Page 137 of Passed Ball

Not even a little.

Chapter 61

Vivenne

Frustrated doesn't touch how I feel as I lock up the door to Double Play, thirty minutes behind schedule. If Xavier knew how late I was running, he might change his tune about being nervous. I've been busting my ass all week trying to figure out how to fund a transportation program so no one gets left waiting here like this. Now, of course, I'm the one stuck here because of that scenario occurring again.

Cole is out sick, otherwise I would have stuck him with the job of waiting for Glenda. I swear to god if she doesn't get the boys to this game I will never forgive her. Xavier got them tickets for tonight as soon as he found out they would be playing at home and they've been talking about it all day, their excitement palpable.

I'm a split second from risking my job to take them myself. They deserve to be there. And it's the biggest game of Xavier's career.Nothingis going to keep me away.

I'm grabbing my things, ready to round them up and tell them they're coming with me when the door swings open and Glenda hollers for them. The two boys are so excited for the game that they give her exasperated eye rolls instead of the full berth of their teen wrath and follow her voice to the door with a parting wave for me.

"Now I'm going to have to break about ten laws to get to the stadium in time. And parking is going to be a nightmare. My heart drops. There's no way I'll make it for the first pitch. My phone is already in my hand as I open the Uber app, hoping there's a ride nearby.

By some miracle, a driver is around the corner. I don't even flinch at the surge pricing. Totally worth it. I lock up the building and jog to the curb to wait for my ride.

Traffic is thick with people in the same predicament as me, the city frantic with the possibility that the Bandits could win it all tonight. I tap my foot nervously, my fingers gripping my phone as the minutes tick by and the tiny car on the screen creeps closer. By the time the stadium looms in front of us, my heart is racing, and it has nothing to do with how close we're cutting it.

Tonight is the night. Win or lose, I'm telling Xavier how I feel.

Once the driver pulls up, I leap out, practically throwing myself into the sea of people before he's stopped. Weaving through the crowd I hear the muffled roar of the stadium growing louder. The teams must have taken the field. But I can't focus on the excitement. All I can think about is getting to my seat.

When I finally make it inside, the game is about to start and Xavier is taking his spot behind home plate. I stop at the top of the stairs leading to my section. My chest tightens when I see Xavier's eye on the empty seat--my empty seat. His helmet is lifted and resting above the creased lines on his forehead, his shoulders tense.

The pang of guilt and urgency hits me like a freight train. Without a second thought, I'm dodging people, skipping down the stairs as fast as my legs can carry me.

Flying past the girls who are already there, I don't stop until I'm at the net, my fingers hooking into it. "Xavier!" I shout, my voice lost in the sea of cheers.

The security guard on the field spots me, his stern gaze locking in on me like I'm about to strip off my clothes and streak across the field. My stomach knots, certain I'm about to get kicked out before Xavier even realizes I made it. The guard takes two deliberate steps toward me, and I brace myself for the worst.

But Xavier's head snaps up just in time.

Those gorgeous blues meet mine. His eyes crinkle at the corners, his mouth curving into a slow, heart-stopping smile. God, he's so handsome it knocks the breath out of me.

He says something that makes the guard stop in his tracks, and Xavier tilts his head, lips shaping two unmistakable words.

"She's mine."

I can't tear my eyes away as he lowers his mask, still smirking, and drops low into his stance.

Someone behind me hollers, and I step aside in time to avoid a beer shower, realizing I'm blocking the view of the first pitch. Cheeks flushing, I make my way to my seat, nestled a few rows up and right next to Tenley, where he said it would be.

I'm surrounded by all the Bandits' WAG's who've taken me in as one of their own and there's no place I'd rather be. Draped over the back of the teal stadium seat is a denim jacket. I unfold it, ready to ask whose it is when I see the name and number.

I reach out and trace the stitching on the back, my breath catching. Looking around, I spot Indie, Mia, Poppy, Tenley, and Lilah all wearing matching jackets, their laughter and smiles making my own blossom.

That's when it hits me. He had this made for me.

My chest tightens, a mix of love and gratitude threatening to overwhelm me. He doesn't just see me, this manlovesme. He left me a place, a piece of himself, and a sign that I belong here, with him.

Tonight is just the start for us. The Bandits are going to win the World Series and I get to go home with the man I love.

Chapter 62

Xavier

Starting the most important game of my life with a scare wasn't ideal. But I'm playing in the World Series, something I've dreamed of since I was old enough to swing a bat. Little did I know I'd be eight innings in and stealing glances at a girl.

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