Chapter 26

I let outa shaky breath as Boston gently took my hand, leading me away from the tense confrontation with Reese. My pulse was still racing from their near-fight. When we got back inside, I tried to hide my emotions as we walked through the crowd of people.

"Are you okay?" Boston's voice was soft and concerned. His eyes searched my face for any sign of distress. "Can you sit here for a few minutes? There's something I need to do."

"Sure," I replied, even though I wasn't sure if I was okay. He led me to a nearby chair, his protective nature radiating off of him.

"Wait here for me," he instructed with a small, reassuring smile.

I nodded, clutching my hands together in my lap as he turned away. That's when I saw Reese enter the ballroom, his presence commanding immediate attention. He scanned the room and for a moment; I thought he was searching for me. But before he saw me, Boston stepped into his path.

I couldn't make out their words, but their body language spoke volumes—it was clear they were arguing.

Despite being across the room, Reese's dismissive demeanor towards him was palpable. He maintained a relaxed posture, almost provocatively, as if he found Boston amusing.

"What are you talking about?" Boston's voice finally carried over, laced with frustration as he took a step closer to Reese, invading his space.

Reese's expression darkened. "I think you should be careful what you say to me," I could barely hear him say over the music. His eyes blazed with a sudden intensity. "Pretty sure you don't want me to go there."

I leaned forward slightly, my breath catching as I watched the intense exchange. Reese said something too quiet for me to catch. His lips barely moving, and then he leaned in, whispering into Boston's ear. The reaction was immediate and shocking.

Boston's face drained of color, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. For a moment, he simply stood there, frozen, a statue among the swirling dance of the ballroom. Confusion played across his features, quickly chased by a flash of anger and a shadow of shock, transforming his usually carefree expression into something dark and tumultuous.

Suddenly, it happened—a crack that tore through the room and halted the music as Boston's fist connected with Reese's face. The crowd gasped and recoiled as Reese staggered back, his composure slipping for a fraction of a moment. He tightened his jaw, and I saw the subtle tick that betrayed his effort to remain unfazed. Then, using his thumb, he brushed away blood from his lip. His expression morphed into one of dark amusement.

Before I could even process my next move, a voice broke through my shock.

"What the fuck, Chandler?" It was Parker. His eyes loomed over me, burning with anger and something else—disappointment. "Are you gonna date the whole fucking team or something? Just the infield or the outfield, too?" His words were sharp, cutting deeper than I expected.

"I don't need this shit right now, Parker," I snapped, my own anger flaring. "That's not what I'm trying to do."

"Sure looks like it from here," Parker shot back with a scowl, glancing over at the interaction.

"Move," I said sternly, as I shoved past Parker.

I saw that Boston stormed out—the door slamming behind him with a resounding echo that cut through the music and laughter. My heart raced, panic threading through my veins. What had Reese said to shatter Boston's composure?

I knew I had to go after him, rising from my seat, my gaze fixed on the imposing doors that had just swallowed him.

I sprinted after him. His long strides had already put him far ahead. "Boston!" I called out, my voice strained with concern. He didn't turn back, he didn't even falter. The broad set of his shoulders just tensed further, signaling a storm of emotions that I couldn't read from this distance.

He reached his truck and stopped after walking to the passenger side. The door creaked open under his hand, and for a fleeting moment, I caught a glimpse of his profile—those once bright blue eyes now seemed distant and clouded over. He tugged at his collar, then gestured for me to get in with his other hand.

"Will you just talk to me? What did he say?" I asked, finally coming to a stop by the car, trying to catch my breath and make sense of what was happening.

Boston shook his head, and the corner of his mouth twitched as if he was fighting back words or emotions, maybe both. "Just... get in, Chandler," he pointed, his voice hoarse.

The vulnerability in his tone struck me. This was not the happy, laid-back Boston I knew. He let out a long sigh, closing the door gently behind me before walking around to the driver's side. An unspoken turbulence hung between us, putting us in a strange unfamiliar territory.

"Fine." I huffed, slipping into the passenger seat, my mind racing with questions. "But you're going to tell me what's going on, Boston Riley. You can't shut me out."

Once Boston slid into the driver's seat beside me, a heavy silence filled the air. My thoughts were swirling as I replayed the disastrous events of the night. I wondered if Boston knew anything about the family history Blair brought up, but I knew both of us didn't feel like talking about it tonight. I felt so stupid for believing Reese actually cared about me.

Boston gripped the steering wheel with an intensity that was far from his usual easy going nature. His knuckles whitened with the effort, and every now and then, he would flex his fingers as if to remind them they were still alive. I wasn't sure who was more upset, me or him.

Boston kept sneaking occasional glances my way as he drove, but didn't say a word. The moonlight illuminated his face, and the streetlights flashed by in a blur. The low rumble of his truck's engine was the only sound breaking the heavy silence between us.

"Are you okay?" I asked, noting the stiffness in his shoulders. They rose and fell with a deep breath, showing the inner conflict he must have been feeling.

He didn't look at me, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, but I saw the way his jaw clenched, a muscle ticking in his cheek. "I'm fine," he said. The words were short and there was no mistaking it. Something was really wrong.

"Come on, Boston," I coaxed, hoping I could break through his walls. "Talk to me."

"He told me some bullshit lie. But that doesn't matter. I should be asking about you," a sigh escaped him, ruffling through his wavy hair as he glanced briefly in my direction before returning his gaze to the road. "I don't know what happened back there between you and him… But I swear, if Reese did anything to hurt you, I'll kick his ass."

I turned to look at him, taking in the tense set of his jaw, the anger simmering in his blue eyes. Sweet, protective Boston—the one I always wished would be my knight in shining armor, was now prepared to defend my honor. Yet, this moment didn't feel quite as I had always imagined it would.

"I think you already kicked his ass." I said, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "And don't worry about me. I just want to make sure you're okay. Is your hand okay?"

He nodded, exhaling slowly as some of the tension left his shoulders. We drove the rest of the way in a more comfortable silence. My heart ached, wishing things would have ended differently tonight. But some things just weren't meant to be.

Boston pulled up in front of the cabin, shifting the truck into park. He turned to look at me, his eyes gentle.

"Hey," he said softly. "Come here."

There was something about those words, "come here" that made my breath hitch. Before I could react, he reached out and pulled me into a hug. I melted against him, breathing in his familiar scent—something uniquely Boston. I felt safe as his powerful arms wrapped around me.

We stayed like that for a long moment, neither of us wanting to let go. Finally, Boston pulled back just enough to look into my eyes. His hand came up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my cheek. I shivered, a fluttering started low in my belly. We were so close I could feel his breath and see the intensity in his eyes.

"You deserve so much better," he whispered. "I never wanted you to get caught up in all that."

My heart pounded as he leaned in, looking at me with his eyes hazy in a way he never had before. For a moment—just one brief heartbeat suspended in time—he leaned closer, so close I could almost count each one of his long perfect eyelashes. I could have sworn Boston Riley was about to kiss me, and every fantasy I"d ever imagined about this very moment flickered through my mind.

But then he pulled back, and I didn't feel his warmth anymore. It was torture, an undescribable agony, knowing that the one thing I"d been picturing for years was within reach for a moment and yet still so far away.

"I"m gonna head to the lake," he said abruptly, breaking the moment as he shoved the car door open. "Sit on the dock and clear my head for a while."

"Sure," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt, trying to shake off the way I was feeling.

I let myself out, and I started to follow the path towards the cabin.

"Hey." His voice halted me mid-stride, and I turned to find him looking back at me, an unreadable expression on his face. "You coming?"

The invitation hung there, unexpected but not unwelcome.

"Okay," I found myself saying before I could even consider it because I didn't want to be alone tonight.

He reached into the bed of his truck and pulled out a checkered blanket. "Here," he said simply, unfolding the fabric and placing it around me.

And just like that, we walked side by side, drawn together by something neither of us seemed to fully understand. But tonight, under the stars and surrounded by the lake, maybe we didn"t need to.

We sat on the dock side by side, and I'm sure the view was beautiful but I wasn"t looking at the lake. It was him I saw—the way the moonlight played across his features, the way there was always something comforting about him, even when he probably needed comforting too.

He must have sensed my stare because he turned toward me, his eyes meeting mine in a moment of silent understanding. Then, slowly, Boston draped an arm around my shoulders, drawing me into his embrace. I leaned into him, my head finding a natural resting place against his chest. His heartbeat was steady, a calming rhythm that somehow put me at ease.

We sat there, just watching the water together, letting the rest of the world fade away. There was no need for words; the silence spoke volumes. In his arms, I knew with absolute certainty—I had never felt as safe with anyone as I did right then with him.