Beyond the Team (Out of Reach 4)

“What are you doing?” I laugh.

“Go greet your man. You’re his good luck charm.”

“No. This is all Griffin. And I can’t go out there. It’s a mob.”

“Fine.” Daniel rolls his eyes. “The things we do for love.” The next thing I know, he’s nodding at Sam, and they’re hoisting me onto their shoulders. Oliver laughs as he walks in front of them, clearing the path.

“This is crazy,” I call out to them, but they don’t seem to care that I’m even talking. Instead, they carry me effortlessly through the crowd, following Oliver and only stopping once they reach Griffin.

“Hey, Griff, we brought you something,” Sam calls out to him.

“Or someone,” Daniel corrects him.

Griffin’s smile lights up his entire face as the guys lower me to the ground. Only to be picked up by Griffin as he spins me around. When he stops spinning us, I wrap my legs around his waist and kiss him soundly. “I’m so proud of you.”

“You have to come to all of my games from now on.” He laughs. “You’re good luck.”

“You don’t need luck, Griffin. It’s all you and your talent. Babe! You just pitched a no-hitter.”

“And you were here to see it,” he says, burying his face in my neck.

“Griffin, great game,” a guy with a polo shirt representing one of the major sports networks tells him. He holds a microphone to his mouth and nods to the camera guy behind him. “Great game. How does it feel to pitch your first college no-hitter as a freshman?”

“It feels great.” Griffin smiles.

I tap his shoulder, telling him silently to let me down, and he does. His eyes find mine as he slowly helps me slide down his body.

“Who’s this?”

“This is my girlfriend. This is the first game she’s been able to make this season because of her own softball schedule,” he tells them.

“Sounds like she’s your good luck charm.” The reporter laughs.

Griffin leans down and kisses my forehead before turning back to the reporter. He adjusts his gaze to look at the camera. “She’s my everything.”

Several things happen at once. First, heat rushes to my core. Second, my heart trips over in my chest and expands with love for him. Third, the butterflies swarm, causing my belly to flutter, and fourth, he slides his hand behind my neck and kisses me.

On. National. Television.

I can only hope they edit this out. I can imagine what my dad is thinking right now if he’s watching, and I’m certain he’s watching. He knows I’m here, and Mom told me he’s been recording all of Griffin’s televised games so he can watch them. I know this isn’t what he would be expecting to see on his TV screen.

His teammates descend on us, and the reporter gets pushed back from the chaos. Griffin ends the kiss and rests his forehead against mine. We’re standing in the middle of the baseball field surrounded by his teammates, reporters, coaching staff, fans, fellow students, and I don’t see or hear any of them. All I see is the man holding me as if I’m the most precious thing in his world.

“I love you.” He smiles.

“I love you too.”

He pulls me close and thrusts his fist in the air, celebrating with his teammates. Not once does he let go of me. This is his moment, his achievement, and he wants me here with him. Clarity washes over me, and I know what I have to do. It’s something that I’ve been considering for a while, and this moment gives me the answer I’ve been searching for.

“I need to go shower,” Griffin says once the crowd has died down.

“Go. Do your thing. I’m going to find my way back to the bleachers and look for your parents.”

“They’re still in the same spot. Come on. I’ll walk you over.” Hand in hand, he leads me back to the dugout where Sam and Daniel lifted me over the wall. “Dad!” he calls out, and Gary turns immediately. Griffin waves him over. “I need an assist,” he says.

Before I know what’s going on, he’s gripping my hips and lifting me into the air. Gary takes over, lifting me from his arms and setting me on my feet. “You two are too much.” I laugh.

“Take care of my girl.” Griffin points at his dad.

“Go.” I shoo him away, laughing.

“Come on.” Gary laughs, placing his arm around my shoulders. “We’ll wait at our seats so he knows where to find us.”

Anna is still sitting in the same place, chatting with Coach Stone. I take a seat next to them, just as Griffin’s voice fills the stadium. My eyes move to the giant screens to see his smiling face in the locker room. Another reporter is interviewing him. He’s humble and praises his team.

“And what about your good luck charm?”

He smiles, and my heart melts. “She’s with my family, waiting on me.” The reporter opens his mouth to ask more questions, but Sam appears on the screen, jumping onto Griffin’s back, effectively ending the interview.