Chapter 38: Kelley

Chapter 38

Kelley

Other than that random phone call a couple of weeks ago to congratulate me on my game and give me a crushing sense of hope, I haven’t heard from Thad. Technically, I have, but it’s been the same old random text here and there without any substance.

I’ve been on the road again, so maybe that’s why he hasn’t called, but I’m itching for the day we play in New York so I can hopefully see him. Even if we played in Philly or Boston, I’d hire a car and drive the rest of the way while I’m expected to be in a hotel bed sleeping. Desperate? Don’t know her.

The farthest east we made it this time was Atlanta, so I didn’t even get near anywhere close enough.

Thad calling me at my highest of highs really meant something to me, and I know I could easily dial his number too, but I don’t want him to give me an inch and I take a mile. I’m going to save that for in-person meet-ups. Wear my tightest suit, flash him a smile. Do anything I can to make him weak in the knees.

The fantasy of it all is nice, but the bottom line is there’s still an entire country between us, and being with me puts his job on the line. I’m holding out for the day he becomes a full agent, maybe changes firms. Preferably in a city with a baseball team. Though, that’s extreme. Moving for a guy I’d barely started seeing? On the outside, it seems absurd, but when I think about Thad, about our connection, it’s really not .

I kind of hate that I love it here in LA though because if I’m offered a new contract at the end of next season, I want to take it. Sure, I haven’t been here long, and anything could happen—my first year with Philly was good—but there’s something about LA that feels like home already.

Oh no. I’ve become a West Coaster. I’m never admitting that out loud. And never to Thad, New Jersey boy born and raised.

We have a home game tonight, but I’m not pitching. I’ve been playing well since my no-hitter, and I think it was the confidence boost I needed to get out of my slump. If I could do that every time I got into a funk, I’d have my choice of team and contract anywhere I wanted. Unfortunately, while I have hope I’ll be able to get another no-hitter in my career at some point—maybe one day, I could even have a perfect game—I can acknowledge the timing of this one wasn’t a coincidence.

It was a combination of the anger of being traded, knowing Thad was watching, and the most powerful source there is known to man: pettiness.

I no longer hold resentment over the trade, my beef with Philly is done, and even though I don’t like how management handled everything, having Zaka and Hunter come out to the mound to celebrate with me took away the tarnished edges of my time in Philly.

I’m one of the last of the team to arrive at the stadium because I don’t need to warm up, and walking into the locker room puts me at ease. I get dressed and am putting on my cleats when my phone goes off with a text alert.

At first, I’m confused by the picture that sits in my inbox. Because Thad is at a baseball game. My brain doesn’t make the connection that he could be here because my initial reaction is he’s at a stadium on the East Coast. Where he lives.

It’s not until I zoom in and see the huge LA team logo that it clicks. I’m up and running out onto the field in a second, even though my laces aren’t tied and there’s a real chance of falling flat on my face in front of thousands of people .

I don’t care though. Because somewhere in this crowd is the only man I’ve ever considered as someone I could truly be with.

I can be myself with him. He accepts me, flaws and all. He’s supportive, surprisingly, seeing how he was when we met, but that’s the beauty that is Thad St. James. He can admit when he’s wrong. He’s loyal, even if it’s to his own detriment. And he’s there for me.

He’s here.

I don’t care why he’s here, whether it’s to see me or for work and I’m a side perk, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is it’s been months since that day on a New York street where he kissed me goodbye, and if it’s only friendship he can give me, I’ll take it. If it’s a single one-night, secret hookup, I’m okay with that. I’ve just missed him so fucking much.

I can’t see him anywhere because the stadium is huge. No shock there. I glance down at my phone again to try to work out what angle his point of view is from when I get another text.

Turn around.

I do a 180, and there he is. With Brady. Standing in the seating area of left field, right by the fenced-off area.

He’s almost the farthest away he could possibly get, and my shoes are still untied, so instead of running all that way and risk tripping over in front of the stands, which are filling up rapidly as it gets closer to game time, I kick off my cleats and run to them in my socks.

I don’t care that everyone can see me.

I don’t care that this might make the news later with everyone asking, “What is Kelley Afton doing?”

The second I reach them, I’m already halfway through my sentence. “What are you doing?—”

Thad leans over the barrier, cups the back of my head, and presses his lips to mine.

I’m not expecting it, but I sure as fuck welcome it. Even if my cap hits him in the forehead and gets pushed halfway off my head.

The millions of concerns I would normally have over this situation are blurry, melting puddles of goo, burning up from the heat in his kiss.

With the warmth of his tongue, the desperation in the firmness of his mouth, his job and public perception of kissing a man in front of media and thousands of spectators is the last thing on my mind.

That is until Brady’s voice and then the screaming of fans breaks through the spell.

“This is cute and all, but as your almost-sole agent, I want to advise you that all of the screaming is for you. You’re welcome to keep going, but you’ve always wanted to keep a low profile.”

I pull back and look into Thad’s blue eyes, and the way they shine under the stadium lights, his gaze holds more than lust. It holds a promise. Something deeper. Thad’s lips turn upward into a bright smile, and my insides flip.

“Screw low profile.” Before I go back to kissing him, which is the only thing I want to do, I take my hat off and throw it aside.

We come back together with full, open-mouthed kisses, tongues tangling, and I never want it to end.

When it ends, I’m sure he’s going to say he’s only in town for the night or that getting fired over this would be worth it. If he hadn’t kissed me first, I never would’ve taken that leap. Not only because I wouldn’t want to risk his job, but also because I would be too self-conscious to go for it.

But Thad taking that step first? It gives me the courage to keep this going. No matter what anyone says outside of us two, it’s irrelevant. This is about him and me and how much I’ve missed him in my life.

“Okay, now it’s getting kind of porny,” Brady says, and I can’t help laughing, which makes us break apart once again.

I’m standing still in shock, unsure that Thad is really here and with my agent, and—wait. My gaze ping-pongs between them.

“Damon knows you’re here?” I ask.

They smile at each other and then at me.

“He sent me here, actually,” Thad says.

“Here… like the stadium? ”

Thad leans further on the railing. “As in LA. It turns out there was a position available as a junior agent at the LA King Sports office.”

It’s too much to process at once. Too many questions. He’s moving here? Damon sent him? But what about the rules and the crossing lines and the?—

“Kell,” he says and locks eyes with me once more. “Breathe.”

I suck in air.

“Everything is okay because I’m here now. Permanently.”

I might not understand how, but I do understand that everything I’ve wanted for the last few months has landed right in my lap, and I’m going to do anything I can not to screw this up.

“Permanently…” I repeat.

“Yup. And I’m here to ask you on a date.”

“Is that allowed? What about?—”

“Damon has a list of rules for us, but he’s not going to stand in our way.”

My heart is so full I’m scared my eyes might tear up. “So you’re here to date me?”

“I’m here to do more than that. I’m here to make you fall in love with me.”

Little does he know I’m pretty sure I’m already there.