Page 63

“It was always like…”

This pause stretches longer than the previous ones.

When it doesn’t seem like Shane will continue, I slide my hand over the center console. I’d like to snatch his fingers off the steering wheel but don’t want to force him.

His hand squeezes the wheel four times before—hesitantly—it comes to rest beside mine. My heart contorts as our pinkies brush, as if Shane’s not sure if it’s okay to take my proffered hand. Even though I want to gather his fingers and hug them to my chest, I force myself to gently slide my hand into his and wait.

A swallow works his throat before he intertwines our fingers. My heartbeat suddenly feels like it originates from the center of my palm.

“It seemed like I was the odd one out, like the hospital mixed me up at birth or something. There was Dad and his good little soldiers, and I… It never felt like I fit in hockey, like my pads were always a size too small. I wasn’t as naturally agile on skates as my brothers were. There were aspects of the game I didn’t like too, but none of that mattered.”

“I worked twice as hard to prove to everyone I belonged, knowing I didn’t. I followed every order and did every workout. Afterward, I kept training. I taught myself to be a machine. Then, one summer, Dad and I had it out over—” He blows out a breath. “I don’t even remember. He was always yelling at us about something, nitpicking every move. We were never good enough. Even though I had practice that afternoon, I texted Bryce that I was going to skip it.”

“That was the friend you told me about?”

He nods.

“Bryce missed practice with me, and we ended up meeting some of his friends for a pickup baseball game. It wasn’t exactly a casual game since the rest of Bryce’s friend group played travel ball. I got up to the plate that first time, having absolutely no idea what I was doing, and knocked it out of the park. Then, I did it again. By my third at-bat, the pitcher walked me to a chorus of boos.”

Shane smiles, soft and tender, and warmth ribbons through my ribs.

“Afterward, we went to get pizza like normal teenagers, something Dad wouldn’t have allowed because of the”—his voice takes on a mock-stern tone—“high fat and insufficient protein content.”

Shane shakes his head.

“The rest snowballed. The guys told their coach. He sought me out. Without telling my dad, I guest-played a game, borrowing gear. It felt like I’d been walking against gale-force winds my whole life, then suddenly, everything was calm. Baseball felt like breathing. It still does. Going against my father was tough, but it was also the easiest choice I’ve ever made. When everything else fails me, baseball is always there.”

I want to simultaneously hug Shane and beat up his brothers, bake him four pizzas, and force him to do a series of ‘I am worthy’ affirmations. My brain swirls like a chaotic hornets’ nest caught in a tornado, until I blurt, “I want to see you play.”

Shane immediately shuts down.

There’s no better way to describe it. His shoulders and jaw tighten, and his hand flexes as he tries to pull away. All the softness is replaced by armored walls slamming into place.

I want to whine at the swift change in Shane’s demeanor, but I tighten my grip on his fingers instead.

“It’d be good for me to make an appearance at Waves Stadium. If you want your family to think I’m your loving wife, I’d be at your games.”

At this point, I’m burning a hole in the side of his face with how closely I’m watching each micro-expression.

“Plus, you wanted the media to see you as less murdery.” I give him my cheesiest grin. “If they see us together, you’ll be a ray of freaking sunshine by proxy.”

Shane glances at me, obviously fighting a smile. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to see a lip twitch.

“You’re incredibly capable, Willow, but that’s pushing it.”

“Oh, you did not just do that,” I say, raising my brows.

“Do what?”

“Challenge me to sparkle at my brightest setting. Because I don’t think your retinas can handle it, my friend.”

Shane chuckles, and it makes my entire week.

“I’ll call Carter so he can arrange a press release announcing our marriage, and I’ll have a ticket set aside for you at will call for tomorrow’s game.”

“Would it be possible to have four tickets? I know Delilah and Adam would love to come too. They can tell me what’s going on so I’m not lost the whole time. And if I do get lost, Piper and I can finally settle our ongoing debate over who’s the best Disney princess.”

That lip twitches again. “Four tickets it is.”