When he pulled into the ballpark the first thing he saw was her car. The second thing he saw was her.
And suddenly everything was right in his world.
Mackenzie barely cut the engine before he was out the door and striding toward her. He didn’t say anything. He just scooped her into his arms and pulled her close to him. So close that he could feel her heartbeat. So close that he felt the air swoosh out of her lungs as she nestled against him.
So close that that elusive thing he’d been searching for—peace—finally washed over him.
“Boston,” he said but had to take a second because that big-ass lump that was in his throat made it hard to speak. He sank his fingers into her hair, loving the way she melted into him, and when he finally had his shit together, he spoke.
“Are we good?” God, so inadequate, but it was all he had right now.
She nodded. “We’re good.”
“I’m sorry I was such an asshole.”
“It’s okay,” she murmured against his chest. “Really. I know you needed your space.”
He yanked his head back because he needed her to see the truth. “No, Lily. I don’t need space anymore. I need you.” He brushed his mouth across hers. “I need you so badly that I can’t think straight.”
He cupped her chin and kissed her thoroughly. He kissed her until his head spun and the chorus of catcalls and whistles penetrated his little bubble.
Reluctantly, he dragged his mouth away and rested his forehead against hers.
“I missed you.”
“Me too,” she said softly before nudging him. “But you have a ball game to coach.” She was silent for a moment, her eyes misty. “We’ll talk later.”
“Damn right we will.”
She walked him to the dugout, and then he watched as she made her way over to Becca, who sat alone in the stands. Mac’s mother wasn’t around, which surprised him—she hadn’t missed any of the ball games yet, though he supposed she was still hurt and pissed at him.
The boys were tossing the ball around, and Cain clapped Mac on the shoulder. “You want to do the infield warm-up?”
He nodded. “Sure.” This was good. This was normal, and normal was what he needed right then. Mac slid his hand into his ball glove before striding o
nto the field and calling for his infield.
He glanced back once more, his eyes on Lily, and felt that strange sensation fill his chest again. It was hot and squishy and so damn sweet that he had to look away because something hot and wet pricked the corners of his eyes.
Holy. Hell. There was no room for a pussy out on the field.
He cleared his throat, grabbed a bat, and headed to home plate.
***
The game was going well until about the fifth inning. Liam gave up three hits, and the team found themselves down by two runs with the bases loaded, no outs, and the opposing team’s heavy hitter at the plate.
Mac could tell that his nephew was getting frustrated, so he signaled a time-out and walked over to the mound.
Liam’s head was lowered, and he kept digging at the pitcher’s plate with his foot.
“Hey, buddy. Are you still feeling loose? How’s your arm?”
Liam shrugged. “It’s okay.”
Mac waited a moment before he broached the delicate subject of a replacement. “Do you think it’s time to bring in Jason?”
Liam’s head shot up, and he straightened his ball cap. “I don’t mean to be a dick, but he sucks, Uncle Mac. We’ll lose for sure.”