Chapter 39

Liam

I feel so much lighter with my heart"s true desires, true passion out in the open. I know I'll have to tell the rest of my family later about the epiphany I had but knowing Emi will be there and that she supports me takes the weight off. Heading into the locker room, I channel the newfound energy from Emi telling me she loves me, ready to pour that into my captain"s speech.

"There you are." Coach looks me up and down as I enter the room, the team already gathered.

"Sorry Coach. Just needed to get my thoughts together." He nods, gesturing for me to take the floor.

"We're all here because of our passion," I start, it seems the most fitting. "Whether you want baseball to be your career or your hobby, I have seen you all commit yourselves to this team wholeheartedly. Thank you for that. For helping each other out, for being determined to make this a great season. Now let's go win this game."

A chorus of chants and ‘Go Bears' erupts from the team, even Coach has a slight smile on his face watching the scene unfold. The energy in the room is palpable, continuing as we head through the tunnel to the dug out and onto the field.

I take my place at first, stretching out my arms and scanning the crowd until my eyes lock on ones that look like the ocean. The blue of my jersey amplifying their color and making her strawberry hair stand out. She looks like a dream standing there, cheering for me with my family. Emi blows me a kiss, holding out her hands to form a heart shape. A big grin sprawls across my face. I love this girl. I stare at her a second longer, throwing a wink in her direction before refocusing my attention on the field where the first batter moseys on up to home plate.

Our team, the Watertown University Bears is pretty evenly matched against our opponent, the Woodcrest University Tigers. The innings have been quick, the first three innings having three outs in a row with no one even getting on base. In the fourth inning we scored two runs which lit a fire under the Tigers who came back and scored three in the fifth.

It's the bottom of the ninth, the last inning, and the Tigers are winning seven to six. We need to get at least one run to drive this game into overtime but ideally we'll score two and bring home the win.

We have a man on second and a man on first, with two outs. Dylan's up at bat and is able to hit the ball to a perfect spot in the outfield were neither the center fielder or right fielder is able to catch it. He makes it to first, the other two guys each gaining a base.

With the bases loaded the fate of the game lays on my shoulders. My team is watching anxiously from the dugout, the guys on the bases are zoned in on me ready to make their next move. I feel the pressure, not because of my team or the scouts in the stands but because of my Emilia. I want to win this, for her.

As I take my place at home plate, scuffing up the dirt and feeling the weight of the bat in my hands, I sneak a quick glance to the stands. My eyes finding her instantly, Emi and my family all sit at the edge of their seats looking on nervously, but as soon as we lock eyes she relaxes, sending me a megawatt smile. That's it. That's what I'm doing it for. I zone back in, taking a centering breath and focusing on the pitcher. He throws his first pitch, almost a strike but not quite.

"Ball!" The umpire calls from behind me. I stay focused, my eye still on the pitcher trying to read his next move. He throws the ball again and this time it's coming straight down the middle. I time my swing just right and hear the bat crack against the ball, taking off running to first before I even know where it's gone.

I can hear the crowd pick up, cheering loudly as I'm about to make it to first. Looking to the outfield about where the ball would have gone I see it just fly over the gate, the right outfielder failing to stretch up enough and catch it. A home run.

As I make it to first I look over to where my family and Emilia are, they're all up on their feet cheering. My mom pulls Emi into a hug and a huge smile breaks onto my face. So thankful that my family makes Emilia feel like a part of them. Something I know she's been missing for so long.

When we get to the locker room Coach starts his usual post-game spiel. I nervously bounce on the balls of my feet, hoping it will be quick. "Great job tonight boys. We have things to work on and improve on throughout the season but for a team that's evenly matched with us, you guys did well. Thank you Liam for pulling through." The crowd cheers, "Thanks, Cap." and "Good job man". "Alright well it's already late so I'll let you go. I'll see you back here tomorrow for game two."

I rush to get my things from my locker, not bothering to shower or change, just ready to see my girlfriend and my family. As I'm trying to get out of the locker room some of the guys stop me to exchange "good games" and "congratulations". Finally, I'm able to make a break for it and head out to the stadium.

I pause taking in the scene in front of me, my family is standing at the entrance of the stadium, my mom and Dean are in conversation with Dylan's parents. Ryan, Eliza, Garrett and Emi are all chatting with each other, I hear Emi's sweet laugh which has my feet jogging over to her.

She sees me coming from where she's standing and she smiles, starting to walk towards me. Chucking my bag to the ground, I meet her where she is and pick her up, spinning her around. She lets out a small squeal followed by a fit of giggles, one of the many sounds she makes that I love. I keep holding her, her legs wrapped around my middle, our eyes level.

"Hi, baby."

"Liam, you were amazing. I loved watching you play. I'm so proud of you."

I swallow down the lump of emotion in my throat. Proud. My whole life I've been trying to make people proud, my mom always said she was proud of me but hearing it from her lips is much sweeter for some reason.

"I love you." I can't help myself, I have to say it every chance I get.

"I love you more." I place her feet back on the ground, placing a chaste kiss on her lips.

"Awww," Eliza gushes, "that's so freaking cute." My mom and Dean have joined her and the guys, everyone watching us like we're their favorite rom com. Even Garrett, whom I haven't known to particularly enjoy love, looks happy.