Page 78 of Stealing Forever

Cheers erupt through the stadium along with a collective round ofaww’s, but the rumble of excitement in our VIP box screams the loudest. At the same time, I hear Addison curse with a whole slew of profanity, and not subtly, either.

Red and pink hearts pour onto the screen as the music from earlier starts to play again, quickly fading into a different song as a new Bears player is featured.

I stare at it for several seconds, completely speechless and in a trance, until my focus shifts, and I scan the field for Declan.

He loves me, too?

Declan loves me.

And he just broadcasted it in front of thirty-thousand people and God knows how many viewers across the country.

“I’m going to prove it to you, sweetheart.”His words from earlier play back in my mind.

My eyes keep scanning the field and the dugout. Standing, I look everywhere I can think of, but come up empty.Where is he?

More cheers erupt around us, coming from the stands closest to the VIP box, and instinctively I follow the energy. Turning, and tuning Addison out as she whines, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Taking the stairs two at a time, Declan gallops down them, his eyes never wavering from me. I blow out a shaky breath, completely frozen in the middle of the landing.

“Daddy!” Sailor squeals, but for once, her mother does something right and holds her back.

Declan doesn’t stop until we’re chest to chest and he’s crowding my space. My back bumps into the railing at the sametime his hand tangles in my hair. With his other hand, he uses his finger to push my hat up, so he can see my eyes.

Searching them, we stand there staring at each other, neither of us saying a word, just lost in the moment.

I can’t believe he just did that.

I can’t believe he’s not on the field right now—the game is literally starting without him.

Finally, as the unmistakable sound of a ball connecting with a bat ricochets through the stadium, he rumbles, “Hi.”

His thumb brushes back and forth against my cheek, as I burst into laughter. “Hi.”

“I’m not usually one for big, publicized gestures, but seeing as we’ve gone viral twice, I thought we could do it one more time, for old time’s sake.”

“Well I certainly think you’ve succeeded. That was….I’m not even sure I have words for what that was right now. I’m still trying to process. You love me, Declan?” I still can’t believe it.

Me.

This phenomenal man lovesme?

“More than I ever imagined loving anyone in my life,” he tells me earnestly. “I know it’s been alarmingly fast, Hailey, and this might scare you off, but?—”

“No,” I cut him off. “It’s been fast, but at the same time, it’s been tortuously slow.”

“Understatement on the torture part, sweetheart. I’ve wanted you for a long time, I just needed to step out of my own way and allow myself to love you. And I really hope you start to believe how much you mean to me, since I just confessed my feelings in front of thousands of people.”

“I love you,” I proclaim, wanting him to know without a doubt that his feelings are reciprocated.

“God, I’ve been wanting to hear that for too long.” Taking my mouth with his, he kisses me eagerly, and once again the crowdaround us goes crazy, no longer focusing on the game, but on the coach.

The cheers continue and his tongue swipes into my mouth as he deepens the kiss, claiming me for all to see. Pulling apart, we both smile into it, and Declan lifts his fist into the air in a victorious motion.

“I love you too, sweetheart. Unfortunately, though, now I have to go coach these goofballs. But mark my words, when we get home?—”

Pushing up on my tiptoes, I kiss him again, then lower my voice to make sure he’s the only one who will hear me. “When we get home you’re going to coach me through a home run. How’s that sound, Coach Lane?”

“It sounds like the beginning of a beautiful season, sweetheart.”

---