Chapter 15

MATT

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I'm awash in memories as I throw the baseball to Cole on our old school field. I'm taken back to a simpler time when we weren't complicated. Our lives were baseball and the team, with a bit of school thrown in for good measure. Dad talks to the team about our connection on and off the field, and how that connection can be developed and nurtured, how a team becomes a brotherhood. It results in wins. And bonds that can't be broken, even if you wear rival jerseys, like us now.

I reach up and knock the brim of Cole's Liberties hat down below his eyes and the group laughs. Cole hits me with a fist bump and tosses my Reapers hat behind me. We personify Dad's inspirational speech, and while Dad looks at both of us with pride, he still shakes his head at us. You can make it to the big leagues, but we're still boys at heart. With grown up issues.

Um, Dad. Want to know how to break those bonds? It's not team rivalries. Nope. Those come and go. They're fun. You make silly bets over rivalries. Those bonds get broken, no demolished, when you want to kiss his sister. Which I almost did. Two days ago. If Cole hadn't called Darcy, I would have. No doubt about it.

The coward that I am, I've avoided her ever since. We're all getting together for dinner tonight, and I pray Cole doesn't pick up on our awkwardness. Assuming it will be awkward. Hell, she may not even speak to me. Or maybe this is all one-sided and I need to get over myself. I have no idea how she's feeling and this could be all in my head.

After we help Dad pack up, we head back to my place to clean up and chill. After showers, we crack open a few beers and settle into our old routine. The setting may be different, but our friendship slips back into our typical comfort zone. It's like we haven't missed a day.

I needed this. I admit this off-season has been unsettling, and I miss Cole and the team's brotherhood. But I can't deny I've enjoyed working with Darcy, too. Maybe too much.

Cole checks his phone and smiles.

"Ashleigh?"

"No, Darcy, actually. Apparently, my girl tried on her first wedding dress." He's beaming like a lovesick puppy.

"I didn't know you'd set a date."

"We haven't, but we're looking at this time next year. After the Liberties win the World Series."

"Pretty cocky of you to say that." He gives me a huge smile and a shrug. "What can I say? All my dreams are coming true."

"Remember when your dream was to be a Reaper?"

"Yeah, and that would've been great. I miss playing with you. But the universe had something different in mind."

"Wow. You're being all philosophical after one beer. You've become a lightweight."

"Love has a way of changing you. Speaking of love and weddings…"

"Not sure that sentence has anywhere to go, man."

"It does, actually." Cole takes a long pull of his beer and puts it on the table. He turns to look at me, the playful mood zapped from the room. "Matt, you know I love you like a brother. You're the most important man in my life and have been by my side for all the significant and insignificant moments. There's no one in my life I trust more than you. You're by far the best man I know. I want you standing beside me as I commit to Leigh. So, will you do that for me, Matt? Will you be my best man?"

His words touch me. They ring in my head. Trust. Brother. I hadn't thought about the wedding, but of course, I'll be there for him.

"Wow. Of course. Absolutely. I was kinda hoping you'd write a song to ask me, but there's still time, I guess." Maybe this will be Cole's next chart-topping hit. It's not outside the realm of possibility.

Cole gives a hearty laugh. "Damn, I miss you." He gets up and pulls me into a tight hug. Cole's affectionate side is amped up. Love must do that to a guy.

"I'm thrilled for you, man."

Cole lets me go and grabs his beer, nearly draining it. "What about you? Any girl in your sights?"

I grab the near-empty bottle from Cole and take mine into the kitchen to get another one. I should talk to him about Darcy. I don't think I need to ask his permission, but maybe I should tell him how I feel and that I'd like to see where this leads us.

But what if she doesn't feel the same way? What if we don't work out? Am I willing to take that risk with my relationship with Cole? What about his relationship with his sister?

I change the subject. "What time are we meeting the girls?"

"Darcy made reservations at seven, so we probably need to call an Uber soon."

I bring Cole another beer and pick up my game controller. Cole picks up the other one and charges forward, me covering his six. It's our way.

"How's Darcy doing?" Cole asks. "She looks tired."

"She's working her fingers to the bone on the house. But it's incredible. Her vision is amazing. The way she sees details and understands the psychology of colors. I mean, who even knew that was a thing? She fucking Sigmund Freuded me because I like green. That girl has mad skills."

Cole laughs. "Sigmund Freuded you?"

"Yeah, she took my favorite color, tied it to my memories, dug into my soul, and explained it away because I like green. It was scary shit." Thinking about that day brings a smile to my face.

Cole gives me a suspicious look. I suppress my smile and look back at the game.

"Is she okay?" he asks again. His tone is quiet and filled with concern.

I hit pause and look at him, giving him a slight nod. "She's good. She's driven, and this project is a lot for her, but she's got Sammie, Jay, and me. We won't let her fail. I've been watching out for her." I look him in the eye and say with heartfelt sincerity, "You know I'd never let anything happen to her, right?"

Cole takes another drink before responding. "I know. I'm glad you're here when I can't be. I'm grateful you're watching out for her best interests. I just worry about her, you know? Her fatal flaw is being overly trusting and maybe a bit gullible. Hell, she gave that d-bag Ryan so many chances because she believed what he said. I'm glad she's done with him." He picks his controller up and looks at me. "But she's done with him?"

"Well, it's not like we sit around braiding each other's hair and talking about boys, but yeah. Last I heard, she's done with him. I think Sammie is over him too, so if he comes sniffing around, he'll have to go through her and me."

Cole nods in appreciation. "Thanks, brother. I know you'll always do right by her. That's what family does."