Page 112 of Stolen Bases

I really do, and he knows it too.

I roll my eyes at him, and without hesitation, I thrown on a pair of sweatpants, and take his big hand in mine. We walk down the steps together, ready for the one-woman firing squad we are walking toward.

twenty-eight

Talia

“Are you ready forthis?” Cam asks as we make our way down the stairway to the kitchen.

Before last night, my answer to his question would have been a resoundingno. Today? I don’t know. My answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Something about this morning feels different. I feel different, and I can’t put my finger on why.

Am I ready for this?

I replay last night’s events in my head.

Losing Emma. Getting a ride home from Cam’s driver, Cliff. Rushing to my room and slamming the door shut. Crying on the tile floor of my shower as the water turned cold. Climbing into bed, numb. Grief stricken and alone. Waking up to Cam’s telltale knock on my window.

A smile pulls at my lips. I look up at the kind and charming man beside me. He’s wearing a plain black t-shirt that’s working extra hard to contain his hard biceps and gray joggers that make his ass look delectable. He just rolled out of bed, and yet he looks like he stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine.

Sometimes, I can’t believe he wants me. I’m anything but glamorous. I’m just me. A simple girl who loves her career. Cam is this amazing baseball player who is hotter than sin. He could have anyone he wants.

But he chose you,my heart whisperswith a pinch.

When I didn’t let him know what happened, he rushed from the airport to my house, then climbed a twelve-foot hunk of wood and through my window—consequences be damned—just to make sure I was okay. Cam showed up because he was worried about me. His actions tell me everything I need to know.

Yes. I’m ready. Ish.

I will not kid myself into thinking I have nothing to worry about as far as my brother and mom are concerned. But I’m a grown-ass woman. If I want to be with Cam, I will be. It’s no one’s decision but mine. And I want to be with him.

That thought has me coming to a stop.

“If you’re worried, we don’t have to do this,” Cam whispers, taking my pause as uncertainty. He lifts my hand to his lips and presses a soft kiss to my knuckles. “I’ll go back and sneak out the window if that’s what you want.”

“No. Don’t go. I want to do this.” My voice is firm as I stare up into his sparkling hazel eyes. Something akin to pride shines in them, giving me the confidence I need. With poise I didn’t know I had, I pull my shoulders back and squeeze Cam’s hand. “Let’s do this.”

As we descend the stairs, a feeling of peace settles over me. My heart isn’t racing, and my palms aren’t sweating like I thought they would. The lead ball of worry that usually sits in my stomach is also gone. It seems my fears have dried up with the tears I cried on Cam’s chest while he held me tight and let me grieve. He didn’t offer worthless banalities to make me feel better. He just held me.

Cam knew exactly what I needed without me having to tell him. No one has ever done that for me before.

Silence falls, and two new sets of eyes stare at me in shock as Cam and I enter the kitchen holding hands. He returns a reassuring squeeze, grounding me. I lead us to the white and gray granite island in the middle of the room.

“Sit here, baby.” I pull out the stool for Cam and point.

He takes the seat, his brow arched and a wide grin on his face. He liked me calling himbaby.

“What the hell?” My cousin Isabella gasps in shock.

“He just does what you say?” Valentina asks, her mouth hanging open. Her eyes roam over Cam’s chest, and the green-eyed monster inside me wants to scratch her eyes out.

“Yes,” Cam replies with a smirk.

“Tell him to take his shirt off.” Val wiggles her eyebrows at me.

Definitely scratching her eyes out later.

“No. Find your own man,” I snap. My face heats; I’m embarrassed at my jealous outburst.

Cam barks a laugh and tugs my hand, tucking me into his side as he drapes his arm over my shoulders and kisses my cheek. I melt into his hold, relishing his PDA.

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