Page 49 of Shades of You

Evan’s eyes became guarded. A hint of red crept up his neck, and he scuffed the dirt with his cleat, suddenly shy. “I might give it a shot, but only for an inning or two. Though I’ll probably make a fool of myself.”

“Come on. Don’t be so hard on yourself.” A low laugh escaped me as I held up my hand, now tinged a vibrant shade of red with some purple developing. “Look at this. I don’t think those poor rec league players will know what the hell to do. You might want to take mercy on them and ease up a bit.”

His grin was back, sheepish yet hopeful. It was clear that beneath the layers of self-doubt, a spark had been reignited. Playing catch wasn’t just about nostalgia. It was about reawakening dreams we thought were buried forever.

We gathered the balls scattered across the grass, the machine silent now except for ticking as it cooled. Evan tossed one up and caught it, his eyes meeting mine. “Kind of like old times, huh?” The corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smile.

“Yeah, it is.” I blinked back a sudden fullness in my eyes.

“Two old men playing catch,” Evan quipped, but his tone was warm, appreciative. We both knew it was more than that.

As we packed away the gear, silence developed between us, but it wasn’t strained like before. I watched Evan’s profile against the sun, the way the light played on his features and highlighted lines time had etched into his face. We walked back to the house, and the red hue of my hand faded to a dull ache.

I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the idea that Evan might be inching toward forgiving me. Forgiveness was a luxury I hadn’t earned. Probably would never earn. But as I stood beside him in the camaraderie of our old routine—it sparked hope inside me that maybe,maybe, I could work toward something that resembled atonement.

“Thanks, Hunter,” Evan said, breaking into my thoughts as we reached the porch.

“Anytime, Ev. I mean it. And thanks for helping me with my swing.”

His gratitude was a balm, a sign that the chasm between us was narrowing. And as he walked away, a sense of purpose settled within me. I might not be worthy of forgiveness, but I’d take whatever he could give me, one pitch at a time.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Brenna

As I turnedthe key in the ignition, the familiar rattle of my old sedan filled the air. I glanced at Hunter, his tall frame folded into the passenger seat, and couldn’t help the bubbly excitement that surged through me. “Ready for an adventure?”

“Never knew deer were an adventure,” Hunter replied, his voice as easy as his smile, the smile I’d seen more of this morning. He’d worked on a new case all day yesterday, so this was the first chance we’d had to be together since his get-together with Evan. Other than a quick text exchange telling me his catch session with his brother had gone really well, I’d let my curiosity simmer. But now I could detect a clear change in him, how his broad shoulders were more relaxed, his posture in the seat more at ease.

Soon, we left behind the familiarity of Dove Key as we headed toward Big Pine Key and our eventual destination—No Name Key. There was always something thrilling aboutsearching for the elusive Key deer. No matter how many times I glimpsed the tiny creatures, I always loved it.

As we crossed onto No Name Key, Hunter let out a low whistle as he peered out the window at the expanding rows of houses and canals, the freshly paved roads. “Looks like progress is trying to swallow up this place too. I can’t believe how much this has changed.”

I nodded but couldn’t suppress my sly grin. “A lot of the Keys are getting developed, but I know some secret places that are still wild.”

He turned and laughed at me—actually laughed!—and winked at my innuendo. Steering the car off the main road and onto a sandy trail, I wound through dense, scrubby foliage. The car jostled over the uneven terrain, the undercarriage scraping ominously against a hidden rock.

“We should’ve brought my four-wheel-drive,” Hunter said, gripping the upper door grab as if bracing for impact. “Your little ride might not forgive you for this.”

“Ah, she’s tougher than she looks,” I shot back.

We bounced along the path, stirring up clouds of dust that clung to the rear window. Moments later, I eased the car to a stop, nestling it between two stunted trees whose branches were twisted together in solidarity against the encroaching development.

“We’re here,” I declared, killing the engine, which gave one last protesting shudder before falling silent.

Hunter’s gaze met mine, a spark of that bad-boy charm still flickering there. It was a look that said he was ready for whatever challenge lay ahead. A look that made my adventurous heart beat a little faster.

“Lead the way,” he said, popping open the door and unfolding himself from the car with the grace of a man who had spent years learning how to moveefficiently.

We ventured into the thick of No Name Key, the calls of distant birds echoing over the soft rustling of leaves. Above us, sea grape trees with their broad, rounded leaves sheltered us from the glaring sun.

“Look at this,” I murmured, guiding Hunter’s gaze to the vibrant yellow petals of a beach sunflower thriving in the sandy soil. A green anole lizard flicked its red dewlap at us from a nearby rock.

“I forgot about this,” Hunter mused, his voice low as he panned his eyes around us. “How tenacious life is here in the Keys.”

As we walked farther into the wilderness, the sounds of civilization faded into the background, replaced by the gentle rustling of leaves and the occasional splash of water as we passed by a hidden creek. Hunter stooped to examine a delicate wild orchid tucked away in the shade, his expression one of quiet fascination.

We followed a narrow trail that wound its way through the thick foliage, where the air was heavy with the scent of saltwater and earth. As we rounded a bend in the path, a flash of movement caught my eye. I held out a hand to stop Hunter, my heart racing with anticipation. Ahead, a small group of Key deer grazed peacefully in a sun-dappled clearing. Their tiny, delicate frames moved gracefully as they nibbled on the sparse vegetation. My breath caught in my throat at the sight, a surge of joy and wonder filling me as I observed the rare and beautiful creatures.

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