23. Urban

CHAPTER 23

URBAN

S ince Everly had come to my apartment and told me she loved me, we hadn't spent a night apart. After this week, her schedule changed, and I hoped she'd be at every game, too. Realistically, that might not have been possible and I was fine with it. But I fucking loved to see her smiling face in the stands.

When I'd told Mom that I'd stay in Kalamazoo for the right price at the end of the season and she should start opening up her wallet, she'd insisted on meeting Everly officially. That quick nothing at the hospital hadn't been good enough. It was like she knew that Everly was the reason I wanted to stay. I did want to stay for her but she was only part of the reason. Being here made me realize that I had a unique opportunity to play with my brothers. I probably shouldn't let that pass by because it wasn't going to last forever.

Grandpa was doing better. Or as better as he could have been. He was in a rehab facility trying to get stronger. Everly and I visited him that Friday and he fucking hated that place. Loved Everly. Grandpa gave me a thumbs-up when I was leaving.

But now, it was Sunday. We'd played a day game and won. Next up, dinner with my family.

Everly had put on a strapless summer dress that and hung to her mid-thigh. It was all I could do not to pull over and yank that top down while pushing her onto my cock. The woman made me feral.

The rest of my family was already at my parents' house when we arrived. I'd told Everly to pack a bathing suit because we'd likely end up in the pool. We normally did. And actually, Cobb was still missing, so I guessed not all of my family was there.

Actually, I hadn't talked to Cobb in a couple of weeks, now that I thought about it.

"This is where you grew up?" Everly asked as I pulled her through the house. It was a summer night. We'd definitely be eating outside.

"Yup. "

"This place is insane." The sound of awe in her voice was something I was used to. Most people were in awe of this house. It wasn't my taste but it was a beautiful place to grow up. Especially the back yard. I was huge and almost looked like some tropical paradise in the summer.

I stopped right before going through the French doors that would lead outside. "In more ways than one," I told her, but I wasn't going to elaborate. Not tonight. She'd learn how crazy my family was all in good time.

"You're here!" Mom was the first person we came to. She had been standing near the grill where their personal chef was preparing barbeque chicken and steak. Mom hugged me then stepped back. "Everly, it's so nice to see you again. And this time, under better circumstances."

"It's nice to see you, too, Mrs. Briggs."

"Call me AnnMarie," Mom said, then she pulled Everly over to meet Dad.

I stood tall behind Everly with my hand on her shoulder, ready to yank her out of the way if Dad said anything out of line.

"Conrad, this is Everly." Mom did the introduction, which I thought was for the best. Dad didn't push her the way he pushed the rest of us. And hell, he probably wouldn't even remember seeing her at the hospital.

After greeting her, Dad said, "Is she why you'll stay?"

"Most of the reason, yeah."

His dark eyes leveled on mine as we stood there in a mini stare-down. Then he nodded once and walked away.

"Well, he's learning," Mom told me. "What can I say?"

That had gone better than expected, but it was going to take time to repair my relationship with him. If he even wanted that and it was possible.

Once meeting the parents was done with, Everly and I headed over to where my brothers and the other women were sitting and talking. We took a seat at the long table.

"Anyone talk to Cobb recently?" I asked over their chatter.

Brooks furrowed his brows. "No, actually."

"He didn't play on his last start," Jenner told us.

" What ?" I asked.

Everly leaned into me and whispered, "What does that mean?"

"He's a pitcher, so he starts every five games. He didn't start in the last game that he was supposed to."

She furrowed her brows. "Is that weird?"

"Yeah." I ran my hand down her back. "It's really fucking weird."

"Mom," Brooks called out, which made her come over. "Have you talked to Cobb? None of us have in a while. I checked my phone and I've called. He just hasn't answered."

"I have." She had that look that told all of us there was something she wasn't saying. "He's all right. No need to worry." Yet everything about her said there was a reason to worry.

"Was he hurt?" I asked because that happened in baseball, though I was almost sure I would've seen it on one of the sports shows. We'd all always watched as many of each other's games as we could but with our schedules, it was difficult.

"No." Yet she was being secretive. We all gave her a hard look until she sighed. "He's having a little problem. No need to worry. We'll talk about this later."

Later.

That wasn't the normal way our family handled things. It couldn't have been because Everly and Amity were there because Mom would know anything she told us would go back to them, anyway. Silas and Amity were end game and if I had my way, Everly and I would be too.

It was more likely that she just wanted to get through this dinner without having to deal with it.

The group of us dove into dinner, which was delicious as always, and then dove into the pool. That whole wait thirty minutes after eating thing was an old wives' tale, I said. Plus, we weren't exactly breaking Olympic records here.

Watching Everly have a good time with my family made me even more sure about her.

I pulled her over to the side and wrapped my arms around her waist. "I love you, Everly Rose."

A great smile spread across her face. "That's a good thing," she said. "Because I love you more than I should."

Bullshit. She should've loved me as much as she could. There was no too much when it came to us.

Because I didn't think I could love her any more than I already did.