Page 112 of Force Play

Me:

I’m not sure.

Lilah:

He’s going to be okay.

Poppy:

Just let us know what you guys need.

Sitting through the rest of the game sucks, especially when the Roadrunners take the lead. On the bright side, Jensen strikes out in all his remaining at bats. So that feels like a tiny slice of karma.

“What’s going to happen now?” I ask, directing my attention to Nick, during the bottom of the ninth.

He presses his lips into a thin line, and I’m not sure he’s going to tell me.

“For christ’s sake, Nick, she’s not going to break. Answer her.”

Remorse flashes in his amber eyes, so much like his son’s. “You’re right, I’m sorry, Indie. It’s unlikely he’ll play in the next series. Depending on how the team does that means his season could be done. He’ll be fined, but he’s never had issues before, so that should be the end of it.”

Much like last night, the walk down to the family waiting area is daunting, even with Kelly’s reassurance that everything is going to be okay. But I don’t know how it could be, based on what Nick told me.

The normally packed waiting area is empty. We left our seats before the end of the ninth so we could get out of here if Dom was ready to go. Call me a coward, but I was hoping he’d be ready, so I didn’t have to face our friends. If his teammates have figured out that I’m the reason for his altercation with Jensen they aren’t going to be pleased with me. The last thing I want is to cause more drama tonight.

He doesn’t make us wait long. Everyone is just getting comfortable in the leather chairs when he steps out of the locker room—his eyes on the floor and his jaw tight. I stand to go to him, but his mom holds me back. “Give Nick a second and then he’s all yours. Trust me.”

Nick puts his hand on his son’s shoulder and bows his head. They keep their voices low, but it’s mostly Nick talking and Dom shaking his head. “I think your girl needs you,” Nick says, and Dom finds me over his shoulder, looking remorseful.

His family hangs back, and I go to him. “I’m so sorry, Dom,” I say, the words rushing out of me, choppy and weak. “This is all my fault. If I hadn’t—”

“No,” he starts, but I’m on a roll. My arms wrap around myself protectively.

“They’re going to suspend you—you’re going to miss out on the postseason. How can you even look at me?”

“Indie, Baby, stop” His voice is soft, calm, so damn full of affection. He pulls me to him gently cupping the back of my neck until we are forehead to forehead. I can’t help but to lean into him even if it’s the worst thing for him, like my body knows how thoroughly he owns me. A pain like I’ve never felt crackles through my whole body, he could break my heart right now and I’d never recover. Even with the deep ache in my soul, I wouldn’t change a thing. Loving Dom is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

“It’s okay, Dom. You deserve more—better. I’m sorry I put you in this situation.”

“Indie! Stop. Stop talking for a second. Stop apologizing. Please.” His lips cover my face in kisses. But his jaw is tight like he’s holding back. One shuddering breath later and there’s fire in his eyes when he pulls back to look at me. “You. Are. My. Wife. And I love you. Stop trying to give me an out. Stop blaming yourself for something you had no control over. Jensen disrespected you and I won’t hear anyone speak about my wife that way. Not today, not ever. They can fine me, bench me, fire me and I’ll still pick you every time.

There’s a chorus of gasps behind us, way more than just the three that were there a moment again.

“You love me?”

“Of course I love you. I married you, didn’t I?”

Tears roll down my face, but Dom won’t stand for that and his thumbs brush them away.

“You really love me.”

“I do, but so help me Indie if that jersey has my best friend’s name on it like it did last time…”

“You’ll do what?” I ask, stepping into him, matching the heat he’s putting off as his eyes rake over me.

His lips graze my ear. His voice is a warning, dangerously low, “Just because I told you I’m in love with you doesn’t mean I won’t turn that ass red for wearing someone else’s name.”

“Well, shit. Now I almost wish I would have borrowed a jersey instead of buying one of my own.”

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