Chapter 13

Igently take her hand and whisper, "You look like an angel." Her radiant beauty is breathtaking in the sleeveless princess dress that perfectly accentuates her growing baby bump. The dress is a bold shade of red that beautifully contrasts with her flawless skin. Her dark, luscious curls are styled in an elegant updo, with delicate tendrils framing her face. Her silver open-toe heels elongate her legs and reveal her perfectly painted red toenails.

Even after being fucked twice in a short amount of time, I"m surprised she's still standing. Me, on the other hand, I feel like my legs are going to give out on me, and I think my dick is bruised from the way she was jumping on it like a pogo stick.

Shorty"s cheeks turn pale pink as she looks down at her outfit. "Thank you. I"ve never dressed so fancy before."

Her words bring on a sudden wave of emotions that hits me like a punch in the gut.

"I know these events aren"t really your scene," I admit as I escort her toward the entrance, "but having you here by my side means a lot. And I meant it when I said you look beautiful."

Shorty squeezes my hand, her face breaking into a radiant smile. Though we have only reunited recently after years apart, being together feels comforting, and the familiarity of our connection is a balm to my soul.

The doorman opens the doors, and we enter the lavishly decorated ballroom, soft music permeating the air. The space is expansive, with high ceilings and glittering chandeliers hanging from above. Ornate gold frames, each containing a painting, adorn the walls. The floors are made of polished marble and reflect the shimmering lights of the chandeliers, creating a mesmerizing effect.

"Wow," Shorty gasps in amazement. "This is beautiful."

She"s not wrong. Ty mentioned that the school sponsors outdo themselves every year, and this time is no exception.

The tables are elegantly set with white tablecloths, silver cutlery, and crystal glasses. The chairs are cushioned with plush velvet and look incredibly comfortable.

The stage is set up in one corner of the room, with a grand piano in the center. The musicians are already seated, tuning their instruments. The microphone is set up, ready for the speeches that will follow.

A buzz of excitement and chatter fills the room. The sound of heels clicking against the marble floor mixes with the soft music in the background. The delicious food"s aroma wafts through the air, making my stomach growl.

Ty's hearty voice catches my attention, and I turn to see him flanked by Ramsey.

"You made it, my man!" Ty exclaims, giving me a friendly slap on the back.

"Shorty, you remember Ty." I gesture toward Titan, who rubs his thumb on his lower lip, just staring at her.

Ty approaches Shorty with a confident stride, his eyes fixed on her. As he draws closer, he leans in and softly kisses her cheek. Taking her hand in his, he bends down and presses his lips against the top of her knuckles, his eyes never leaving hers. "So, this is what an angel looks like," he whispers, giving her a playful wink, his stupid charming smile lighting up his stupid face.

I turn my gaze to Shorty, whose cheeks have turned a deep shade of red. I lean in closer, whispering her name with a hiss. She looks up at me with her big doe eyes, feigning innocence.

"Hmm?" she asks, trying to act nonchalant.

My eyebrows furrow in confusion and disbelief. "What the fuck?" I snap, pulling her closer to my side like a possessive caveman.

I shoot a sharp glare at Ty, but the fucker just laughs it off.

"What?" she snaps back, as if she's trying to blame me for catching her checking out my roommate.

"And you remember Ramsey," Ty says.

Ramsey just gives a curt nod. "Hey."

"Well, we should head to our table," Ty suggests as we look around the room, trying to locate our table amongst the numerous ones set up.

"Where's Ash?" I ask. "He should've been"—I glance down at my watch—"here by now."

I look back up and see Ty"s mouth pulled into a silent O while looking over my shoulder. "He just walked in."

Shorty and I turn toward the entrance, our eyes landing on Ash with Tia at his side. She wears a stunning blue dress and looks nothing like the sassy girl from the hood. She is hardly recognizable.

Shorty"s eyes widen in surprise when she sees Tia. "Oh, my god! Tia, what are you doing here?" Shorty exclaims, her voice filled with excitement like she's just seen a baby take its first step. "Wait. Who's watching Sophia?"

"Seb is watching her."

Shorty spreads Tia"s arms to the sides and admires her dress. "Tia, this is gorgeous, and you look so beautiful."

Tia grins from ear to ear. "I know, right? Ash bought it," Tia says, beaming with pride as she gestures to her dress.

Shorty"s jaw drops "Wow, although I"m not surprised. The Du Pont boys tend to treat their women like queens," she says, her root-beer eyes flickering between Ash and me.

A gentle warmth spreads through my chest at her words.

Ash chuckles, a twinkle in his eye. "Hell, yes, we do," he replies with a cheeky grin.

Sadie"s expression softens.

Tia"s cheeks flush a shade of pink. I don"t think I"ve ever seen her blush before. Clearly, my brother has made an impact on her.

"I can"t believe you didn"t tell me." Shorty lightly smacks her arm.

"Wait…" Tia starts. "You didn"t know? Because I was going to kick your ass if you did."

Shorty shakes her head. "No." Then she turns to me with a "you better not have known" look. "Did you know?" she asks, placing her hand on her hip while tilting it to one side.

Damn.

I have to admit that the way she cocks her hip like that does something to me, and that something is starting to wake up and make my pants tighter.

"Nope, I had no idea," I say, pulling her closer to my side. The corners of her lips curve into a sweet smile.

A sudden clearing of a throat catches our attention. I turn to see Ty standing beside me, his arm casually resting on my shoulder.

"Well, well, well, look who we have here," he says, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Another Latina. I"m starting to think you"re the Du Ponts' favorite flava," he continues, waving his finger between Tia and Shorty. "Maybe it"s time I get a taste."

Ty has always been a harmless flirt, but sometimes I want to punch him in the dick when he looks at Shorty like she's his favorite dessert. I can only imagine how Ash feels now that Ty"s attention is on Tia tonight.

Tia lets out a genuine laugh. "If you do, just remember, you"ll get a little taste of crazy and attitude in under two seconds," she says, a playful glint in her eye.

Ty throws his head back and laughs. "You let me know when you get tired of the vanilla for a little brown sugar," he quips.

Ash emits a low, menacing growl and wraps his arms around Tia"s waist possessively.

"Dude, you're begging to get your ass kicked," Ramsey snorts, and Ty shrugs with a smug smile.

I turn to my side in time to see Ty giving a sly wink to Tia. Then he leans forward and looks at Shorty. "That goes for you, too, mama," he says with a hint of mischief.

This little shit.

I shove him away from my shoulder with a scowl, but he quickly throws up his hands in a playful manner. "Relax," he chuckles, "Man, you are so easy to fuck with." Giving my shoulder a friendly pat, he adds, "Come on. Let"s get to our seats."

Once we locate our assigned table, we make our way toward it. Coach Walen spots us and heads in our direction. I pull out a chair for Shorty and settle myself into my chair beside her.

"Boys," Coach announces in a thick voice as he sips his amber-colored drink. He"s wearing a sleek black tuxedo with a crisp black tie, and his sandy brown hair is styled like I"ve never seen it before. It"s free-flowing and not hidden underneath his usual baseball cap.

"Coach," we all say in unison. I lean back, unbutton my suit jacket, and casually drape my arm over the back of Shorty"s chair.

His wife, Joanna joins him. She has long, wavy, orange-brown hair, and is wearing a silver gown that flows to the floor. Her sharp features are enhanced by teardrop-shaped diamond earrings that sparkle under the light.

Joanna greets us with a friendly smile. "It's nice to see you again," she says in a British accent. Her gaze shifts to Ty, and her lips curve into a broader smile. Holding a delicate champagne flute in her hand, she says in a friendly tone, "You look familiar. Were you at our church last Sunday?"

He takes a sip of water before he responds. "Ah, no," he says, looking down at his glass. "You must be mistaking me with someone else."

Mine, Ash"s, and even Ramsey"s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "Church?" I ask curiously. Ty is no choir boy.

Coach interrupts the conversation. "Alright, sweetheart, let"s get our seats." He shifts his attention toward us. "I"ll catch up with you boys later."

Joanna waves goodbye, and as soon as they are out of earshot, Ash turns to Ty and asks, "Since when do you go to church?"

A sly grin spreads across Ty"s face. "I don't," he responds. "I was told they were giving out free food and wine."

The four of us burst out laughing at his response.

"But it was all bullshit," Ty responds, taking a drink of his water.

We all look at him with confusion and curiosity. "What do you mean?" I ask.

"The food. It wasn't a potluck man. It was a fucking communion. And don't get me started on the bread. I don't know what the fuck it was, but it didn't look or taste like normal bread." He rolls his eyes. "At least the wine part wasn't a lie."

"Are you telling me you really went to a church for free food and wine?" Ash asks, appearing unconvinced.

"Of course he didn"t," Shorty says, surprising us. "It was for a girl, wasn"t it, Ty?" she says sweetly.

He leans forward with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Hmm," he says, "I like my name coming off your lips."

My jaw clenches. "I swear to God, Ty," I say through gritted teeth.

He leans back and holds his hands up in the air. "I"m just kidding, bro. I would never make a move on your girl."

Then he winks at her. "And yes, it is a girl, but that"s a story for another night."

Shorty giggles, but I feel a twinge of jealousy creeping up. "Seriously, babe?" I say, raising an eyebrow at her.

She rolls her beautiful brown eyes and cups my face, planting a soft kiss on my lips. "You"re such a big baby," she teases. "You know I only have eyes for you."

I can"t help but grin at her and pull her in closer, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. "You better," I say, playfully nuzzling her neck.

Ty ruins the moment by making a loud barfing noise. I shoot him a glare, but he just shrugs and grins.

After dinner, the band starts playing music, and the dance floor begins to fill with people. Not wanting to miss a chance to dance with my beautiful girl, I take her hand and lead her onto the dance floor. I want everyone to see the stunning angel I am lucky enough to have on my arm.

"Lady in Red" by Chris de Burgh fills the air, creating a warm and romantic ambiance. Shorty and I are lost in each other, swaying to the rhythm of the music, holding each other tightly.

"Why does everyone seem to be staring at us?" Shorty says while maintaining eye contact with me as we continue dancing.

"Let them look," I whisper back, my hand firm yet gentle on the small of her back, and draw her closer to me. With my face nestled in the crook of her neck, I breathe in her sweet fragrance, savoring every moment with her.

I refuse to let go as she laughs and wriggles in my arms. "Donnie, stop," she says breathlessly, but I hold her tighter.

As the song"s final notes play out, I dip Shorty back tenderly. Her eyes shimmer as I pull her close again.

In a hushed tone, I confess with my deepest admiration, "Your laugh is my favorite sound," and I tenderly kiss her red lips. "And your smile," I continue, "is the most beautiful thing I get to see every day."

When I look into her eyes, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia as I reflect upon the years we have spent together. Our bond has remained unbreakable through every joy and heartache we have experienced, a testament to the depth of our love. Despite the many challenges that have threatened to tear us apart, our devotion to one another has always triumphed. It still feels surreal that my Shorty is here with me, carrying my babies.

A single tear rolls down Shorty"s soft cheek as she gazes up at me. Then, ever so slightly, the corners of her mouth turn up into a smile. "I love you too," she replies, wiping the lipstick off my lips using the pad of her thumb.

After a few minutes of weaving through the sea of people, we finally make it back. Just then, Coach Walen takes the stage. He stands tall, bracing his hands on the podium as he gazes into the crowd. The room falls silent as everyone turns their attention to him.

"Good evening, everyone," Coach begins, his voice resonating through the hall. "I hope you"re all enjoying the evening as much as I am. Tonight is a very special night for our baseball team as we celebrate the start of a new season and the exhibition games."

He glances at me and the rest of his players, a flicker of pride evident in his eyes. "These young men have shown incredible dedication, determination, and skill on the field. They will be instrumental in our success, and I couldn"t be prouder of each and every one of them."

Applause fills the room.

Coach Walen continues. "I am honored to present the "Key Player" award to a few outstanding team members. These players have consistently gone above and beyond, displaying exceptional sportsmanship, leadership, and talent."

He looks directly at me and declares, "I"d like to recognize Donovan Du Pont, our star pitcher. His dedication and precision have been truly remarkable."

At the sound of enthusiastic applause, I stand up from my seat and bend down to give a kiss to Shorty, not giving two shits that people are watching. I adjust the buttons on my sharp-looking suit confidently and make my way up to the stage, all eyes are on me. When I reach the top of the stage, I am greeted by Coach, who hands me the award with a genuine smile. I accept the award with a grateful smile and a firm handshake.

As Coach continues, I move to the side. "I am pleased to honor Asher Du Pont, our formidable catcher. Asher has been a defensive force on the field, and his passion and commitment to the game."

Ash goes up to the stage with confidence and a swagger. The room erupts in a standing ovation, echoing the team"s pride and appreciation. I scan the crowd and spot Shorty, her face illuminated with joy and tears streaming down her cheeks with her phone in hand, no doubt taking pictures. I shoot her a sly wink, and she responds by blowing me a kiss, waking up my dick.

I catch a glimpse of Tia"s smile stretching from ear to ear, making me wonder if her cheeks are aching. Her eyes gleam with admiration as she locks her gaze on my brother.

"And finally," Coach announces, "I want to recognize Titan King, our power hitter extraordinaire."

Ty's chest puffs out with pride as he strides to the stage to accept the award. His eyes gleam with a fuck, yeah satisfaction as he stands beside me.

Coach"s voice booms over the microphone, demanding attention from the buzzing crowd. Gradually, the noise dies down, and all eyes again turn toward the stage. "Let"s take a moment to appreciate all the hard work and dedication the team has put forth," Coach begins, his eyes scanning the audience. A hush falls over the room as he speaks, his words ringing with pride and admiration. "You guys have made me proud and I can't wait to see what this season will bring," he continues.

The players nod, their expressions turning more serious for a moment before Coach breaks the serious atmosphere with a grin.

"But don"t get too comfortable. We"ve got big plans for this season—World Series, here we come!"

Everyone raises their glasses in a toast and cheers, their laughter echoing through the banquet hall. Coach stands beside his players, our achievements shining in the spotlight, a clear reflection of the hard work and passion that have brought all of us to this moment. I am finally able to share this moment with Shorty. A moment that I never thought was possible, and the feeling is truly indescribable.