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Ryker’s deep laughter rumbles against my chest, making my own spill out of me.
“And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Epilogue
Ryker
3 months later
My knee bounces anxiously on my mother’s couch, my hand gripping Camille’s thigh to keep me grounded. The MLB draft starts today, and while I know the Detroit Panthers will be selecting me as their first-round draft pick, it does nothing to erase my nerves.
I was excited as hell to begin my career in major league baseball, don’t get me wrong, but there was something to be said about the difference between knowing your dream is going to happen and it actually happening.
What if I don’t live up to the demands? What if I choke on my first year?
While getting signed was the first step, performing was the next. I had a long road ahead of me of hard work to make my dream happen.
“Hey,” a soft voice muses from beside me, drawing my focus to her.
My wife.
Fuck, those words never get old.
“What’s wrong?” she prods, resting her hand on my bouncing knee, easing the action.
I inhale deeply, the smell of my mom’s infamous popcorn wafting in the air, then exhale. “I’m so fucking happy this is happening…but also terrified. It’s a big change. What if I’m not ready for it?” I voice my innermost thoughts, something that’s come easier and easier since falling in love with her.
Camille pulls my face to look at her, making my heart lurch forward at the sight of her. “That’s okay, completely normal to feel that way. You think you’re the only guy in this draft scared shitless? Behind all these smiles and success stories, you can bet that each one is worried,” she reassures me with her bright smile. “Besides, you’ll always have me cheering you on no matter what.”
That right there is exactly what I needed to hear to soothe the incessant worries in my mind. It was the same thing she whispered to me during our championship game this year, when our team was down by one, and I was up to bat in the bottom of the last inning. We ended up winning the title, bringing a trophy home to RLU.
My lips press chastely against hers, our foreheads touching as I whisper, “Thank you, baby.”
What she doesn’t know is that drafting isn’t the only thing contributing to my nerves. I finally got her the ring she deserves, and I plan to give it to her once this is all said and done. We may already be married, but fuck, I hope she likes this ring.
It was custom-made, a round diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds in the shape of petals, mirroring a flower. She loves flowers so much that I thought this would be perfect for her.
My mom returns to the couch and sets two bowls of popcorn on the coffee table in front of us. “I cannot believe it, Bear. You’re about to be drafted into the MLB.” Her voice shakes with emotion.
“Please don’t cry, Mom,” I urge her, not needing to add this to my emotional wheelhouse today.
“I know. I’m incredibly proud of you, that’s all.” She smiles, her words filling me with warmth. My mom shifts her focus to Camille, handing her a bowl of popcorn. “Ryker told me you like it hot, so I made this one extra spicy.”
“Thank you so much,” she says appreciatively.
We settle in with our snacks, watching as the commentators begin the 2024 MLB draft. The commissioner of the MLB steps up to the podium, calm as ever as he leans against the wood, staring right into the camera. He doesn’t bother to read the paper on top of the podium or give a mini-speech before he gets to business. He is a waste no time kind of man, and it shows.
“The Detroit Panthers, with the first pick in the first round of the 2024 MLB draft select… Ryker Lewis, from Rock Land University, Colorado.”
My mom jumps off the couch, shouting and clapping. Camille stands and attempts to pull me off the couch, so I let her. They both pull me into a hug, shouting their congratulations into my ears, and wrap me in their love.
To think I never wanted anything to do with love. Funny how things change.
My mom is the first to let go, knowing what I plan to do next.
Camille wraps her arms around my neck, crying into it. “I’m so happy for you, Ry. I can’t wait to start our lives together in Detroit. After we watch Aurora crush it at the Olympics next week, that is.”
I untangle myself from her, noting the confusion in her eyes as I drop down to one knee for the second time.
