note of panic lacing her voice and audible even from where I stood.

“Come on, Liv,” I muttered under my breath, willing her confidence. “You got this.”

She took a few steps to her right, never taking her eye off the ball. The rest of us froze, only able to watch as the drama played out. The white streak finally reached the top of its arc and began to fall. When her glove opened, the ball dropped neatly into it.

“Out! Game’s over!” I roared, tearing off my mask and throwing it to the ground. The Stingrays erupted around me, a resounding chorus of cheers and laughter. All of us rushed the mound, clustering around Evan. Still in the outfield, Liv stared at the ball in her glove as if she couldn’t understand how it had gotten there.

The uproarious cheers echoed in my ears, punctuated by Evan’s infectious laughter. In the midst of this euphoria, Stella and Maia weaved their way through the throng of players. With a warmth that only family could muster, they enveloped Evan in a flurry of congratulatory hugs. Their faces were radiant with pride for their team and especially for their brother.

Then they turned to me. Stella was first. Her dark eyes were full of emotion as she wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug that spoke more than words ever could. Maia followed suit, her embrace equally as warm and comforting.

Finally, Liv made it to us from right field, her expression still bewildered.

“There she is!” Maia shouted. “The game-winning catch. Good thing we’ve got such a great manager, huh?”

Evan’s grin could have lit up the entire Key, his pride obvious as he boosted Liv into the air. Her bewilderment gave way to a beaming smile after he planted a kiss on her lips.

“Way to go, Liv!” I yelled. Several hearty slaps landed on my back—an age-old gesture of camaraderie among family. Among Markhams.

And I was a Markham, goddammit.

The noise around us seemed to fade into a distant hum as I absorbed the moment. How an echo from our past had been brought to life again in this triumphant present. And that it had taken all of us to get here.

I turned to find Evan in front of me, wearing a gigantic grin. “That last inning felt like old times. I knew you were going to call for me to back that son of a bitch off the plate.”

I nodded, the weight of this moment filling my chest. “And you did it perfectly. Great job, Evan. You’re a force of nature.”

“Hey, you’re the one who hit the game-winning home run, remember?” Then his face went serious, and I felt the shift in the air. He glanced at the ground, then met my gaze again. “I’ve missed this, Hunter. You and me.”

My throat tightened. “I have too,” I managed to say, every word laced with years of regret and longing. “More than you could ever know.”

“Then let’s put it all behind us. Once and for all. Why don’t we start again, right from this moment?”

I couldn’t speak, so I just gave him a big nod. Numbness swept over me in a wave.

Evan stepped in close and wrapped me in a hug that held the promise of new beginnings. I returned it fiercely, my eyes stinging as I fought the tide of emotions threatening to spill over. He might have been shorter than me, but he would always be my big brother. His arms were strong, his body solid as I held him, still barely able to believe it. I didn’t want to let go, as fourteen years of pain and harrowing, soul-crushing guilt trickled away. My eyes were damp, and I didn’t care.

When we broke apart, our entire family had gathered around us, and I wasn’t the only one with misty eyes. Evan’s were glassy too. Stella’s cheeks were wet with tears, and Maia was wiping her face. Dad and Nona had approached from where they’d watched the game in the stands, and their resemblance was clear in their similar expressions.

“I’ve waited fourteen years for this moment,” Dad said, his voice thick as his gaze bounced between us.

The weight of history, of feuds and failures, evaporated in the tropical heat.

“So have I,” I rasped, my voice rough with emotion .

We all came together in a huddle, a tangle of arms and shared memories, family by blood and found family from the resort. It was perfect, the reunion I’d kept locked up in the most secret places of my heart but never thought I’d experience.

Then April’s voice cut through the celebration from where she stood at the edge of the circle. Her eyes were wet too, but the expression on her face was strange, a mix of embarrassment, fulfillment, and… pain? Her arm cradled her swollen belly. “Evan and Hunter, I can’t tell you how happy I am for this moment. But I’m afraid I need to grab Gabe away from the celebration. Pretty sure I’m in labor.”

Gabe spun on his heels. His face was a picture of comical panic, eyes wide and mouth agape. “Your bag,” he muttered, swiping a hand over his brow. “It’s back at the Barn. Oh my God.”

April, cool as an ocean breeze, just patted his arm with a smile. “Honey, breathe. You’re the one who’s been through this before, remember? We’ve got time to swing by Calypso Key. It’s not like this little one’s in a hurry.”

Her gaze swept over the rest of us. “We’ll keep you guys updated, okay?”

“You better!” someone hollered from the back. It sounded like Stella and sparked a round of cheers and laughter. As excitement rippled through us, Evan’s arm found its way around my shoulders, pulling me close in a brotherly embrace. I leaned into him, the weight of years lifting with each shared breath.

“Feels like we’re finally getting things right, huh?” I asked quietly.

Evan nodded, his grip tightening for a moment. “Yeah, we are.”

It was a moment I had never truly allowed myself to imagine—Evan’s arm around my shoulders, a connection deeper than happiness coursing between us. As he held me close, a sense of belonging enveloped me, forgiveness that transcended mere words. And looking around at our family gathered around us, tears in their eyes, I realized this celebration was not complete yet.

One person was missing.

If Evan and I could finally be fully reconciled, brothers again, then the Markhams and the Coleridges could bury the hatchet too. I’d do whatever Brenna needed me to. I’d loved her since I was in high school, and my own demons had nearly drowned us both. All she’d asked for was patience, but I’d been too locked in my head to give it to her. Too damn scared to admit to her that she was the great love of my life. It was time to step up to the plate one last time, and I couldn’t wait. My heart filled with determination as I turned to the bleachers.

Brenna was gone.