Page 160 of Off Pitch

And we’ll probably be a bit too busy to respond to anything else

Cole

Gahhh

I’m out of here

The bat cracks as Josh connects with the ball, hitting a solo home run past center field. We’re in the bottom of the eighth, and while Damian Anderson gave up three runs before he was pulled in the seventh, the Stars are still in the lead, currently winning 5-3.

Ayala pops out after Josh’s home run, ending the eighth inning. Chris Rockman takes the mound now, looking to get the save against the Kansas Huskers.

And he starts off strong, striking out the first two batters. Batter number three hits a line drive into center field and makes it safely to second base when Lane bobbles the ball as he goes to scoop it up.

Batter number four then connects on a fastball right down the middle, sending the ball flying into the right field wall. The runner on second speeds home, bringing the score up to 5-4.

Rockman looks a bit rattled now, but he still hasn’t blown the save. So, he gears up for a curveball, which he throws at the edge of the strike zone.

But it wasn’t enough. The batter sent the ball over the wall in right field, and with a two-run home run, the Huskers now lead 6-5.

Rockman does strike out the final batter he faces, but the atmosphere in the dugout after is bleak. The home team never wants to play in the bottom of the ninth because that means you aren’t in the lead. Now, the pressure is on to tie the game or pull ahead.

And when we go three up, three down, the win goes to the Huskers.

I’m not as upset as you’d expect, though.

I don’t think anything can dash my happiness right now.

And that’s all because of the blonde-haired, blue-eyed bombshell sinking into her seat after our loss. As the guys start to make their way out of the dugout to the clubhouse, I jog over to Harlow instead.

Now, standing in front of her, I say, “Prettiest fan here.”

Harlow opens her eyes now, and she smiles at me. “You guys just lost, and you’re over here to tell me I’m pretty?”

“Get used to it,” I reply, leaning closer and wrapping my arms around her waist. “We’re only just getting started. I’m going to remind you every day how goddamn stunning you are.”

She blushes as she grasps my jersey, bringing her face to my chest. “You’re way too happy right now, Knox.”

“Funny how things change, isn’t it?” I press a kiss to her temple. “But you can’t win them all anyway.”

“Shouldn’t you want to win more, though?”

“I’ve got you, Harlow.I’ve already won.”

She quickly turns to face me, her lips pressing into mine with so much affection—enough for me to drown out everyone around us, soaking her in as if it were just us.

This season has been so unexpected for me.

I started out as Fort Knox, the man with a poor reputation who refused to let anybody in.

And now, as we approach the end of the regular season, I’m just Knox, the man who can’t stop smiling and has found the most incredible woman.

Once again, I owe everything to Simon. My future would be dark and lonely without him setting up this arrangement with Harlow.

Now, I want things I never thought I would.

I want love.

I want marriage.

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