Page 115 of Hello Heartbreaker

The girls on the other team instantly started screaming and cheering while my heart broke for Esther. She looked around at her teammates, her bottom lip quivering. But instead of waiting for her to come to the dugout, all her teammates were running out to her. Hugging her, telling her good job, asking us coaches about what snacks were coming next.

I felt tears rolling down my cheeks for these girls, because they’d gotten so much more than a summer playing softball—they’d made friendships that would last years to come. It made me realize how much I missed Cam, especially those simpler times with her when our biggest worries were running out of lip gloss or who to sit by at lunch.

Next to me, Rhett said, “Look at you, softie.”

“Shut up,” I sniffed, wiping at my eyes. “I’m proud of her too.”

He grinned. “Let’s call the team in for one last Unicorn Roar.”

“Willingly?” I laughed.

“Team! Huddle up!” he said. The girls came running over. A few leftover tears ran down Esther’s cheeks, but she wasn’t crying anymore. When all the girls had circled us, Rhett looked at me and said, “Coach, anything you want to say?”

I smiled, nodded. “I am so proud of you girls, not for the way you played, but for the way you supported each other. This is a small town, Cottonwood Falls, and these girls are likely going to be the ones you walk through life with. Middle school. High school. Sports. Dances. Maybe even college. I hope you always lift each other up like you did tonight.”

“Amen,” Rhett said. “I’m so fucking proud of you girls.”

Their mouths fell open, and some of the girls giggled while others whispered amongst themselves.

“Oh hell, it’s the last game. I can let a cuss word loose,” he said. “But don’t let fancy words make you miss the main point. I’m proud of you, of how you played, of how you improved, and of how much fun you had. Now don’t drink too many juice boxes tonight, you hear?”

They giggled and echoed out a chorus of, “Yes, Coach.”

“One last Unicorn Roar?” he said.

They all nodded.

“Three, two, one....”

Everyone stuck a finger to their forehead, pawed the ground, and yelled, “UNICORN ROAR,” but no one was louder or smiling bigger than Rhett Griffen.

* * *

I’d gone backto the house before the game, while Cam was at work, to pack my bags for our weekend getaway. So after the game, we hung out at the field with the girls to have snacks and drinks, then got in my car and drove toward Dallas.

We didn’t have much on the itinerary aside from a dinner at Farrah and Gage’s house, but I was excited, nonetheless.

After looking up the hotel where we were staying, The Retreat, I realized it was a five-star resort with a pool, a hot tub, sauna, state-of-the-art gym, and beautifully designed rooms. Rhett later told me Farrah had been the one to design them.

We held hands in the car as he drove and just reflected on the season. Some of the moms had posted photos online that included us, and my favorite was one where Rhett and I were doing the Unicorn Roar with the girls before the last game. I knew we’d both remember this time for years to come, even if we were both reluctant to coach the team at first.

The drive seemed to fly by, and before I knew it, we were pulling up to the cutest hotel. Check in was super easy, and then we were up in the penthouse suite, which looked even more amazing than it did on the website.

“Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Rhett, have you seen this bathtub?” I cried from around the corner of the bathroom. It was like it had been hand carved out of marble.

He stepped behind me and got a cheeky grin. “We’ll have to try it out later.”

My cheeks heated as I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I thought we could try the hot tub tonight. Relieve some of that tension from the drive?”

He had his shirt off in two seconds flat.

“You really missed your calling as a stripper,” I teased.

His cheeks turned bright red, but he quickly recovered. “If you hurry up and get into your swimsuit, I’ll give you a lap dance later.”

“Can’t turn down a lap dance.” I smiled and went to my bag, getting out my swimsuit. It was my favorite—a bright red bikini with bottoms that covered my stomach but showed a little bit of cheeks and a wrap-style top that gave the girls an extra boost. As I tied the straps and cinched it up, Rhett took me in.

“Yeah, there’s no way we’re making it down there,” he said, coming to kiss my neck.

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