29. Holden

29

HOLDEN

I can’t help it. I keep looking up into the stands where my family and Cat and Cole are sitting. As soon as Cat and Cole showed up, it’s like I knew they were here. And when I saw that she was wearing my jersey, it took everything in me not to run up the stands where she’s sitting.

It’s the bottom of the ninth, and it’s a tied ballgame. I should be concentrating on the game, but instead, I’m standing at the edge of the dugout, wondering how I’m going to get through the crowd to Cat when the game is over.

“Gray, you’re up.”

I pull my eyes off Cat, grab my bat, and make my way to home plate. If I want to get to my girl and claim her in front of everybody, I need to take control of things.

I stand at the plate, ready to hit, and watch the first ball go by. “Strike.”

I stay in the box, bat over my shoulder as another pitch comes. “Strike,” the umpire calls.

If I don’t do something, we’re going into extra innings, and I’m ready for this game to be over. I kick my feet in the dirt, crowd the plate, and choke up on the bat. I watch as the pitcher wipes his brow and then gears up to throw the ball.

The ball is coming in fast, and I swing like my life depends on it.

As soon as the ball leaves the bat, I know it’s going over. Normally, I’d jog around the bases, but I’m a man on a mission.

I’m running, giving it all I got, and as I cross home plate, I just keep going. My team all runs to the middle of the field, but I head off into the stands, and straight to Cat. She has her arms wide open, waiting for me, and I pick her up, twirling her around. She receives me way better than I ever would have dreamed, but she leans down to kiss me, and I take over from there. The crowd is thunderous around us, and my brothers and sister are all crowding us. I pull Cat under my arm and Cole against my other side to hug them both to me. I bury my head into the top of Cat’s hair and breathe her in. Never in my life have I been happier than I am in this moment. Not because of a game, but because of the two people in my arms right now.

“Wait for me, okay? I’m going to go shower and see the guys.”

Cat nods. “Yeah, we rode here with King.”

I pull her to me for another hug. “And you’ll leave with me.”

After hugging the rest of my family, I make my way back to the field. I’ve thought about this all day, and I know what I want to do.

When we finally make it to the locker room, I talk to my coach first, then my team. After a quick shower, I make my way out to the concourse to find Cat and Cole.

They’re both all smiles when they see me, and I hold hands with Cat as we walk out to my truck. We’re almost to Whiskey Run, and I know I need to tell them both what I did tonight.

“There’s something I need to tell you two.”

Cat and I are holding hands, and they’re resting on the console between us. She squeezes mine a little tighter. “What is it? ”

Cole leans up as much as his seatbelt will let him, and I meet his gaze in the rearview mirror. My only hesitancy is him. I hope he’s not disappointed in me when I tell him. “I told my coach and my team that today was my last game. I’m officially retiring.”

Cat turns in her seat and looks at me with wide eyes. “Oh, Holden.”

I shake my head, not wanting her to worry. “I’m happy with my decision. It’s what I want.” As soon as I see the acceptance on her face and I get to a stop sign, I turn to Cole. “You okay, bud?”

He’s looking out the window. “What does this mean?”

Patiently, I explain to him, “Well, I won’t be playing for the Jasper Bears anymore. Coach McGuire wants to talk to me about coaching, but that’s something I’ll have to think about. I don’t know if I want to travel anymore.”

“If you’re not playing, does that mean that you’ll be around more? That I’d get to see you more?”

I choke up at the question. “Would you like that?”

Finally, he turns his head away from the window and looks at me. There’s so much longing on his face, I make a promise right then and there that I’m going to always be there for him. It’s almost a whisper, but I hear him say, “Yeah, I would.”

I’m too overcome with emotion to say anything, so I just nod my head, and after looking both ways, I push on the gas.

Everyone is silent the rest of the way home, and when we get to my house, I park the truck and walk up to the front door with them.

Cole is all smiles, but Cat is more reserved. “Holden, what are we doing here?”

“Well, I thought we should talk. Is that okay?”

Her interest piqued, she nods her head, and I lead them to the living room. They both sit down on the couch, and I sit on the coffee table in front of them. I decide not to beat around the bush. “I want you guys to move in here.”

“What?” Cat asks as Cole pumps his fist in the air. “Yes!”

“Holden, we can’t do that.”

“Why not?” I ask her, ready to argue any excuse she can give me.

“Well, because…” She looks at Cole and then raises her eyebrows at me. “Holden, it wouldn’t be appropriate.”

I nod knowingly. “For now, you would be in your old rooms, but I want you both here, under my roof, with me.” I leave out the part where I want her in my bed. Now is not the time to say that.

“But—” she starts, and I shake my head to stop her. “Cat, I’m willing to go as slow as you need me to. We can date, do family stuff together, and eventually, when you’re ready… you will be my wife.”

“Wife!” she exclaims.

“Yes!” Cole screams, jumping up and down now.

Cat stands up and puts her hands on Cole’s shoulders. “Hey, bud, since it’s late, we’re going to stay here tonight so why don’t you head up to your room, and we’ll talk more in the morning.”

Cole looks alarmed, no doubt fearful that she’s going to say no. The other day, I would have felt the same, but now after she told me she loved me and I claimed her in front of the whole stadium tonight, she’s going to say yes. It’s just going to take some convincing.

I fist-bump Cole. “Your room is ready for you. There’s some clothes to sleep in, and I put a toothbrush in the bathroom for you.”

He nods. “Good night, Holden. Good night, Mom. ”

He hugs his mom, and as soon as he’s out of the room, she turns on me. “Holden Gray, what are you thinking? You should have talked to me about this first.”

I grab her and move us to the couch so she’s sitting on my lap. “I know that. Do you forgive me?”

“This is all just moving so fast.”

“I know what it’s like to share a home with you. Spending time with you and Cole, having dinner, hanging out, talking… I don’t want to go back, Cat. I just want us to move forward. I love you, and you love me.”

She puts her hand to my cheek. “I do love you, but I have an impressionable teenage son, and what’s he going to think about his mom shacking up?”

I interrupt her. “We’re not shacking up. You’re going to be in your room and I’m going to be in my room—”

She looks at me with doubt. “Oh yeah, how long do you think that will last?”

“Until I wear you out and convince you to marry me.”

She rears back. “What? You’re serious about that? ”

I put my hands on each side of her face and hold her close. “I know what my life is like without you in it, Cat. I need you like I need air to breathe. I want you to be my wife. I want to share every day with you and Cole. I want to hear about your days, be here when you need me. I want the good, the bad, all of it.”

She wants to say yes. I can see all the emotions on her face, but she shakes her head. “This is crazy, Holden.”

But she’s here with me now, and I plan to take full advantage. “Stay here with me. I’ll give you time to get used to me, we’ll date, we’ll do all the things… and when you’re ready, you will be my wife.”

She loops her arms around my neck. “Are you sure about this, Holden?”

I kiss her because I can’t hold back anymore. She is the one for me, and I have no doubt about it. The kiss is heated, holding the promise of a future between us. I have to force myself to pull back. “Yeah, I’m sure. I love you.”

“And you know I’m a package deal?”

“I love Cole,” I tell her simply. “The kid is amazing, and I want to be the man he looks up to. ”

She shudders a breath. “Okay, we’ll try this out.”

I chuckle. “This is not a trial run, Cat. This is for me to shamelessly convince you to be mine.”

“Okay.”

I grip on to her waist. “Okay?”

She presses her breasts against my chest. “Convince me.”

And I promise myself right now that I’m going to do just that.