Page 183 of Restricted List

I know I only missed one game, but it feels so great to be back on the field tonight.

“You ready, Pierce?” Ari asks, slapping a hand to my back as we head out for warmups.

“Yeah. This is going to be a great fucking game.”

Knox pops up in front of us, jogging backward as he faces us. “You’ve got me on the mound again. Of course, it’s going to be a great game.”

“Where the fuck did this ego come from?” Josh asks, joining us, and Lane follows behind.

“I’m pretty sure it was always there,” Lane says. “He was just too grumpy to show it before.”

“Jesus fucking Christ,” he mutters, shaking his head. “I’ll never shake that goddamn reputation.”

“Nope,” I say, playfully shoving his shoulder. “Fort Knox is forever, man. You’re stuck with it.”

Ari scans the crowd before leaning closer to me. “I just found Mrs. Pierce,” he says, pointing to where my wife sits on the third baseline with Sage, my sister, and Ella.

I don’t even hesitate before I jog across the field, heading right to her.

“Aww, look!” Harlow says happily. “My brother is coming over to say hi to me before his game.”

I can’t help but laugh at her sarcasm. “Love you, Lo, but I’m here for my wife right now.”

Ella grabs Sage so Rory can meet me at the railing.

“Good to see you back on the field, Sparrow,” she smiles.

“Good to be back on the field. Ready to show off for you tonight.”

Rory laughs and drapes her arms around my shoulders. “You don’t need to show off, Cole. You’ve already got me.” She holds up her hand, showing off the gold on her finger. “Forever.”

“Forever, baby,” I smile before bringing her in for a kiss. “But I still think I can hit a home run for you tonight.”

“If you hit one for me,” she says, bringing her lips to my ear and speaking softly. “I’ll make sure you’re rewarded well when we get back to the hotel.”

I groan and try to subtly adjust myself. “Rory,” I say sternly. “You cannotsay shit like that to me when I’m in my uniform. I can’t hide my dick in baseball pants.”

“You don’t want everyone to see how hard you get for your wife?”

“I’d rather my wife be the only one who knows how hard I get for her.”

Rory breathes out a laugh, and I think back to the first time I heard that sound. Back to that first day we met after I got traded to New York, and she laughed at what I said as she led me to her dad’s office.

The sound has just gotten more enchanting over time.

“Get back to your team, Cole. You need to get ready for the game, and I want to watch those baseball pants hug your ass as you walk away.”

I can’t hold back my laughter as I wrap my arms around her and kiss her sweetly. “God, I love you, Mrs. Pierce.”

“I love you, too, Mr. Pierce.”

For a moment, I just look at her, so caught up in this moment.

She is everything, and I can’t believe how lucky I am that she said yes to being mine.

Forever.

Epilogue - Rory

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