Page 67 of Winning the Nightcap

“Friends?The way he talks about you sounds like a lot more than friends.”

“You could say that,” I say, unable to keep eye contact with Evie.My face heats remembering all the ways we are absolutelymorethan friends, but we didn’t talk labels before he left, so I’m not exactly sure what to call us at the moment. “I mean…what about Hopper?” I change the subject, looking for an out. Anything to avoid facing the uncertainty of how Aiden would react to an unexpected visit like this. I don’t want to come off as needy.

“Way ahead of you. Dom agreed to take him for the night. I guess Aiden has been over there a few times with him already, and Dom said he’s great with the baby. It’s just for one night too. I told Dom I’d buy him and his wife dinner to pay them back. Plus, the cost of anything Hopper might destroy while he’s staying there, but fingers crossed there aren’t any destructive incidents.”

“I’d need to ask one of my coworkers to cover my classes. You sure it wouldn’t be overstepping?”

“Listen, Bec. I don’t know you, but I know Aiden. And when he talks about you, he’s…happy. I want that for my brother. I want to see him happy.” The heartbreak behind her words strikes me. With everything Aiden has told me about his past, I know there’s a lot of hurt there. I want happiness for him too. I’m not sure I’m capable of giving it to him, but I hope I am. This growing flame between us feels consuming, reinvigorating. The distance we’ve had between us for the past two weeks has only helped me realize how strongly I crave being in his presence. His name lighting up my phone has my pulse racing. I hope he feels the same way.

“What makes you think he wasn’t happy before?”

“You can’t see it, because the change isyou. Aiden is the best brother I could ever ask for. He’s spent the last twenty years trying to take care of our mom and me. I want him to find someone special and make that work. Please don’t get freaked out or anything. There are no hard feelings if this is too much, too soon. I just got excited when I heard your date went well and that you two were still talking. I wanted togo to a game to support him, anyway, and I know he’d love to see you. Plus, I thought this would be a fun way to get to know you.”

Before I even have a chance to process what she’s said, she’s already pulling back, rubbing her palms over her face, doubt evident in her posture. “Sorry, this was a dumb idea,” she says. “I’m probably coming off all wrong, the annoying younger sister dragging you out to coffee and asking you to hop on a plane to see a guy you just started dating.”

“Evie, wait.” I shove my nerves down, the ones that make me want to decline her offer. I decide the risk is worth it. Time and time again, Aiden has me pushing past my comfort zone, because I know he’s worth it. “I have three older siblings. No offense, but compared to the way they hover, you’d have to try a lot harder to outdo them. I would love to get to know you, and I can’t think of a better way to start. When do we leave?”

Chapter Forty-One

Aiden

“Good game,” Roman says as he passes me on his way out of the locker room.

“Yeah, thanks, man. You too,” I reply. The high after going four for four and hitting a home run is washed away when I checked my phone. No missed calls or messages. It’s unfair for me to expect any after only a few hours, but the distance between Bec and I is becoming painful. I’m craving every taste of her she’ll give me.

We haven’t been able to talk as much as I’d like with our mismatched schedules in addition to being in different time zones. The random message here and there, her sass, her teasing, her shyness sprinkled with bouts of that familiar confidence, are all that’s getting me through until I can see her again. I slide my phone into my back pocket, sling my bag over my shoulder, and head to the parking lot, not looking up as I walk out of the locker room.

“God, does he look depressed or what?”

“Why is he sulking like a baby? Did I black out? I thought they won the game.”

Denial hits me first, stopping me from walking any farther. No way. No fucking way those voices belong to the women I imagine theydo. Still, I can’t help turning back to confirm my head is lying to me, teasing and taunting me because I’m missing Bec and my family.

“Hoooooly shhhit,” I drawl. “What…what are you doing here?”

Bec looks up at me, her shoulders curve in the smallest bit, a sheepish look spreading over her face. Her hair is pulled into a messy pile on top of her head. She’s wearing cutoff jean shorts, an Aviators jersey, and Chucks. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

My body is frozen for a moment more before I take three large strides until she’s only inches from me. I don’t think, my body acts on impulse. I slide my palm along Bec’s lower back and pull her toward me. My arms circle her shoulders, hugging her close, eliminating any space between us. Her head fits perfectly in the space between my chin and chest, and as she leans into me, her arms tuck into my chest. Every ounce of tension in my body melts and drifts away and I completely relax with Bec in my arms. I drop a soft kiss on the top of her head, softly whispering, “I can’t believe you’re here.”

“Well, I had to make sure you’re a real baseball player. I haven’t even seen a trading card. Seemed highly suspicious,” she says.

“Had your doubts, did you?”

“Not anymore. You were great.”

“How did you get here?” I ask.

“You’re welcome,” Evie says from down the hall where she’s leaning on her elbow with a shit-eating grin on her face. “I couldn’t handle another morose phone call from you. Thought you might need some fans in the stands tonight, so I dragged Bec along with me.”

“How…how did you two…?” I’m so shocked, my sluggish brain can’t even formulate the questions I need answers to in order to figure out how my sister and Bec are together in front of me. I point my finger back and forth between the two of them, hoping my inability to form the question doesn’t stop them from giving me answers.

“I gave her a copy of your seventh-grade class picture in exchangefor her agreeing to be my travel buddy.” The light behind Evie’s eyes might as well be a dancing flame. Little sisters…they know exactly how to humble you.

I press my eyes shut, saying a silent prayer to no one that she’s lying right now. “Not seventh grade.”

“Seventh grade,” Bec confirms. “Finally, I get to watchyouboard at the humiliation station. It’s about damn time for you to take your turn.”

“In my defense—” I sputter.

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