15. Holden

15

HOLDEN

We won. I mean, Cole’s team won, but why does it feel like I won? I’m standing next to Cat, surrounded by my family, and we’re all on our feet, cheering when we win the game.

You would think it’s the world series by the way the boys all dogpile in the middle of the field.

Gabe, King, and Dom are all giving me high-fives, and Haven and Chrissy are hugging Cat. As soon as they release her, I grab Cat and haul her against me. I’m not surprised in the least that she fits perfectly in my arms. This feels good and right on so many levels.

I hate to release her, but if I don’t, I’m going to embarrass her and kiss her right here in front of everyone. “I’ll be right back. ”

I walk off the stands and go to the side of the dugout. “Hey, Coach. Congratulations on the win. I’m going to order some pizzas from the Pizza Haven. Wanna bring your team to celebrate?”

Before he can answer me, the players that overheard me ask start cheering, and the coach laughs. “Yeah, sounds good. Thanks, Holden.”

I don’t want to embarrass Cole with his friends, so I go back out of the dugout and pull out my phone. I dial the number for Pizza Haven and give them a heads-up we’re coming and order thirty pizzas. That should be enough for the players and their families. At least to get started. I reach Cat and my family at the same time Cole does. My brothers and I all high-five him, and he hugs his mom, Haven, and Chrissy. The kid is smiling ear to ear and is talking a mile a minute. All I can do is smile with him and soak it all in.

“We’re going to Pizza Haven,” he announces to Cat.

Her eyes widen. “We are?”

Cole nods. “Yeah, Holden invited the whole team.”

Shit, did I just fuck up? “Is that okay? I should have asked you first, right? I got caught up in the moment and the celebrating. ”

“Holden, the whole team? Do you have any idea how much that’s going to cost?”

Fuck she’s something else. She has to know that I have money, but she’s worried about me spending it. “I got it, no worries, Cat. We’re celebrating.”

King slaps me on the shoulder. “Little brother’s buying? We’re in.”

Gabe chimes in, “Hell yeah.”

Chrissy shrugs. “I’m in.”

Dom is the only one that declines. “I have a motor to put in early in the morning, but good job tonight, Cole. Way to throw it.”

Dom and Cole slap hands, and everyone starts to make their way to the parking lot.

I convince Cat and Cole to ride with me to the restaurant, and by the time we get there, the restaurant is putting pizzas out on tables. Some of the players are already here, and Cole runs off to join them. We’re greeted by the manager, and I hand over my credit card. When she says the total, Cat gasps beside me. “No, Holden. Here, I can pay for it.”

She’s reaching for her purse, and I put my hand on hers to stop her. “Don’t you dare, Cat.”

She’s shaking her head with determination on her face. “No way, it’s not happening, Holden Gray. This is too much.”

She fans her hand around as the servers bring out more pizzas, and I wrap my hand around hers, pulling it to me. “What did I say? You’re with me, you don’t pay.”

“Holden, that’s ridiculous. I can’t let you pay for all these people.”

I lean down, and I’m so close that all I can think about is kissing her. Being next to her all evening is making me crazy. “I think we’ve talked about this. When you’re with me—”

She cuts me off, rolling her eyes. “I don’t pay when I’m with you. I hear what you’re saying, but it’s not right. I can’t let you.”

I have to touch her. I put my hand on her cheek, and do I imagine it or does she lean into my palm? “Let me do this, Cat. I want to do it.”

She blinks her blue eyes at me. All I have to do is lean down a few more inches and I could have my lips on hers. Yeah, she’s my therapist, but she’s no longer with Jeremy. There’s nothing stopping me now.

“Mom!” Cole hollers, and it brings me out of my trance. I release my hold on her and excuse myself while she and Cole talk .

I walk over to the counter. “Can I get game cards too? Just leave the tab open. I’ll close it before I leave.”

The manager thanks me, and after some back and forth, I find Cole and hand him the cards. “Here, buddy. Make sure your friends and their siblings get one. Let me know if you need more.”

He looks at me as if I’ve just hung the moon. “Thanks, Holden.”

I want to hug him. I’ve never been a guy that’s overly affectionate, but there’s something about this kid and his mom that brings it out of me. “You’re welcome, bud.”

Not wanting to embarrass him, I hold my hand up and fist-bump him. He takes off, and by the time I find Cat again, she’s sitting at a big round table with my family. Instantly, she scoots over so I can sit down next to her. It’s a tight fit, but I’m not complaining because I like being this close to her.

My family is all ribbing each other, and they’ve already started on their second pizza, but Cat has a plate saved for me. “Thank you.”

She laughs. “I think I’m supposed to be thanking you.”

“Sir, here’s your veggie pizza.”

I thank the server and set the small pizza down in front of Cat. She looks between me and the pizza. “You got me—”

Fuck, when she looks at me like that, I can barely control myself. “You should have what you want, Cat.”

I put a slice of her pizza on a plate and slide it in front of her, and the whole time I’m wishing that I was something she wanted.

We stay for hours. Parents come over to thank me for dinner, and I see the way they look at Cat and me. That’s good. I’ve seen the way some of these guys look at Cat. I want them all to know she’s taken… that she’s mine.