Page 121 of Spotlight
“You’re a superstar.”
He takes a second like he’s soaking that in. Good. He should.
“Is everything ready for your big bookstore event?” he asks as we keep walking toward my apartment. It’s a novelty for me, being out this late, having him sleep over, and not worrying about Greer—or at least not as much. I want to soak it up. If Flynn does get traded at the end of the season, then I don’t want to miss out on a single second like this.
“Yes.” Excitement zips through me. I cannot wait. I read an early copy of a debut mystery book and when I reached out to the publisher to let them know how much I enjoyed it, they asked if I’d be interested in hosting a release party for the author. It’s turned into a whole event, and I am so excited for it all!
“I’m proud of you.” He kisses my knuckles. “Raising the coolest kid, managing a bookstore, bartending at night… it’s inspiring.”
“Thanks.” I laugh lightly. He’s the one getting national media attention and still somehow, he’s proud of me.
“Hey.” He stops.
I take another step but don’t get far when he pulls me back with our joined hands. Laughing, I rest a hand on his chest to keep from colliding into him. I look up into his eyes, expecting them to be playful but finding them serious instead.
“What?” I ask, searching his face.
“I love you.”
My chest expands and my pulse speeds up. “You do?”
He nods, throat working with a swallow as he keeps looking at me with that same expression.
I drape my arms over his shoulders and then lift onto my toes to lace my fingers behind his neck and pull his head down to mine. “I love you too, superstar.”
29
FLYNN
We had a road game on Saturday afternoon in Vegas. It’s our fourth win in a row and the flight home feels like a party. The guys are all in a good mood, playing cards and listening to music. JT tells stories from previous seasons—the wildest, funniest things that have happened in his years with the Mustangs, and I take it all in.
I want to celebrate with the guys and feel that same sense of excitement for how great the season is going – we’re proving to everyone that we’re better than they gave us credit for. And just maybe we have what it takes to go all the way this year. But my mind keeps drifting to my dad.
I didn’t really expect him to show since we’re on the road, but there’s always that hope. I can’t help but feel like I did something wrong. Last year he went to every game, traveling all over to watch me, and now that I’m finally making something of myself, he’s all but disappeared. If I didn’t call to check in, would I ever hear from him?
I think of Greer and her dad. Olivia said they talk every Sunday and at the time I thought that was sort of sad, but I’d give just about anything to know my dad was going to call every week at the same time. The not knowing, the second-guessing and mulling it all over and over, is the worst part.
“Hey.” JT drops into the seat next to me. “What are you doing back here? You should be celebrating. You are the man of the moment. All those teams that passed you over are kicking themselves.”
I flash him a weak smile. “Tired, I guess.”
“Tired?” He huffs a laugh. “What, like you threw for seven innings or something?”
He breaks out into a wide smile. “Thank you for this season.”
I look at him with confusion.
“I know you didn’t want to be here, but you’ve given these guys something they haven’t had in a long time.”
“A better winning average?”
“Hope,” he says.
“Holland!” Gunnar yells my name in his big, booming voice. Then he and Bo appear in the aisle next to JT.
“What’s up?” I ask them.
“I’m having a party at my place tonight. JT can give you the address.”
