Page 53 of Grand Slam

“How did you get all these?

When Kelton and Liz share another look I spin in my seat and shift my attention between the both of them. “You two did this?”

“With the help of Jerry and his assistant, and an office full of other people too.”

“No one messes with our family,” Granny June interjects so matter of factly that it makes us all laugh. “No damn gold digger or condom tampering done here.” It feels weird to have her say the second part and my face heats immediately.

Kelton chuckles then reaches out to place his hand over mine.

“I told you that I’d fix this.”

“Not everyone will believe this. There will still be people that?—”

“I don’t give a shit about those people. This right here, he spins his finger indicating what is currently in this car. “That is what matters the most to me. We know, those we love know,” he adds.

“And your teammates, your coach, what do they know? What do they think?”

“The guys know the truth,” he assures me. “Coach knows because I stood in his office last night after I talked to Liz and pleaded my case. No one important to me believes for a second that you are anything more than my girl. The one I’m in love with, and the one I want by my side. Not out of obligation or guilt, but because without you, life just doesn’t feel full.”

I take a slow calming breath.

“We are going to walk into the stadium today, hand in hand, and I plan to make sure that everyone feels how much I love you. This isn’t a relationship I’ve been tricked into. It’s exactly where I want to be and this baby, he or she is a blessing, a bonus, and I couldn’t be more happy.”

He states this loud and clear, with his gran and sister hearing every word.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Kelton

I makesure to look up toward Emerson every time I walk onto or off of the field. I know people were watching. I know that they are still insisting they knew every detail of our lives. But all I truly care about is her.

Emerson feels everything and she feels it deep.

I hate that she feels out of place being a part of one of the things I love the most.

When we are in the seventh inning stretch and my mind is racing with all the chatter I’d been hearing, I make a decision that could possibly get my ass in trouble with the coach.

I tell a few of the guys, most thinking I’m a little crazy but I don’t care.

Walking through the dugout and toward the area I’d seated my family I remain hidden for a few seconds and wait for the text from Jerry.

It’s a go!

The words light up my phone and I push through the door and start walking toward the front row. Her, Gran, nor Liz have noticed me yet, but a few others have and are pointing and smiling.

The kiss cam goes around landing on unexpected couples, as all three of them watch the big screen. Everyone smiles and laughs at the reactions of those that have been caught off guard. That is until Emerson’s face fills the screen and collective squeals and claps can be heard loudly.

Because I am at that point standing right behind her.

All three of the ladies I love so much turn around to face me, but all I can see is the woman who I’ve handed my heart to so freely.

“What are you doing?” she asks with her brows furrowed.

“I’m kissing my girl.” Reaching out I take her hand and pull her up then cup her face. “This isn’t for show,” I whisper as I move in closer. “This is validation, baby.” With those words I take her mouth with my own and kiss her like my life depends on it. Loud cheers, whistles, and screams rotate through the stadium as I deepen our kiss.

“I don’t care what anyone thinks,” I whisper. “I love you,” I say, knowing that later someone will most likely do some lip reading shit to determine my words. “I let you go once, and I’m never doing it again.”

Tears fill her eyes, she leans in resting her forehead to my chest and laughs. Then pulling back her gaze finds my once more. “I love you too.”

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