Page 148 of Endgame

Dakota’s eyes shoot up once she realizes what I’m doing.

There is no doubt the camera crew is catching every second of this.

She yell whispers at me while pointing back to the field.

“Callaway, what are you doing? Get back out there.”

Adorable, but no can do. I’ve never needed anything for luck on the mound, choosing to take what the game brings me, but today, the need for one of my favorite things pulses through my veins.

Stopping directly in front of Dakota, all eyes in the stadium dial in on my every move, but I’m starving for a taste. Leaning forward, my head lines up in front of Dakota’s as I reach behind her where my bag is and grab a vanilla creme Milano cookie.

“Delicious.”

I’m moaning at an ungodly decibel as I take a bite and stare into the most hypnotizing hazel eyes I’ve ever seen.

“Hi, baby. Needed a pick-me-up to get me through it. King, hands off my girl, would ya?” I seal my exit with a chaste kiss on her rosy lips, sending the crowd into chaos as I run back to take my place on the mound.

Signaling to the umpire, I’m ready to go, he shouts to resume, “Play ball.”

“Atlanta Boys,I can’t hear you!”

“Ow Ow Ow, we right here!”

Howling pulsates from the team's energy, firing us up from our home game win.

No, I’m sorry,domination.

It looks like that Milano cookie did me some good, just like the beautiful brunette who flipped my world upside down for the better.

If only I can convince her to take my last name.

Kingston is squaring up for his hype moment.

The stands have emptied, leaving the team and staff members gathered at the first baseline to celebrate. It doesn’t get any better than this. The saying offriends like familyis truer for me than ever before. We are a unit; we work hard and play hard together.

The guys are jumping and rallying around each other. Hell, even Coach Leggins is in on the boost.

Kingston makes his way to the dugout sound system, connects his phone, and lets out a freakishly loud roar as “No Hands” by Waka Flocka Flame blasts through the stadium's speakers. The best part of this tradition is that we never know which song he will select. Sometimes it’s fucking Shakira, but we still find a way to have a jam-up time.

“No Hands” is an anthem to our team, and it always hits for every person here with the instant head bobbing and screaming of lyrics giving it away.

These people are my family.

“What’s everyone waiting on?” That came from Tenley. It looks like she’s sitting her social media role down for a minute to get in on the team action. The moment she surprises us all by stripping off her tank top, leaving her in nothing but a lacey pink bra and her jean shorts, my eyes find Dakota, cutting her a dead look.

“Don’t even think about it.” She’s giggling before running out onto the field, fully clothed, thank fuck for that.

A groan behind me steals my attention, “Ughhhh, holy shit, that pink lace. She’s got my balls by the throat, dude. I gotta have her.” Gus declares, growling like a man obsessed, leaving me laughing as he sprints off, likely with plans to harass Tenley.

He’s whipped, and he doesn’t even see it.

Too busy observing the team, I now realize I’m the only one still in the dugout.

“Get your ass out here, big brother!” Navy shouts across the field.

My favorite people are dirty dancing the bases and dry humping the bags like they're in a conga line. If this is what it feels like to live a fulfilled life, I’ll never live a day where I want for anything. I never could have imagined this being my life after years of struggling to find love from one person who would choose me.

My eyes find Dakota riding on top of Kingston’s shoulders, lassoing his shirt like a rowdy cowgirl, and a giant smile clings to my face. She has no idea how she has shaped me into a better man. I feel confident in my ability to love her without reservation, be a father to our children one day, and not let my early upbringing determine my steps.

---