Page 119 of Force Play

There’s so much love in his honey eyes when he looks at me.

“With every breath I take from this day forward, I choose you: as my wife, my lover, and my hiking partner.”

I’m not a crier, but there is no holding back the tears that spill over my lashes. Sniffling, I let them fall, focusing only on the man in front of me. The one my heart beats for.

“Dominic Duran.”

“Um . . . you know that’s not my name, right?”

“I think I know my soon to be husband’s name.” I wink at him.

“Dom, no one’s ever understood me to the depths you do. Since the moment we met, you’ve had the ability to read me. It’s impressive and terrifying, much like your tenacity. Standing here with you today I’m filled with immeasurable gratitude and joy, all because you refused to give up on us.”

Emotion wells up inside me, making my voice crack as I start. “I welcome your vows and accept them into my heart. Embracing not only your promises but every facet of who you are. Your optimism, loyalty, and kind heart won me over despite my best efforts to resist your charms. I vow to treasure the person you are now and always. The same way you do for me.”

Dom squeezes my hands reassuringly, and I continue.

“I can’t tell you what the future holds, but there is no one else I’d rather face it with, bad jokes and all. Inevitably, there will be times where life isn’t perfect, but with you as my husband and partner, it’ll be as dynamic and extraordinary as you are.”

His eyes are misty now as the Justice of Peace begins his part.

“Dom, as you place this ring on Indie’s finger, may it be a symbol of your enduring commitment and a reminder of the love and partnership you share. Let this ring serve as a daily affirmation of the promises you have made to each other, and may it be a constant reminder of the bond you are creating today.”

He repeats the same sentiment when it’s my turn to slide the simple golden band onto Dom’s finger. On the other side of her son, Kelly sniffles. When the Justice of Peace announces us as husband and wife and our kiss plays back, I join Kelly, my own tears landing on Dom’s shirt.

Damn, hormones.

“Thank you for sharing that with us,” Kelly says, pulling both Dom and I into a hug when we stand to finish breakfast. “It was a beautiful ceremony.”

After we finish eating, the girls take Ronnie for a walk as I get to know my new in-laws. It’s surreal. The morning flies by and before we know what’s happening, it’s time to say goodbye so they can catch their flight home.

Chapter 43

Dom

“Slugger,” Montana calls out, holding his hand up for a high-five.

He’s not the only one that thinks he’s funny. Braxton Hayes puts his fists up and pretends to dodge punches as I pass. The team plane is a minefield of questions and snarky remarks from my teammates as I walk down the aisle to find my seat.

Once I make it past the rookies, who are relegated to the front where management and the coaching staff sit, the chatter dies down. The middle of the plane is much more subdued, maybe even a little peeved. I haven’t seen the guys since after the game and our texts have been limited as I waited to learn my fate, spent time with my family, and met with Indie’s surgical team.

My best friend stands, holding out his hand for a hand for fist bump. “I’m glad you’re here even if you can’t play in the first game. Now sit down and tell us what the fuck is going on.”

“Such a warm welcome. How could I not?” I’m forty percent joking. Coming from Dean, it’s practically a love poem.

Indie told me I could fill the guys in as long as they let her tell the girls, which she’s doing today. I rub the gold ring on my finger. Across from me, Xavier’s eyes drop, tracking the movement. Catchers don’t miss a thing.

“You’re really fucking married?” He laughs, like he can’t wrap his head around it.

“Yep.”

“Congratulations,” Cruz says, earnestly holding out his hand for me to shake.

“Thanks. Listen, I know you guys have questions. You’re all basically foaming at the mouth for the gossip and while I applaud you for keeping it together for this long, you need to keep this to yourself at least until after the game tonight when Indie has a chance to talk to the girls.”

“Oh shit, I was mostly kidding about you knocking her up,” Hendrix says.

My jaw clicks with irritation. I’ve probably done the same thing a hundred times, but until you’re the one going through something like this, you don’t realize the impact those kinds of comments can have.

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