Page 10 of Broad Shoulders

“Do you miss it?” I ask.

“Parts of it,” he says, his expression thoughtful. “The camaraderie, the competition. But not the constant travel or the pressure. It gets exhausting living out of suitcases, never having roots.”

As we talk, I find myself sharing stories I don’t often tell—about growing up surrounded by ocean and mountains, about my grandfather teaching me to swim. Jackson tells me about his rookie season, his first World Series, his parents.

Jackson shifts in his seat as he talks, the movement causing his arm muscles to flex beneath his t-shirt. Suddenly, I’m hit with a vivid memory from our time together a year ago—his powerfulbody moving over mine, his hands gripping my hips as he thrust inside me. I remember being pressed against the wet tile of his hotel shower, his chest hot against my back as he took me from behind. And the way he lifted me against the bathroom vanity, my legs wrapped around his waist as he drove into me again and again.

Heat floods my face and between my legs. I take a long sip of my smoothie, trying to cool down and regain my composure. The last thing I need right now is to be thinking about sex with Jackson while we’re sitting in a public café with our baby.

“You okay?” Jackson asks, noticing my sudden silence.

“Fine,” I say quickly. “Just remembered something I need to do later.”

Kai starts to fuss, saving me from further explanation. We finish our drinks, pack up our things, and head back toward the car. We’re about halfway there when the sky darkens dramatically.

“Is that…?” Jackson starts to ask.

Before he can finish, rain begins pouring down in sheets, a downpour appearing out of nowhere. We dash for cover under the broad leaves of the nearest tree, but we’re already soaked. Kai, startled by the sudden drenching, begins to cry.

“Poor little guy,” Jackson says, trying to shield him from the rain finding its way through the leaves.

I dig through the diaper bag for a dry blanket. “Here, we can wrap him in this.”

We huddle close together, both focused on soothing our dripping wet baby. Jackson gently wipes Kai’s face while I wrap the blanket snugly around him. Sandwiched between us, Kailooks up with wide, confused eyes, glancing from my face to Jackson’s and back again.

Then something magical happens. His crying stops abruptly, and his tiny face breaks into the biggest, gummiest smile I’ve ever seen him make—a full-face, eye-crinkling grin of pure delight.

Jackson and I both burst into laughter at the unexpected reaction.

“Look at that smile!” Jackson exclaims.

“I’ve never seen him smile like that before,” I say, my heart swelling.

Our eyes meet over Kai’s head, and something electric passes between us. Jackson’s gaze drops briefly to my lips, and my heart races. We’re standing so close I can see the water droplets clinging to his eyelashes, can feel the heat radiating from his body despite our wet clothes. I find myself leaning into him, drawn by a pull I can’t resist.

The moment pulses, brimming with possibility. I know I should back away, maintain the boundaries I’ve set. But, goddamn it, I want him to kiss me.

As suddenly as it started, the rain stops, leaving only the steady drip from the leaves above us. Like that, the spell breaks.

Jackson looks up at the sky cautiously. “Is that it? Or is there more coming?”

“Probably done for now,” I say, my pulse still racing. “These downpours usually pass quickly.”

“Whoa,” Jackson says, pointing toward the horizon. “Look at that.”

A massive rainbow arcs across the sky, its colors vibrant against the dark clouds retreating toward the mountains.

“That’s incredible,” he breathes, genuine awe in his voice.

I can’t help but laugh at his reaction. “Haven’t you ever seen a rainbow before?”

“Of course I have. But not like that. It’s huge. Is that normal here?”

“Pretty much. Hawaii does everything bigger when it comes to natural beauty.”

We step out from under the tree and begin walking toward the car again. I glance back over my shoulder at the rainbow.

Maybe Jackson is right after all. Because now that I’m really looking at it, it might just be the biggest rainbow I’ve ever laid eyes on.

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