Chapter Fifty-Three

Aiden

D om: Hey, man, cool pic. Hopper is obviously the star, but you and Bec look nice too.

Aiden: Thanks, I guess?

Dylan: Yeah, really cool. But what does this mean?

Aiden: What the fuck are you talking about?

Jake: What’s going on with you and Bec? Last we hear, you’re botching a weekend getaway, now you’re taking your relationship public?

Chris: Is it a botched getaway when they left with official boyfriend/girlfriend status?

Jake: Babe, be on my side.

Chris: I’m always on your side. I’m literally sitting right next to you. But clearly that weekend was a win, and Aiden’s got the photos from yesterday’s game to prove it.

Dylan: Okay, but Jake has a point. How serious are you two?

Aiden: Do we have to do this?

Dom: Yes, we’re doing this. You get to ignore the media’s questions but not ours. Do you love her? If you love her and hurt her, Ellie is going to kill you .

Aiden: Why does everyone assume I’m going to fuck this up?

Dom: I swear I don’t think that, but have you seen Ellie mad? You don’t want to, I promise.

Aiden: I think I can handle it. Besides, it won’t come to that.

Dom: Godspeed, man.

* * *

Another few away games combined with Bec’s work schedule has left us without any real time to talk. A string of texts is all we’ve been able to fit in for the last few days. I don’t regret having Bec join Hopper and me on the field at the game. In fact, having her there with me felt right. It was the first time I didn’t hesitate to let the world see a piece of my life outside of baseball. I wanted everyone to see how happy I am and the person responsible for that happiness. But now, I’m worried about what all the media attention has made Bec think. I’ve had to convince her not to overthink the slow steps we’ve made forward in our relationship, and I don’t want her to worry about what this all means.

While I drive to her place to see her and Hopper, I stress over what a few days could have done to her inner monologue. I hope she doesn’t shut me out or shy away from what this is.

Maybe I’m just projecting, because I can’t seem to face it either.

When I walk into Bec’s apartment with the key she gave me, all of my worries are drowned out by the sound of her belting out what I’m pretty sure is an old My Chemical Romance song at the top of her lungs. Smiling to myself, I look around the corner into her kitchen to spot her facing away from me, singing into her wooden spoon microphone and dancing for a very entertained yellow lab.

I lean against the fridge, watching as she leans forward, bent at the waist, her arm thrown back behind her. She passionately sings along to the song word-for-fucking-word until it ends.

I break the silence with a slow clap for what might be considered the performance of the year.

She turns around suddenly, out of breath. Just when I think she’ll act shy and embarrassed, she surprises me, running toward me, jumping into my arms and wrapping herself around me.

“You’re back,” she exclaims, clinging to me, out of breath from her production.

The weight of worry I was carrying around expecting her to be ruminating over our relationship status and the media’s attention on her falls away immediately. Bec doesn’t care about any of that. She just cares about me. And the thought warms my entire chest. I pull her in close and kiss her forehead.

“I’m back, beautiful. And you have some explaining to do,” I say, smacking her ass then pulling her tighter against me. God, I’ve missed her body. I’ve missed her . “Since when did you become a rock star?”

“I’ve always been one,” she says smugly. “Twenty-first century emo music is supremely underrated if you ask me. But my concerts are limited to my kitchen, my car, and my shower.”

“Where do I buy my ticket? I’m especially interested in the shower venue,” I say, turning to press her back against the wall so I can kiss and suck on her neck.

She hums, leaning her head to the side to give me better access. “We might be able to work something out.”

I pull away and look down at her. Everything I’ve ever wanted is right here in my arms, and all I can feel is gratitude. I don’t think Bec has any idea how happy she’s made me. But I’m going to do everything I can to show her.