Chapter 28

Chapter Twenty-Eight

GABBY

“Trevor, is that how we field a ball?” I shout to our shortstop, who’s being all kinds of lazy today.

“No,” he says, looking annoyed.

“Then show me how you field one.” I take a ball from my catcher and zip one right to Trevor. He doesn’t move his feet but attempts to stab at it, and because he’s lazy, the ball takes a weird bounce and goes right past him.

“That’s it,” Ryland says, stepping in. “Poles, all of you. I’ll tell you when to stop.”

The team grumbles as they toss their gloves into a pile near the foul pole and start running.

Bat in hand, I walk over to Ryland and line up with him, shoulder to shoulder. “He doesn’t respect me.”

“No,” Ryland says, his arms crossed over his chest. “He doesn’t respect the game. He was a cocky punk last year, and I thought that maybe he’d grow up, but nope, still a cocky punk.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

I rest the bat against my shoulder as we watch Trevor fall to the last of the line. You’d think that if you were making your entire team run, you’d at least pick up the pace, but Ryland’s right. He’s a cocky punk.

“What do you suggest?” he asks, truly making me feel like I’m a part of his staff.

When we first started out, I know I felt the need to prove myself, and maybe I did, even though Ryland didn’t say I needed to. But he’s included me more and more, and now it feels like we’re in this together. Not just romantically but in every aspect.

“Honestly, I think Garrett, the sophomore, has more potential and is a workhorse. He lacks a little bit in his lateral, but that can be fixed with some hard work this fall. Plus, he wants to learn, he wants to be here, and he wants to play.”

“I agree,” Ryland says. “I was thinking Garrett, too, but I wanted to make sure you saw what I saw.”

“Why don’t you try it out?” I say to him. “Call them in, have Trevor keep running, and put Garrett at short, see what happens.”

Ryland smirks and then yells, “Come on in. Trevor, keep running.” The boys all grab their gloves while Trevor throws his hands up in frustration. And that’s why you’re still running, you punk. “Garrett, go to short.”

Garrett, the quiet one, looks stunned but listens and moves to short where he gets in a ready position.

“Play’s at one,” I call out and then hit it up the middle. Garrett works hard to get to the ball, dives, and the ball tips off the edge of his glove. Luckily, our second baseman grabs it and then shoots the ball over to first. “That’s great hustle, Garrett,” I call out. I can already see his potential.

This might work.

We spend the rest of practice working with Garrett, seeing what he has in him, and by the end, the poor kid is sweating, but he’s still jogging off the field and helping with the equipment.

Once the boys are gone, Ryland leans against the fence, arms crossed, looking at me with that stare that usually leads to clothes falling off.

I point the bat at him. “Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?” He smirks.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

“Can’t be quite sure.”

“Seriously, Ryland. Stop it.”

He chuckles. “Sorry, it’s just really hot watching you out here. Hard for me to keep it together.”

“If you’re trying to get me to go home with you, the answer is no. I told you, I’m going to your sister’s house tonight.” I’m both excited and nervous. I didn’t really do girly things when I was a teenager—part of the fun of being into sports. But when I checked with Hattie if last week’s invitation was still open, her message made me smile. “I’ve been counting the days for this, Gabby. You better be there.” It felt good to be so included. “Playdates” with Mac have been fun, and the nights with Ryland? Best not to think about that at school while in front of the sexy man.

“I’m actually giving you a compliment. You’re a really good coach, Gabby. Really fucking good. I’m grateful David went behind my back and hired you.”

“Wow, never thought I’d hear you say something like that, given how much you hated David at the beginning of the school year.”

“Neither did I, but you changed my mind.”

“I feel like I changed your mind about a lot of things.”

“You did. How the hell did you do that?”

“A magician never tells their secrets,” I say, moving past him, letting my arm brush up against his.

He follows me. “I saw you talking to Christian today.”

I heavily roll my eyes. “Wow, I’m shocked that it took you this long to mention something.”

“Trying to be mature, but now that it’s eaten me alive inside and I’m nothing but hollow bones, want to share?”

“You know, I never painted you as the dramatic type,” I say as we both head to our cars.

“Gabby, please.”

I chuckle. “He was just asking how I was doing. I told him I was good. He asked if I had any thoughts on his proposal, and I told him that I thought he was a great guy, but I think we should just remain friends.”

Ryland slowly nods, trying to play it cool, but I see the smile ticking at the corner of his mouth, begging to be released. “That was very respectable of you.”

“Oh my God, Ryland, I can see the urge to gloat on your lips.”

He smiles large, so freaking large that it takes away the small amount of irritation I have from him bringing it up. “I’m sorry, but that fucker goes and tries to ask you out again?” He shakes his head. “Not my girl. She belongs to me.”

“Sometimes your possessive behavior can be a little much,” I say.

“Really? You’re going to complain about me being happy that my girl claims she’s off limits?”

“No, but you don’t have to be so cocky about it.”

“Where you’re concerned . . . I’m very cocky.” He wiggles his brows, which just pushes me over the edge.

“God, you’re ridiculous.”

I open my car door and get in, but before I can shut it, he asks, “Will I see you tonight?”

“I don’t know. Not sure how long Hattie’s thing will go.”

“I don’t care if it’s late,” he says.

“What if you’re asleep?”

“Sneak into the house and wake me up the way you did when we were in San Francisco.”

“With your dick in my mouth?” I say, causing him to smirk.

“Yeah, babe, with my dick in your mouth.”

“Tempting. I’ll think about it.” I wink and then shut my door. He leans against his truck as I pull away, but I roll down my window and say, “You’re looking at me that way again.”

“Can’t help it,” he says softly. “I’m infatuated, Gabby.”

My heart flutters. “Same.”

“Okay, this is amazing,” I say as I take in Hattie’s backyard. She went all out.

When she said girls’ night, she was serious.

The backyard’s breathtaking. An infinity pool is the centerpiece of it all, followed by the view of the ocean, with lights strung everywhere, big bulbed ones that are already lit up, preparing for the sun to set. A firepit is surrounded by chairs and a table is set up for making s’mores. The outdoor dining room table looks like something you’d see in a Pottery Barn magazine, dressed to the nines and ready for the ladies to have dinner. Not to mention the personal chef, a.k.a. Hayes, grilling and looking so comfortable doing something for his girl, that it really reminds me of Ryland.

At each place setting is what seems to be spa baskets full of masks, under-eye moisturizers, foot soaks, and my favorite cookies ever.

And I get to not only be a part of this but I’m being welcomed into a group of women who have seem to have accepted me with open arms all because I’m dating their brother. I remember when I was dating Nathan and met his family for the first time. I was greeted with indifference and sneers. It wasn’t a welcoming environment, yet today when I walked into Hattie’s house, she gave me a hug and told me how happy she was that I was here.

Just seems too good to be true.

I pull my phone out as I walk toward the edge of the backyard where the rocky cliffs start, and I take a seat on the rocks. I send a quick text to Bennett to wish him luck tonight.

He’s been doing a pretty good job since he’s been brought up. He’s had quite a few hits, some clutch ones, some strikeouts. He’s made good plays over at third, and the fans seem to have taken a liking to him, which is important.

Gabby: Good luck tonight. Keep killing it.

To my surprise, he texts me back right away. He must be in the locker room.

Bennett: Thanks, sis. How are you? How’s Coach?

Gabby: Good and good.

Bennett: That’s all you have for me? Good and good?

Gabby: I don’t know what else to say. Everything feels . . . too good to be true right now. I’m afraid if I move the wrong way or say the wrong thing, it will all come crashing down on me.

Bennett: Why the hell would you think that?

Gabby: Because when have good things ever happened for me? It’s just been a grind my whole life, and then I get this job, I move to Almond Bay, and now I’m surrounded by a support system, by a man who truly cares about me, believes in me, and you’re playing in the big leagues. I feel like something bad is bound to happen.

Bennett: Or maybe this is your time to stop the grind and just enjoy what you’ve been able to create for your life. I know you’re so used to climbing the ladder. Maybe you’re finally at your destination.

I smile down at my phone, reading his words over and over again as I feel a tightness in my throat and a sting in my eyes.

“What are you doing over here?”

Startled, I look over my shoulder to find Aubree taking a seat right next to me. “Sheesh, you scared me.”

“Sorry.” She chuckles. “You looked lost in thought. I didn’t know how else to break the silence.”

“It’s okay. I was kind of lost in thought.” I dab at my eyes.

“Anything you want to talk about? I’m not much of a talker of feelings, but Wyatt has kind of changed me to believe that if there is something on your chest, you should get it off.”

“Wyatt seems like a very smart man.”

With a smile, she shrugs and says, “He’s okay.” Then she nudges me. “What’s on your mind?”

“Just how happy I am.” And the minute the words come out of my mouth, those tears well up again, but I can’t stop them this time. “God, I’m sorry.” I dab at them. “I swear I’m not the type to cry when someone asks how they’re doing.” I let out a deep breath. “Just been an adjustment.”

“What’s been an adjustment?” Aubree asks in a caring voice.

“All of this,” I say. “Bennett, my brother, and I have been on our own for so long and we’ve been clawing to make something of our lives, and now that I’m here, teaching, coaching . . . in a relationship with your brother, it all feels too good to be true, especially when he comes with a family like yours.”

“I can understand that. I know how important family is, how important it is to feel at peace, and to feel like you’re finally in a position in your life where everything slows down and you can just enjoy it. It’s okay to cry about it. You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are.”

“I have.” I wipe at my tears again, hating that I’m crying in front of Aubree.

“Just means you’re in the right place if you’re this happy, so happy that tears come to your eyes. And we’re really happy that you’re here. Ryland deserves you in his life. He was, uh . . . he was texting us earlier about his conversation with Mac yesterday, and his sentiments about you, and how you treat Mac. It’s a relief, Gabby. When Cassidy passed, our lives were turned upside down. So much responsibility was placed on our shoulders, and all we wanted to do was keep our sister’s legacy alive. The pressure of it was insurmountable. Yet slowly but surely, we were able to wade through the darkness and find some light.”

“That’s what it feels like to me, wading through the darkness and finally seeing the light. I just fear the darkness will come creeping back in.”

Aubree shakes her head. “You can’t think of it that way. Coming from someone who has suffered a lot of trauma, and has finally found her peace, trust me when I say the light stays as long as you hold on to it.”

I stare down at my hands, thinking about the light in my life. How that light is in the form of a six-foot-two man with brown hair and green eyes, who told me just hours ago that he was infatuated with me, a man who had no problem crying in front of me because his niece had called him Dad. He’s the light, and I will cling to him as much as I can.

“Come on,” Aubree says. “If we don’t hit up the appetizers now, Hattie will eat them all. Also, she really wants you to try her favorite pickles.”

“Oh?” I ask, curious.

“Yup. It was a special pickle between her and Cassidy, and she offers them to everyone who comes to the house. I kind of think it’s her weird way of making sure Cassidy’s a part of everyone’s life.”

“That’s kind of sweet.”

“In an odd way, right?”

I laugh. “A little bit.”

Together, we head toward the firepit where Hattie and Echo are sitting along with a new girl who I’ve never met. Must be Hattie’s friend, Maggie.

“There she is,” Hattie says. “Maggie, meet Gabby. This is Ryland’s girlfriend, but we aren’t telling people outside of this inner circle because, get this, they work together and coach together.”

“Ooo, scandal, I love it,” Maggie says and then shakes my hand. “I’m Maggie. It’s really nice to meet you. I’m glad Ryland found someone. He’s a good guy.”

“A really good guy,” I say, glancing at Aubree, who smiles back at me.

“Okay, now that we’re all here. I think we need to start the evening with a celebratory?—”

“Maggie,” Hayes says, interrupting. “Brody’s looking for you.”

“Why?” Maggie asks and then turns to me. “Brody’s my man, and he’s very needy.”

“Something about his zipper. I didn’t ask,” Hayes says.

“Jesus,” Maggie grumbles, setting her drink down on the outer ring of the firepit. “Don’t start anything without me.”

“I thought men weren’t invited,” Echo says. “Yet Hayes, Brody, and Wyatt are here. What’s happening?”

“Aunt Hattie,” Mac’s little voice rings out as she comes charging toward Hattie and wraps her arms around Hattie’s legs. From the sliding glass door, I catch Ryland, hands in his pockets, looking all types of yummy.

“Mac, what are you doing here?”

“Uncle Dad said that Uncle Hayes had food for me.”

Uncle Dad, my freaking heart. I can’t take it.

Hattie smiles down at her niece. “Was Uncle Dad lazy and didn’t want to cook for you tonight?”

“Uh, can I just say the Uncle Dad thing is the cutest sentiment I’ve ever heard,” Echo says.

Same. It’s so freaking adorable.

“He said Uncle Hayes had hot dogs.”

“He does. Why don’t you go get one? Don’t forget to load up on the ketchup.”

Mac is about to take off when she scans the crowd and spots me. “Gabby.” She throws her arms around my legs as well, and I return the hug. The kid gives the best hugs. Each time we’ve had “playdates,” I’ve been given awesome goodnight hugs. They’re addictive. Like her uncle. “You’re here.”

“I am,” I say. “I heard there were hot dogs too, and I couldn’t pass it up.”

“Will you eat with me?” She tugs on my hand, and I start moving in that direction when Ryland calls out to her.

“Mac, grab Aubree too. Uncle Wyatt has a question for her.”

“Dear God in heaven,” Hattie says in frustration, making me chuckle. “This is why men were not invited. They clearly can’t function without us.”

Aubree and I head toward the house just as the lights go out, pitching the backyard into darkness.

“What on earth,” Hattie calls out. “Hayes, the lights?—”

The firepit goes out as well, leaving the sunset across the ocean as the only light, casting an orange pink glow around the backyard.

“What’s happening?” I ask Ryland as he keeps his eyes on Hattie.

He nods toward Hattie, and I turn around where I see Hayes playing a guitar and walking toward Hattie, looking like a god with a guitar in hand. Echo moves away, holding her phone up. I assume she is recording the whole thing as Hattie turns to find Hayes walking toward her. Immediately, her hands go up to her mouth as he sings his new single, Electric Sunshine.

We’re joined by Maggie and Wyatt, and together, we all watch as Hayes plays to Hattie, sitting down on the bench together that’s in front of the fireplace. When he’s done, he spins his guitar to his back and then takes a knee in front of Hattie. I can hear her crying from here as my heart hammers out of my chest, watching this perfectly executed moment.

Hayes speaks softly to Hattie, holding her hand, and after a sob escapes her, she nods. Hayes scoops her up and kisses her senseless. Echo and Maggie take pictures. Ryland, Brody, Wyatt, and I all cheer while Mac runs up to them and hugs them.

“Oh my God, did you know this was happening?” I ask Ryland.

He nods. “I was sworn to secrecy. He had it planned this entire time. He was going to go more elaborate but then said he wanted to do it in the same place where he fell for her, during sunset.”

“It was beautiful.”

Hattie turns toward us and says, “We’re engaged . . . finally!”

We all laugh and walk up to the newly engaged couple to offer our congratulations. I let everyone move in first since I’m the newcomer and because I truly love watching Ryland interact with his family. The way he pulls Hattie into a great big bear hug, how he shakes Hayes’s hand but then pulls him into a hug, and how he lifts Mac up into his arms so she can high-five everyone.

It’s endearing.

And it just solidifies the feelings I have for this man.

He’s everything I’m looking for in a partner.

He’s kind, has a warm heart, and his family comes first.

He’s smart, loves baseball just as much as I do, and cares about the progress of the sport and those in it.

When it comes to me, he’s loving, protective, and he’s present, something Nathan never was.

“Come here,” Ryland says when he notices I’m standing outside the group. He unabashedly pulls me into his side and wraps his arm around my waist before placing a kiss on the top of my head.

Seriously shocked that he’s showing affection, I look up at him, and he just winks. And this exact reason is why I’m falling for this man. He keeps breaking his boundaries. He keeps growing. He keeps putting one foot in front of the other instead of regressing to his past.

He’s healthy.

He’s happy.

And he’s mine.

“They’re really cute together,” I say to Ryland as I watch Hattie curl into Hayes by the firepit.

Mac’s in the house with Wyatt, and they’re both watching some horse videos on Wyatt’s phone.

Brody and Maggie are snuggled together around the firepit, talking to Hattie and Hayes, laughing and joking, while Aubree’s helping Echo clean up after dinner. I offered, but she shooed me away and told me to go sit with Ryland.

She didn’t have to tell me twice. So now we’re on a large lounge chair together, his arm around me, my head resting against his chest.

“I didn’t think so at first,” he says softly. “Hell, I fucking hated it. But he showed me that he could take care of my sister, probably better than even myself.”

“It looks like it. What about Wyatt? Did you like him?”

“Well, Wyatt, in a way, is our brother-in-law, sort of. His brother was Cassidy’s husband, so I already knew Wyatt and when he came around, I was more than happy to have him here, that was until I found out what he was doing.”

“What was he doing?”

Ryland chuckles. “Hell, when I tell you, it’s going to sound like it’s straight out of a book, but I swear it happened.”

“Ooo, now I’m intrigued. Tell me.”

He tugs on a strand of my hair and twirls it as he talks to me. “Where do I even start, uh . . . well, he owned part of the farmland but didn’t want it. He wanted a cabin that his grandpa was leaving the first grandchild who married. He was left at the altar, and well, desperate to inherit the cabin before his cousin, he came to Aubree with an agreement. How did he put it . . .” Ryland pauses for a second, then I feel the rumble of his laughter come out as he says, “Her hand for his land.”

“What?” I ask. “A marriage of convenience. That’s their love story?”

“Yup. And because Aubree wanted full control over the farm and didn’t care about being in a relationship, she was okay with it. Of course she didn’t tell any of us because we would have had a fucking fit, but as they moved through their agreement, they fell in love and then just stayed married.”

“That’s crazy. Yeah, I feel like without the warning, I wouldn’t have believed you.”

“I’m happy they fell for each other, though, because Aubree needed that love. She was the one I was worried about.”

“Why?”

“She was the one who was kind of . . . left behind. Cassidy spent a lot of time focusing on Hattie because she’s much younger than us, and I was the one dealing with our dad. Aubree could have used the attention because she was still young, but not as young as Hattie. You’re talking about siblings taking care of siblings, so Cassidy’s attention could only go so far. As we got older, I could see how jaded Aubree was becoming, and I hated that. I wanted her to find someone who could make her happy and take away her demons. She found that in Wyatt.”

I turn toward Ryland and look him in the eyes. “You’re such a good big brother, being able to see what everyone needs like that, you’re very in tune with your family. I love that about you.”

“Yeah? What else do you love?” he asks playfully.

“Hmm, well, I love that you take care of Mac so well, that even though she’s your niece, you treat her like a daughter, and I love that she’s calling you Uncle Dad.”

“Yeah . . . it’s, uh.” His jaw ticks. “That was surprising, but I love it.”

“And I love that you care about your players but that you won’t let them get away with not trying, not hustling. That you instill in them how hard work can take you places.”

“Without hard work, you and I wouldn’t be where we are today.”

“Very true. And I love how you are so tender with me. I know that’s sort of a weird thing to say, but I’ve never had the best track record with men, yet you make me feel seen and special.”

“Because you are special.” His hand moves up to the back of my head, and he moves me closer until our mouths lock. And for a moment, I forget about where we are, who’s around us, and the proposal that happened earlier. Instead, I get lost in his mouth.

I get lost in his touch.

I get lost in this man who I can’t seem to shake.

That I don’t want to shake.

No, I want to stay glued to him. I want to remain in his life for as long as he will let me because as his mouth parts and our tongues meet, I know for certain my feelings for him grow so much further past like, past lust.

The feelings I have for him are love, and I’m not afraid to admit that to myself despite never thinking I’d ever love someone after Nathan.

But here I am, chest open, heart out, ready to be stolen by this man.

Now, I just need to wait. I need to wait and make sure that my feelings match his. Until then, I will foster this relationship and do everything in my power to make sure Ryland knows that even though he’s the protector, someone else can protect him.

Protect him and love him.