Page 95 of The Yips

“Sam, it’s your birthday. I brought you here to spend time with you, not for you to feel guilty about the time you are spending working. I want it to be time for us, okay?”

“Yeah, and I guess that means I can’t ask if you heard from Tom?”

“Crew is fine. He’s doing great with them,” Kelsey answered with a squeeze. “You forgot to warn me that I might discover a fear of heights up here.”

“Are you okay? Do you want to leave?”

“Nope, come here,” Kelsey pulled me towards her and struggled to take a selfie. Her short arms continued to cut off either my head or the side of her face. She ultimately accepted my help; my long arms could click the shutter. She sent the photo via text to Monica and added it to her Instagram for a Happy Birthday post. Monica still technically handled my social media posts. Still, Kelsey had sent her enough photos to add a more personal touch to a social media presence that had previously only been devoted to baseball. She’d insisted that I show that I had a personality.

We still received questions about Crew’s paternity, but we’d decided that the best approach would be to speak the truth and move on from it. Earlier today, I’d found women making thirst trap TikTok videos with Tom and me holding Crew. I texted it to Tom, eliciting an eye-roll emoji. The hate directed toward Kelsey and the rumors that she’d trapped us in these circumstances had subsided, but there would always be negative undercurrents.

“I think this is my best birthday yet,” I whispered into her hair, holding her tighter.

“The first of many bests?”

“Yeah, Kels. I can’t wait to see how this crazy life unfolds.”

Kelsey pointed out the view of Lake Union, and I turnedmy head briefly to see what she was looking at. When I turned back towards her, she was on one knee.

“Kelsey, are you proposing to me?” I asked, my voice thick with emotion.

“I am,” she said. Tears rolled down her face as I dropped to my knees.

“Yes, baby. One hundred percent yes. Was I taking too long for you?” I asked, wiping her tears as I tucked her hair behind her ears.

“Everything that has happened until tonight, I’ve been along for the ride. It’s like it has all happened to me. This is me actively saying I want this future, our future. You do so much to care for us, Sam, just like you have cared for everyone in your life. I wanted to take responsibility for this and be clear: you are our future.”

Kelsey took my hand and slipped a plain band on my ring finger. “A ring, too? You know I have one planned for you. It won’t be ready for a few weeks.”

“I assumed, but I wanted to beat you. I don’t want there to be any doubt with you. I love the man I’ve grown to know, but I love watching you become that man daily.”

“Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for being patient as I navigate having an infant.” As I said that, Kelsey smirked. “What?” I asked.

“Sam, I knew I wanted you in our lives the night we thought Crew was sick. You were the calm in the storm and never hesitated to jump in with him. Even when you’re exhausted, you get up early with him to give me time to sleep in. I don’t feel alone anymore. And, with my anxiety of waiting for you to propose, it was a little too much. I would be on edge, worried that you would drop to one knee anytime we went out, and then I’d end updisappointed.”

I laughed, wiping my tears, only then noticing the small crowd watching us.

“Hey, is that Sam Drummond?” A man in the crowd asked.

“Sounds like our private moment is going to be interrupted.”

“That’s okay. Do you need to talk to them?” Kelsey asked as we both stood up.

“I think I should. You don’t mind?”

“No, there aren’t that many people here. But I want to get back to the hotel soon. I have other plans for you.”

“I’m not sure what your plans are, Kels. But I plan to spend the rest of the night worshipping you.”

CHAPTER 83

Kelsey

While we were gone, the rest of my belongings had been moved from my apartment to our place. Sam watched as I opened the box labeled ‘nightstand,’ blushing, thinking about the poor person who had the task of packing up my vibrators.

“What’s wrong?” Sam asked.

“Oh, nothing. I’m just thankful I will never know who packed this up for me,” I said as I held up my biggest purple vibrator.

---