Page 48 of Walkoff Wedding

I’m truly having a Jekyll and Hyde moment, and I’m not sure how the fuck I’m supposed to feel about it.

His gaze whips to mine, and he smirks knowingly before shrugging and stepping back from her.

“Nice to see you again,” Addie says with a small smile.

“Not sure you’ll be saying that after you get to know him,” I mumble.

Chuckling, Davis walks over to the couch and flops down on the cushions, spreading his arms along the back. “So, how’s married life treating you lovebirds?”

Yeah… I kind of didn’t tell him anything about our arrangement.

As in that it’s fake. I wasn’t sure what Addie would be comfortable with, and I don’t really trust him not to keep secrets. So, I told him that when we reconnected that day in the park, we realized that we’re madly in love and didn’t want to wait another second to get married.

He believed me, so clearly, it was convincing enough. Plus, dude was practically giddy that he had a role in helping us reconnect that he probably would have believed anything. Now, we just have to convince everyone else that it was love at first sight that led us to acting impulsively.

“It’s… great,” Addie says shyly. “Even better than I imagined it could be.”

Thatta girl.

“Grant’s the best guy I know, and I’m happy for you two. I’m assuming this means that you’ll be in the stands this season, cheering our guy on?” he asks.

She nods. “Um… Yes? I’ve actually never been… to a baseball game. Or any kind of game, for that matter.”

Holy shit. ArtGirl really is anti-sports.

Kind of ironic that now she’s married to a baseball player who’s entered the draft.

“Damn, girl. Well, perfect timing. Your husband’s gonna have all eyes on him this season. Scouts from all over the country now that they know he’s entering the draft in June.”

Mention of the upcoming draft has a feeling of unease churning in the pit of my stomach. I’m nervous as fuck that even after all of the work I’ve put in, I still won’t make it. I haven’t really told anyone about my fears, but it’s been weighing more heavily on me with every passing day.

There’s a chance I won’t get drafted. A big possibility, and if so, I’m not sure what the future holds for me. Baseball is the only thing I’ve had my sights on since I was a freshman in high school, and until recently, I never really let myself imagine a world where it didn’t happen.

I’ve spent the last fifteen years with tunnel vision, and now that it’s closing in, I’m facing the sobering reality that it might not happen for me.

Unlike some of my teammates, baseball hasn’t always come easily. I’m not as naturally talented as Reese and Lane are, and I’m self-aware enough to know that. I always had to work harder at it than most guys, had to practice more than others to reach the level I’m at now. I’ve known that since I started at OU as a redshirt freshman, and I’ve had to put in twice the work to prove myself just to show my coach I deserve to be on the starting lineup.

I’m not saying I’m talentless. I wouldn’t be playing for a D1 college if I wasn’t skilled. I just know that the vast majority of college players never make the big leagues, and if I want to be drafted come June, I’ve got to bust my ass and be at the very top of my game.

Addie’s sweet voice breaks through my thoughts, saving me from going too far in my head. “That’s amazing, Grant. Congratulations. I bet you’re going to get drafted to the best team.”

Laughing, I walk over and slide my arm around her shoulder, tugging her gently to my side. A primal side of me wants to erase Davis’s touch from her. She tenses for only a moment before relaxing against me. Her wide, blue eyes dance as she stares up at me. “Thank you, ArtGirl. We’ll see what happens. But… until then, I’ve gotta bust my ass and put in the work. I’ve got a long way to go.”

“Yeah, we’re going to be unstoppable this year. Watch,” Davis proclaims. The side of his lip curls into a grin when Auggie saunters over to the couch and hops into his lap. “Yo, this dog is actually so fucking cute.” He pats Auggie’s head and offers him a scratch behind his ear.

“That is Augustus. But he prefers to go by Auggie,” I tell him.

“Him’s so cute. Who’s the goodest boy? You are. Yes you are, aren’t you?” Davis coos saccharinely, causing Addie to bury her face into my shirt and giggle.

He continues to prove my point of how ridiculous he is. At all times.

“As much as I don’t want to leave this little guy, I gotta split. I’ve got a…” He trails off, glancing at Addie before clearing his throat. “Date tonight. I’ll come back and visit Auggie soon, but I was thinking we all go out soon? Celebrate? Maybe the Redlight? We haven’t been there in a while.”

I mean… It’s not a terrible idea. We actually have to be around other people in order to convince them that this marriage is real. Maybe after tonight, she’ll be more comfortable acting married.

“Yeah, maybe. We’ll talk about it, and I’ll let you know for sure later,” I say as he pushes to his feet, much to Auggie’s dismay.

He nods. “Sounds good. See you tomorrow at the gym. Later, lovebirds.”

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