“Great. Now we’ll never get her back,” I whine.
“How about you stop by the house in the next couple of days? Cam will be back on the road for a three-day stretch, and you can soak up all the cuddles you can stand,” Paisley offers.
I look up at Griffin, and he’s already nodding. “Consider it done.”
“Let’s eat!” Dad calls out.
The rest of the day is filled with love, laughter, good food, and even better company. In no way would I have ever imagined that meeting a guy on spring break would lead to this. I had no way of knowing how he would change my life for the better.
My dad was right. This love and the love that surrounds us is beyond the team. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
EPILOGUE GRIFFIN
Four Years Later
Griffin
This is it. The final game of the World Series. Our starting pitcher tore his rotator cuff and needed surgery three months into the season, and that put me on the mound. This is my first season in the majors, and it’s been an honor to be here. I stare up at the crowd, and I know my friends and family are here.
I know that my wife is sitting with my parents and hers, as well as her sisters, and nieces and nephews. I also know that her best friend and her baby girl, Olivia, are sitting next to her.
Life has a funny way of working out, and I was drafted to the Tennessee Blaze. I had other offers, some more money, but this is where we wanted to be. I wanted my wife to have her family close while I’m on the road. We want a big family, and she needs that support system.
Oliver was drafted as well, but he’s on the farm team. He’s in the stands with his wife and their baby girl. Olivia just turned a year old, and she’s the cutest baby. I’ve been telling my wife, yes, wife. I married her the week after we graduated from college. Anyway, I’ve been telling my wife that we need to start our family. Don’t get me wrong, we’re having the time of our lives practicing, but I’m ready for what comes next. I’m ready for anything life tosses our way as long as she’s right by my side.
Shaking out of my thoughts, I get my head back in the game. Two outs, and the bases are loaded. We’re up by three, but if they get this hit, that could change the game, as well as the title of World Series winners could be over.
I wind up the pitch and let it fly.
“Strike!” the umpire calls out.
“Two more,” I mutter to myself.
Taking my time, I pull in a deep breath, wind up the pitch, and let it fly.
“Strike two!”
“Fuck.” I take off my glove and place it under my arm, then remove my hat from my head and run my fingers through my hair. One more. One more strike, and we win. The Blaze takes the World Series win.
Sliding back into my glove, I wind up the pitch and give it all that I’ve got. It feels like it takes an eternity for the ball to make it to the plate, but I know that’s not true. I’ve been throwing in the 90 miles per hour range. When the ball gets there, the batter swings and misses.
He fucking misses.
The crowd goes wild, and my teammates tackle me.
“Fuck, yeah!” Holden lifts me in the air and shakes me.
“My man!” Cameron shouts, pulling me into a hug as soon as Holden drops me to my feet.
They’re my brothers. Not just by marriage, but on the field and in life. I look up to the stands where I know our family sits, and I need to get to her. I need Peyton. I have a lump in the back of my throat the size of Texas, and hot tears are pricking my eyes. She is my biggest cheerleader, my biggest supporter, and I need her. Right here. Right now. This moment belongs to my team, it belongs to me, and it belongs to us and our family. I scan the crowd, and I see her. She’s holding Olivia in her arms, and she’s smiling widely, and I can’t see them, but I know tears are racing down her cheeks.
I ignore the reporters and I ignore the fans, and even my teammates as I jog toward her. I need my wife.
EPILOGUE PEYTON
Peyton
He did it. My heart hammers in my chest, and I choke back the sob that’s threatening to break free. My husband and my brothers-in-law are World Series champions. I hold baby Olivia closer, and she places her little arms around my neck.
Around me, our friends and family are cheering for our team and the three men who we love dearly. I feel an arm wrap around me, and I turn to see my mother-in-law, Anna.