Page 119 of The Longshot

Delaney shakes her head playfully. “Well, it’s out now.”

“That it is.” Warren looks up and in our direction “So what do you say, Gary? Are you ready to meet him?”

Gary nods faintly—he’s so shy, nervous, but so happy at the same time when he accepts the baby into his grasp.

“I take it that that look on your face means you’ll happily accept the job?” Delaney cheeks inflate as Warren rubs his hand along her inner thigh, the two gazing at the way Gary tenderly allows the baby to squeeze onto his finger.

It’s downright precious.

“Of course, I’ll take the job,” he tells them, eyes full of joy. “You know I won’t let you both down.”

“We know.” Warren smiles with a nod. “We know.”

There’s a peaceful silence until eventually I can no longer hold back, desperate to know the final secret. “What’s uh… his name?” I nestle in closer to Gary to get a better look of the infant's face.

He’s so much like Delaney with his button nose and rounded cheeks, yet, when he opens his blue eyes ever so softly, that's when I see Warren.

He’s perfect.

He’s adorable.

He’s…

“Named Matty,” Warren announces as he looks over at Delaney with a tender smile. “Well, Matthew, legally, but Delaney likes Matty, and I like to stay out of trouble, so Matty, it is.”

Delaney nudges him playfully. “Stop, you like it. Besides, the name Matty reminds me of my Gramps. Matty was his nickname growing up—short for Matthews. So, it only felt right. I just know he would’ve loved to meet him...”

Warren kisses her cheek as they settle in together.

“I love it,” I chime in. “It suits him perfectly.”

“I’m so happy for you two,” Gary tells both Delaney and Warren before peering over at me. His eyes remind me that we’re one—we’ll always be one. “We both are.”

“You’re happy for us? We’re happy for you!” Delaney leans forward, nudging my knee as she stares between us. “Warren and I knew you’d land someone special, Wilks.” She winks over at me before looking back at Warren. “Didn’t we, babe?”

“We sure did,” Warren agrees, with a faint nod, and tender smile. “We sure did.”

For a little while, we stay together basking in what I believe is called ‘baby bliss’ until a knock comes through the front door, bringing Warren to his feet.

“That must be everyone else.” He grazes Delaney’s shoulder. “I’m going to go answer it.”

She nods in agreement, and before we know it, within the span of the next thirty minutes, the house is filled with Crawfield players, friends and extended family. I didn’t know it was possible to have so much love in one room.

Now, I’m left admiring Gary from afar as he chats amongst his teammates, leaning my head against the doorframe as I can’t help but hide the smile on my lips, one that a familiar voice picks up on.

“So, I take it that you two figured things out.” The voice is none other than Hazel Collins, the girl I sat beside during my very first Crawfield game. Her remark is a reminder of what I initially said when she once grilled me about mine and Gary’s relationship status.

I laugh with a playful roll of my eyes. “We figured things out alright,” I joke, as Gary winks in my direction. “That’s for sure.”

“Oh, I love a good happy ending.” Hazel squeals in excitement, joining me in mutually staring over at the players, though her eyes are analyzing Green as he and Gary fall deep into conversation.

“What about you two, huh?” I ask, honing in on her stare and nudging her softly. “Still ‘just friends’?” I probe with a confident brow—I’ve learned that from Gary.

Hazel’s cheeks go bright red. “Yes. Green and I are still just friends. That’s all we’ll ever be.”

“I see.” I accept her answer outwardly, but refuse to let it go internally. It’s only a matter of time for them.

I just know it.

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